The Classes

All classes are taught using the latest version of Vectorworks (2012), users of earlier versions will benefit. Every effort is made during the class to identify new features and suggest alternate procedures for legacy users.

The Basic and Intermediate hands-on Vectorworks training seminar runs two or two and a half days (a Saturday and Sunday plus a Friday afternoon for the two-and-a-half day class), and is typically held in a computer lab where every participant has his or her own workstation. Alternately, depending on the location, attendees may need to bring their own laptops with Vectorworks installed. The course focuses on professional applications of Vectorworks to efficiently develop drawings and models, honing overall design and drafting strategies. Topics include:

• Setting up files and preferences
• Working with Constraints, Object Information, and other key palettes
• Using efficient drafting techniques with surfaces, 2D reshape, hybrid 2d and 3D objects, parametric objects, and symbols
• Organizing drawing files using groups, classes, design and sheet layers, viewports, layer links, and saved views
• Information management with record formats and worksheets
• Importing and exporting drawing files and images
  

The BIM (Building Information Modeling) Workshop is a two-day hands-on Vectorworks training workshop emphasizing 3D, 2D, and data strategies for leveraging Vectorworks in a BIM workflow. The class takes an architectural approach to teaching Vectorworks, but the lessons learned are applicable to a variety of industries. Topics covered include:

• Using hybrid 2D and 3D intelligent parametric objects such as site models, walls, windows, doors, stairs, etc.
• File organization and maximizing the effectiveness of classes, design and sheet layers, and viewports for efficiently extracting views of a building model
• General 3D modeling
• Embedding data in hybrid objects and generating tabular views (reports) such as door and window schedules, area takeoffs, and building performance calculations
• Team collaboration using workgroup references, including integrating DWG (AutoCAD files) in your workflow, and importing and exporting IFC (Industry Foundation Classes) files

For a preview of projects demonstrating some of these principles (and others) please see these two online movies (approximately 40 minutes in length each):
http://download2.nemetschek.net/www_movies/Francois_Levy_AIA/Francois_Levy_AIA.html
http://download2.nemetschek.net/Presentations/Levy_7shades_green.mov

The 3D Masterclass is designed for intermediate and advanced users of Vectorworks ARCHITECT, DESIGNER, or LANDMARK with RenderWorks. This vignette-based class covers:

• Digital terrain modeling
• Solids modeling, including Boolean solids and NURBS (non-uniform rational B-spline)
• Lighting
• Rendering with a variety of RenderWorks techniques
• Exporting image files and creating animations

Register
Go here to register online (and pay either via PayPal, check or Purchase Order).

About the Instructor
The classes are taught by François Lévy, AIA, AIAA, a registered Texas architect and researcher. He holds an M.Arch and an MS in architectural engineering from The University of Texas at Austin, where he has taught in both the School of Architecture and the Cockrell School of Engineering, as well as at UT San Antonio and St. Edward's University. He is the author of BIM in Small-Scale Sustainable Design, published by Wiley

François has been practicing architecture since 1993, and established his own firm in 1997. His architectural projects have attracted regional and national press, including Dwell magazine and HGTV. In addition to leading CAD and BIM seminars to professionals, his areas of research interest are sustainable architecture, cooling through passive ventilation, and space architecture. A dedicated Vectorworks user since 1993, he organizes the Austin Vectorworks Users Group. 

For additional information or individual training, please contact François.