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Vectorworks Spotlight Reviews & Product Details

Adam L.
AL
Senior Designer
Enterprise(> 1000 emp.)
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Validated Reviewer
Verified Current User
Review source: G2 invite
Incentivized Review
What do you like best about Vectorworks Spotlight?

The way it draws geometrical primitives and treats them as whole objects. The ease of going form 2-d to 3-d in one step. Vector works is best when using it for lighting design as it has built in communication with Lightwright and both softwares work together. The keyboard shortcuts are nice and customizable and the fluidity of converting between AutoCAD and back is so seamless.

Vector works can be used and is used by lots of people who have their own way of using it and it works for them, but I was taught by beta-tester and learned the program the way it was designed and have been teaching to others this way and they are all happy to learn. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Vectorworks Spotlight?

There is no app for tablets or smart phones.

The subscription program is great but you no longer get DVDs. For the price at least a USB drive with the software would be sent out, if not a DVD too. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Recommendations to others considering Vectorworks Spotlight:

Dont give up if you are having trouble finding symbols you need, you can always make your own and I have done just that many times. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is Vectorworks Spotlight solving and how is that benefiting you?

I get to make creative, custom presentations that other software can't do. You don't just have to make draftings of theatrical projects, but can trace PDFs of pictures, scale documents without loosing resolution. There is nothing I can't do or make with this product. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Vectorworks Spotlight Overview

What is Vectorworks Spotlight?

Vectorworks Spotlight is the industry-leading design software for the entertainment business. It works like you think, facilitating improvisation and creativity so you can transform your designs into award-winning productions. Whether you work in lighting, scenic, event, tv, film, rigging or exhibit design, Spotlight software balances your process with the need for coordinated, accurate information so you can create unmatched experiences.

Vectorworks Spotlight Details
Languages Supported
German, English, French, Italian, Japanese, Dutch, Norwegian, Portuguese, Spanish, Chinese (Simplified)
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Product Description

Vectorworks, Inc. is a global design and BIM software developer serving over 650,000 professionals in the architecture, landscape and entertainment industries. Since 1985, we’ve been committed to helping designers capture inspiration, nurture innovation, communicate effectively and bring their visions to life. With our cross-platform software, designers can build data-rich, visual models without sacrificing the design process, while collaborating efficiently throughout the project life-cycle. Headquartered in Columbia, Maryland, Vectorworks is a part of the Nemetschek Group. Learn how we empower designers to create experiences that transform the world


Seller Details
Year Founded
1985
HQ Location
Columbia, Maryland
Twitter
@Vectorworks
11,227 Twitter followers
LinkedIn® Page
www.linkedin.com
298 employees on LinkedIn®
Description

Vectorworks, Inc. is a global design and BIM software developer serving over 650,000 professionals in the architecture, landscape and entertainment industries. Since 1985, we’ve been committed to helping designers capture inspiration, nurture innovation, communicate effectively and bring their visions to life. With our cross-platform software, designers can build data-rich, visual models without sacrificing the design process, while collaborating efficiently throughout the project life-cycle. Headquartered in Columbia, Maryland, Vectorworks is a part of the Nemetschek Group. Learn how we empower designers to create experiences that transform the world at vectorworks.net.


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Recent Vectorworks Spotlight Reviews

Verified User
U
Verified UserSmall-Business (50 or fewer emp.)
3.5 out of 5
"good and glitchy"
The library of common item is really helpful. I also like the smart options dispay as It’s a way to quickly find the tools you constantly use whi...
Abhishek B.
AB
Abhishek B.Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)
3.5 out of 5
"Best in class tool for modeling, drawing, graphics and presentation"
This is one of the best tool for creative modeling. The precision drawing feature helps you take care of the minute details with high levels of pre...
David W.
DW
David W.Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)
3.5 out of 5
"Ubiquitous but glitchy"
Vectorworks Spotlight is the widely accepted industry standard for lighting, projections, and sound design in live entertainment. It can also gener...
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Vectorworks Spotlight Media

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Video Reviews

22 out of 23 Total Reviews for Vectorworks Spotlight

4.5 out of 5
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G2 reviews are authentic and verified.
Verified User in Entertainment
UE
Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
More Options
Validated Reviewer
Review source: G2 invite
Incentivized Review
What do you like best about Vectorworks Spotlight?

The library of common item is really helpful.

I also like the smart options dispay as It’s a way to quickly find the tools you constantly use while drawing, without having to move your cursor away from the section you are currently working on.

Its a all-in-one design, documentation, and production package for the entertainment industry. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Vectorworks Spotlight?

This program is very heavy and possibly the reason why this doesn't work as smoothly as other similar tools.

Moreover, tutorials of the tool are nit exhaustive enough. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is Vectorworks Spotlight solving and how is that benefiting you?

I save a lot of time by creating perfect plots which in turn enable me to execute the projects much faster Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

David W.
DW
Light Board Programmer
Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
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Validated Reviewer
Verified Current User
Review source: G2 invite
Incentivized Review
What do you like best about Vectorworks Spotlight?

Vectorworks Spotlight is the widely accepted industry standard for lighting, projections, and sound design in live entertainment. It can also generate XML files that can be read and modified by third party applications to extract the data attached to objects in the Vectorworks drawing. The feature set within the application is extensive, and there is a way to accomplish nearly anything you might need to do from within Spotlight without having to use add-on software. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Vectorworks Spotlight?

The overall stability and reliability of Vectorworks is not what it should be, to the point where I typically feel the need to save after every series of operations I perform. Sometimes features randomly glitch out until the program is restarted, and sometimes updates and upgrades to the software break interoperability with other programs that rely on Vectorworks' XML data file. The annual upgrade cost compared to the new features that are added in each release is very steep. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is Vectorworks Spotlight solving and how is that benefiting you?

We use Spotlight to create, edit, view, and print technical drawings for live entertainment. We can also use Vectorworks to create XML files which third party applications can read to generate other necessary paperwork and documentation. With Vectorworks being the de-facto standard platform in our industry, it's necessary to have and use Spotlight to get the job done. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Abhishek B.
AB
Software Engineer
Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
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Validated Reviewer
Review source: G2 invite
Incentivized Review
What do you like best about Vectorworks Spotlight?

This is one of the best tool for creative modeling. The precision drawing feature helps you take care of the minute details with high levels of precision. When it comes to graphics this software works elegantly. I would highly recommend it to my teammates. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Vectorworks Spotlight?

Not much to dislike except that it takes a lot of ram and cpu processing power. They could optimise it a bit. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is Vectorworks Spotlight solving and how is that benefiting you?

It really helped me design MEP structure for my building. The precision drafting with zoom and draft in that proportion is really amazing. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Verified User in Events Services
UE
Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
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Validated Reviewer
Review source: G2 invite
Incentivized Review
What do you like best about Vectorworks Spotlight?

Powerful software that is industry standard for lighting design. Great CAD and 3D-Software, perfect for stage-, set- and lighting design. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Vectorworks Spotlight?

A bunch of bugs and crashes sometimes make it hard to work efficiently with it.

Some features are too limited, I could think of a buch of options that would make it easier to work with it. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Recommendations to others considering Vectorworks Spotlight:

Talking about industry standard: At least in Germany there is no way to avoid using Spotlight.

Service Select contract pays out, check for offers at Prolight and Sound Exhibition. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is Vectorworks Spotlight solving and how is that benefiting you?

Better planing beforehand is possible, I can show clients how the project is going to look later.

The Service Select database with lighting fixtures is great, almost all manufacturers and types are available.

3D-Renderings can look great, but also require a lot of time for "fine polishing".

The Spotlight functions cover everything that I need as a lighting designer. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Verified User in Events Services
UE
Enterprise(> 1000 emp.)
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Validated Reviewer
Review source: G2 invite
Incentivized Review
What do you like best about Vectorworks Spotlight?

I like the rigging tools and the libraries of common items. I can quickly create truss systems with hanging elements and positions. I can also build systems in 3d. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Vectorworks Spotlight?

I dislike the amount of processor power the application requires. I have a very high end gaming computer and even it struggles with the program. It also crashes quite often which can be very frustrating. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is Vectorworks Spotlight solving and how is that benefiting you?

I am able to create 3 dimensional structures and event spaces, which allows me to realize a vision for how I want to complete the work in real life. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Jamie M.
JM
Director of Technology
Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
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Validated Reviewer
Verified Current User
Review source: Seller invite
What do you like best about Vectorworks Spotlight?

Built in libraries containing instruments, ease of importing and exporting many file types Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Vectorworks Spotlight?

Legendary instability that has become a joke to all users, paired with unnecessary yearly updates Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is Vectorworks Spotlight solving and how is that benefiting you?

Vectorworks spotlights and it's product libraries make it the industry standard for a reason. It's so easy to jump in and start designing shows in whatever format or fashion you want, from 2D plots to 3D renders, even to VR/AR renderings and previz work. Truly a one-stop design shop for Entertainment. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Joseph L.
JL
Scenic Studio Supervisor
Entertainment
Enterprise(> 1000 emp.)
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Validated Reviewer
Review source: G2 invite
Incentivized Review
Verified User in Entertainment
UE
Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
More Options
Validated Reviewer
Verified Current User
Review source: G2 invite
Incentivized Review
What do you like best about Vectorworks Spotlight?

It's a very powerful rendering and drawing engine with a lot of options for kinds of drawing, and since it's a BIM program the potential for asset management is tremendous if you use it right. VW also allows plugins and the creation of custom tools without TOO much headache, down to a very granular level of control which though daunting, can be very very useful in streamlining workflow. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Vectorworks Spotlight?

It's a very steep learning curve, with a lot in the way of basics tutorials for tools, but not a lot in the way of "so you want to do this thing - here's how you might tackle that task"

The behavior of lighting in the program is also pretty subpar, and in order to get Cinema 4D to make light behave better you have to shell out even more money. It's already VERY expensive. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Recommendations to others considering Vectorworks Spotlight:

You will spend a lot of time learning it. Much of that learning will be on the forums, or asking other experienced users for help. VW has good customer service if you can get through the phone walls, which is tedious. If you are a member of service select, you get access to tutorials for free. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is Vectorworks Spotlight solving and how is that benefiting you?

I only need VW and Lightwright to do most of my work. That's the key benefit, and it interfaces with the other program fairly seamlessly in order to streamline the work more. I can make changes to the file by changing the LW and without needing to double check every single element of my plot.

Also, layering and classing being different elements, has been really powerful as I've come to use the two ideas in tandem more. It's another level of visibility and drawing control over AutoCADs layering system. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Erin H.
EH
Production Coordinator
Events Services
Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
More Options
Validated Reviewer
Review source: G2 invite
Incentivized Review
What do you like best about Vectorworks Spotlight?

The palletes are useful and easy to use. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Vectorworks Spotlight?

You cannot edit on Dropbox if someone else is in the file. And it does not show if someone else is in it Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is Vectorworks Spotlight solving and how is that benefiting you?

The palletes and drawing and measuring tools are useful Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Patrick I.
PI
Assistant Professor
Performing Arts
Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
More Options
Validated Reviewer
Verified Current User
Review source: G2 invite
Incentivized Review
What do you like best about Vectorworks Spotlight?

It is arguably the industry standard for theatrical designers. The listen to their customers. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Vectorworks Spotlight?

I would love to have a more integrated paperwork solution. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Recommendations to others considering Vectorworks Spotlight:

Do yourself a favor and learn this software. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is Vectorworks Spotlight solving and how is that benefiting you?

Vectorworks Spotlight allows me to do my job...I teach lighting design in the classroom and onstage. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.