In this Vectorworks tutorial, Brandon PT Davis—Theatrical Scenic Designer—demonstrates essential 2D edit and modify tools to improve your drafting speed and precision. These tools allow for quick shape manipulation, duplication, alignment, and layout refinement, which are vital in scenic and production design workflows.

You’ll learn:

• Mirror Tool: Reflect objects across a line using standard or duplicate mode

• Reshape Tool: Edit 2D polygons using corner/arc vertex points, move edges, or delete vertices

• Offset Tool (O): Create parallel shapes with fixed distances or click-based placement

• Split Tool: Break shapes using line, point, or trim modes

• Connect/Combine Tool (L): Extend, connect, or merge lines/polygons using four modes

Brandon also covers powerful commands found in the Modify Menu, including:

• Move (Cmd/Ctrl + M): Precise control of X/Y placement

• Align/Distribute: Align objects to edges or evenly space elements

• Rotate (Cmd/Ctrl + R or L): Rotate objects clockwise/counterclockwise

• Scale: Resize objects symmetrically or asymmetrically using distance input

• Add/Subtract/Intersect Surfaces: Combine or cut shapes with clean vector geometry

• Convert to Lines / Compose: Transform between grouped lines and polygons for editing

Finally, you’ll learn how to Duplicate Along Path, using a drawn line to place objects (like lights or spikes) at equal intervals—crucial for layouts or repeating motifs.

Hotkeys & Tips:

• O: Offset

• L: Connect/Combine

• Cmd/Ctrl + M: Move

• Cmd/Ctrl + R/L: Rotate

• Right-click to access Align, Compose, and Clip Surface directly

These tools will help you model faster and cleaner, reducing the need for constant redrawing and improving layout control for production plates.