Vectorworks University

Tasked with bringing the Creative Director’s fuzzy vision to life, Eric Girard and his team at Cramer used innovative design software, Vectorworks and ConnectCAD, to finish the project. Join Eric Girard, technical director at Cramer, for a case-study-style webinar focused on a corporate event at the Foxwoods Casino where his team seamlessly integrated rigging, lighting, sound, projection, staging, and LEDs. Tune in for workflow tips and tricks to reduce errors and increase your productivity.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1. Communicate effectively to actualize ideas.
2. Expedite workflow with custom templates for planning projection screens, LEDs, wiring diagrams, and more.
3. Use software to automate paperwork, saving time onsite and reducing errors.

Working on an AV installation project in a building that's still under construction presents a variety of challenges. In this month’s webinar, see how RTN Showsupport overcame some of these problems—learn from their mistakes and discover the role BIM played in their success. Spoiler: it all boils down to understanding that everyone from architects to lighting designers is part of one team, and that each member is willing and able to accommodate each other's needs and work together to complete the project.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1. Achieve a basic understanding of BIM workflows.
2. Learn how to use BIM when collaborating with other disciplines, including architects.
3. Understand the IFC file format.
4. Explore the benefits of IFC when working with architects and contractors.

Don’t get left behind in the industry. Join Brandon Eckstorm, product marketing manager at Vectorworks, Inc. and Rene Berhorst, head of product management at MA Lighting as they give a quick introduction into GDTF & MVR and what the future holds. Then, Matt Geasey, technical director at Clear All Visuals will dive into why he is transitioning his workflow to include GDTF and MVR file formats, how he is creating these file types and the benefits he has experienced thus far.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1. Understand what GDTF & MVR are and their future developments.
2. Explore the benefits of using GDTF & MVR in your workflow.
3. See how to create these file formats.
4. Learn how Clear All Visuals is gearing up using GDTF & MVR in their first show production.

Join Creative Technology Sweden CAD Specialist Peter Pihlblad for a case study on collaboration with project partners from different locations. Pihlblad will explain how he worked with an external audio engineer, video engineer, and production manager to produce a successful event. Explore how the organization of classes and layers sets the stage for an effective project sharing workflow.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1. Understand how strategic organization of classes and layers plays into successful project sharing.
2. See how to collaborate with project partners from different locations by using project sharing.
3. Take note of Pihlblad’s first-hand project sharing tips and tricks.
4. Identify common workflow problems that can be solved with the help of project sharing.

Join Head of Technical Production Tom Cordory to learn how the designers at Stagestruck are simplifying their workflow from using a mixture of AutoCAD, Revit, 3ds Max, Cinema 4D, and SketchUp to a streamlined Vectorworks Spotlight solution. Explore why they made the switch and how they benefit from the new, simplified process that greatly reduces the number of applications used — without compromising quality.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1. Explore benefits of an all-in-one solution, such as 2D to 3D capabilities, collaboration, point cloud integration, and automated reports.
2. Learn how and why Stagestruck decided to switch to Vectorworks.
3. Witness how streamlined workflows with Vectorworks improved the firm's design process.

Join us for a discussion on GDTF and MVR with a panel of industry experts from MA Lighting, ROBE, and Vectorworks. This webinar will examine the evolution of GDTF and MVR — where they are now and what to expect moving forward.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1. Understand background and goals for developing the GDTF and MVR file formats.
2. Examine the current status of GDTF and MVR implementation.
3. Learn updates on the status of integrating GDTF files into user workflows.
4. Discover how manufacturers can help move GDTF and MVR forward.

Join Director Enzo Appetecchia to see how the event design and visualization experts at Skakki Studio moved from seven different software programs — including AutoCAD and WYSIWYG — to just three that have revolutionized their workflow. In this one-hour webinar, attendees will discover how seamlessly Vectorworks integrates with rendering options like Cinema 4D to impress clients with stunning visualizations.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1. Discover time-saving solutions to designing events with quick turnarounds.
2. Explore the benefits of switching to an all-in-one software solution.
3. Learn how to use Spotlight to design unconventional events in unusual locations.
4. Witness the seamless integration between Vectorworks, Cinema 4D, and Unreal Engine 4 to bring your design to life with photorealistic renderings.

How do you know when you have made a bad production? James Simpson, lighting visualizer at the Royal Opera House, discusses the benefits of design visualization for producing opera and ballet by improving the efficiency, speed, and quality of the finished production.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1. Learn how the Royal Opera House uses visualization to improve the production design process.
2. See how virtual and augmented reality can be used to improve designs.
3. Learn about new technology that will have an impact on design processes in the future.
4. Discover the tools behind good visualization and learn how they fit into the design process.

Join Ben Elmore, ETCP certified rigger and project manager at Markey’s Rental & Staging, for a free, one-hour webinar on how Braceworks and Vectorworks Spotlight can save you both time and money. Through several case study examples, Elmore will also show attendees how to use point cloud technology to increase efficiency and reduce the possibility for human error.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1. Discover how Braceworks can streamline your workflow and reduce the number of errors.
2. Understand how to automatically attach objects to your rigging system, scoot chain hoists, add or remove chain hoists, add loads, remove loads, and export a FEA report in Braceworks.
3. Learn how to transform 2D drawings into 3D models using point cloud technology.
4. Explore how collaboration via import/export can be used to ensure accuracy of shared information.

Catch up with set designer Morgan Lindsey Price and see how she’s made a name for herself since winning the 2015 Vectorworks Design Scholarship. In this live webinar, she’ll discuss her scenic-focused design workflow that’s tailored for speed and flexibility. Price has developed this process while working as art director in TV and film, including the new Grey’s Anatomy spinoff, Station 19, and 3 seasons on the Netflix original series, Glow.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1. Develop a workflow that supports your style and helps turn around work quickly.
2. Learn about templates to improve your drafting speed and accuracy.
3. Use the 2D component auto-hybrid feature to efficiently create 2D/3D symbols.
4. Find out why Morgan regularly explores Vectorworks in her free time.

Interested in creating dynamic lighting cues in your next production? Join Alex Jainchill, a freelance lighting designer based out of Brooklyn, New York, for a free, one-hour webinar on how he used Vision previz software to design and cue a contemporary rendition of Macbeth at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. Attendees will learn how to integrate lighting plots with Vision, how to work with the ETC Eos Classic console, and how to design for unconventional theater spaces.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1. Learn how to use Vision as a rendering tool to present ideas to the production team.
2. Discover the advantages of integrating lighting plots with Vision.
3. Explore how to work with the ETC Eos Classic console for lighting control.
4. Find out how to test lighting designs outside of the theater space and in-the-round.

Join Stage and Lighting Designer Jörg Schuchardt for a free, one-hour webinar on how to convey your artistic vision to stakeholders via realistic renderings. Attendees will learn the advantages of modeling in 3D through two of Schuchardt’s most recent projects: a theatrical production with specific parameters and challenges and a large, corporate event that required the most up-to-date, detailed information within a short timeframe.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1. Learn how to use Vectorworks as a communication tool with both clients and technical teams.
2. Explore the latest rendering techniques to create impressive photorealistic drawings.
3. Discover how to overcome time and space constraints with 3D modeling.