The Best DW Tips on the 'Net


What sets DW apart:
Strightforward and intuitive: No unnecessary complications. Design visually by modeling directly in 3D space: No text-based commands to learn. Holding the Alt key switches mouse control to the third dimension. 'Space jump' with the space bar to any object handle to directly manipulate its shape. Capable of great accuracy using a customizable grid and snap settings. Easy object creation, manipulation, and repositioning. Projection lines make it easy to see how high objects are.

A sampling of what DesignWorkshop can do

What sets DW apart:

Strightforward and intuitive: No unnecessary complications.
Design visually by modeling directly in 3D space: No text-based commands to learn.
- Holding the Alt key switches mouse control to the third dimension.
- 'Space jump' with the space bar to any object handle to directly manipulate its shape.
Capable of great accuracy using a customizable grid and snap settings.
Easy object creation, manipulation, and repositioning.
Projection lines make it easy to see how high objects are.

You've found the TTDW home page! This site is a growing all-in-one tips depot for the DesignWorkshop community. Please spend a moment to share your tips by email: contributions are very welcome and will receive credit (if you wish) in the contributed entry and on the List of Contributors. Additional help can be found at the DesignWorkshop Discussion forum at DesignCommunity.com.

New to DW? Begin exploring from the left navigation, especially The Basics and How-To Green. Artifice has an online glossary of DW terms available. Enjoy!

What is DesignWorkshop?

DW is an easy to learn and use 3D modeling program made by Artifice Inc. Check out Artifice's main DW page. DW is an intuitive design tool with a delightfully low learning curve to capability ratio and is suitable for middle and high school students on up to design professionals.

DW Lite is non-time-limited freeware available from Artifice. All versions of DW can open downloadable 3D models of world-famous architecture at GreatBuildings.com.

The bottom line: DW is a wonderful rectilinear and faceted object modeler and a great introduction to the world of 3D modeling.

Quick Tips

To make an eye-level walkthrough simply use the Ctrl and Alt keys to set both the Look and Eye tools at the same Z height (Look before Eye). Make sure the Zoom tool equals 100!

Adjust any handle individually using the Ctrl key. Ctrl and Alt can be used together.

For maximum long-term productivity, learn a new aspect of DW every session.

Get used to typing Ctrl+' to adjust the Grid Snap distance after zooming in or out.

.dxf export function explodes solids into separate faces. Useful to rapidly make complex shell structures.

Easily memorize keyboard shortcuts by only using the menus to check a shortcut and then typing it instead of clicking it.

Always write down all information entered into Duplicate Circular or Mitered and the center of rotation coordinates. You'll be glad you did.

If one side of your model is too dark, simply change the position of the sun in the Sun & Shading Settings.

Save views of your model with Ctrl+T to get back to them easily. Alt drag with the Eye tool to get closer.

Take advantage of the Phases Windoid to save time and prevent frustration.

DW has only one undo so save many copies of your model as you progress.

Do not overlap any two visible surfaces or they will look weird in Lights & Textures!

Make an exploded axonometric by selecting all objects (not Grouped) and Scaling them down.

Change the Alt key to work in any dimension with the Working Orientation buttons in the Tools Windoid.

Take a short walk every couple of hours to stay sane.

Object save limits getting you down? Read about working around them in How-To Green.

Many input fields in DW will accept the / for division (no need for a calculator).

Make a habit of clicking the check mark in the Phases windoid before creating or pasting an object.

DW automatically closes an open polyline when extruding it: you do not have to try and click on the first point.

Position the Eye and Look points in 3D space using the Ctrl and Alt keys.

Watch the E S V fields at the bottom to see the new relative position when dragging an object.

Watch the Z field at the bottom when Alt dragging to see the height increasing or decreasing.

After getting a Shaded view, go back and uncheck the Hidden Line option.

Absolute and relative coordinates are entered at the bottom of the window.

You can alter the size and position of a single face in the OIW with Faces Mode turned on

Hold down the Alt key with the Eye tool to move closer or farther away (not the same as zooming).

Use the arrow keys when an object is selected to make small adjustments. This works with the eye and look tools too.

Any input box will accept a - (negative sign) to switch direction, i.e. from north to south or clockwise to counter-clockwise.

Some Tools can be double-clicked for more options.

Circles with a number of facets evenly divisible by 4 are easier to work with.

If you are not modeling on the Snap Grid most of the time you are making your job unnecessarily difficult.

Tips & Techniques for DesignWorkshop

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The Best DW Tips on the 'Net

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