Vectorworks 2025 README Document
Thank you for purchasing or downloading Vectorworks 2025. This document contains important information regarding the installation and use of Vectorworks 2025. Please read it before you install the software.
Vectorworks 2025 has groundbreaking new functionality for all kinds of users. Once you have installed the software, please select "Vectorworks Help" from the Help menu. The "Welcome to Vectorworks" page which opens provides a complete introduction to the software and how to use the online help system. It also contains a comprehensive list of new and improved features for Vectorworks 2025.
Before you Install
Known Issues
At the end of this document, there is a list of known issues to be aware of when running this release of Vectorworks. Please review these carefully.
Internet Activation
Your license requires activation over the internet. At the time of first use, and occasionally thereafter, you must provide a clear communication path from your workstation to Vectorworks internet servers to establish and maintain your software license. Information on your license can be found in the License Information dialog box available from within the Serial Number dialog box in the product.
Installation Instructions
- The Vectorworks Install Manager will guide you through the installation process, automatically downloading the necessary files to complete installation.
Installation Q & A
Q. Why is the installer asking for my password?
A. On macOS, you need to provide an administrator username and password to give the installer authority to add Vectorworks to your system.
Q. Why is the installer asking for my serial number?
A. This installer supports our entire product line. It asks for your serial number to determine which product(s) should be installed.
Q. Will my existing Vectorworks be overwritten?
A. Vectorworks 2025 installs in a separate directory from prior versions of Vectorworks. You should always install a new major release to a new location on your hard drive (e.g. do not try to install Vectorworks on top of a previous release).
Q. Will my preferences be overwritten?
A. Each major version of Vectorworks uses separate preferences files from all prior versions.
Braceworks
The Braceworks™ add-on for Vectorworks Spotlight provides design, production, and rigging professionals with an easy way to gauge the performance of temporary structures under load to ensure safety and compliance with engineering codes and standards, creating a completely integrated modeling, analysis, and documentation process.
The Braceworks software customer is solely responsible for using this software product and for the completeness and accuracy of the analysis and design results. Vectorworks, along with any partners or entities who have supplied data or content as part of the software product, does not guarantee the accuracy of any data provided by the customer or product manufacturer or the calculation results using such data. The software does not provide certified calculations; certified calculations can be provided only by a licensed structural engineer. It is the user’s responsibility to verify that all loads, forces, connections, and calculations comply with all manufacturer load tables, equipment labels, and engineering specifications. Equipment, structures, designs, and calculations must comply with all applicable standards (for example, ANSI, Eurocode etc.) and meet the requirements of the authority having jurisdiction. YOU ARE SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE WORK PRODUCT CREATED USING THE SOFTWARE.
Vectorworks 2025 System Requirements
Please visit the Vectorworks System Requirements Page for the latest hardware and operating system recommendations.
Known Issues
- Some users may experience short delays with zooming when running on a Macintosh with two monitors. This issue has been reported to Apple.
- The AI Visualizer is an experimental feature leveraging a combination of new technologies. Users may encounter issues or delays when utilizing this feature. Usage of the AI Visualizer is governed by the terms of the Stable Diffusion license model, available here: https://github.com/easydiffusion/stable-diffusion/blob/main/LICENSE-MODEL
- On macOS, Redshift rendering takes 1-3 minutes on first use before the rendering begins. This pause happens once on the first use for each new installation and does not happen again after the first use.
- Some Vectorworks 2025 Windows users have reported crashing with basic document window operations. We have tracked these issues to utility apps being installed which sometimes show overlaid graphics on top of normal graphics. These utility apps should be disabled. More information is available in this tech bulletin.
- When exporting an MVR file, duplicate identifiers may be created by hanging position objects if they were originally converted with the "Create Symbol" option. This can cause unexpected issues in Vision. When converting to a hanging position, select the "Use Geometry" option instead to prevent the creation of duplicate identifiers.
- Braceworks:
- Vertical truss structural calculations are not supported.
- Braceworks snapping engine works only for objects that can be modified. Use Show/Snap/ Modify Class and Layer options to avoid snapping problems.
- Currently structural data is not available for some trusses. Structural data will be added when it becomes available to Vectorworks. Tomcat and J Thomas Truss have stated that they will only release structural data to licensed structural engineers. Trusses without structural data will be calculated as rigid objects; use caution when making calculations using these rigid members.
- ATTENTION! Please note that the representation of colors on digital tools can only approximate the actual RAL color shades as they are registered as varnish samples. Neither the quality of the present software nor the hardware used are responsible for this. The same relates to the printout of the presentation of the RAL Color Codes.
Third Party Information
Third Party Content, Products, and Services Disclaimer
Vectorworks software provides access to or information about content, products, and services from third parties “as is.” Vectorworks, Inc. and its affiliates are not responsible for and expressly disclaim all warranties of any kind with respect to third-party content, products, and services. Vectorworks, Inc. and its affiliates will not be responsible for any loss, costs, or damages incurred due to your access to or use of third-party content, products, or services. Vectorworks, Inc. does not provide support for these items. You should contact the third party for documentation or any questions.
Please note that third parties may require licensing and/or fees for their content, products, and services.