VectorWorks-Spotlight!

[Zman]

Hello All!

As you can probably tell I'm a newbie here. I've been reading up and i came across VectorWorks. It's an incredible piece of software but its completely out of my price range as a student. I herd that there are copies (legit, of course) that are available to college students like me for around $150-200 USD. I've been searching for a while, but i don't know what i'm looking for. I don't want some half-!@# student copy that lacks features of the full version, but then i'm only beginning in CAD. I working on lighting design and simply want to be able to play around with lights, effects, scenery, and general design.
So my question (although long winded) is:
Where can i by a version of VectorWorks that will include the design part and spotlight for a student like myself.

Thanks,

Z

[soundman]

This will print with a watermark but its FREE http://www.nemetschek.net/student/index.php

Can we sticky this somewhere?

Or you can pay for it. http://www.academicsuperstore.com/ma...?PartNo=859667

[Footer]

AND.... it locks down the file so only the student edition can load it, keep that in mind. Even if a professional version makes it, sends it to a student, the professional version can no longer open the file.

[SteveB]

Originally Posted by Footer4321

AND.... it locks down the file so only the student edition can load it, keep that in mind. Even if a professional version makes it, sends it to a student, the professional version can no longer open the file.

The 2008 print free student and educational version, print/doesn't print issue, is as follows, according to the NM/VW Student Edition Installation Guide.

- Student Edition project files can be opened with a Pro version, but the watermark remains in the file - *But I believe the watermark doesn't print in Pro* (My understanding after calling NM).

- Files created in a Pro version can be opened with a VW Student Edition, but has the watermark added when printing. The watermark cannot be removed once saved as a student edition.

The student edition expires 365 days after install, but I believe it's renewable if the user remains and can prove they are an enrolled student. Not sure about how many times it's renewable.

Steve B.

[derekleffew]

Originally Posted by soundman

This will print with a watermark but its FREE http://www.nemetschek.net/student/index.php

Can we sticky this somewhere?

Or you can pay for it. http://www.academicsuperstore.com/ma...?PartNo=859667

Why don't YOU create a glossary entry? ControlBooth is only as good as ALL of its members make it.

[Grog12]

Originally Posted by SteveB

The 2008 print free student and educational version, print/doesn't print issue, is as follows, according to the NM/VW Student Edition Installation Guide.
- Student Edition project files can be opened with a Pro version, but the watermark remains in the file - *But I believe the watermark doesn't print in Pro* (My understanding after calling NM).
- Files created in a Pro version can be opened with a VW Student Edition, but has the watermark added when printing. The watermark cannot be removed once saved as a student edition.
The student edition expires 365 days after install, but I believe it's renewable if the user remains and can prove they are an enrolled student. Not sure about how many times it's renewable.
Steve B.

2008 is compatible between both the Student and Pro versions. The watermark remains and prints if the file ever crosses over to the student version period. If I create a file with pro my assistan updates it in student and I print it from Pro its watermakred.

The student version is renewable for as long as you're a student.

[icewolf08]

Originally Posted by soundman

Or you can pay for it. http://www.academicsuperstore.com/ma...?PartNo=859667

It is nice that you can buy an academic edition, but it seems silly to me that if you are going to pay for it you still get a watermark. It enough to deal with the dongle IMO. Another thing of note, according to Academic Superstore, that edition you linked to is only available to faculty and staff, not students.

In general, it kind of bums be out that VW went from a full featured academic version for about $250 with a dongle to free with a watermark. Sure, it is still full featured, but now they feel like the world has to know you are a student? And to cripple the faculty/staff version is even more of a bummer when you can still buy it with the dongle.

Don't get me wrong, I love VW, and I would never give it up, and I am willing to buy it, but it makes me sad when a great company with a great product and a great deal decide that the deal just cant be as good anymore.

[soundman]

I didnt catch that it was not for students. I think the reason to go this route is if you need to have it installed on ore than one computer. I don't think you can do that with the free version.

I know what you mean abou them changing it up. Luckly I bought 12.5 when it was still watermark free.

[LD4Life]

Hey Zman! As a student designer myself, I use the Student version of VW. Its free through their website by filling out the form and include the contact information of one of your profs (for verifying that you really are a student). As the others have said, it is renewable for as long as you are a student. I have had great experiences with it so far. It does print a small watermark that says "Vectorworks Educational Version", but other than that it is a full copy of VW. It also contains all of the Spotlight libraries and all that fun stuff, so its great for plotting. I use it for all my shows and it makes plotting a breeze.

[Zman]

Sorry for this 'dumb' question. But what is the dongle used for? Does it enable the program to run, or does it allow you to transfer your data to the Light Board.

Cheers!