1.2 How to Get Started

Spex+

1.1 What is it?

Spex+ is a modeling program that uses environments and a range of components that enable scenarios to be designed and explored. The program comes complete with a range of scenarios and components that are pre-loaded when Spex+ is loaded.

1.2 How to get started

To make a start, find the software from the “Start” button or double click the Spex+ icon if this has been installed on the desktop.

This will load the software and open a menu of environments.

Use the slider bar to view further environments

Selecting an environment will open the “Place Setup” window…

Here the dimensions of the environment

can be adjusted, as can the maximum budget for the project. This feature is used in the spreadsheet that keeps track of the overall spending on the project. Make any adjustments required and then click the OK button.

The program starts in Plan View.

The next screen has four areas and a floating “Item Groups” window. This window will by default include all components that the chosen environment might use. The main window has a…

menu bar

design area

components list

3D drawing of the selected component

tool bar area

All designing must be done with Spex+ in the plan view as shown above.

Items can be selected from the components and placed in the design area, they can be moved and, when selected, can also be deleted using the delete key. If the item needs to be rotated double click the drawing in the components view before it is added to the design.

The tool bar area changes with different environments and buttons are only active if the tool is available in that view.

3D view plan view wall view create new change wall view zoom in/out

Spreadsheet view colour options item groups available budget update

Walls and floor can be custom coloured using the colour options button and then selecting the Floor or Wall button and then a basic colour or a custom colour.

There are three main views when working in Spex+

The plan view is used to design the environment.

The 3D view is used to view the environment in three dimensions. In this view the components area is “greyed out”.

The wall view shows windows, doors and wall mounted items, but only if these are available in a particular environment.

Finally the spreadsheet button will give an overview of the cost of the project against the budget.

This helpsheet has been designed based on the “Bathroom Environment”… further examples are shown below.

Play

Bedroom

Shopping