How to Set Scale in Vectorworks?

Setting the Scale in Vectorworks: A Comprehensive Guide

Understanding Viewport Scale

To effectively set the scale in Vectorworks, it’s essential to recognize the difference between the design layer scale and the viewport scale. The design layer scale is used for drawing and modeling, whereas viewport scale primarily affects how your designs are presented in printed or exported views.

Adjusting Scale for a Viewport

1. Access the Viewport: Locate the viewport in your drawing where you want to adjust the scale.
2. Edit the Viewport: Select the viewport, click on the Modify menu, and choose Edit Viewport.
3. Set the Scale: In the viewport settings, find the scale options and enter your desired scale. This could be a pre-defined scale or a custom value tailored to your project’s requirements.
4. Confirm Your Changes: After setting the scale, click OK to apply the changes. Review the viewport to ensure the objects are displaying correctly at the new scale.

Changing the Scale of a Sheet Layer

1. Open the Organization Menu: Go to the Tools menu, navigate to Organization.
2. Select the Layer: In the Layers panel, find the sheet layer you wish to modify.
3. Edit the Layer Settings: Click on the Edit button or double-click the layer’s name to access its properties.
4. Adjust the Scale: Look for the Scale section and choose from predefined options or enter a custom scale in the Paper Scale field.
5. Save Changes: Confirm your changes by clicking OK and ensure that the updated scale is reflected in your design.

Changing Object Sizes and Scaling

To effectively resize and scale objects within your Vectorworks design:

1. Select the Object: Click on the item or group of items you would like to resize.
2. Use the Resizing Tool: Choose the Fixed Point Resize tool from the Basic palette. This tool allows you to set a pivot point from which the resize will operate.
3. Establish a Pivot Point: Click on the location in the drawing that you want to act as the fulcrum for the resize.
4. Resize the Object: Drag along the edge of the object to adjust its size while maintaining the position of the fulcrum. Hold the Shift key to ensure that the resizing maintains proportional dimensions.
5. Finalize Changes: Release the mouse button once the object reaches the desired size.

Importing and Rescaling PDFs

When working with PDFs in Vectorworks, adjusting the scale correctly is fundamental:

1. Select the PDF for Import: Navigate to the File menu and choose Import, then Import PDF.
2. Configure PDF Settings: Once you select the PDF, review the import settings to ensure they meet your scale requirements.
3. Scaling After Import: After importing the PDF, if further scaling is necessary, choose the Modify menu and select Scale Objects.
4. Set Scale Parameters: In the Scale Objects dialog, choose Symmetric by Distance. Click to indicate the desired current distance on the drawing and specify your new dimensions.

FAQs

1. How can I ensure that my scale remains consistent across different layers?
To maintain a consistent scale, always verify the scale settings in both the viewport and the design layers. You can do this by editing the layer properties and ensuring both are set to the same scale dimensions.

2. Is it possible to adjust scales for objects individually within a viewport?
Yes, objects can have different scales by using individual scaling adjustments. However, bear in mind that the viewport scale will affect how these objects are presented, so ensure to check how it impacts the overall presentation.

3. What should I do if the scale doesn’t appear correctly when I print?
If the scale is off when printing, verify your printer settings and ensure the scale in the viewport settings is correct. Additionally, check print preview to confirm scaling and adjust accordingly before final printing.