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MiniCAD VectorWorks README Document Thank you for purchasing MiniCAD VectorWorks. This CD contains both the Windows 95 and Windows NT, and Macintosh versions. Your serial number will allow you to access only the platform of the product you purchased. VectorWorks is a significant release. We have made major modifications and added many new features. We have changed some little things and some big things. This has all been done to make the product even easier to use and to eliminate unnecessary terminology confusion. We now have more mainstream CAD nomenclature and are a better cross-platform product. Note: QuickDraw 3D is a trademark of Apple corporation. It may appear incorrectly in some printed literature. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CONTENTS ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. Installation 2. Help System 3. Learning Exercises 4. New Features 5. Name Changes 6. Clarifications/Addenda to AEC items 7. Streamlined Workspaces 8. Theatrical Lighting ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Installation ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To install VectorWorks on Windows 1. Make sure all applications are closed. 2. Insert the VectorWorks Installation CD-ROM. 3. Follow the on-screen instructions. 4. Install QuickTime and Acrobat Reader. To install VectorWorks on Macintosh 1. Make sure all applications are closed. 2. Insert the VectorWorks Installation CD-ROM. 3. Double-click on the Installation icon. 4. Read the information displayed. 5. Click OK. 6. Follow the on-screen instructions. 7. Install Quicktime and Acrobat Reader Once the installation is complete, open VectorWorks in the manner in which you open other applications on your system. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Help System ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The VectorWorks On-line Help sysetem is HTML based. It will automatically invoke the default Internet Browser you have installed on your system. The help system is compatible with any web browser that supports frames and Javascript (this includes both Microsoft Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator). It is recommended you use Internet Explorer 4 or Netscape Communicator 4. Netscape Communicator 4 is included on the installation CD. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Learning Exercises ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Learning Exercises are available through the help system by clicking On-line manuals The files that accompany these exercises are located in your toolkit. If you are using an Evaluation of VectorWorks, there are additional files in this folder. Since the Evaluation version has Save disabled, these files, titled by page number in the exercise, can be used as a reference or starting point if you do not complete a module. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- New Features ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We have added many new features to this release and some of the features that have been in MiniCAD have been improved. These improvements involve performance and appearance. Improved features are discussed throughout the manual. New features enhance your ability to design quickly and effectively. New features are described below. Name Purpose Asymmetrical and symmetrical Improved scaling capability scaling of objects Built-in Plug-in Objects: Create these objects easily Doors, Cabinets, Windows Class and Layer Standards Provides industry specific standards in templates in templates and other files Class and Layer dialog Provides access to standard layer names and access to standards directory classes via creation dialogs. Class graphic attributes Graphic attributes such as fill and pen are now included in classes. Cones, Spheres, and Hemispheres Create these solids Create Plug-in Capability Object-based customization capability Create Roof from Walls Creates roofs from bearing walls Duplicate button on Easier to create new symbols from old ones Resource Palette DXF/DWG options enhanced Improved import and export capabilities and functionality improved EPS preview for windows Ability to preview EPS files cross-platform Export Image File formats New export capability (BMP, JPEG and other images) Fixed Length Dimensioning More International dimension standards Import Image File New import capability (GIF, JPEG and other images) Locus dialog box Enhancement to placement Meshes can now be used for More consistent solids behavior solid operations if closed Multiple Edit Better editing capability for multiple selections Multiple Undo/Redo Undo and redo multiple user actions New File Templates Industry specific templates Offset Insertion for Symbols Used for symbol placement in walls Offset Selection Tool Mode Used for selection in walls Picture, Bitmap Rotate Pictures and Bitmaps can now be rotated. and Color Bitmaps Bitmap objects have been upgraded to support full color images. Pop up edit menu Makes common editing functions more convenient. QuickTime Creation for Windows Cross-platform creation capability Reverse translate Translate to previous versions of VectorWorks (MiniCAD) Round Walls Create round walls Square and vertical cut holes Extended capability. and Dormer windows and skylights added for roofs Square Mitered Roofs Extended capability. Template Set-up wizard Easier to setup files Text alignment and wrapping More accurate text placement and modification. Tool Tips Cross platform ease of use Volume & surface area now More information provided reported for solids Wall Heal tool Better way to access this capability. Workgroup Referencing Share work with team members Workspaces Cross platform customizability ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Name Changes ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Product Name Change This release of MiniCAD represents more than just the next revision in a product line, but stands as a milestone in MiniCADÃs development history. In order to represent Diehl Graphsoft appropriately among first-tier CAD developers, and more accurately position MiniCAD in the minds of CAD professionals, the name MiniCAD has been changed to MiniCAD VectorWorks. As MiniCAD has grown, so has its feature base. We understand that some terminology has become confusing. The following names have been changed to better clarify the intention of the tool or command. Old name New Name Reason Create Database Worksheet Create Report Better clarify intention Edit Attributes Set Attribute Defaults Better clarify intention Hatches Static Hatches Better clarify intention MiniPascal VectorScript More portable language name that is not tied to MiniCAD MiniPascal Commands Scripts Better clarify intention Overlay Workspace Better clarify intention Roof Roof Face Better clarify intention Roofer Create Roof Better clarify intention Rotate to Zero Unrotate 3D Objects Better clarify intention Scale Layer Scale Better clarify intention Screen Hints SmartCursor Cues Better clarify intention Snap to Edge Smart Edge Better clarify intention Snap to Points Smart Points Better clarify intention Spreadsheets Worksheets Better clarify intention Stationery Template Cross platform compatibility External Plug-in Better clarify intention ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Clarifications/Addenda to AEC items ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ AEC-Specific Tools 5-36 Number Stamp, 5-37 Revision Cloud, 14-47 Property Bounds, 14-51 Parking Space: Each of these items shows a tool palette that is out of date. We have added many new features in the AEC workspace since the manual was published. 14-28 Roof Bearing Height Dialog The bearing height field is actually referring to its position within the layer assigned to the roof. For example, if a Layer z-base is at 10 feet, and you want the roof bearing point at 10 feet, then you would enter 0" in the field. If you wanted the roof bearing at 12 feet, then you would enter 2'0" in the field. The description in the book refers only to a case where you would want the walls and the roof on the same layer. 14-24 Straight Stair Tool The tool palette is out of date and we have added several new plug-in objects since the manual was published. They are Stair, Ramp, Escalator and Curved Stair. These items have many advantages over the Straight Stair Tool. 14-54 Plug in Objects for AEC: We've also added the following plug-in objects to VectorWorks. These are in the 'AEC Objects' palette in the AEC Workspace. Descriptions of them follow: Column: Place this by its center in plan view. Many geometric options in the Obj Info palette. Campanile: Place this by its center in plan view. Note that the 'Clock Tower' option gives the correct time! Wall Opening: Note that 'Elevation' refers to sill height of the opening. 'Use Wall Lines' will draw the sill below. Note that the wall opening will auto- matically determine the thickness of the wall it is placed in to draw itself. Complex Window: Too many options to elaborate here, that's why we call it 'complex'. Experiment and enjoy. The "Offset" field allows you to offset the window in the wall, for example to center it in the "framing" of a veneer wall. Mullion: Insert the Mullion object in a thin wall with no fill for a window wall. Note: the mullion will sense the height of the wall it is inserted into and adjust its own height accordingly. Sliding Glass Door/French Door/Overhead Door: These objects are pretty self explanatory. You may want to refer to the discussion of the 'Simple Door'. Stair/Curved Stair/Ramp: The options for these are pretty self-expanatory. Note that (in stairs, not ramps) the height of the stair run itself is 1 riser shorter than the "Floor to floor height" parameter. (This makes sense when you think about it and play with the stair a little). The two "offsets" allow you to make landings of depth that is different from the width of the stair and uneven-leg landings. On stairs, 'Show data' will show the riser height if you have an arrow selected. Escalator: This plug-in will try to keep you close to industry standard config- urations for escalators. If you have a parameter that is impossible for the escalator to accomplish, it will create a text object noting the error. Once you correct the parameter, the escalator will draw. Table/Table & Chairs/Shelving Unit/Desk: The parameters for these 'conventional' furniture items are pretty self-explanatory. Workstation Counter, Panel, Pedestal and Overhead: From these four objects, you can create just about any systems furniture configuration. Notice the various shapes of worksurfaces available. We recommend that you set the mounting heights (of worksurfaces or storage units) using the 'height AFF' parameter and not just dragging them in a 3D view. ...more plug-in objects will be made available on an ongoing basis at the Diehl Graphsoft Web site: http://www.diehlgraphsoft.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Streamlined Workspaces ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ New Workspaces We have added 3 new workspace formats which reflect the way we think more advanced users will want to work: 8 Standard (Streamlined), AEC (Streamlined), and Mechanical Eng (Streamlined). These workspaces are more compact and make much more use of the capability within the Workspace Editor to create a 'fly-out' for several tools in one space on the palette. The menu structure for these overlays is unchanged from the standard versions. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Theatrical Lighting ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The tool and menu modules of the Theatrical Lighting overlay currently work only with the theatrical lighting stationary template supplied in the shipping Templates folder. The features will be revised to work with any open document and will be posted as an update to our web site as soon as possible. 
