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Architectural practice
without the compromise.

Synaps as an alternative to Vectorworks Architect

At a glance

Fit alongside Vectorworks

Vectorworks puts BIM and 2D in one file, so sheet sets and libraries move at the pace of the model file. Synaps takes documentation and library governance off that file, linked views and weekly PDF issue that do not wait on the design layers, while Vectorworks keeps BIM and site tools.

  • Synaps for documentation, libraries, and weekly sheet issue
  • Vectorworks for integrated BIM + 2D in one environment
  • Common pattern: Vectorworks as archive, Synaps as drafting front-end

Side by side

Synaps vs Vectorworks

Feature-by-feature comparison of Synaps and Vectorworks Architect.

Feature Synaps Vectorworks
Primary surface 2D drafting + sheet index BIM + 2D hybrid model
Sheet sets First-class, drag-reorder Sheet layers + viewports
Linked views Live across plan, section, detail Viewport-linked to design layers
Office libraries Publish / edit / view roles Resource Manager + symbols
Landscape & site Plan-driven Strong site/Landmark tools
IFC / OPEN BIM Import/export Core workflow
PDF issue Tuned for issued sets Publish command
Pricing model Per editor, monthly Per seat, annual
Solution Architecture Studio Run the whole job from sketch through DD in one project: draft the plan set, review it live with the team, and pull a hero plan straight into the fee proposal. You pay per active editor, not per seat. Explore solution →

Honest tradeoffs

When to switch from Vectorworks, and when not to

Switch to Synaps when

  • Sheet sets drift every time the design layer changes
  • Resource Manager governance lives in tribal knowledge
  • Documentation hours exceed modelling hours on issued jobs
  • You want weekly PDF issue off the critical path of the model file

Stay on Vectorworks when

  • Landscape, entertainment, or site design is the core deliverable
  • OPEN BIM and IFC are contractually central to every job
  • Your office standard is deeply embedded in Vectorworks templates

Migration path

Pilot Synaps next to Vectorworks

A two-week pilot on a live job. If documentation does not get faster, stop, even if the comparison reads in our favour.

  1. Week 1

    Export one symbol library slice and one sheet set. Set up the project in Synaps.

  2. Week 2

    Run internal review in Synaps. Vectorworks stays the design archive.

  3. Week 3–4

    Issue one PDF set from Synaps. Measure hours against the same set in Vectorworks.

Book a demo Open Synaps Studio

Fast is more →

Vectorworks questions we hear

Does Synaps replace Vectorworks entirely?

Rarely on day one. Studios usually keep Vectorworks for BIM and site tools while Synaps owns drafting, libraries, and issued sets.

Can Synaps import Vectorworks files?

Synaps reads DWG and IFC exports from Vectorworks for geometry and view setup. Pilots start with one sheet set, not a wholesale migration.

What about Landmark or Spotlight?

Those verticals stay in Vectorworks. Synaps targets architectural documentation, plans, sections, details, and sheet sets.

How does pricing compare?

Synaps is per-editor monthly without annual lock-in. Pilots typically start with two editors and a studio lead.

More comparisons

Compare Synaps with another tool

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