Planet Vectorworks

For Scott Barnes, lighting console programmer and owner of i-light design, the movie “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” is more than a beloved classic from the 80s — it was the catalyst that led to an illustrious career designing 2D plots and 3D models of movie sets. “After I saw ‘ET’ at 10 years old, I realized how fascinated I was with motion pictures,” said Barnes. “I started following filmmakers, got an 8-millimeter movie camera, and began experimenting with filmmaking. Lighting logically followed, and I got my first job offer as a tech guy for a movie with George C. Scott before graduating high school.”

While it might feel like we just launched Vectorworks 2017, we’ve been hard at work preparing for the release of our Vectorworks 2018 product line. As a part of these efforts, we’re pulling back the curtain on one development to come in our next release later this year: Braceworks.

At the crux of our philosophy, we’ve always been committed to developing the best design and BIM software that’s in tune with the needs of designers. To do so, we’ve leveraged input and implemented product feedback from practicing architects, landscape designers, landscape architects, and lighting designers, among other design professionals. Another vital part of these efforts involves the help of our internal industry experts on our product marketing team, so we’re excited to announce that there are three new additions to this ever growing group: Luc Lefebvre, senior architect product specialist, Jim Woodward, senior entertainment product specialist and Brian Nicholson, senior landscape product specialist. After all, there’s no such thing as having too many industry experts.

As 2016 is winding down, we’re looking forward to a bright and exciting 2017 and our third annual Vectorworks Design Summit. Taking place from September 18 to 20, 2017, we’re inviting designers from every corner of the world to our home turf – Baltimore, Maryland for a conference all about hands-on, industry-focused training that will help you grow your skills, your business, and your network of connections. It also promises an in-depth look at Vectorworks 2018 software, which is slated to be released in fall of 2017.

When it comes time for students to start their master project, it can seem like an ominous, looming task, and making up your mind on what to focus on can be difficult, too. But for Raphael Leonida, a recent DeMontfort University graduate, he knew exactly what he wanted to design for his master project: an occupational therapy center.

Since its inception in 1999, the Vectorworks Community Board has acted as a hub for designers to exchange ideas and advice, engage in industry discussions, and troubleshoot issues with our internal team, all while enabling designers to play a role in our software development by submitting their feedback through our Feature and Content Requests Wishlist forum. Continuing with our dedication to valuing and responding to your feedback, we’ve completely reengineered our Community Board to create a better user experience.

With more than 624 acres of rolling green hills, 8,000 trees, and hundreds of gardens, the Arlington National Cemetery’s serene surroundings pay tribute to the 14,000-plus veterans and their family members who rest there. The Virginia site also provides a sense of peace and comfort to those who come to mourn their lost loved ones. As a result, the maintenance of these grounds is an important undertaking, which is why the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) hosts the annual Renewal and Remembrance service event and why we have graciously participated for the past seven years.

We love talking to our users — whether it’s over social media, on the community board, during a firm visit, or even during a 1-on-1 software demo. It helps us to discover what drives our users’ passion for design, how we can better help them succeed, and what they love most about our software. That’s why we decided to reward three lucky designers with a complimentary trip to attend the 2016 Vectorworks Design Summit in Chicago for simply engaging with us on social media.

In its inaugural year, the Royal Institute of British Architects’ (RIBA) International Prize for Architecture recognizes the most significant building of the year that demonstrates visionary, innovative thinking and excellence of execution, while making a distinct contribution to its users and to its physical context. Unlike any previous RIBA award for architecture, the RIBA International Prize is open to any qualified architect in the world.

The acts of directing people through a museum, expediting fans’ exit from a football stadium, and simulating the evacuation of entire cities for natural disasters all share one common thread: they benefit from SimTread pedestrian simulation software. Developed by the Japanese Vectorworks distributor A&A Co., Ltd in partnership with Waseda University and Takenaka Corporation, this Vectorworks software plug-in tackles an array of crowd control needs such as analyzing pedestrian traffic flow, evaluating evacuation times, and verifying a design’s circulation patterns. With version 2.4 released today, anyone responsible for disaster preparedness, public safety, facilities management, or event, municipal, or campus planning will be better poised to handle circulation studies and flow analysis.

If you weren’t among the more than 600 attendees who joined us in Chicago for the 2016 Vectorworks Design Summit, you might feel a little left out.