Autodesk

AutoCAD Architecture 2009

Fundamentals

Elise Moss

SDC

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Schroff Development Corporation

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Autodesk AutoCAD Architecture 2009 Fundamentals

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Lesson 3

Floor Plans

The floor plan is central to any architectural drawing. We start by placing the exterior
walls, then the interior walls, then doors, and finally windows.

Tool Palette
Command Line
Menu

Walls
WallAdd
DesignWallsAdd Wall

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Exercise 3-1:

Creating Exterior Walls

Drawing Name:
Estimated Time:

New
10 minutes

This exercise reinforces the following skills:

1.
2.

Create Walls
Project Navigator

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Start a new drawing using QNEW.

Launch the Tool Palette.

Select the Walls tab.

3.
4.

Select the CMU-190 RIGID-038 Air-50

Brick-090 wall style.
Toggle ORTHO ON.

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Start the wall at 0,0.
Create a rectangle 1830 mm tall and 914 mm wide.

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5.

Select the Work tab.

6.

You see that the walls you placed

are really 3-dimensional.

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7.

Save your drawing as [Link].

TIP: If you draw a wall and the materials composing the wall are on the wrong side,
you can reverse the direction of the wall. Simply select the wall, right click and select
the Reverse option from the menu.

Exercise 3-2:

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Inserting a Drawing Reference

Drawing Name:
Estimated Time:

new
60 minutes

This exercise reinforces the following skills:

1.
2.

Convert to Walls
Drawing references (previously known as external references or Xrefs)
Creating Interior Walls

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Start a new drawing using QNEW.

Go to InsertDWG Reference.

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3.

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Locate [Link].
Press Open.

TIP: Many architects use external drawing references to organize their projects. That
way teams of architects can concentrate just on their portions of a building. External
references also use less system resources.

4.

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Uncheck Specify On-Screen under Insertion point, Scale, and Rotation.

Press OK.
This will insert the file as an external reference at 0,0,0.
5.

Save the file as ex3-2.

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TIP: You can convert lines, arcs, circles, or polylines to walls. If you have created a
floor plan in AutoCAD and want to convert it to 3D, open the floor plan drawing
inside of AutoCAD Architecture. Use the Convert to Walls tool to transform your
floor plan into walls.

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Autodesk AutoCAD Architecture 2009 Fundamentals

Exercise 3-3

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Convert to Walls
Drawing Name:
Estimated Time:

floor [Link]
10 minutes

This exercise reinforces the following skills:

1.

Convert to Walls

Open floor [Link].

This file can be downloaded from
[Link]/resources.

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2.
3.

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Locate the Stud-102 GWB-018 Each Side: wall

style.

Highlight the wall tool.

Right click and select Apply Tool Properties to Linework.

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Lesson 3 - Floor Plans

4.

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Select all the interior lines.

You are prompted if you want to erase the layout

geometry. Type Y for Yes.

5.

6.

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Switch to the Work tab so you can see how your house looks in 3D.

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Save the file as [Link].

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Autodesk AutoCAD Architecture 2009 Fundamentals

Exercise 3-4:

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Wall Cleanup
Drawing Name:
Estimated Time:

[Link]
30 minutes

This exercise reinforces the following skills:

1.
2.

Modifying Walls
Edit Justification
Wall Tools
Break at Point
Apply Tool Properties to Wall
Cleanup Tools

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Open [Link].

Add a closet area between the

master bedroom and Bedroom #1.
To do this, draw a wall from the
mid-point of the wall in the
horizontal direction and then draw a
vertical wall from the mid-point of
the new horizontal wall.

3.

4.

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To center the vertical wall, select it.
Right click and select Edit Justification.

Diamond grips will appear to indicate different wall

justification methods (Left/Right/Center).
Select the Center Diamond.

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Lesson 3 - Floor Plans

5.

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Draw a closet in Bedroom #2.

Use the same interior wall style.

Set the wall 304 mm from the hallway wall and 1820
mm in length.

6.

7.

8.
9.

Draw a vertical line 610 mm inside the living

room area.

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Delete the vertical line to the right of the line just placed.

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Locate the exterior wall style: CMU-190

Rigid-038 Air-050 Brick-090.

Convert the outside lines to the exterior wall style using Apply Tool Properties to
Linework.

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10. When prompted to erase layout geometry, enter Yes.

11.

We have a small section of wall that should be split so that

it can be assigned the exterior wall style.

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Autodesk AutoCAD Architecture 2009 Fundamentals

12.

13.

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Select the Break at Point tool on the Modify toolbar to split the
wall into two sections.
Select the wall.

It will highlight.

14.

15.

16.

Select the point indicated as the break point.

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The wall is now two separate sections.

Locate the CMU-190 Rigid-038 Air-050

Brick-090 wall style.

17.

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Right click and select Apply Tool Properties toWall.

18.

19.

Select the small wall section to be converted.

The wall will be converted to the correct wall style.

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Lesson 3 - Floor Plans

20.

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Select the small section of wall.
Right click and select CleanupsApply L Cleanup.

21.

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Youll be prompted to select the wall to cleanup with.

Select the wall indicated.

The corner is cleaned up.

22.

23.

24.

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Repeat on the other corner.

Select the interior wall.

Right click and select CleanupsApply T Cleanup.

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When prompted to select the boundary wall, select the wall

indicated.

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25.

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26.

Repeat the process for the other corner.

27.

28.

29.

If the wall does not clean up

properly, use grips to get the
end points of the wall to
appear correctly.

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Use the Break at Point Tool.
Apply the correct Wall Style.
Apply L Cleanup.

The walls appear cleaner.

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The drawing is now updated.
Save as [Link].

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Lesson 3 - Floor Plans

Exercise 3-5:

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Adding Closet Doors

Drawing Name:
Estimated Time:

[Link]
10 minutes

This exercise reinforces the following skills:

1.
2.
3.

Adding Doors
Door Properties

Open [Link].

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Locate the Bifold-Double door on the Doors tab of the Tool

Palette.
Highlight the Bifold-Double door.
Right click and select Properties.

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TIP: To create a freestanding door, press the ENTER key when prompted to pick a
wall. You can then use the grips on the door entity to move and place the door
wherever you like.

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To move a door along a wall, use DoorRepositionAlong Wall. Use the OSNAP
From option to locate a door a specific distance from an adjoining wall.

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Autodesk AutoCAD Architecture 2009 Fundamentals

4.

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Expand the Dimensions section.

Set the Standard sizes to 1500.00 x 2100.00.
Set the Opening percent to 50.

TIP: If you left click in the field, a down arrow will appearselect the down arrow
and you will get a list of standard sizes. Then, select the size you want.

A 25% opening will show a door swing at a 45-degree angle.

The value of the Opening percentage determines the angle of the arc swing.
A 50% value indicates the door will appear half-open at a 90-degree angle.
5.

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Expand the Location section.

Set Position along wall to Offset/Center.

6.

Set the Automatic offset to 300.00.

(This will center the closet doors along the wall.)

Press OK to close the Properties dialog.
7.

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Place the Bifold Double doors at the two closets.

Note: Enable a Midpoint OSNAP to locate the doors.

The orientation of the door swing is determined by the wall side selected.
In both cases, you want to select the outside face of the wall.

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Lesson 3 - Floor Plans

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8.

9.

Place a Bi-fold Double door in the wall shown.

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Save as [Link].

Exercise 3-6:

Adding Interior Doors

Drawing Name:
Estimated Time:

[Link]
10 minutes

This exercise reinforces the following skills:

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Adding Doors
Door Properties

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We will add single hinge doors in the areas shown.

You may need to do some wall cleanup to get the rooms to look proper.
Use AddWall, Extend, and Trim as needed.

Try to keep the walls so they line up to keep the floor plan looking clean.

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1.

Open [Link].

Locate the Single Hinged door on the Doors tab of the Tool
Palette.
Right click and select Properties.

2.

3.

Expand the Dimensions section.

Set the Standard sizes to
1000.00 x 2100.00.
Set the Swing angle to 90.

4.

Set the Position along wall to Offset/ Center.

Set the Automatic offset to 150.

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Press OK.

5.

Place the doors as indicated.

6.

Save the file [Link].

Exercise 3-7:

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Create an Arched Opening Tool

Drawing Name:
Estimated Time:

[Link]
10 minutes

This exercise reinforces the following skills:

1.
2.
3.

Copying Tools
Tool Properties

Open [Link].

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Locate the Cased Opening on the Design tab of the Tool Palette.
Right click and select Copy.

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Lesson 3 - Floor Plans

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

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Select the Doors tab.
Right click and select Paste.

Highlight the copied tool.

Right click and select Properties.

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Change the Name to Arched Opening.
Change the Description to Arched Opening.

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Expand the General section.

Set the Description to Creates an
Arched Opening.
Set the Layer key to OPENING.
Set the Style to Cased OpeningHalfround.

Expand the Dimensions section.

Set the Standard Size to 900.00 x 2100.00.
Press OK.

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The tool is defined in the palette.

9.

Save as [Link].

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Autodesk AutoCAD Architecture 2009 Fundamentals

Exercise 3-7:

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Adding an Opening
Drawing Name:
Estimated Time:

[Link]
10 minutes

This exercise reinforces the following skills:

Adding Openings
Opening Properties
Copying Tools
Set Image from Selection

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Openings can be any size and elevation. They can be applied to a wall or be
freestanding. The Add Opening Properties allow the user to either select a Pre-defined
shape for the opening or use a custom shape.
Openings will be added to the walls indicated.

1.
2.
3.

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Open [Link].

Select the Arched Opening tool.

Expand the Location section.

Set the Position along wall to Offset/Center.
Set the Automatic offset to 300.00.

4.

Place the arched opening in the

dining room wall.

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Lesson 3 - Floor Plans

5.

6.

7.

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Use View3D orbit to view the arched opening.

Select the Arched Opening icon on the tool

palette.
Right click and select Set Image from
Selection
Pick the arched opening you created.
The icon updates to show an arched opening.

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The tool icon updates with the new image.

Next we place a rectangular opening in the location

indicated.

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8.

Select the Cased Opening tool from the Doors tool palette.
Expand the Dimensions section.
Select the Standard sizes of 1000.00
x 2200.00.

9.

10.

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Expand the Location section.

Set the Position along wall to Offset/Center.
Set the Automatic offset to 300.00.

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Autodesk AutoCAD Architecture 2009 Fundamentals

11.

12.

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Place the opening in the wall between the kitchen and

the dining room.

Select the Work tab to view the openings.

Select the Model tab.

13.

14.

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Place a rectangular opening between the kitchen and

the family room.

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This is our floor plan so far.
Save the file as [Link].

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Lesson 3 - Floor Plans

Exercise 3-9:

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Adding Doors
Drawing Name:
Estimated Time:

[Link]
20 minutes

This exercise reinforces the following skills:

1.

Adding Doors

Open [Link].

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We will add an entry door on the wall

indicated.

2.
3.

Select the Hinged-Double-Exterior door.

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Expand the Dimensions section.

Set the Standard size to 1800.00 x 2200.00.
Set the Swing angle to 0.
Expand the Location section.
Set the Position along wall to Offset/Center.
Set the Automatic offset to 300.

4.

5.

Place the door so it is centered in the wall.

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Select the Overhead-Sectional door.

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Autodesk AutoCAD Architecture 2009 Fundamentals

6.

7.

8.

9.

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Expand the Dimensions section.

Set the Standard size to 2440.00 x
2134.00.
Set the Swing angle to 0.

Set the Position along wall to Offset/Center.

Set the Automatic offset to 300.00.

Place the door in the garage wall.

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Switch to the Work tab to view the garage door and

front entry door.
Switch back to the Model tab.

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10. Next we add a sliding door to the family

room wall indicated.

11. Select a Sliding Door - Double Full Lite to add to the

family room.
12.

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Expand the Dimensions section.

Set the Standard size to 1800.00 x 2200.00.
Set the Swing angle to 0.

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Lesson 3 - Floor Plans

13.

14.

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Expand the Location section.

Set the Position along wall to Offset/Center.
Set the Automatic offset to 300.

Place the sliding door.

15.

If your doors dont look proper, use the Display

Manager to modify the appearance.

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16.

17.

Go to FormatDisplay Manager.

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Expand the Configurations folder.

Locate the Plan configuration under Medium Detail.

Note that this configuration is in bold because it is the current
active configuration.

18.

Place a check mark for Doors and

Door/Window Assembly to set them
visible in all views.

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19. Press Apply and OK.

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20. Select the Work tab to view your model.

21. Save the file as [Link].

Exercise 3-10

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Add Window Assemblies

Drawing Name:
Estimated Time:

Lesson 3-9dwg
30 minutes

This exercise reinforces the following skills:

1.
2.
3.

Add Windows

Open ex3-10wg.
Select the Model tab.

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Select the Windows tab of the Tool Palette.
Select the Casement-Double window.

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4.

Expand the Dimensions section.

Set the size to 600 x 900.

5.

Expand the Location section.

Set the Position along wall to Offset/Center.
Set the Offset to 2510.00.

6.

Select the wall shown and the endpoint

indicated.

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The endpoint is where the offset is calculated

from.

7.
8.

Select the Casement-Double window again.

Place the window on the vertical bedroom wall.

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Remember if you dont like the position of any of the

Windows, you can reposition them. Just select the
window, right click, and select Reposition Along Wall.
9.
10.

Select the Casement window.

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Expand the Dimensions section.

Set the size to 600.00 x 1200.00.

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11.

12.

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Expand the Location section.

Set the Position along wall to Offset/Center.
Set the Offset to 3-1.

Place the window in the bath wall.

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13. Place a Double Casement window in Bedroom #2.

14.

15.

16.

Place a Double Casement window in Bedroom #2

on the left vertical wall.

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Place a Double Casement window in Bedroom #3

on the left vertical wall.

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Locate the Picture - Arched to place in the left dining room

wall.

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17.

18.

19.

20.

21.

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Expand the Dimensions section.

Set the size to 600.00 x 1500.00
Rise 300.00.

Expand the Location section.

Set the Position along wall to
Offset/Center.
Set the Offset to 0.00.

Place the window.

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Add a Casement: Single window to the kitchen.

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Set the Head height to 2050.

This will ensure that any cabinetry in the kitchen

does not interfere with the window.

22.

Place an Arched Picture window with an offset of 0 on

each side of the entry door in the right living room wall.

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23.

Your floor plan should look

similar to the one shown here.
Save as [Link].

Exercise 3-11:

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Adding a Fireplace
Drawing Name:
Estimated Time:

[Link]
20 minutes

This exercise reinforces the following skills:

Using the Design Center

Adding Openings

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In this exercise, we add a fireplace to the family room. You can download the fireplace
from the publishers website or use the fireplace available from the Design Center.

1.

Open [Link].
Select the Model tab.

2.
3.

Select the Design Center tool or type ADC on the command line.

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Select the DC Online tab.

Note: In order to access DC Online, you must have an active internet connection.
If you do not have an active connection, you can download the file from the
publishers website and come back to this exercise.

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4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

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In the Standard Parts section, browse to Fireplaces under 3D

Architectural/House Design.

There is a 3D model with a Hearth.

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Hover the mouse over the file icon. An eyedropper will appear.
This means the content is idrop-enabled. Simply hold down your
left mouse button to fill the eyedropper, then keep the left mouse
button down, move the mouse into the graphics window and
release the left mouse button to drag and drop the symbol into the
drawing file.
Place the fireplace into the family room wall.

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Use the 3D Orbit tool to inspect how the fireplace

appears.
Go back to a plan view.

9.
10.

Go to the Walls tool palette.

Select the Brick-090 Brick-090 wall style.

Add walls in the vertical direction and in the horizontal
direction to enclose the hearth.

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Switch Justification using the Properties dialog as you

place the walls.

11.

Switch to a NE Isometric view to inspect the chimney.

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12.

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We need to make the chimney taller.

Select the walls for the chimney that were just

placed.
Right click and select Properties.

13.

Under Dimensions:

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Set the Base Height to 4875.00.

14.

The chimney now looks better.

Switch back to a plan view.

15.

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Place a small section of wall to enclose the chimney.

Set the height to 1875.00.

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16. Select the wall for the chimney that was just placed.
Right click and select Properties.
17.

Scroll down to Location:

Set the Elevation to 3000.

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18.

19.

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Use new ViewCube tool to inspect

your work so far.

If you switch to a Realistic visual style, you see that we

need an opening in our fireplace.

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Switch back to a plan view.

20.
21.

22.

23.

Select the Opening tool from the Design Palette.

Change the Width to 914.4.
Change the Height to 862.6.

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Place the opening in the wall.

Select the Home icon to switch to a 3D view.

Then use the ViewCube to inspect the opening in the
fireplace.

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24.

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Your finished fireplace and chimney should look

similar to this.
Save the file as [Link].

Close all open drawings.

You can do this by typing CLOSEALL on the
command line.

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