In this tutorial, Brandon PT Davis—Theatrical Scenic Designer—introduces new users to the Vectorworks User Interface, laying a foundation for effective navigation and productivity. Whether you're just getting started or transitioning from another CAD platform, this video gives you a clear understanding of the workspace layout and how different palettes and menus function.

The tutorial begins with launching the software and choosing a template, such as a UTEP-specific educational template. Once loaded, Brandon walks through the UI components in detail:

• Menu Bar (File, Edit, Tools, View, etc.)

• Basic Tool Palette (frequently used drawing tools like rectangles, lines, and measurement tools)

• Attributes Palette (controls fill, line weight, pattern, and style)

• Tool Sets Palette (customized to your Vectorworks workspace)

• Snapping Palette (controls how objects align and connect)

• Object Info Palette (OIP) (displays object dimensions, class, layer, and transformation data)

• Navigation Palette (manages classes, design layers, sheet layers, saved views, references)

• Resource Manager (centralized access to textures, hatches, line types, materials, render styles, etc.)

• View Bar and User Bar (controls view modes, zoom, saved views, rendering style, and perspective)

Brandon also explains coordinate space in Vectorworks, including how to interpret the X, Y, and Z axes, and emphasizes why keeping your model near the 0,0 origin is essential for clean rendering and effective modeling.

Tips & Hotkeys:

• Cmd/Ctrl + 6 = Zoom to Page

• Cmd/Ctrl + 4 = Zoom to Objects

• Use number pad (1–9) to change 3D views

• Use right-click on toolbars/palettes to customize workspace layout