How to Get Tools Back on Vectorworks?

Restoring Missing Tools in Vectorworks

If you’ve accidentally lost your tools in Vectorworks, restoring them to their original state can be done by following a set of straightforward steps. This guide outlines the procedure to bring your tools back effectively.

Step 1: Access Vectorworks Preferences

1. Launch Vectorworks on your computer.
2. Navigate to the menu bar at the top and click on Tools.
3. Hover over Options, and then select Vectorworks Preferences… from the dropdown menu. This will open the Preferences dialog box.

Step 2: Locate Your User Folder

1. Within the Preferences dialog, click on the User Folder tab.
2. To find your user folder, click on Reveal in Finder if you’re on a Mac, or Explore… if you are using Windows. This action will open a file explorer window showing your user folder location.

Step 3: Modify Settings Folder Name

1. Close or quit the Vectorworks application first to ensure no conflicts arise.
2. In the newly opened Finder or File Explorer window, look for a folder labeled ‘Settings’.
3. Rename this folder by adding a character such as ‘x’ or the word ‘old’ at the end of the folder name. This renaming will prompt Vectorworks to create a new settings folder when you start it again, effectively defaulting your tools back to the original configuration.

Step 4: Restart Vectorworks

1. Open Vectorworks again. The application should automatically generate a new ‘Settings’ folder based on the default configuration.
2. Your tools should now be back in their original positions, allowing you to resume your work without any further issues.

Adding Tools in Vectorworks

If you want to customize your workspace further by adding new tools, perform the following:

1. Go to the menu and select Window.
2. Click on Workspace and then choose Workspace Editor to access the customization interface.
3. Within the Workspace Editor, navigate to the Tools tab.
4. Here, you can assign new keyboard shortcuts or modify existing ones to suit your workflow.
5. Once you’re done, save your changes to keep the new setup.

Resetting Your Preferences

In case you want to reset your Vectorworks preferences to their factory settings:

1. Open the Preferences dialog using the method described above.
2. At the bottom of the window, find and click the Reset button.
3. This action will revert all preferences to their default states, while retaining your user name and serial numbers. Note that you cannot undo this action.

Docking and Undocking Palettes

Organizing your workspace is crucial for efficiency. Here’s how you can dock or undock palettes:

• Docking Palettes:

  1. Click and hold the title bar of a palette.
  2. Drag it to the side of the Vectorworks window until you see an outline indicating where it will dock.
  3. Release the mouse button to dock the palette.
• Undocking Palettes:
  1. Click the header of the docked palette and drag it away from the edge of the window.
  2. To undock and position it freely, simply release the mouse button outside the docking area.

FAQ

How do I reset only the workspace in Vectorworks?
To reset your workspace layout, click on the Workspace menu icon and select Reset to Saved Layout. This will return your workspace to the last saved configuration without affecting other preferences.

Is there a way to customize tools with keyboard shortcuts?
Yes, you can customize keyboard shortcuts for tools through the Workspace Editor. Access it via the Workspace menu, and you can assign or change shortcut combinations in the Tools tab.

What happens to my recent files when I reset preferences?
Resetting preferences in Vectorworks will clear the list of recently opened files and the font mapping table. However, your license information, including serial numbers, user names, and company names, will remain unaffected.