CADCourse and its logo are registered trademarks of CADCourse.com
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TurboCAD, IMSI, and the IMSI logo are registered trademarks of IMSI (International Microcomputer Software Inc.)
1stWindows and 1stPricing are registered trademarks of California Distribution Company Inc.
Camtasia and TechSmith Camtasia Screen Player are trademarks of TechSmith Corporation.
Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
CADCourse would like to thank 1stWindows.com for their continued support of this project. David Collett created the original house plan under contract for California Distribution Company.
The material presented in this product is intended for training purposes only with a view to exposing the features of TurboCAD and FloorPlan. Under no circumstances, explicit or implied, do we claim that the material conforms to architectural or structural standards.
000
Loading the CADCourse Interface Configuration file (0:56 min)
002
Import tracing layer (3:07 min)
003
Exterior Walls 1stf (1:08 min)
004
Interior Walls 1stf Bedrooms 1 & 2 (2:09 min)
005
Interior Walls 1stf Study and Foyer (2:12 min)
006
Interior Walls 1stf Laundry, Bathroom and Linen (2:01 min)
007
Exterior Windows 1stf Bedrooms 1 & 2 (2:44 min)
008
Exterior Windows 1stf Bathroom 1, Living Room (2:38 min)
009
Exterior Windows 1stf Dining Room and Pantry (3:04 min)
010
Exterior Windows 1stf Study (1:13 min)
011
Doors 1stf Entry (0:56 min)
012
Doors 1stf cont. Interior Doors (3:05 min)
013
Doors 1stf cont. Sliding Glass Doors (2:42 min)
014
Doors 1stf cont. Closet Doors (2:11 min)
016
Second Floor Modifications (2:28 min)
017
Second Floor Modifications Cont. (3:25 min)
018
Second Floor Modifications Cont. (2:34 min)
019
Second Floor Windows (1:16 min)
022
Second Floor Windows (3:21 min)
028
Bathroom Second Floor (3:41 min)
030
Import into TurboCAD (5:03 min)
031
House in TurboCAD (2:21 min)
032
House in TurboCAD cont. (2:12 min)
033
House in TurboCAD cont. (2:02 min)
034
TurboCAD Advantages (2:16 min)
035
New Drawing with Tracing Layer (2:35 min)
036
Locking the Tracing Layer (2:49 min)
037
Exterior Walls 1stf (2:56 min)
038
Exterior Walls 1stf Selection and Property Palettes (2:16 min)
039
Walls 1stf Interior (2:09 min)
040
Walls 1stf Interior cont. (3:25 min)
041
Walls 1stf Interior cont. (3:09 min)
042
Walls 1stf Interior cont. (1:25 min)
044
1stf Windows cont. (2:38 min)
045
1stf Windows cont. (3:15 min)
046
1stf Windows cont. (3:08 min)
047
1stf Windows cont. (3:01 min)
048
1stf Windows cont. (2:16 min)
049
1stf Windows cont. (2:07 min)
050
1stf Windows cont. (1:29 min)
051
Door and Window Layers (2:47 min)
052
Door and Window Layers cont. (3:02 min)
054
Interior Doors 1stf (1:20 min)
054
The Evolution of the Wall Tool
054a
The Evolution of the Wall Tool cont. (2:34 min)
054b
The Evolution of the Wall Tool cont. (2:13 min)
054c
The Evolution of the Wall Tool cont. (1:05 min)
054d
The Evolution of the Wall Tool cont. (1:44 min)
054e
The Evolution of the Wall Tool cont. (5:28 min)
054f
The Evolution of the Wall Tool cont. (2:02 min)
055
Interior Doors 1stf cont. (6:03 min)
056
Interior Doors 1stf cont. (1:46 min)
057
Interior Doors 1stf cont. (5:51 min)
058
Interior Doors 1stf cont. (2:51 min)
059
Interior Doors 1stf cont. (1:41 min)
060
Prepare for Second Floor (1:43 min)
061
Second Floor Tracing Layer (2:14 min)
062
2nd Floor Editing (4:15 min)
063
2nd Floor Editing cont. (2:12 min)
064
2nd Floor Editing cont. (1:40 min)
065
2nd Floor Windows (3:18 min)
066
2nd Floor Windows cont. (4:56 min)
067
2ndF Interior Doors (3:39 min)
068
2ndf Interior Doors cont. (2:59 min)
069
2ndf Floor System (4:13 min)
070
2ndf Floor System cont. (3:02 min)
071
Combine 1st and 2nd floors (2:58 min)
072
Combine 1st and 2nd floors cont. (3:09 min)
073
Import from FloorPlan (3:12 min)
074
Import from FloorPlan cont. (3:07 min)
075
Import from FloorPlan cont. (2:41 min)
085
Dimensions cont. (2:25 min)
089
1stPricing Schedule (1:21 min)
090
1stPricing Schedule cont. (2:20 min)
091
1stPricing Schedule cont. (2:12 min)
092
1stPricing Schedule cont. (3:01 min)
094
Paper Space cont. (2:29 min)
095
Paper Space cont. (1:54 min)
096
Paper Space cont. (2:46 min)
097
Paper Space cont. (2:06 min)
098
Paper Space cont. (1:30 min)
099
Paper Space cont. (3:42 min)
100
Paper Space cont. (4:09 min)
101
Printing Paper Space (3:18 min)
103
Rendering cont. (2:57 min)
104
Rendering cont. (1:34 min)
105
Rendering cont. (3:44 min)
106
Rendering cont. (5:05 min)
107
Rendering cont. (3:14 min)
108
Rendering cont. (4:16 min)
The CADCourse™ House Plan has been created in answer to the request for training material that guides someone through the complete home design process, step-for-step, from beginning-to-end, with nothing left out!
We present a systematic method to create traditional 2D blue prints, as well as photorealistic 3D renderings, all by using the same drawing. Further we use the innovative 1st Windows plug-in for parametric door and window symbols with an integrated real-time cost schedule with the ability to purchase the windows online. These are REAL doors and windows, and the plug-in for TurboCAD® v8 is included for free on the CD!
Over 110 narrated movies will demonstrate each step required to create both conceptual and professional architectural drawings. Each movie has an associated drawing file that will allow you to pick up the lessons at any point in the design sequence. This method enables you to practice the specific concepts presented in each movie as many times as you wish. You can experiment with each drawing until you are comfortable with the ideas presented. The movies are presented using TurboCAD Professional V8 (and FloorPlan v7), but many of the ideas are also applicable to all versions of TurboCAD. For Non-Professional Users we present suggested workarounds or alternative methods when Pro Only features are demonstrated. The movies are packed with tips and tricks and are a “must have” for anyone using TurboCAD (or FloorPlan) for architectural purposes.
We start by designing the house in the conceptual modeler FloorPlan 3D v7. This little product is particularly good for quickly knocking up a design to see if it is a feasible layout. It also has some very neat tools for doors, windows, kitchen cabinets, stairs and bathrooms, all of which are demonstrated as we create the two-story house. Once the house plan is completed (as far as possible) in FloorPlan, we teach you how to use the FloorPlan Print Space Maker feature to import the drawing into TurboCAD for printing and layout purposes. We then discuss some of the limitations in this process and see why using the much more powerful tools in TurboCAD is often more applicable for the advanced user.
We then take you from scratch in TurboCAD v8 Pro and follow this sequence:
The interface to the online tutorials is this HTML document. You can click the links of the movies to automatically launch the self-running flash movie. You can also select the drawing for that particular exercise so that you can try the operations yourself in TurboCAD. A bulleted list next to each link shows the topics covered in that particular movie.
Although the CADCourse House Plan uses FloorPlan V7 and TurboCAD Professional V8, it is still applicable to users of all versions of TurboCAD. Designer users will be able to create a full house plan in FloorPlan and be able to bring the drawing into TurboCAD for layout out and printing purposes. Standard users will greatly benefit from the advantages of the 1stWindows plug‑in, while the Pro Users will see advanced techniques for rendering materials.
Save the CADCourse Interface
Configuration file into the
C:\Program Files\IMSI\TCWP80\Program\Config folder. This interface has been
designed for maximum productivity and will match the interface used in the
movies. Load the interface via the Tools | Customize | Load From menu option.
· Tools Customize
Get an overview of the house by taking a 3D walkthrough in both TurboCAD and FloorPlan.
· Draft Render
· Invisible Layers
· Examine
· Named Views
· Turn
· Walk
· Plan View
· 3D View
· Camera Angle
001
TurboCAD Preview.TCW
TurboCAD Drawing (
)
FloorPlan Drawing ( )
Import DXF tracing layer and create rough exterior wall outline.
Check the dimension of the walls and view them in 3D.
003 Exterior Walls 1st Floor.bmf
Learn how to place the interior walls precise distances away from the exterior walls. Adjust by dragging for precision.
· Interior walls
· Placing interior walls at precise distances away from other walls
· Zoom window
· Zoom previous
· Adjusting wall length
004 Interior Walls 1st Floor.bmf
Continue adding interior walls. See how interior and exterior walls combine.
Notice how wall direction influences the ability to join with other walls
· Attaching interior and exterior walls
· Node editing for precision
· Dragging walls
· Zoom tools
· Panning tools
005 Interior walls continued 1st Floor.bmf
See how the interior and exterior walls combine and watch for the methods of dragging to join walls .
· Combining interior an exterior walls
· Using node edit to snap and join walls
· Square footage
· Adjusting wall length
· 3D isometric view
006 Interior walls continued 1st Floor.bmf
Create a new window at the correct size before you place the window symbol into the wall. This is the only opportunity you get to change the window size.
Windows tool
Windows palette
Left hand slider
Add new window to create a correct window size
Adjusting window position
Transparent 3D windows
007 Exterior Windows 1st Floor.bmf
Insert a Bow Window. Watch out to see how to set the overall width of the window.
Windows of custom size
Insert bow window
Adjusting the individual properties of the bow window to change the overall width.
Zoom window in 3D view
008 Exterior Windows 1st Floor continued.bmf
Insert Casement Style A Window and adjust its size.
Insert Casement Style A
After defining a new window double click the name in the palette.
Add new slider window
Add pantry walls
Adjust walls at an angle
Zoom window in 3D view
009 Exterior Windows 1st Floor continued.bmf
Finish the windows for the first floor by adding the last window to the study.
Reusing a previously created casement window
Double click name in palette
Four isometric views
010 Exterior Windows 1st Floor continued.bmf
Switch to the door tool and insert a standard 60”x80” double hinged door into the middle of the entry wall.
Door tool
Rectangular Double Hinged door
3D zoom
Insert the Interior left and right swing doors and ensure that they are consistent distances away from the walls. View the results in 3D.
Rectangle Interior door left swing
Placing doors into wall with consideration for the side of the swing
Rectangle Interior door right swing
Zoom window in 2D
Dragging doors to adjust position
3D navigation
Tilt camera
012 Doors 1st Floor continued.bmf
Insert a sliding glass door in both the Living Room and the Study. Adjust the number of panels in the door . View in 3D.
Insert Sliding Glass door
Create new symbols for a custom size
Adjust to a 2 panel door rather than 3 panel in the Opening Tab
Adjust width to compensate for the molding size
View in 3D
013 Doors 1st Floor continued.bmf
Uses the glass panel doors as a basis for creating a custom wood sliding door by applying material to a new symbol. View in 3D from different angles.
Customize glass door to make it look like wood door
Modifying materials
Modify the paneling of the door type
Enter new Name Description
Pan tool
Reuse modified door in other closet
3D Navigation
3D Position Camera
014 Doors 1st Floor continued.bmf
Create the second floor by duplicating the first floor. Replace the first floor tracing layer with the second floor tracing layer.
· Switch to second floor pull down
· Copy first floor to second floor
· View both floors in 3D
· Delete Tracing Layer
· Import 2ndf Tracing Layer
Delete unwanted walls and add or adjust existing walls to match the tracing layer.
· Select and delete walls
· Understanding the color representations
· Window select to select multiple walls
· Changing Wall lengths
· Repositioning doors
· Adding new walls
016 Second Floor modifications.bmf
Clean up unwanted doors and windows. Then create interior walls. Note problems with selection and movement if walls are not connected correctly.
Delete door from entry wall
Delete windows from master bathroom
Create master bedroom closets and bathroom walls
Understand why the walls will not adjust if they are originally incorrectly placed. Symptoms include selection tool not easily allowing you to select a wall and adjust the size
017 Second Floor modifications continued.bmf
Insert doors into the
Master
Door tool
Repeatedly press previous view tool return to earlier used views
Checking the difference between left and right swing doors
Inserting doors in to Master Bathroom
018 Second Floor modifications continued.bmf
Insert the Closet doors into the Master Bedroom. Reuse the symbols created earlier for the downstairs closets. View the closets in 3D by using the small plan view in the 3D palette.
· Closet doors
· 2D view and using the palette plan view to zoom
· Holding and dragging Camera into correct position
019 Second Floor windows modifications.bmf
Create the banisters for the walkway on the second floor. Choose the type of banister in the palette and click and drag into position. Zoom in to position correctly.
Balustrades tool
Zoom to walkway
Choose natural newel posts in palette
Click and move to define the length of the banister
Drag in to position
Pan and zoom to ensure accuracy
View in 3D
020 Second Floor balustrades.bmf
Return to the 1st floor and correctly position the stairs in the stair well.
· Switch to first floor
· Stairs tool
· Measure tool
· Create custom size stairway
· Temporarily adjusting walls
· Create missing wall and finish with double click
· Position stairs to match space available
· Finish stairs when they turn blue
· Reposition walls
· View in 3D by repositioning and tilting camera
021 Second Floor Staircase.bmf
Add the windows on the second floor for the stairs, living room, master bed and bathrooms.
· Window tool
· Create custom size awning windows
· Edit properties of symbol already in the wall
· Single hung windows
· Create custom size single hung window
· View in 3D
Insert a refrigerator , floor and wall cabinets into the kitchen area. Adjust the 3D view to visualize in 3D.
· Move to ground floor
· View filter display
· Turn off second floor
· Position camera in 3D
· Appliances tool
· Refrigerator
· Collision detection – aligns to walls
· Cabinets tool
· Wall cabinets
· View in 3D
Insert cabinets, oven, cook top and ventilation along the sidewall of the kitchen.
· View different cabinet types
· Add free standing oven
· Add Gas Cook Top
· Edit height properties in 3D view
· Add ventilation and adjust height
Delete existing cabinet to move away from window. Create the island cabinets and then insert a dishwasher and sinks.
· Delete cabinet with 3D selector
· Create cabinet island
· Select and move multiple objects
· View in 3D walk mode
· Change Cabinet properties to Counter Top
· Insert dishwasher
· Rotate dishwasher with rotation handle
· Adjust cabinets to fit dishwasher
· Add Sinks with Plumbing tool
· View in 3D
Insert the bathtub after shifting the walls to make space. Then insert the toilet and cabinets as well as a sink. View the results in 3D by modifying the position of the camera .
· Appliances bathtub
· Rotating by dragging rotation handle
· Temporarily shift walls to make space
· Insert toilet
· Insert cabinet
· Insert sink
· Adjust 3D camera position
Insert a mirror above the bathroom cabinet. You will need to create a new cabinet type and modify the standard cabinet settings.
Measure tool
Create new wall cabinet
Use mirror material
Change size of cabinet to be flat
View mirror in 3D
Move to the second floor and insert a bathtub and cabinets. Make sure the cabinets hug the walls by first moving the walls to make space. After moving the cabinets reposition the walls in the correct place.
· Switch to second floor
· Display filter
· Turn on the second floor objects
· Pan tool
· Changing the names of the room by double clicking text
· Insert vintage bathtub
· Draw L-shaped cabinets
· Move wall to make space
· Move cabinets to hug wall
· Return walls to original position
· Adjust height of camera manually
· Zoom to extents in 3D palette
Take a look at extra tools such as furniture before proceeding to the Roof tool. Make sure you save your drawing with a meaningful name so that it can be imported into TurboCAD later.
· Brief discussion of furniture objects such as beds and couch’s etc
· Brief discussion of electrical and lighting
· Brief discussion of decks and balconies
· Roof tools
· Select and double click in palette
· View in isometric view
· Save As to save drawing for preparation to import into TurboCAD
Open the FloorPlan bridge and position views of the drawing in paper space. Remember that dragging the black corners is the only way to move the views in paper space. When complete bring the drawing into TC.
· Open TurboCAD v8.2
· Open FloorPlan Print Space Maker
· Open FloorPlan BMF file and wait as the file opens – this procedure can take a long time
· Switch to paper space
· Insert D size title block
· Insert ground floor and drag black corner to position
· Insert door and window schedules and position by dragging corners
· Create new paper space with title block
· Insert second floor and position
· Repeat process and add elevations
· Switch between paper spaces and model space
· Complete to import into TurboCAD
030 Prepare for import into TurboCAD.bmf
Turn Layers on and off to see the effect it has on the drawing. Do a hidden line render to see the render for the layers that are currently visible.
· Model space tab
· Widen palettes
· Design Director
· Layers (Pro and Std versions)
· Turning multiple layers on/off
· Selecting objects on visible layers
· Discussion of layers and their importance to the drawing process
· Hidden line render
See how the named views allow you to quickly change views and understand that the viewports in paper space are representations of these named views but they have their own set of layers. Notice that viewports are a single entity with their own set of properties.
· Named Views (Pro and Std)
· Selection Info Palette
· Discussion of relationship between named views and viewports in paper space
· Discussion of viewport layer settings and how they are independent from the layers in model space
Try to modify and edit the walls and windows that have been imported from FP. Notice how these walls are now just ”dumb” objects and no longer have any connection with each other.
· Discussions of how the walls came in from FP. Use selection info to see that the walls are only surfaces.
· Discussion on how walls have lost “intelligence” and what happens if you edit them.
· Walls lost ability to repair themselves – illustrated by deleting a window and moving a wall
Notice some of the advantages of the model in TurboCAD in that deleting windows and moving walls still keeps the model intact. This is very useful for making changes at a later stage.
· Layer Sets activating
· Making Layers invisible
· World Plan view
· 2D/3D objects are the same
· Examine tools to rotate camera
· Self healing walls
· Moving walls to see automatic extension
Start a new drawing and use the Page Setup Wizard to help define default properties such as scale and units . Copy and paste lines from a DXF file into the new drawing and position it correctly to align with the coordinate system . Finally set the grid spacing to 3 lines per foot.
· New from Page Setup Wizard
· Select units
· Select architectural format
· Let TC choose a scale
· Open DXF tracing layer
· Copy to clipboard and paste into new drawing
· Redefine Reference point with snap to vertex
· Move selection to Absolute Coordinate 0,0,0
· Grid properties (Standard and Advanced)
1-1stf for FP import to TC.dxf
Create a new layer and move all the imported lines to that layer. Change the properties of the lines to reflect the color setting of the layer. Finally lock the layer so that changes are not possible.
· Select objects with Select tool
· Create new layer
· Select All
· Move selected objects to tracing layer
· Making property tools visible
· Color and line type set to “By Layer”
· Change layer color
· Lock the tracing layer
036 Locking the tracing layer.TCW
Create a new layer for the exterior 1stf walls and then proceed to create the outline of the walls. Be sure that the thickness and width of the walls is correct. Also note how the inspector bar works interactively with the wall tool.
· World plan view
· Create new layer