Tuition
Having taught at University of Brighton at degree level for over over 10 years and delivered courses in conjunction with the society of garden designers I am well placed to teach you how to master Vectorworks from scratch so that you can deliver comprehensive project packs to your clients.
While I still design and sketch by hand, using Vectorworks allows me to refine my work, make sure it is fully buildable and saves time when creating masterplans, construction plans and drawings, planting plans and any edits and changes that may come up as you move through a project.
I teach private 1-1 or small groups max 4 students. This way I am able to tailor the course to your timeframe and ability. Get in touch if you would like to know more.
Vectorworks Foundations - VW1
Vectorworks training for professionals who want to streamline their businesses through the use of CAD. Recommended for new users of Vectorworks, as well as those with minimal CAD experience.
You will begin with learning how to work on the VectorWorks interface – how the programme is laid out , setting up your workspace, organising concepts and core skills. These include basic drawing techniques such as 2D object creation and editing, object organisation, snap constraints, adding and clipping. Using those basic tools to transfer a survey onto Vectorworks.
You will also learn how to import a sketch design and use this to create a full master plan. Further manipulation of objects, adding and clipping surfaces, dimensions, text and graphic attributes. Creating different surfaces and garden features using duplicate along a path, offset,classes and layers. You will also learn triangulation, how to represent materials and print organisation and presentation borders. Viewports, sheets and printing
At the end of the 6 weeks you will be able to create a simple survey and master plan of a garden. You will be ready to start using Vectorworks to streamline your workflow for your clients.
Prerequisite: Participants must be competent in using Mac or Windows computers and familiar with basic hand drawn drafting techniques.
Vectorworks - Planting Plans VW2
You will learn how to create your own plant symbols using the graphic tools you have already mastered. By the end of the course you will also know how to use the place plant tool, creating your own plant definitions, editing existing definitions, making a plant library of your ‘go-to’ Plants and interacting with the Vectorworks plant database as well as generating plant schedules to send to your nurseries.
You will also learn how to create a maintenance calendar for your clients so they can look after your design and the garden will thrive
Vectorworks Advanced - Construction Drawings VW3
This part of the course takes you deeper into the programme allowing you to build on what you have already learned and use these tools to draw professional detailed working drawings for landscapers to use. You will learn how to use the layers to work on multiple drawings for the same project at one time as well as the following:
Creating Construction plans with necessary information and keys
Setting out plans showing triangulation measurements, materials, using hatches, textures
Calculating areas for beds, lawn, hardlandscaping
Dimension tools used to label construction plans and technical detailing
Cross-sections, elevations and lighting plans