Vectorworks 2019’s latest service pack (SP3) comes with powerful new features and technologies that will elevate the capabilities of what Vectorworks users can do with the popular BIM and CAD application.
SP3 adds three new major updates to Vectorworks 2019 that will take visualization workflows further for users with more options. The most important of these is the Lumion announcement.
The Power of Real-Time Lumion Rendering
Lumion is considered by many the top real-time, photo-realistic rendering solution in the market and now Vectorworks users can utilize this solution’s technology directly. This comes about via a new live-sync rendering connection that allows designers to perform real-time rendering while making design changes in Vectorworks software. The LiveSync plugin is developed by Lumion and is the first partner plugin to use a new technology called Vectorworks Graphic Sync (VGS) API (application programming interface) developed by Vectorworks. The VGS API provides live access to the Vectorworks 3D scene and enables third parties to connect Vectorworks to any 3D visualization engine imaginable.
“Lumion is highly respected in the AEC and landscape design industries and has been incredibly popular with our users as a stand-alone tool,” said Dave Donley, director of product technology at Vectorworks. “Offering the live-sync rendering connection within our software shows our commitment to equipping designers with connections to the best tools, so they can easily and quickly complete their work while still providing top-notch quality presentations to their clients.”
01 – The power of Lumion real-time rendering now available to Vectorworks users.
Lumion and the LiveSync plugin are available for the Windows operating system and the plugin is available immediately for English language users on the Lumion website. Additional language options will be offered soon. Learn more about how LiveSync works in this video, and sign up for the upcoming webinar with Michael Brightman on April 11 at 2 p.m. ET.
“We’re thrilled that Vectorworks users can now link with Lumion to immediately create a whole new level of sensorial experience in their 3D models,” said Ferry Marcellis, CEO at Lumion. “We’re confident that seeing the 3D model in a beautiful setting while simultaneously working on the design can open the door to a more productive, more enjoyable design and visualization experience for many Vectorworks users.”
Immerse Clients in Your Design with Linked Panoramas
Vectorworks 2019’s SP3 service pack also delivers new Vectorworks Cloud presentation features. With an active Vectorworks Service Select membership, designers and architects can use Vectorworks Cloud Services to generate presentations of designs with an intuitive drag-and-drop interface.
Presentations include interactive 360 rendered panoramas that can be linked together to create a holistic, immersive experience. This unique presentation capability helps to communicate and connect your design ideas with your clients’ expectations. Providing better communication among designers and clients, the feature allows the creation of a high-quality experience of a project’s design and a shareable web link. This video showcases the Vectorworks Cloud presentation feature.
A Better Way to Work—GDTF
Last year Vectorworks, along with MA Lighting and Robe lighting, announced the creation of a new open file format called General Device Type Format (GDTF), designed to support the needs of the entertainment design industry. In line with that effort, the founding companies of GDTF have also created a file format called My Virtual Rig (MVR). The MVR file format creates a two-way connection between planning, previz and console systems that implement the support needed for a seamless workflow. The MVR format contains the 3D model, texturing, position information and GDTF information from the design in Vectorworks Spotlight.
With SP3 Vectorworks 2019 now supports import and export of MVR and import of MVR into Vision 2019, the previz software from Vectorworks. This will greatly improve workflows for entertainment designers, through efficiencies and connections of data—from design planning to previz. You can watch a video to see the GDTF updates in action.
This video shows the Lumion integration with Vectorworks 2019, SP3.
“Our release of Vectorworks 2019 Service Pack 3 is the perfect example of our focus on connecting quality features and improvements with the end goal of superior workflows,” said Steve Johnson, vice president of product development. “With our forward-thinking methods and latest developments, we’ve demonstrated our power of connecting design with innovative cloud and mobile features, as well as our dedication to offering robust live-rendering applications.”
One More Thing
In addition to these great new features, SP3 also contains a number of additional performance improvements, including several fixes to compatibility with macOS Mojave and significant redraw speed enhancements with Space Objects.
This Service Pack is available as a downloadable updater for all U.S. English-based versions of Vectorworks 2019. To install, click here or select “Check for Updates” from the Vectorworks menu (Mac) or Help menu (Windows). To find out more about this release, read the tech bulletin. Contact tech@vectorworks.net with any technical questions.