Vectorworks Vectorworks Pro Tips Start building and refining your workspace immediately - panel layout, contextual menus, etc. Learn those hot-keys, and make your own Use a full size keyboard w/ NUMPAD (otherwise, GFL!!) Start learning how to make and use records/symbols/drawing labels Keep Don Ward’s top 10 cheat sheet handy Vectorworks for Projection Design If you want to learn VWX as a tool for projection design. I can teach ya the basics to get started in an afternoon or two … But it’s a deep dive.  There is’t a linear path to learn Projection design in VWX, unless you are doing traditional trade-show and event set ups. In which case - look no further than the built in “Screen” tool. To me, and most who work in the Creative Tech field - this tool is almost useless. In the hundreds of projectors I’ve engineered and hung, less than 10 were hung “traditionally.” True for you, too?  If you have complex designs in mind or projection that isn’t on screens: building it out is more of a DiY adventure. Projection Viz (link below) is a great alternative to the built in Screen tool, and Landru’s tool set will allow you to create arrays and do other complicated things.  VWX is extremely valuable as an engineering tool, but it’s also great with how you can create your own tools and workflows within. Scripts galore! Make your own plug-ins! Design your own metadata! Collate the information from the metadata in an exciting way! Here’s an example of how I used VWX as an emulation tool while combining my projection mapping skills. I’ve also used VWX to design layouts in my apartment. That’s something a lot of people   My advice is: Take the intro to VWX spotlight workshop seminar. It happens weekly on Vectorworks University and it is free. They say it’s a webinar but the vibe I get is that it’s pre-recorded… ! Essential first step though IMHO.  Take the intro to VWX course “ Core Concepts ” (16 hours) on VWX University (also free). This class was produced by Don Ward for VWX ~2020.  Then, take the intermediate course , also 16 hours, also Don Ward. He’s my absolute favorite VWX teacher - think he left the company in 2021.  Then: Learn how to produce a frustum, modify it, attach it to a projector symbol, etc.  For the University classes; a lot of things have changed, but a lot of things have stayed the same. If you’re lost, your best bet is to consult the forums. If you can’t find something it’s like a 50/50 chance it’s in a different place or straight up just doesn’t exist anymore. VWX is kind of like Google in that way - constantly updating but not necessarily repairing . We lovers of VWX openly acknowledge this great flaw.  Try the plug-in: ProjectionViz 2 https://benghiatlighting.com/software/product/projectionviz-2/ Try the Landru Plug-ins: https://www.landrudesign.com/DefaultFrameSet.htm?VSandSpotlight.htm~LandruMnFrm Vectorworks Plugins ProjectionViz 1 or 2 This is a paid plugin for Vectorworks that does a much better job at emulating projection clipping and is a much better projection tool than what VWX has built in. You can read about it all over the VWX forums, but their built in projection tool is really just for traditional PRJ installs - think classrooms or trade shows. It is terrible for all things non-standard. 90% of the time I don’t use either tool and custom draw frustums instead. I’ve been burned so many times in the past that I do frustum verification no-matter-what. As of April 2023, there is a bug that broke Renderworks rendering + PViz. The developer of the plug-in and VWX are aware and the bug is in their to-do list. As of fall 2024, this is still true.  Vectorworks Projector and Hardware Library VWX has done a pretty good job of putting projectors and cages in their built-in library, but it’s missing a lot of things - mainly new products made after 2018 or so. Yikes !  I have a massive library of projectors and lenses that I’ve collected or made myself over the years. Please hit me up if you’re looking for something - I may have it! Nothing is perfect but it’s pretty damn close enough for jazz. Epson and Panasonic are particularly good at distributing their 3D CAD. If not on website, ask their sales’ teams. Can’t give out that info here but hit me up and I’m happy to connect you! Also happy to share the 3D models I have.  I also have some select Chief hardware that I’ve made.  Vectorworks Round-Tripping VWX to GrandMA Workflow To export model, must be in SPOTLIGHT workspace (or add MVR functionality to Designer (or Architect or Landmark - if you’re a psychopath) Switch to Spotlight Workspace Turn off all things you don’t want to export Export —> MVR (visible only) Roundtripping, I.e., importing an MVR back into VWX doesn’t work currently. All geometry comes back broken.  To bring that file into MA First Show hidden files on windows in order to display ProgramData in C File Explorer Options —> View —>Show Hidden Files Navigate to ProgramData/MALightinhgTechnology/gma3_x.x.x/shared/resource/lib_mvr Import MVR In grandMA3, go to [Menu] → {Patch} Press {Import MVR} in the lower right corner Choose the correct drive from the top right corner Select the desired file and import it Exit out of Patch, saving changes This will import the file at 0,0 and the floor is the same as VWX.