Vectorworks Tutorial: 2D Edit and Modify Tricks
Master essential 2D editing and modification tools including Mirror, Reshape, Offset, Split, Connect/Combine, and advanced Modify menu commands for efficient drafting workflows.
In this lesson
Master Mirror Tool in both standard and duplicate modes for creating symmetrical designs
Use Reshape Tool to modify polygon geometry including moving handles, edges, and adding/deleting vertices
Apply Offset Tool with distance and point modes to create parallel geometry at precise distances
What you'll learn
Master Mirror Tool in both standard and duplicate modes for creating symmetrical designs
Use Reshape Tool to modify polygon geometry including moving handles, edges, and adding/deleting vertices
Apply Offset Tool with distance and point modes to create parallel geometry at precise distances
Utilize Split Tool in line, point, and trim modes to divide and separate 2D shapes
Connect and combine multiple line segments using single, dual, and multiple object modes
Apply Modify menu commands including Move, Align, Rotate, and Scale with precise numerical control
Create complex shapes using Boolean operations: Add Surface, Clip Surface, and Intersect Surface
Convert between lines and polygons using Compose and Decompose commands
Duplicate objects along paths with control over spacing, offset, and tangency options
Overview
This comprehensive tutorial covers the essential 2D editing and modification tools that form the foundation of efficient drafting workflows in Vectorworks. The tutorial systematically demonstrates ten powerful tools and commands: Mirror Tool (standard and duplicate modes), Reshape Tool (move polygon handles, move edges parallel, add/delete vertex), Offset Tool (distance and point modes), Split Tool (line, point, and trim modes), Connect/Combine Tool (single, dual, and multiple object modes), and key Modify menu commands including Move, Align/Distribute, Rotate, Scale, Add/Subtract surfaces, Convert to Lines, and Compose/Decompose.
The tutorial emphasizes practical workflows for each tool, showing how to access them via tool palettes, hotkeys, and right-click context menus. Each tool section demonstrates multiple modes and options, helping users understand when to use standard versus duplicate modes, symmetric versus asymmetric scaling, and single versus multiple object operations. The tutorial also covers essential shape manipulation techniques like closing open polylines, converting between lines and polygons, and using Boolean operations (add, subtract, intersect) to create complex shapes from simple primitives.
The final section introduces the powerful Duplicate Along Path feature, which allows users to distribute objects evenly along curved or straight paths with precise control over spacing, offset, and tangency. This advanced technique is essential for creating repeating elements like fence posts, lighting fixtures, or decorative patterns in scenic design documentation.