Francois van der Merwe is an approved Vectorworks Trainer

Francois van der Merwe

Francois van der Merwe

South African’s own Francois van der Merwe from Wizardry Group has been recognized and approved as an International Vectorworks Trainer by Nemetschek. The announcement came during a Vectorworks Training Week from March 9 to 13, presented by Francois at DWR Distribution, the official Vectorworks distributor in Africa. Many players in the industry attended the course.

“It’s very exciting,” commented Francois. “We had been talking about it for a while and I had to send Nemetschek Vectorworks details on the course and previous training I had presented, my history as a lighting designer and also feedback from DWR.”

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Vectorworks training at DWR

Francois has always been passionate about Vectorworks and believes in the product. He also believes there is wonderful talent and experience in the South African industry, and with Vectorworks, a good foundation level can be put in place.

“Everyone has different ideas in designs and does things differently on Vectorworks. The problem is we don’t like to share, but if we do share, it may trigger something else. If we share, we can find solutions for problems.” He is very happy to share his knowledge and experience.

While Francois has presented Vectorworks training at DWR before, he has change the course format. It was also the first time he presented Advanced Training. “This time we wrote tests,” he said. The delegates were apprehensive, but after the examination, they realized what they had done! “They drew a show with lights, staging, trussing and AV and put all this into a presentation format for clients within a two hour period,” said Francois.

The feedback from delegates attending was fantastic.

Anrika Bruinders

Anrika Bruinders, Sound Headquarters

“It was a lot of information but Francois took his time with us and when we didn’t understand he helped,” said Anrika Bruinders from Sound Headquarters. “He guided us and explained things well. The practical was very nice and it’s amazing what you can accomplish in three days! I had never worked on Vectorworks before and I was bomb struck. I really enjoyed it.”

Kevin Rieck

Kevin Rieck from MGG Productions

Kevin Rieck from MGG Productions learnt a great deal too. “It has been interesting,” said Kevin. Small things he thought he would never use actually turned out to be great tools. “Francois is a great teacher and I would love to train one on one with him, how to make things…. I want his brain!” He adds the course has helped him to speed up the process of doing things.

Erin Cutts from Visual Fontier reiterates. “The course was really informative. It was difficult to begin with but as it has gone on, it has been good. This is all foundation for me.”

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Erin Cutts from Visual Frontier

 

Thabang Mokwena

Thabang Mokwena

Thabang Mokwena from Palm Tree Events says, “It has been lovely and an opportunity for me. I’ve learnt so much. Francois is a great tutor; he is patient and has taken me from knowing nothing to intermediate. It’s my first year with Vectorworks and I feel as if I am well equipped enough to tackle anything.”

Danie Janse van Rensburg

Danie Janse van Rensburg

Danie Janse van Rensburg is the Production Manager at EPH Productions and worked on a different design program before. “I am now converted to Vectorworks,” he smiles. “I like the rendering and what you can give the clients is so much better. The biggest trick is that you can print lists with the systems like channel numbers, everything really.”

Robert Hoey from Dream Sets attended the Vectorworks training with Francois at the end of last year, and joined up again this time. “I have really enjoyed the course,” he said.

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Carl du Preez

 

DWR’s Callie du Preez was also glad to attend. “I have been learning and it’s a good course. I am picking up bits and am enjoying it.”