[Mike Swift]

Does that include student licenses also or just classroom access?

[Mike Swift]

I think most people in general tend to be product oriented instead of process oriented. I learned a lesson back in college to focus on the process and the results you want will come. I did not focus on grades but on really trying to learn something. The grades came because of the process of learning.

If I think back on my best design work it was because I really got into the process. I did the analysis and research. I tried to focus on the client needs and make sure that I captured all of their requirements. In most cases I went through the permutations of form composition, drawing bubble diagrams, and creating functional diagrams. The process paid off. I could probably look back on each design and say that one or more steps were pivotal but hindsight is great. It is better to go through the full process and get as much analysis and thought as possible rather than risk shorting the process and missing that one key element.

I also thing iterative design processes are a huge help. If you can develop concepts and ideas and quickly turn those around for client feedback you have an opportunity to cycle through the design process gradually refining your ideas and solutions.

Being really pragmatic, if you work for a firm with multiple designers there has to be a standard design process. Professionalism and consistency or result demand it. As a group you should sit down over one or more sessions and talk through your methodologies and develop a best practices and standards approach. That is not to say that there is not room for individual creativity and adaption but having a firm wide process will develop consistency and leverage the strengths of all of the designers.

[Mike Swift]

For anyone interested in learning more about Vectorworks and getting some hands-on experience they are offering a series of free test drives in various cities around the country. The link to the list is included below.

http://vectorworks2011testdrives.eventbrite.com/?s=2178673

[Mike Swift]

I saw that they have a golf course product now. I am glad to hear about the ability to add people. The last time I used VizTerra that feature had not been implemented. Also, I do agree that it grows on you. Like a lot of things, you have to get use to it.

[Mike Swift]

I was actually pretty impressed with Vizterra from what I have seen and used of it. I likely the precision and flexibility that it offered. The 2D plan view mode was much more flexible than many of the other 3D packages I have looked at before. I did not especially think that it had a video game feel although I can understand how others might feel that it does.

I tend to use a tool like Vizterra to depict functionality of a space. For depicting aesthetics I would stick with 2D plan views using Dynascape Color and a combination of drawings and enhanced digital photos. The 3D walk through provides an opportunity to talk about how the space performs and how it can be used that is just much more real than talking from a 2D picture or plan. The one thing I wish these packages had was the ability to drop in people so that you could show how the space can be occupied or used in various circumstances.

I think these type of tools provide a unique opportunity to sell functional space along with an aesthetic design.

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