VectorWorks Tutorials

Welcome to the VectorWorks tutorials. These tutorials present detailed

explanations for procedures, tools, and commands in VectorWorks 3D
Power PackTM and VectorWorks Mechanical.
The 3D Power Pack commands are included with VectorWorks 9.5.1 and
later to provide significantly expanded NURBS (Non Uniform Rational
B-Splines) functionality. New and improved functionality has been
introduced with VectorWorks 10.5.
VectorWorks Mechanical, an Industry Series product, is a professional
design and drafting package. Using VectorWorks technology, Mechanical
provides the engineering professional with the tools necessary for
creating an entire project, from design to finished drawings.

To navigate to the tutorial you are interested in, select it from the
table of contents on the left.
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The VectorWorks Tutorials were written by TéAntáe Turner,
Alexandra Duffy, Susan Collins, Biplab Sarkar, and Tom Urie at
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Sarkar.
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Table of Contents

EXTRACTING CURVES FROM SOLIDS..................................................................... 1-1

SETTING UP THE MODELING UNITS............................................................................. 1-1
CREATING A BLOCK ................................................................................................... 1-1
BLENDING EDGES ...................................................................................................... 1-2
HOLLOWING OUT THE BLOCK ..................................................................................... 1-3
EXTRACTING CURVES ................................................................................................ 1-4
CREATING THE GROOVE............................................................................................. 1-5

CREATING AND MODIFYING NURBS SURFACES.................................................... 2-1

SETTING UP THE MODELING UNITS............................................................................. 2-1
CREATING A BLOCK ................................................................................................... 2-1
CREATING NURBS SURFACES ................................................................................... 2-2
RESHAPING THE NURBS SURFACE ............................................................................ 2-2
CREATING THE SOLID ................................................................................................. 2-3
SMOOTHING THE EDGES ............................................................................................ 2-4

CREATING SURFACE MODELS .............................................................................. 3-1

SETTING UP THE MODELING UNITS............................................................................. 3-1
CREATING A FLAT NURBS SURFACE ......................................................................... 3-1
RESHAPING THE NURBS SURFACE ............................................................................ 3-2
CREATING A TRIMMED SURFACE................................................................................. 3-3
CREATING THE HAT SHAPE ........................................................................................ 3-3

CREATING AND MODIFYING FREE-FORM SHAPES................................................... 4-1

SETTING UP THE MODELING UNITS............................................................................. 4-1
CREATING THE CROSS SECTIONS ............................................................................... 4-1
SETTING UP THE CROSS SECTION .............................................................................. 4-2

VectorWorks 10.5 Tutorials 1

 CREATING THE VASE SHAPE .......................................................................................4-4
HOLLOWING OUT THE VASE ........................................................................................4-6
BLENDING THE EDGES ................................................................................................4-8

SECTIONING SOLIDS .............................................................................................5-1

SETTING UP THE MODELING UNITS .............................................................................5-1
CREATING A BLOCK ....................................................................................................5-1
CREATING THE SECTIONING SURFACES .......................................................................5-2
CREATING AND EXTRUDING THE POLYGON.............................................................5-2
CREATING THE SECTIONING SURFACES .................................................................5-3
SECTIONING THE SOLID...............................................................................................5-5

CREATING A REVOLVED RAIL SURFACE ................................................................6-1

SETTING UP THE MODELING UNITS .............................................................................6-1
CREATING THE BASE...................................................................................................6-1
CREATING THE AXIS ....................................................................................................6-2
CREATING THE PROFILE CURVE ..................................................................................6-3
REVOLVING AROUND A RAIL ........................................................................................6-5
EDITING A NURBS SURFACE ......................................................................................6-6

CREATING SHAPES BY EXTRACTING CURVES AND LOFTING ...................................7-1

SETTING UP THE MODELING UNITS .............................................................................7-1
CREATING THE CHAIR SHAPE ......................................................................................7-1
CREATING THE CHAIR PADDING ...................................................................................7-4
CREATING THE CHAIR FRAME ......................................................................................7-7

CREATING A SOLID BY SWEEPING, EXTRUDING, AND SHELLING .............................8-1

GETTING STARTED......................................................................................................8-1
SETTING UP THE MODELING UNITS .............................................................................8-2
CREATING THE 2D ELEMENTS .....................................................................................8-3
CREATING THE CAN WITH SWEEPS AND EXTRUDES ......................................................8-5
ADDING DESIGN DETAILS ............................................................................................8-6

2 VectorWorks 10.5 Tutorials

 TOC

CREATING HELIX-SPIRAL OBJECTS ....................................................................... 9-1

GETTING STARTED ..................................................................................................... 9-1
SETTING UP THE MODELING UNITS............................................................................. 9-2
CREATING THE DOORSTOPPER BODY WITH HELIX-SPIRAL OBJECTS ............................. 9-3
EXTRUDING THE DOORSTOPPER BODY ALONG A PATH................................................ 9-4
CREATING THE DOORSTOPPER HEAD WITH SWEEPS AND FILLETED EDGES .................. 9-5

CREATING PROTRUSIONS AND RIBS .................................................................... 10-1

GETTING STARTED ................................................................................................... 10-1
SETTING UP THE MODELING UNITS........................................................................... 10-2
ORGANIZING OBJECTS ............................................................................................. 10-3
CREATING GUIDE LINES ........................................................................................... 10-3
CREATING THE BASE PROTRUSION ........................................................................... 10-4
CREATING MORE PROTRUSIONS ............................................................................... 10-6
CREATING THE 3D WIREFRAME ................................................................................ 10-7
MIRRORING THE PROTRUSION .................................................................................. 10-8
CREATING RIBS ..................................................................................................... 10-10
MIRRORING THE RIBS............................................................................................. 10-11
ADDING THE SOLIDS .............................................................................................. 10-12
CREATING SLANTED RIBS....................................................................................... 10-13
MIRRORING THE SLANTED RIBS .............................................................................. 10-15

VECTORWORKS MECHANICAL TUTORIAL ............................................................. 11-1

CREATING A 2D SHAFT ............................................................................................ 11-1
CREATING A 3D SHAFT FROM A 2D SHAFT ............................................................... 11-6

VectorWorks 10.5 Tutorials 3

Extracting Curves From Solids
1

This tutorial explains the basics of extracting curves from a • Setting Up the
solid. Modeling Units
• Creating a Block
• Blending Edges
• Hollowing Out the
Block
• Extracting Curves
• Creating the
Groove

Setting Up the Modeling Units

This tutorial works in inches.
To set up the units for modeling distances in inches:
1. Select Page > Units.
2. In the Units dialog box, select Inches from the Unit
Name list.
All distances entered for designs will now be in
inches.

Creating a Block
1. Double-click the Rectangle tool from the 2D Tools
palette.
Rectangle The rectangle object properties dialog box opens.
Tool
Enter the following settings:

VectorWorks 10.5 Tutorials 1-1

Extracting Curves From Solids

2. Click OK to place a rectangle in the center of the drawing area.

3. Extrude the rectangle. With the square selected, click Model >
Extrude. In the Create Extrude dialog box, enter 3” for the Extrusion
value. Click OK to create an extrude object.

Blending Edges
1. Select View > Standard Views > Right Isometric.
2. Click the Fillet Edge tool from the 3D Tools palette.
Fillet Edge Tool 3. Click on one of the vertical edges of the block.
The Fillet Edge Preferences dialog box opens.

4. Enter 3/4” for the Radius, and then click OK.

5. Holding the Shift key down, select all of the vertical edges of the block.

1-2 VectorWorks 10.5 Tutorials

 Hollowing Out the Block
1
Each edge turns red as it is selected.

6. Press Enter (Win) or Return (Mac) or click the check mark button on the
Mode bar.

Hollowing Out the Block

1. Click the Shell Solid tool from the 3D Tools palette.
2. Click on the top face of the block.
Shell Solid
Tool The Shell Solid Preferences dialog box opens.

3. Enter 1/4” as the Shell Thickness, and then click OK.

VectorWorks 10.5 Tutorials 1-3

Extracting Curves From Solids

The top face of the block is highlighted in red (alternatively, select it

from the Select Faces dialog box).

4. Press Enter (Win) or Return (Mac) or click the check mark button on the
Mode bar to create the shell.

Extracting Curves
1. Click the Extract tool from the 3D Tools palette, and select Extract
Curve from the Mode bar.
Extract Tool 2. Holding the Shift key down, select all of the top inner edges of the block.

1-4 VectorWorks 10.5 Tutorials

 Creating the Groove
1

3. Press Enter (Win) or Return (Mac) or click the check mark button on the
Mode bar.
4. Select Organize > Ungroup.
5. Select Tool > Compose.

Creating the Groove

1. Click the Ellipse tool from the 2D Tools palette, and then select Circle
by Radius from the Mode bar.
2. In an unused area of the drawing, create a circle with a 1/8” radius.
Ellipse Tool
3. Holding the Shift key, select the circle and the red NURBS curve created
earlier.
4. Select Model > Extrude Along Path.
The Extrude Along Path dialog box opens.

5. Use the arrow buttons to select the NURBS curve as the path object, and
then click OK.

VectorWorks 10.5 Tutorials 1-5

Extracting Curves From Solids

6. Holding down the Shift key, select the block and the extruded-along-path
object.
7. Select Model > Subtract Solids.
The Select Object dialog box opens.

8. Use the arrow buttons to select the block, and then click OK to create the
groove.

9. To render the model, click the Light tool from the 3D Tools palette to
Light Tool insert a light source, and then select View > Rendering > OpenGL.

1-6 VectorWorks 10.5 Tutorials

 Creating the Groove
1

VectorWorks 10.5 Tutorials 1-7

Creating and Modifying NURBS
Surfaces 2

In this tutorial, the body of a telephone handset is created to In this Chapter:

learn the basics of creating and modifying NURBS • Setting Up the
surfaces. Modeling Units
• Creating a Block
• Creating NURBS
Surfaces
• Reshaping the
NURBS Surface
• Creating the Solid
• Smoothing the
Edges

Setting Up the Modeling Units

This tutorial works in inches.
To set up the units for modeling distances in inches:
1. Select Page > Units.
2. In the Units dialog box, select Inches from the Unit
Name list.
All distances entered for designs will now be in
inches.

Creating a Block
1. Click the Rectangle tool from the 2D Tools palette
Rectangle and draw a 6”x1.5” rectangle.
Tool
2. Extrude the rectangle. With the rectangle selected,
click Model > Extrude. In the Create Extrude dialog
box, enter 1.5” for the Extrusion value. Click OK to
create an extrude object.

VectorWorks 10.5 Tutorials 2-1

Creating and Modifying NURBS Surfaces

Creating NURBS Surfaces

1. Convert the extrude object to NURBS surfaces using the Model >
Convert to NURBS command, which creates a group of NURBS
surfaces.
2. Select Organize > Ungroup to get six individual surfaces for the six
faces of the extrusion. Deselect all the surfaces.
3. Change the view to front view by selecting View > Standard Views >
Front. Draw a marquee box around the top surface to select it.

4. Change the view to right isometric by selecting View > Standard

Views > Right Isometric. Make sure that the top surface is still
selected.
5. Open the Object Info palette. At this point, the NURBS surface
properties are as follows:

Reshaping the NURBS Surface

1. In the Object Info palette, change U Degree to 2 and V Degree to 2.
The number of vertices of the selected NURBS surface should now be 9.

2-2 VectorWorks 10.5 Tutorials

 Creating the Solid
2
2. In either Edit U or Edit V, click on the arrow(s) until the vertex at the
center of the top surface is selected.

3. From the Move pulldown list, select Vertex Only.

4. The Z value for the selected vertex is 1.5”. Change the Z value from 1.5”
to 3”. The surface becomes dome shaped.

5. Change to front view by selecting View > Standard Views > Front.
Deselect the top surface and draw a marquee box around the bottom
surface to select it.
6. Reshape the bottom surface as described in steps 1 – 4. Change the Z
value for the vertex at the middle of the bottom surface from 0 to 1.5”.

Creating the Solid

Select all the surfaces and add them together by selecting Model > Add
Solids.

VectorWorks 10.5 Tutorials 2-3

Creating and Modifying NURBS Surfaces

Smoothing the Edges

1. Click the Fillet Edge tool from the 3D Tools palette. Open the Fillet
Edge Preferences dialog box by clicking on the Preferences button in the
Fillet Edge Tool
Mode bar.

2. Enter 0.5” in the Radius field, and then click OK.

3. Press the Shift key and select the four vertical edges. Perform the blend
by pressing Enter (Win) or Return (Mac) or click the check mark button
on the Mode bar.

2-4 VectorWorks 10.5 Tutorials

 Smoothing the Edges
2
4. Open the Fillet Edge Preferences dialog box by clicking the Preferences
button in the Mode bar. Select the Select Tangent Entities checkbox.
Enter 0.4” in the Radius field, and then click OK.
5. Press the Shift key and select the tangential sequence of edges at the top
and at the bottom. Press Enter (Win) or Return (Mac) or click the check
mark button on the Mode bar to blend the selected edges.

6. To render the model, use the Light tool from the 3D Tools palette to
Light Tool insert a light source, and then select View > Rendering > OpenGL.

VectorWorks 10.5 Tutorials 2-5

Creating Surface Models
3

In this tutorial, construct a hat-shaped solid to learn how to In this Chapter:

create and modify NURBS surfaces and perform surface • Setting Up the
trimming. Modeling Units
• Creating a Flat
NURBS Surface
• Reshaping the
NURBS Surface
• Creating a
Trimmed Surface
• Creating the Hat
Shape

Setting Up the Modeling Units

This tutorial works in inches.
To set up the units for modeling distances in inches:
1. Select Page > Units.
2. In the Units dialog box, select Inches from the Unit
Name list.
All distances entered for designs will now be in
inches.

Creating a Flat NURBS Surface

1. Click the Rectangle tool from the 2D Tools palette
Rectangle
and draw a 6” x 6” square in the center of the drawing
Tool area.

VectorWorks 10.5 Tutorials 3-1

Creating Surface Models

2. Extrude the square by selecting it and then clicking Model > Extrude.
In the Create Extrude dialog box, enter 0 (zero) for the Extrusion value.
Click OK to create an extrude object with zero height.
3. Select Model > Convert to NURBS.
The extrude object is converted to NURBS surfaces.

Reshaping the NURBS Surface

1. In the Object Info palette, change both the U Degree and V Degree
values to 2.
The number of Vertices for the selected NURBS surface is now 9.
2. From the Move list, select Vertex Only.
3. In the Edit V field, press the right arrow key to highlight the bottom
vertex in the center “column”. Change the Z value to 2. In the Edit U
field, press the right arrow to highlight the center vertex, and change the
Z value to 2. Press the right arrow in the Edit U field again to highlight
the top vertex and change the Z value to 2. This creates a curvy surface.

Center
Vertices

4. Select View > Standard Views > Right Isometric.

The surface displays as follows.

3-2 VectorWorks 10.5 Tutorials

 Creating a Trimmed Surface
3
Creating a Trimmed Surface
1. Select View > Standard Views > Top to change to drawing view.
2. Click the Ellipse tool from the 2D Tools palette, and then select Circle
Ellipse Tool
by Radius from the Mode bar.
3. Draw a circle at the center of the NURBS surface with a 2.75” radius.
4. Click the Project tool from the 3D Tools palette, and then select
Project tool
Project & Trim from the Mode bar.
5. Select the circle, select the surface, and then indicate the region outside
the circle to be trimmed away.

Select circle Select surface Select region

6. Select View > Standard Views > Right Isometric.

The surface displays as follows.

Creating the Hat Shape

1. Select View > Standard Views > Top.
2. Click the Ellipse tool from the 2D Tools palette, and then select Circle
Ellipse Tool
by Radius from the Mode bar.
3. Draw a circle at the center of the NURBS surface with a 1.5” radius.

VectorWorks 10.5 Tutorials 3-3

Creating Surface Models

4. With the new circle still selected, select Model > Tapered Extrude.
The Set Tapered Angle and Extrude Height dialog box opens.

5. Enter a 2” Height(Z), leave the default Taper Angle value, and then
click OK.
A tapered extrude object is created.
6. Select Edit > Select All. Select Model > Add Solids to add the
tapered extrusion to the NURBS surface.
7. To render the model, use the Light tool from the 3D Tools palette to
Light Tool insert a light source, and then select View > Rendering > OpenGL.
8. Click the Flyover tool from the 3D Tools palette and click-drag until the
hat displays as follows.
Flyover Tool

9. Select the hat, and then click Model > Convert to NURBS to convert
all the surfaces of the solid to NURBS surfaces. Select Organize >
Ungroup to display all individual surfaces.
10. Select View > Rendering > Wireframe to switch to wireframe view.

11. Click on the drawing area to deselect the objects. Delete the two surfaces
underneath the big round surface.

3-4 VectorWorks 10.5 Tutorials

 Creating the Hat Shape
3

12. Delete the surface at the middle of the big round surface, thus creating a
hole in the big round surface.

Note: You may have to draw a marquee box around the surface in order to
select it.
At this point there are three surfaces.

13. Select all three remaining surfaces, and then select Model > Add
Solids to add the surfaces together.
14. Click the Fillet Edge tool from the 3D Tools palette.
Fillet Edge 15. Select the top edge of the hat.
Tool
The Fillet Edge Preferences dialog box opens.

VectorWorks 10.5 Tutorials 3-5

Creating Surface Models

16. Select Constant Radius, and then enter 0.2” in the Radius field.
17. Click OK.
18. Press Enter (Win) or Return (Mac) or click the check mark button on the
Mode bar to blend the edges.
19. To render the model, click the Light tool from the 3D Tools palette to
Light Tool insert a light source, and then select View > Rendering > OpenGL.

3-6 VectorWorks 10.5 Tutorials

Creating and Modifying Free-form
Shapes 4

In this tutorial, you will construct a vase in order to learn In this Chapter:
the basics of creating and modifying free-form shapes. • Setting Up the
Modeling Units
• Creating the
Cross Sections
• Setting Up the
Cross Section
• Creating the Vase
Shape
• Hollowing Out the
Vase
• Blending the
Edges

Setting Up the Modeling Units

This tutorial works in inches.
To set up the units for modeling distances in inches:
1. Select Page > Units.
2. In the Units dialog box, select Inches from the Unit
Name list.
All distances entered for designs will now be in
inches.

Creating the Cross Sections

To create the cross sections:
1. From the View bar, click Fit to Window.
Rectangle 2. Click the Rectangle tool from the 2D Tools palette.
Tool

VectorWorks 10.5 Tutorials 4-1

Creating and Modifying Free-form Shapes

3. Click on the lower left side of the drawing area, and then press Tab to
highlight the +/-X field. Enter 6”, and then press Enter (Win) or Return
(Mac).
4. Press Tab until the +/-Y field is highlighted. Enter 5”, and then press
Enter (Win) or Return (Mac). Click on the drawing area to set the
rectangle.
5. With the rectangle still highlighted, select Edit > Copy.
6. Select Edit > Paste.
A copy of the rectangle is placed on the drawing.
7. Select the Rectangle tool.
8. Click on the drawing, and then press Tab to highlight the +/-X field.
Enter 3”, and then press Enter (Win) or Return (Mac). Press Tab until the
+/-Y field is highlighted. Enter 3”, and the press Enter (Win) or Return
(Mac). Click on the drawing area to set the square.
A square is created.

Setting Up the Cross Section

To set up the cross section:
1. Click the 2D Selection tool from the 2D Tools palette.
2. Select Edit > Select All.
3. Select Model > Convert to NURBS.

4-2 VectorWorks 10.5 Tutorials

 Setting Up the Cross Section
4
4. Select Organize > Ungroup.
5. Deselect the rectangles by clicking on a unused area of the drawing.
6. Select one of the two larger rectangles.
7. In the Object Info palette, enter 3” for the Z value.

8. Select the other large rectangle, and then enter -3” for the Z value in the
Object Info palette.
9. Select Edit > Select All.
10. Select Tool > Align > Align/Distribute.
The Align/Distribute Objects dialog box opens.
11. Select Align and Center for both the vertical and horizontal.

12. Click OK.

VectorWorks 10.5 Tutorials 4-3

Creating and Modifying Free-form Shapes

13. Select View > Standard Views > Right Isometric.

Creating the Vase Shape

To create the body of the vase:
1. Click the Loft Surface tool from the 3D Tools palette, and then select
Loft with no Rail from the Mode bar.
Loft Surface
Tool
2. Click on the left corner of the bottom square, and then click on the left
corner of the middle rectangle.

The two corners are connected by a red line representing the beginning
of proposed curve.
3. Click on the left corner of the top square.
The loft curve is completed.

4-4 VectorWorks 10.5 Tutorials

 Creating the Vase Shape
4

Note: If the wrong connections are selected, double-click on the last point to
cancel the operation, and then start again.
4. Press Enter (Win) or Return (Mac) or click the check mark button on the
Mode bar to accept the proposed curve.
The Loft Creation dialog box opens.

5. Select Create Solid and then click Preview.

A preview of the final shape is displayed.

VectorWorks 10.5 Tutorials 4-5

Creating and Modifying Free-form Shapes

6. Click OK to accept the settings.

7. To view the model rendered, use the Light tool from the 3D Tools
palette to insert a light source, and then select View > Rendering >
Light Tool
OpenGL.

Hollowing Out the Vase

To hollow out the vase:
1. Select View > Rendering > Wireframe.
2. Click the Shell Solid tool from the 3D Tools palette.

Shell Solid 3. Click on the top face of the vase.

Tool
The Shell Solid Preferences dialog box opens.

4-6 VectorWorks 10.5 Tutorials

 Hollowing Out the Vase
4

4. Enter 3/4” as the Thickness, and then click OK.

The top face of the vase is highlighted in red.

5. Press Enter (Win) or Return (Mac) or click the check mark button on the
Mode bar to create the shell.
Note: If the wrong face is highlighted, select the correct one before pressing
Enter.

VectorWorks 10.5 Tutorials 4-7

Creating and Modifying Free-form Shapes

Blending the Edges

All the edges of the vase can be blended to give them a smoother and rounder
appearance.
To blend edges:
1. Select View > Rendering > Wireframe.
Fillet Edge 2. Click the Fillet Edge tool from the 3D Tools palette.
Tool
3. Click on one of the vertical edges of the vase.
The Fillet Edge Preferences dialog box opens.

4. Select Constant Radius, and then enter 1/4” for the Radius field.
5. Click OK.
6. Holding the Shift key down, select all of the vertical edges of the vase.
Each edge will change to red as it is selected.

4-8 VectorWorks 10.5 Tutorials

 Blending the Edges
4

Rotate the drawing using the Flyover tool from the 3D Tools palette
to make selection easier. To obtain the flyover tool in Boomerang
mode, press Shift + spacebar + C. Release the Shift + spacebar + C to
return to the Fillet Edge tool.
7. Press Enter (Win) or Return (Mac) or click the check mark button on the
Mode bar to accept the selections and blend the edges.

8. Click the Fillet Edge Preferences button on the Mode bar.

The Fillet Edge Preferences dialog box opens.
9. Select Constant Radius, enter 1/5” for the Radius, and then select the
Select Tangent Entities checkbox.
10. Click OK.
11. Holding the Shift key, select the tangentially-connected chain of edges.

VectorWorks 10.5 Tutorials 4-9

Creating and Modifying Free-form Shapes

12. Press Enter (Win) or Return (Mac) or click the check mark button on the
Mode bar to blend the edges.
13. To render the model, click the Light tool from the 3D Tools palette to
Light Tool insert a light source, and then select View > Rendering > OpenGL.

4-10 VectorWorks 10.5 Tutorials

Sectioning Solids
5

This tutorial covers the basics of sectioning solids by In this Chapter:

creating a mallet head. • Setting Up the
Modeling Units
• Creating a Block
• Creating the
Sectioning
Surfaces
• Sectioning the
Solid

Setting Up the Modeling Units

This tutorial works in inches.
To set up the units for modeling distances in inches:
1. Select Page > Units.
2. In the Units dialog box, select Inches from the Unit
Name list.
All distances entered for designs will now be in
inches.

Creating a Block
1. Click the Rectangle tool from the 2D Tools palette
Rectangle and draw a 6”x 6” square.
Tool
2. Extrude the square. With the square selected, click
Model > Extrude. In the Create Extrude dialog box,
enter 6” for the Extrusion value. Click OK to create
an extrude object.

VectorWorks 10.5 Tutorials 5-1

Sectioning Solids

Creating the Sectioning Surfaces

Now create the surfaces that will serve as the sectioning surfaces for the
mallet head.

Creating and Extruding the Polygon

2D Polygon Tool 1. Click the 2D Polygon tool from the 2D Tools palette, and at the top left
corner of the extrude, draw a polygon with the dimensions shown below.

2. Select the polygon, and then click Edit > Duplicate Array command.
The Duplicate dialog box opens. Make the following settings:

2D Selection Tool 3. Click OK to duplicate the original polygon seven times, offset by 1” in
the X direction. Select all the polygons by drawing a marquee around
them with the 2D Selection tool (located on the 2D Tools palette).
4. Compose the polygons into a single polygon by selecting Tool >
Compose.

5-2 VectorWorks 10.5 Tutorials

 Creating the Sectioning Surfaces
5

5. Extrude the polygon. With the composed polygon selected, click

Model > Extrude. In the Create Extrude dialog box, enter 8” for the
Extrusion value. Click OK to create an extrude object.
6. Move the extrude object down by selecting Tool > Move > Move 3D
and entering -1” for Z Offset.

Creating the Sectioning Surfaces

1. Convert the extrusion to NURBS surfaces by selecting Model >
Convert to NURBS. Ungroup the NURBS surfaces by selecting
Organize > Ungroup.
2. Add the surfaces by selecting Model > Add Solids. The solid that is
created will be used as the sectioning surface. Select View > Standard
Views > Right Isometric to view the objects in 3D.

3. Copy the selected sectioning surface by clicking Edit > Copy, and then
paste the copy with the Edit > Paste in Place command. Rotate the
selected copy by selecting Tool > Rotate > Rotate 3D. Enter the
following parameters:

VectorWorks 10.5 Tutorials 5-3

Sectioning Solids

The copy of the sectioning surface is rotated 90o from the original. There
are now two sectioning surfaces.

4. The two sectioning surfaces will be mirrored to create four sectioning

surfaces, with each pair on opposite sides of the mallet head. Switch to
Top view by selecting View > Standard Views > Top.
5. Click the Line tool from the 2D Tools palette and draw a guide line in
Line Tool the center of the rectangle to serve as a guide for mirroring.

Guide line

3D Mirror Tool
6. With both sectioning surfaces selected, click the 3D Mirror tool from the
3D Tools palette and select Duplicate and Mirror Object from the
Mode bar; draw the axis line over the guide line. Delete the guide line.

5-4 VectorWorks 10.5 Tutorials

 Sectioning the Solid
5

Switch the view by selecting View > Standard Views > Right Isometric.
There are now four sectioning surfaces, with two on each side of the block.

Sectioning the Solid

1. Select the block and one of the sectioning surfaces. Select Model >
Section Solids. Ensure that the sectioning surface is highlighted (if it
is not, use the arrow keys to select it).

2. Click OK to section the solid with the sectioning surface. If sectioning

produced the incorrect part of the block, click Reverse Section Side
from the Object Info palette.

If necessary, click to
keep the relevant
portion of the block

VectorWorks 10.5 Tutorials 5-5

Sectioning Solids

3. Repeat the sectioning procedure with the remaining three sectioning

surfaces. The mallet head is complete.
4. To render the model, click the Light tool from the 3D Tools palette to
Light Tool
insert a light source, and then select View > Rendering > OpenGL.

5-6 VectorWorks 10.5 Tutorials

Creating a Revolved Rail Surface
6

This tutorial covers the basics of revolving a NURBS curve • Setting Up the
around an axis point by creating a 3D tent. Modeling Units
• Creating the Base
• Creating the Axis
• Creating the
Profile Curve
• Revolving Around
a Rail
• Editing a NURBS
Surface

Setting Up the Modeling Units

This tutorial works in inches.
To set up the units for modeling distances in inches:
1. Select Page > Units.
2. In the Units dialog box, select Inches from the Unit
Name list.
All distances entered for designs will now be in
inches.

Creating the Base

1. Click the 3D Locus tool from the 3D Tools palette
and place a locus point in the center of the drawing
3D Locus (0,0,0).
Tool

VectorWorks 10.5 Tutorials 6-1

Creating a Revolved Rail Surface

2. Click the Regular Polygon tool from the 2D Tools palette, and then
select Polygon Preferences from the Mode bar.
Regular Polygon
Tool
The Reg Polygon Settings dialog box opens.
3. Enter 5 for the Number of Sides, and then click OK.

4. Click on the 3D locus point and drag the cursor vertically upward. Press
the Tab key to highlight the L field in the Data Display bar. Enter 2" and
press Enter (Win) or Return (Mac) to set the length. Click to set the size
of the polygon.

5. With the polygon still selected, select Model > Convert to NURBS.

Creating the Axis

1. Select View > Standard Views > Right Isometric.
2. Click the NURBS Curve tool from the 3D tools palette, and then select
NURBS Curve By Interpolation Points from the Mode bar.
NURBS Curve
Tool 3. Clicking on the 3D locus point as the start point, move vertically upward
until the I field in the Data Display bar reads -5". Double-click to set the
NURBS curve.

6-2 VectorWorks 10.5 Tutorials

 Creating the Profile Curve
6

4. With the NURBS curve still selected, select Vertex Only from the
Move list in the Object Info palette.

5. Click the right Edit arrow to highlight the top vertex of the NURBS
curve.
6. Change the plane of the vertex to be perpendicular to the plane of the
polygon. Change the Z value to 5". Change the X and Y values to 0".

Creating the Profile Curve

1. Click the Set Working Plane tool from the 3D Tools palette, and then
Set Working Plane select Three Points from the Mode bar.
Tool
2. Click on the 3D locus, the top of the axis, and then one of the corners of
the base to set the working plane.

VectorWorks 10.5 Tutorials 6-3

Creating a Revolved Rail Surface

Second
click
Working plane

Third click

First click

3. Select Window > Palettes > Constraints, and then select

Constrain Working Constrain Working Plane.
Plane
4. Click the NURBS Curve tool from the 3D Tools palette, and then select
NURBS Curve By Interpolation Points from the Mode bar.
5. Click on the top vertex of the axis line, and then double-click on the
corner point of the polygon that was selected to create the working plane.
First click

Double-click

A linear NURBS curve is created.

6. With the NURBS curve still selected, enter 2 in the Degree field of the
Object Info palette.

6-4 VectorWorks 10.5 Tutorials

 Revolving Around a Rail
6

7. Click the right Edit arrow to highlight the newly-created center vertex
point, and then change the X value to 0, the Y value to 1/4, and the Z
value to 1.

Revolving Around a Rail

1. Select Model > Revolve with Rail.
2. Click on the axis line, the profile curve, and then the base polygon.

VectorWorks 10.5 Tutorials 6-5

Creating a Revolved Rail Surface

3. The profile curve is revolved around the axis line, creating a grouped
series of NURBS surfaces.

Editing a NURBS Surface

1. With the new group still highlighted, select Organize > Ungroup.
2. Click on an unused area of the screen to deselect all objects. Select one
of the 3D NURBS surfaces.
3. In the Object Info palette, change the V Degree value to 2.

4. Click the 3D Reshape tool from the 3D Tools palette.

3D Reshape
Tool 5. Click on the bottom center vertex and pull upward to create an opening
in the tent. When the Z value in the Data Display bar reads 2.750", click
to set the change.

6-6 VectorWorks 10.5 Tutorials

 Editing a NURBS Surface
6

The tent is complete.

6. To render the model, click the Light tool from the 3D Tools palette to
Light Tool insert a light source, and then select View > Rendering > OpenGL.

VectorWorks 10.5 Tutorials 6-7

Creating Shapes by Extracting
Curves and Lofting 7

This tutorial creates a miniature prototype of a chair. • Setting Up the

Modeling Units
• Creating the Chair
Shape
• Creating the Chair
Padding
• Creating the Chair
Frame

Setting Up the Modeling Units

This tutorial works in inches.
To set up the units for modeling distances in inches:
1. Select Page > Units.
2. In the Units dialog box, select Inches from the Unit
Name list.
All distances entered for designs will now be in
inches.

Creating the Chair Shape

1. Select View > Standard Views > Right
Isometric.

VectorWorks 10.5 Tutorials 7-1

Creating Shapes by Extracting Curves and Lofting

2. Click the Extruded Rectangle tool from the 3D Tools palette, and
create a box shape. Then switch back to Top/Plan view.
Extruded
Rectangle Tool

3. Click the Rectangle tool from the 2D tools palette and draw a rectangle
Rectangle Tool over the left portion of the box shape.

4. Convert the selected rectangle to a NURBS curve by selecting Model >

Convert to NURBS. Switch back to Right Isometric view.
5. Click the Protrusion/Cutout tool from the 3D tools palette and select
Protrusion/Cutout Extrude Face and Add from the Mode bar. Select the edge of the
Tool
rectangle to highlight it. Drag the green handle up, and then enter 3" in
the Distance field on the Mode bar. Press the Enter (Windows) or
Return (Macintosh) key or click the check mark button on the Mode bar
to create the protrusion.

7-2 VectorWorks 10.5 Tutorials

 Creating the Chair Shape
7
6. Add the protrusion to the box by selecting them both and then clicking
Model > Add Solids.
7. Click the Fillet Edge tool from the 3D Tools palette and select Fillet
Fillet Edge Tool Edge Preferences from the Mode bar to enter a constant fillet radius
of 0.5". Select the following edges (press the Shift key to select more
than one edge). Press the Enter (Windows) or Return (Macintosh) key or
click the check mark button on the Mode bar to fillet the edges.

For clarity, the edges to select

are shown in blue in this
document

8. Create a fillet of 0.25" radius for the following selected edges.

For clarity, the edges to select

are shown in blue in this
document

Flyover Tool 9. Using the Flyover tool from the 3D Tools palette, change the view
slightly to better access the edges. Click the Extract tool from the 3D
Tools palette and select Extract Curve from the Mode bar. Select the
Extract Tool following edges; it may be necessary to zoom in (by pressing the Space
bar to enter Boomerang mode) to select all the edges.

VectorWorks 10.5 Tutorials 7-3

Creating Shapes by Extracting Curves and Lofting

For clarity, the edges to select

are shown in blue in this
document

Press the Enter (Windows) or Return (Macintosh) key or click the check
mark button on the Mode bar to create a group of NURBS curves.
10. Delete the rest of the solid by selecting it with the 2D Selection tool
2D Selection Tool
and pressing the Delete key.

Creating the Chair Padding

1. Select the group of NURBS curves and ungroup by clicking Organize >
Ungroup. Click Yes to confirm the operation.
2. Compose the four top-left NURBS curves into a single NURBS curve by
selecting them and then clicking Tool > Compose. Perform the same
operation on the right side of the chair.

7-4 VectorWorks 10.5 Tutorials

 Creating the Chair Padding
7

For clarity, the edges to select

are shown in blue in this
document; compose first one
side, and then the other

NURBS Curve 3. Click the NURBS Curve tool from the 3D Tools palette, and connect
Tool the top ends of the chair with a NURBS curve.

4. Switch to Top view. With the new NURBS curve selected, change the
Degree to 2 in the Object Info palette. A vertex is placed in the center of
the curve.
5. Click the 3D Reshape tool from the 3D Tools palette and select X-axis
3D Reshape Tool Constrain from the Mode bar. Move the middle vertex slightly to the
left to introduce a slight curve.

VectorWorks 10.5 Tutorials 7-5

Creating Shapes by Extracting Curves and Lofting

6. Switch back to Right Isometric view. Click the Loft Surface tool from
the 3D Tools palette and select Birail Sweep from the Mode bar. Select
Loft Surface Tool
the two top ends of the chair as the rails. Select the top NURBS curve as
the profile curve. In the Loft Creation dialog box, select the Keep
Curves checkbox. Click OK to create the group of loft surfaces that
form the seat of the chair.

7. Ungroup the surfaces by selecting Organize > Ungroup.

8. Thicken the chair seat to create a cushion by selecting the Shell Solid
tool from the 3D Tools palette. Select Shell Solid Preferences from
the Mode bar and enter an Outside thickness of 0.1". Select each of the
four surfaces in turn and for each, press the Enter (Windows) or Return
(Macintosh) key or click the check mark button on the Mode bar.

7-6 VectorWorks 10.5 Tutorials

 Creating the Chair Frame
7

Creating the Chair Frame

1. Select the four shells and group them together by selecting Organize >
Group. With the group selected, select Tool > Move > Move 3D, and
enter an X Offset value of 5" so that the chair frame can be easily
accessed.

Flyover Tool 2. Select the profile curve at the top of the chair and press the Delete key to
remove it. Click the Flyover tool from the 3D Tools palette to adjust the
drawing to better access the chair frame, and then select each of the
NURBS curves that make up the frame and compose them into one curve
by selecting Tool > Compose.

VectorWorks 10.5 Tutorials 7-7

Creating Shapes by Extracting Curves and Lofting

3. Click the Ellipse tool from the 2D Tools palette and draw a circle with a
Ellipse Tool Radius of 0.1". Select the circle, and then the chair frame, and select
Model > Extrude Along Path. Ensure that the chair frame is the path
object, and then click OK to create a tubular frame.

4. Select the seat and move it back to its original position by selecting Tool
> Move > Move 3D and entering an X Offset value of -5".

7-8 VectorWorks 10.5 Tutorials

 Creating the Chair Frame
7
5. In the Attributes palette, select a seat cushion fill color. Click the Light
tool from the 3D Tools palette to insert a light source, and then select
Light Tool
View > Rendering > OpenGL to render the chair. For better results,
select View > Rendering > Open GL Options. In the Open GL
Render Settings dialog box, select Very High Detail and the Use
NURBS checkbox.

VectorWorks 10.5 Tutorials 7-9

Creating a Solid by Sweeping,
Extruding, and Shelling 8

This tutorial creates a miniature prototype of a watering • Getting Started

can. • Setting Up the
Modeling Units
• Creating the 2D
Elements
• Creating the Can
with Sweeps and
Extrudes
• Adding Design
Details

Getting Started
This tutorial uses a pre-formatted VectorWorks file.
Dimensions are provided if creating a file from scratch is
desired.
1. Select File > Open.
The Open dialog box opens.
2. Navigate to [VectorWorks 10.5]\VWHelp\Tutorial
Files\WaterCan.mcd, and then click Open.
This file is in 2D layout and contains the following:
• one rectangle, two inches by three inches
• two lines, one 3 1/2 inches long and one 7/8 inches
long
• two circles, one with a one inch diameter and one with
a 3/4 inch diameter
• one arc

VectorWorks 10.5 Tutorials 8-1

Creating a Solid by Sweeping, Extruding, and Shelling

3. Simplify the screen view by selecting Organize > Classes to access

the Classes dialog box and set the Dimension class to Invisible.

4. Click OK.

Setting Up the Modeling Units

This tutorial works in inches.
To set up the units for modeling distances in inches:
1. Select Page > Units.

8-2 VectorWorks 10.5 Tutorials

 Creating the 2D Elements
8
2. In the Units dialog box, select Inches from the Unit Name list.
All distances entered for designs will now be in inches.

Creating the 2D Elements

1. Before beginning the 3D modeling, additional 2D elements and guide
Line Tool lines are necessary. Click the Line tool from the 2D Tools palette and
draw a vertical line over the right edge of the rectangle.

2. With the line selected, click the 2D Mirror tool from the 2D Tools
2D Mirror Tool palette and select Mirror Object from the Mode bar. Draw the mirror
guide over the left edge of the rectangle to create a mirrored line away
from the rectangle.

3. Click the Rounded Rectangle tool from the 2D Tools palette and
Rounded draw a rounded rectangle over the mirrored line. This will form the basis
Rectangle Tool
of the watering can handle.

VectorWorks 10.5 Tutorials 8-3

Creating a Solid by Sweeping, Extruding, and Shelling

4. Click the Split tool from the 2D Tools palette and select Line Split
Split Tool from the Mode bar. To split the rounded rectangle, draw the split line
over the guide line created earlier.

5. Delete the right portion of the rounded rectangle, and delete the guide
line used to split it.

6. Click the Ellipse tool from the 2D Tools palette and select Circle by
Ellipse Tool Diameter from the Mode bar. Draw a circle with a diameter of 0.5" next
to the 2D handle. This completes the 2D preparations.

8-4 VectorWorks 10.5 Tutorials

 Creating the Can with Sweeps and Extrudes
8
Creating the Can with Sweeps and Extrudes
Begin 3D modeling by creating the main portion of the watering can, and then
adding the spout.
1. Click on the rectangle and then select Model > Sweep. Retain all
default parameters including the Arc Angle of 360 degrees. The 2D
handle created earlier now meets the can body.

2. Create the bottom half of the spout by selecting the longer line and the 1"
circle under the can (press the Shift key to select more than one object).
Select Model > Extrude Along Path, and enter a uniform Scale
Factor of 0.75.

3. Create the top half of the spout by selecting the shorter line and the 3/4"
circle. Select Model > Extrude Along Path, and enter a uniform
Scale Factor of 3.

VectorWorks 10.5 Tutorials 8-5

Creating a Solid by Sweeping, Extruding, and Shelling

4. Select the three solids that were just created and add them together by
selecting Model > Add Solids.

Adding Design Details

Add the finishing touches to the watering can by hollowing it out, adding a 3D
cap with a cutout, and a handle.
Flyover Tool 1. Click the Flyover tool from the 3D Tools palette and adjust the view to
access the top of the can.
2. Click the Shell Solid tool from the 3D Tools palette and select
Shell Solid Tool Preferences from the Mode bar. Enter an Inside Thickness of 0.1".

3. Click on the top face of the cylindrical can and use the Select Faces
dialog box to highlight the top of the cylinder, and then click again to
highlight the top of the spout. Press the Enter (Windows) or Return
(Macintosh) key or click the check mark button on the Mode bar to
create the shelled solid.

8-6 VectorWorks 10.5 Tutorials

 Adding Design Details
8

4. Switch the view to Top/Plan by selecting View > Standard Views >
Top!Plan. Select the arc at the top of the can, and select Model >
Sweep. Retain the default values in the Create Sweep dialog box and
click OK to create a 360 degree angle sweep.

5. Convert the sweep into a NURBS surface by selecting Model >

Convert to NURBS.
6. Shell the cap by clicking the Shell Solid tool from the 3D Tools palette.
Shell Solid Tool Use the same Inside Thickness of 0.1". Click on the cap and then
press the Enter (Windows) or Return (Macintosh) key or click the check
mark button on the Mode bar to create the shelled solid.
7. Add the cap to the rest of the solid by selecting both and selecting Model
> Add Solids.

8. Now create an opening in the cap. Select View > Standard Views >
Front.

VectorWorks 10.5 Tutorials 8-7

Creating a Solid by Sweeping, Extruding, and Shelling

9. Click the Line tool from the 2D Tools palette and draw a vertical line to
the left of the center of the cap.
Line Tool

10. Click the Arc tool from the 2D Tools palette and draw an arc, using the
Arc Tool vertical line as a guide.

3rd click

1st click

2nd click

11. Deselect the arc, and then trim the lines on either end of the arc; click the
Trim tool from the 2D Tools palette and click on the each line to trim it
away. Select the arc and give it a fill of None from the Attributes palette.
Trim Tool

12. Select the arc and the straight line and select Tool > Compose to add
them together. Convert the resulting polyline to a NURBS curve by
selecting Model > Convert to NURBS.
13. Switch to Right Isometric view. Click the Protrusion/Cutout tool from
Protrusion/ the 3D Tools palette and select Extrude Curve and Subtract from the
Cutout Tool Mode bar. Select the curve, select the watering can (the solid), and then
drag the green handle to the right, past the watering can. Press the Enter

8-8 VectorWorks 10.5 Tutorials

 Adding Design Details
8
(Windows) or Return (Macintosh) key or click the check mark button on
the Mode bar to subtract the shape of the arc from the top of the watering
can and create an opening in the top of the can.

14. Switch back to Top/Plan view. The last step is to create the handle of the
watering can. Select the rounded rectangle and the circle created at the
beginning of the tutorial. Select Model > Extrude Along Path, with
the rounded rectangle selected as the path, with a Scale Factor of 1.
Click OK to create the 3D handle.

15. With the 3D handle selected, choose Tool > Move > Move 3D. Enter
an X Offset of 0.2".

16. Select both the can and the handle, and add them together by selecting
Model > Add Solids.

VectorWorks 10.5 Tutorials 8-9

Creating a Solid by Sweeping, Extruding, and Shelling

17. Click the Light tool from the 3D Tools palette to insert a light source,
and then select View > Rendering > OpenGL to render the watering
Light Tool can.

8-10 VectorWorks 10.5 Tutorials

Creating Helix-spiral Objects
9

This tutorial creates a model of a doorstopper. • Getting Started

• Setting Up the
Modeling Units
• Creating the
Doorstopper Body
with Helix-spiral
Objects
• Extruding the
Doorstopper Body
Along a Path
• Creating the
Doorstopper Head
with Sweeps and
Filleted Edges

Getting Started
This tutorial uses a pre-formatted VectorWorks file.
Dimensions are provided if creating a file from scratch is
desired.
1. Select File > Open.
The Open dialog box opens.
2. Navigate to [VectorWorks 10.5]\VWHelp\Tutorial
Files\Doorstopper.mcd, and then click Open.
This file is in 2D layout and contains the following:
• two lines, one three inches long and one four inches
long
• two circles, each with a 1/4 inch diameter

VectorWorks 10.5 Tutorials 9-1

Creating Helix-spiral Objects

• a polygon

3. Simplify the screen view by selecting Organize > Classes to access

the Classes dialog box and set the Dimension class to Invisible.

4. Click OK.

Setting Up the Modeling Units

This tutorial works in inches.

9-2 VectorWorks 10.5 Tutorials

 Creating the Doorstopper Body with Helix-spiral Objects
9
To set up the units for modeling distances in inches:
1. Select Page > Units.
2. In the Units dialog box, select Inches from the Unit Name list.
All distances entered for designs will now be in inches.

Creating the Doorstopper Body with Helix-spiral Objects

1. Select the four-inch long, pink line. Select Model > Create
Helix-spiral. The Helix-Spiral Creation dialog box opens. Create a
helix-spiral object with the following values, and then click OK.

2. Select the three-inch long, green line and create another helix-spiral
object with the following values:

VectorWorks 10.5 Tutorials 9-3

Creating Helix-spiral Objects

Extruding the Doorstopper Body Along a Path

1. Select the red circle and the top helix-spiral object, and create an Extrude
Along Path object (press the Shift key to select more than one object).
Select Model > Extrude Along Path and click the >> button to select
the helix-spiral as the path object; a black box displays around the
selected path object. Click OK.

9-4 VectorWorks 10.5 Tutorials

 Creating the Doorstopper Head with Sweeps and Filleted Edges
9
2. Select the yellow circle and the bottom helix-spiral object, and create
another extrude-along-path object. Select Model > Extrude Along
Path and click the >> button to select the helix-spiral as the path object;
a black box displays around the selected path object. Click OK.
This completes the body of the doorstopper.

Creating the Doorstopper Head with Sweeps and Filleted

Edges
1. To create the doorstopper head at the top of the spring body, click the 2D
2D Locus Tool Locus tool from the 2D Tools palette. Insert the locus along the
zero-inch vertical line (to the left of the polygon, centered above the
spring body).

VectorWorks 10.5 Tutorials 9-5

Creating Helix-spiral Objects

2. Select the 2D locus and the green polygon. Select Model > Sweep to
create a 360-degree sweep object. The Create Sweep dialog box opens.
Create a sweep with the following values, and then click OK.

3. Click the Flyover tool from the 3D Tools palette and rotate the object
until the center of the doorstopper head is visible.
Flyover Tool

9-6 VectorWorks 10.5 Tutorials

 Creating the Doorstopper Head with Sweeps and Filleted Edges
9

4. Click the Fillet Edge tool from the 3D Tools palette. Click the top edge
of the stopper. Enter a 1/4" Radius in the Fillet Edge Preferences dialog
Fillet Edge Tool box, and then click OK. (If necessary, select Fillet Edge Preferences
from the Mode bar to display the Fillet Edge Preferences dialog box.)
5. Select the top two edges and the bottom edge of the doorstopper head.
Once all edges are selected, press Enter (Windows) or Return
(Macintosh) or click the check mark button on the Mode bar. The edges
of the doorstopper head are filleted and the doorstopper is complete.

VectorWorks 10.5 Tutorials 9-7

Creating Helix-spiral Objects

For clarity, the edges to select are

shown in blue in this document

6. To render the model, use the Light tool from the 3D Tools palette to
Light Tool insert a light source, and then select View > Rendering > OpenGL.

9-8 VectorWorks 10.5 Tutorials

Creating Protrusions and Ribs
10

This tutorial covers the basics of creating protrusions and In this Chapter:
ribs by creating a 3D toy block. • Getting Started
• Setting Up the
Modeling Units
• Organizing
Objects
• Creating Guide
Lines
• Creating the Base
Protrusion
• Creating More
Protrusions
• Creating the 3D
Wireframe
• Mirroring the
Protrusion
Getting Started • Creating Ribs
• Mirroring the Ribs
This tutorial uses an existing base file.
• Adding the Solids
1. Select File > Open.
• Creating Slanted
The Open dialog box opens. Ribs
• Mirroring the
2. Navigate to [VectorWorks 10.5]\VWHelp\Tutorial
Slanted Ribs
Files\ToyBlock.mcd, and then click Open.
This file is in 2D layout and contains the following:
• one square
• four circles
• three rectangles

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Creating Protrusions and Ribs

3. Simplify the screen view by selecting Organize > Classes to access

the Classes dialog box and set the Dimension class to Invisible.

4. Click OK.

Setting Up the Modeling Units

This tutorial works in inches.
To set up the units for modeling distances in inches:
1. Select Page > Units.
2. In the Units dialog box, select Inches from the Unit Name list.
All distances entered for designs will now be in inches.

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 Organizing Objects
10
Organizing Objects
1. Select Edit > Select All to select all objects in the drawing.
2. Select Model > Convert to NURBS, and then select Organize >
Ungroup.
3. Click in an unused area of the drawing with the 2D Selection tool to
deselect all objects in the drawing.
4. Holding down the Shift key, select the red circle and the black rectangle,
and then group them together by selecting Organize > Group.
5. Click on the large pink circle. Holding down the Shift key, select the
small pink circle, and then group the two circles together by selecting
Organize > Group.

Creating Guide Lines

1. Click the Line tool from the 2D Tools palette.
Line Tool 2. Draw a horizontal line from the top center to the bottom center of the
black rectangle.
3. Draw a vertical line from the left center to right center of the black
rectangle.
4. Click the 2D Selection tool from the 2D Tools palette.
2D Selection
Tool 5. With the vertical line still selected, hold the Shift key and select the
horizontal line.
6. Select Edit > Guides > Make Guide.

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Creating Protrusions and Ribs

7. Select Edit > Guides > Hide Guides to temporarily hide the guide
lines.

Creating the Base Protrusion

1. Select View > Standard Views > Right Isometric.
2. Click the Protrusion/Cutout tool from the 3D Tools palette, and then
select Extrude Face and Add from the Mode bar.
Protrusion/
Cutout Tool 3. Click on the black rectangle, and then drag the green handle up.

4. Click the Tab key to highlight the Distance field in the Data bar and
enter 2". Press Enter (Windows) or Return (Macintosh) to set the
distance.
5. Press Enter (Windows) or Return (Macintosh) or click the check mark
button on the Mode bar to create the protrusion.

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 Creating the Base Protrusion
10
6. Click the Shell Solid tool from the 3D Tools palette, and then click on
the top surface of the tapered extrude.
Shell Solid
Tool

The Shell Solid Preferences dialog box opens.

7. Enter 1/8" as the Thickness, and then click OK.

The top of the box is highlighted in red. If not, select the correct face
using the Select Face dialog box.
8. Press Enter (Windows) or Return (Macintosh) or click the check mark
button on the Mode bar to create the shell.

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Creating Protrusions and Ribs

Creating More Protrusions

1. Click the Protrusion/Cutout tool from the 3D Tools palette, and then
select Extrude Face and Add from the Mode bar.
Protrusion/
Cutout Tool 2. Click on one of the pink circles, and then drag the green handle down.

3. Click the Tab key to highlight the Distance field in the Data bar and
enter 1/2". Press Enter (Windows) or Return (Macintosh) to set the
distance.
4. Press Enter (Windows) or Return (Macintosh) or click the check mark
button on the Mode bar to create the protrusion.

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 Creating the 3D Wireframe
10

Creating the 3D Wireframe

1. Click the 2D Selection tool from the 2D Tools palette, and then select
2D Selection the yellow circle.
Tool

2. Select Tool > Move > Move 3D.

The Move 3D Selection dialog box opens.
3. Set the Z Offset value to 3/16", and then click OK.

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Creating Protrusions and Ribs

4. Click on an unused area of the drawing to deselect all objects.

5. Holding the Shift key, select the two green rectangles.

6. Select Tool > Move > Move 3D.

The Move 3D Selection dialog box opens.
7. Set the Z Offset value to 2", and then click OK.

Mirroring the Protrusion

1. Select View > Standard Views > Top/Plan.
2. Select Edit > Guides > Show Guides.

3. Click on the extruded double circles on the bottom left.

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 Mirroring the Protrusion
10
4. Click the 2D Mirror tool from the 2D Tools palette, and then select
Duplicate and Mirror from the Mode bar.
2D MIrror
Tool 5. Click on the intersection of the guide lines and draw a vertical axis line
downwards. Click to duplicate and mirror the tapered extrude.

6. With the new tapered extrude selected, click on the intersection of the
guide lines with the 2D Mirror tool and draw a horizontal axis line to the
right. Click to duplicate and mirror the tapered extrude.

7. With the new tapered extrude selected, click on the intersection of the
guide lines with the 2D Mirror tool and draw a vertical axis line
upwards. Click to duplicate and mirror the tapered extrude.

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Creating Protrusions and Ribs

8. Select Edit > Guides > Hide Guides.

Creating Ribs
1. Select View > Standard Views > Right Isometric.
2. Click the Project tool from the 3D Tools palette, and then select
Project and Add and Project and Add Downward from the
Project Tool Mode bar. This is the projection direction that points toward the base of
the protrusion for the yellow circle.
3. Click on the yellow circle, and then click on the shelled block.

4. With the Project tool still selected, select Project and Add Upward
from the Mode bar. This is the projection direction that points
toward the base of the protrusion for the green rectangles.

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 Mirroring the Ribs
10
5. Click on the front most green rectangle and then the shelled block. Click
on the second green rectangle and then the shelled block.

Mirroring the Ribs

1. Select View > Standard Views > Top/Plan.
2. Select Edit > Guides > Show Guides.
3. Holding the Shift key, select the two small rectangular ribs (that were just
2D Selection
Tool
created) using the 2D Selection tool.
4. Click the 2D Mirror tool from the 2D Tools palette, and then select
Duplicate and Mirror from the Mode bar.
2D MIrror
Tool 5. Click on the intersection of the guide lines and draw a vertical axis line
downward. Click to duplicate and mirror the two ribs.

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Creating Protrusions and Ribs

6. With the new ribs selected, click on the intersection of the guide lines
with the 2D Mirror tool and draw a horizontal axis line to the right.
Click to duplicate and mirror the ribs.

7. With the new ribs selected, click on the intersection of the guide lines
with the 2D Mirror tool and draw a vertical axis line upward. Click to
duplicate and mirror the ribs.

8. Select Edit > Guides > Hide Guides.

Adding the Solids

1. Select View > Standard Views > Right Isometric.
2. Click the 2D Selection tool from the 2D Tools palette, and then click
2D Selection
Tool
on the large circular rib at the center bottom of the block.
3. Select Organize > Ungroup, and then select Model > Add Solids.
4. Holding the Shift key, select the shelled block, and then select Model >
Add Solids.

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 Creating Slanted Ribs
10
Creating Slanted Ribs
1. Select View > Standard Views > Left Isometric.
2. Select the blue rectangular NURBS curve, and then select Vertex Only
from the Move list in the Object Info palette.

3. Click the left Edit arrow to highlight the first vertex on the left side of the
NURBS curve and change the Z value to 1.75". Press Enter (on
Windows) or Return (on Macintosh) to set the height.

For clarity, the edited results

are shown in blue in this
document

4. Click the right Edit arrow to highlight the second vertex on the left side
of the NURBS curve and change the Z value to 1.75”. Press Enter (on
Windows) or Return (on Macintosh) to set the height.

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Creating Protrusions and Ribs

For clarity, the edited results

are shown in blue in this
document

5. Click the right Edit arrow to highlight the third vertex on the left side of
the NURBS curve and change the Z value to 1.75". Press Enter (on
Windows) or Return (on Macintosh) to set the height.

For clarity, the edited results

are shown in blue in this
document

6. Click the Project tool from the 3D Tools palette, and then select
Project and Add and Project and Add Downwards from the
Mode bar. This is the projection direction that points toward the base of
the protrusion for the blue NURBS curve.
7. Click on the slanted blue NURBS curve, and then click on the shelled
block.

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 Mirroring the Slanted Ribs
10

Mirroring the Slanted Ribs

1. Select View > Standard Views > Top/Plan.
2. Select Edit > Guides > Show Guides.
3. With the new rib still selected, click the 2D Mirror tool from the 2D
tools palette, and then select Duplicate and Mirror from the Mode bar.
2D MIrror
Tool 4. Click on the intersection of the guide lines and draw a horizontal axis
line to the right. Click to duplicate and mirror the rib.

5. With the new rib selected, click on the intersection of the guide lines with
the 2D Mirror tool and draw a vertical axis line upward. Click to
duplicate and mirror the rib.

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Creating Protrusions and Ribs

6. With the new rib selected, click on the intersection of the guide lines with
the 2D Mirror tool and draw a horizontal axis line to the left. Click to
duplicate and mirror the rib.

7. Select Edit > Guides > Hide Guides.

The toy block is complete.

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 Mirroring the Slanted Ribs
10
8. To render the model, click the Light tool from the 3D Tools palette to
insert a light source, and then select View > Rendering > OpenGL.
Light Tool

VectorWorks 10.5 Tutorials 10-17

VectorWorks Mechanical Tutorial
11

This tutorial, created for Version 10 of VectorWorks, • Creating a 2D

contains procedures for creating a 2D shaft comprised of Shaft
various shaft segments, a key, and a hole. This 2D shaft is • Creating a 3D
then turned into a 3D object with the Create 3D Object Shaft from a 2D
from 2D command. Shaft

Note: The following procedures list only those parameter

values that must be changed. For all other
parameters, leave the default values.

Creating a 2D Shaft
When inserting objects, select the objects either from the
Resource Browser or from the appropriate tools palette.
Note: An object inserted for the first time from a palette
opens the Object Properties dialog box. Accept the
default values and click OK; make changes to the
object parameters through the Object Info palette.
1. Select File > New.
The Create Document dialog box opens.
2. Click Use Document Template, and then select
VW_Mechanical (Inch).sta from the list. Click OK.

3. Place a shaft segment - straight object in the drawing

and enter the following parameters in the Object Info
palette.

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VectorWorks Mechanical Tutorial

Parameter Entry
X -5.5
Y 0
Length 3.000"
Diameter 1.000"
Left End Style Chamfer
Length 0.125"
Angle 45o
Right End Style Fillet
Radius 0.0625"
Show Center Line Select checkbox

4. Place a second shaft segment - straight object in the drawing using the
following parameters.

Parameter Entry
X -2.5"
Y 0
Length 0.750"
Diameter 1.375"
Left End Style Plain
Right End Style Plain
Show Center Line Select checkbox

5. Place a third shaft segment - straight object in the drawing using the
following parameters.

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 Creating a 2D Shaft
11

Parameter Entry
X -1.750"
Y 0
Length 0.250"
Diameter 1.125"
Left End Style Fillet
Radius 0.125"
Right End Style Fillet
Radius 0.125"
Show Center Line Select checkbox

6. Place a fourth shaft segment - straight object in the drawing using the
following parameters.

Parameter Entry
X -1.500"
Y 0
Length 0.750"
Diameter 1.375"
Left End Style Plain
Right End Style Fillet
Radius 0.125"
Show Center Line Select checkbox

7. Place a fifth shaft segment - straight object in the drawing using the
following parameters.

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VectorWorks Mechanical Tutorial

Parameter Entry
X -0.750"
Y 0
Length 1.250"
Diameter 1.750"
Left End Style Plain
Right End Style Plain
Show Center Line Select checkbox

8. Place a shaft segment - tapered object in the drawing using the following
parameters.

Parameter Entry
X 0.500"
Y 0
Length 3.000"
Left End - Diameter 1.250"
Style Plain
Right End - Diameter 0.750"
Style Radius
Radius 0.0625"
Show Center Line Select checkbox

9. Place a key object in the drawing using the following parameters.

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 Creating a 2D Shaft
11

Parameter Entry
X -4.750"
Y 0
Width 0.250"
Height 0.250"
Length 1.250"

10. With the key object still select, change its fill pattern to None in the
Attributes palette.

11. Place a hole - drilled object in the drawing using the following
parameters.

Parameter Entry
X -5.500"
Y 0
Rot 90o
Hole Diameter 0.199"
Total Depth 0.594"
Hole Type Blind Hole
Drill Point Angle 120o
Hole Style Countersunk Hole
Diameter 0.500"
Angle (Deg) 60o

12. With the hole still selected, change its class to Hidden Lines on the
Object Info palette.

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VectorWorks Mechanical Tutorial

13. With the hole still selected, choose Edit > Duplicate. In the Object Info
palette, place the duplicate object using the following parameters.

Parameter Entry
X 3.500"
Y 0
Rot -90o

The 2D shaft is complete and ready to be converted to 3D.

Creating a 3D Shaft from a 2D Shaft

Convert the 2D shaft object to a 3D shaft object.
1. Create a new layer by selecting Organize > Layers.
The Layers Setup dialog box opens.

2. Click New.
The Layer Options dialog box opens.

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 Creating a 3D Shaft from a 2D Shaft
11

3. Select Create New Layer, accept the name Layer-2, and then click
OK. Click OK to close the Layers Setup dialog box.
4. On Layer-1, select all of the shaft pieces, including the centering holes
and key. Select Edit > Copy to copy the shaft pieces.
5. Switch to Layer-2 and select Edit > Paste in Place to paste the shaft
pieces in the same location as on Layer-1.

Note: If Layer-1 is visible, select Organize > Layer Options > Active
Only to view only the active layer.
6. Click on a blank portion of the drawing to deselect all. Then, select the
first straight shaft section.

7. Select Mechanical > Create 3D Object from 2D.

Note: If an object Properties dialog box opens, click OK to close it.
The 3D shaft is created with the same parameters as the 2D shaft.

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VectorWorks Mechanical Tutorial

8. Select the left hole, and then select the Create 3D Object from 2D
command.
The 3D hole is created with the same parameters as the 2D hole.

9. Select the key and click the Create 3D Object from 2D command.
The 3D key is created with the same parameters as the 2D key.

10. Select View > Standard Views > Left Isometric.

11. Select the 3D key, and then select Tool > Move > Move 3D
(Ctrl+Alt+M on Windows or Command+Option+M on Macintosh).
The Move 3D Selection dialog box opens.
12. Enter 0.359” for the Z Offset to move the key to the proper position.
Click OK.

13. While still in left isometric view, select the 3D shaft, key, and hole.
Select Model > Subtract Solids. A subtract solids dialog box opens,
and the shaft is highlighted.

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 Creating a 3D Shaft from a 2D Shaft
11

Note: If not the shaft is not highlighted, click the arrows in the dialog box
until a box appears around the shaft).
14. Click OK.
A shaft with a hole and keyway appears.

15. For effect, render the shaft, key, and hole. Use the Light tool from the
Light Tool
3D Tools palette to insert a light source, and then select View >
Rendering > OpenGL.

16. Select View > Standard Views > Top/Plan. Select the other shaft
segments one at a time, and convert them using the Create 3D Object
from 2D command (Ctrl+Alt+3 on Windows or Command+Option+3
on Macintosh).

Alternatively, select all of the shaft segments at one time and run the
Create 3D Object from 2D command. This tutorial depicts
running the command for one segment at a time.

VectorWorks Mechanical 10.5 Tutorial 11-9

VectorWorks Mechanical Tutorial

17. After all shaft segments are converted, select the hole at the end of the
tapered shaft and click the Create 3D Object from 2D command.

18. Select the tapered shaft and the hole, and then select Model > Subtract
Solids. A box appears around the shaft (if not, click the arrows in the
dialog box until a box appears around the shaft). Click OK. A shaft with
a hole is created.

19. Select all six shaft segments, and then select Model > Add Solids.
Switch to left isometric view and render the shaft using OpenGL, as
described previously.

20. To create a more photorealistic shaft, apply a texture (such as stainless

steel) to the shaft and render it using View > Rendering > Final
Quality RenderWorks (RenderWorks required).

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11

VectorWorks Mechanical 10.5 Tutorial 11-11