Some clients want to make sure that the PDF files they export are to a high standard. There are some settings you can use to control the output of PDF drawings, but it depends on how you are trying to create the PDF’s.
Exporting Drawings to PDF – When your drawings are ready, you can easily export them to PDF for emailing or printing.
Exporting DXF File From a Sheet Layer – Exporting a DXF file from a sheet layer will preserve the drawing.
Exporting DXF File From a Design Layer – There are often times when you need to export your work to a consultant so they can work on it. You will have to decide what you want to export, as there are several options.
Importing DXF Files – There are often times when you need to import a file from a consultant. Your consultants may be using a program other than VectorWorks, so you may have to share information in a form that both your CAD program and your consultant’s program understands.
Importing PDF Files – Vectorworks can import single or multi-page PDF files. Depending how the PDF files are made, you can span to them and extrude directly from the PDF.
I use batch exporting PDF files all the time. This is a great way to export all the sheet layers, or saved views from file.
When you have exported the IFC model, you should view it in a model viewer. There are several, but you can use Solibri Model Viewer.
Setting up your Vectorworks files to make use of IFC, and an introduction to exporting your Vectorworks files to IFC
Once the worksheet is completed and updated it can be exported to your user folder so that can be used on every project.
When you have created a worksheet, it is then possible to export the worksheet to your user folder. This will allow you to use this new worksheet on every project.
We often have to work with consultants and clients that do not use Vectorworks. DXF or DWG (AutoCAD) is usually the best way to do this. It will allow the you to use their information in Vectorworks, or it will allow them to import your work.
Exporting for 2D Using Design Layers.
Exporting for 2D Using Sheet Layers
Exporting a 3D Model. DXF/DWG does not understand a hybrid object. So when you export, you have to choose to export the 2D parts of the file, or export the 3D parts of the file. You can not export both (easily).
The Purge command in Vectorworks 2010 has been improved.
One of my clients just phoned up in a panic. They were trying to print a job to PDF. All the drawings except for one printed without the text boxes. I thought it might be a font problem, so I suggested a change to Arial (always a fallback font).
“had a few veiwports and referenced viewports on the page – all that use Avante Garde. Then 2 schedules and 1 worksheet – also all used avante garde. No text at all would actually appear in the PDF – even fonts that were not avante garde. Once I deleted the suspect schedule viewport every other bit of text began to appear – then I changed the font to Arial made a new viewport and it worked fine.”
Export to Google Earth. If you ever wanted to send your file to your clients to look at, try this method. You can send your clients a version of your file that they can open with Google Earth (a free program).