Nemetschek North America launches VectorWorks 2008

Two years in the making, VectorWorks 2008 features a new name in addition to new features and enhancements developed with the direct input of VectorWorks users. VectorWorks 2008 offers new technology to optimise workflows, enrich presentations, and facilitate collaboration.

VectorWorks 2008 offers interface improvements, placing at the user's fingertips the exact controls needed to finish designs with little wasted effort or distraction. A new heads-up Data Display bar brings precision drawing into the user's line of sight, with the ability to switch quickly between mouse and keyboard inputs. A new View bar consolidates often-used viewing and organisational controls and places them within easy reach. The program has been streamlined with fewer mouse clicks and many new batch-editing capabilities, such as the ability to select and edit multiple windows and doors in walls at one time. In addition, a new Rotate Plan command makes it easy to work on parts of a design that lie at odd angles, while still drawing orthogonally.

For higher-quality presentations, VectorWorks 2008 features unlimited color choices and pre-configured color swatches from Pantone®, Benjamin Moore®, Sherwin-Williams®, and more. Users will also find object-by-object opacity control; improvements to dashed lines; new end marker styles; and new symbol libraries from Herman Miller®, Marvin® Windows and Doors, Sub-Zero® and Wolf®, and others. VectorWorks' add-on program, RenderWorks, offers improved OpenGL rendering, final gather rendering technology, and new texture libraries and bump shaders.

New CAD Manager capabilities make it easier to set up, back up, share, and control project files, content libraries, and user preferences, as well as easily configure new computers with any firm's CAD standards. Navigating between library files and documents is easier and more effortless than ever. Also, users can save changes in their resources directly back to office-standard libraries with a single click.

In both 2D and 3D, VectorWorks 2008 allows repeated use and adaptation of work to create drawings quickly and efficiently. Improved viewports, classable wall components, and the ability to show wall components in section view make it easy to create framing, structural, and finish plans, as well as detailed wall section drawings from the same set of walls. Also, two-way worksheets allow for updating drawings through the schedules and reports.

New workgroup capabilities make it easier to break apart and reassemble complex projects, while keeping files sizes small—reducing clutter and eliminating naming conflicts. PDF and image files can be directly referenced using new design layer viewports. For those working on the leading edge of digital practice, VectorWorks Architect's IFC 2x3 translator fluidly moves BIM models among other design, analysis, and construction platforms. VectorWorks 2008's new import/export options include a host of DWG translator improvements and support for AutoCAD® 2007/2008 files, SketchUp® 6.x, and the ability to import geo-referenced image files.

“VectorWorks 2008 heralds a new year of groundbreaking changes for the VectorWorks line of products, and a whole new collection of cutting-edge technology for our users,” says Paul Pharr, Nemetschek North America's chief technology officer. “As always, we've listened to customer feedback, so users will see many requests incorporated in the latest version of VectorWorks.”

For a product-by-product breakdown of all the new VectorWorks 2008 improvements, and to see some of these features in action, visit www.vectorworks2008.net

Nemetschek North America is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Nemetschek Group. A global leader in design technologies, Nemetschek North America has been developing CAD software for the AEC, entertainment, landscape design, and manufacturing fields since 1985. VectorWorks, its flagship product, is one of the world's best-selling cross-platform CAD applications. An all-in-one solution that's easier to learn and use and more cost-effective than most other CAD programs, VectorWorks is ideal for firms that don't have unlimited IT budgets. For more information, visit www.nemetschek.net

About Direct Distribution Services
Direct Distribution Services (DDS) is a focused IT distribution company servicing the Southern Africa region. Its focus is on the creative markets, including the graphics, internet, multimedia and video industries. DDS is the distributor for a number of world-leading vendors, including Corel, VectorWorks, Quark, Wacom, LaCie, Pantone, SWiSH and OnOne. DDS also supplies products from Adobe and other vendors. It has an extensive reseller channel in Southern Africa, with more than 300 resellers and value-added resellers.

Direct Distribution Services Intl (a subsidiary)is based in Mauritius and services the Indian Ocean Island region. DDS Intl also has the distribution for McAfee and Enterasys products.

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