archoncad: a blog about Vectorworks.

The Principle: The Difference Between a Quick Fix and a System This past week, the Vectorworks Training School focused on a vital truth for design professionals: Fast is useless if it’s flawed. We believe in Effectiveness over Efficiency—meaning every action must serve the long-term integrity and profitability of your project. We explored this principle across the spectrum, from…

In our special session last week, we explored the cutting-edge role of AI (including Google Gemini and ChatGPT) in architectural design, specifically focusing on stairs and rendering. The key takeaway? AI is an unparalleled research assistant, gathering codes and visualization ideas instantly. But it still lacks the nuanced understanding needed for aesthetic subtlety or interpreting local building codes correctly. AI…

In collaborative design, the most effective skill isn’t drawing—it’s managing version control and keeping data updated across multiple platforms. Our session last week dove into Mastering PDF Referencing: Stop wasting time manually updating files. Start using effective, linked workflows. ➡️ Learn the best practices for collaboration and file management…

 Fast modeling is easy. Effective modeling means your 3D structure is clean, editable, and visually accurate. In our session last week, we focused on foundational mastery: Effective 3D modeling is about integrity, not just speed. ➡️ Refine your skills and watch the full 3D modeling session: https://www.skool.com/vectorworks-training/about

This week, in the online session, Jonathan reflected on the massive changes in the Vectorworks Training School over the last year—all focused on one goal: improving your path to mastery. We detailed the journey of transforming our platform: Our focus for 2026 is clear: giving you the most effective tools and training to succeed. ➡️ See what’s coming…

 This week, we had fewer formal classes, but the high-value problems we solved—from invisible walls to project overruns—proved the power of one core principle: Effectiveness is the only path to mastery. We believe that chasing shortcuts leads to chronic, frustrating problems that cost you money and time. Instead, we focus on providing systems and solutions…

Efficiency might help you draw a wall faster, but Effectiveness ensures that wall is facing the right direction. Last week, we dove into the importance of Solar Studies—a non-negotiable step in high-quality architectural design. We covered how to quickly yet accurately run solar analyses to understand shadow impact, daylight penetration, and overheating risks. Effective design is informed design;…

It’s one of the most common, frustrating Vectorworks issues: the element you just drew vanishes. In our community session last week, we tackled this core troubleshooting problem by answering a member’s question: Why are my walls not visible, and what does the Layer plane have to do with layer elevation? We broke down how effective…

⚠️ The High-Traffic Hazard: The Stakes for Common Stairs The statistics on stair-related injuries are alarming, but when we move from a single private dwelling to a Common Stair (serving blocks of flats or multi-user buildings), the stakes are immediately higher. In the UK, thousands of serious falls occur annually, and in a shared building, the design…