House Design TutorialPart A
This tutorial is designed to introduce you architecture using Chief Architect software. Thereare two parts A and B. Each part has a separate document in the handouts folder. Clarity and easy to construct designs based on standard dimensions are very important. You will find that if you plan the process you are going to use to design a house this will save a great deal of work especially when making the house to conform to architectural standards.
When Chief Architect starts a separate Start Up Options window will open along with the drawing area leave it open and select the Help Contents and Index from the list. Close Startup Options Window. Do not use the link to House Tutorial in the Startup Options box because it skips the Getting Started section of the tutorial. You can get to the Help Contents and Indexanytime by selecting the Help drop down menu in the program.
Select the Contents tab in the Chief Architect X1 Help window. Choose the House Design Tutorial which is about ¾ of they way down the list. Use the + to expand the tree and start with Getting Started Step 6.
You can use show and hide to display the left margin in the Chief Architect X1 Help window.
You can use - in the Chief Architect X1 Help window to minimize it to the task bar click on it while in the task bar to restore it.
Preferences>Appearance> parent - child relationship will set the menus to this style.
Getting Started
6.)New Plan is in the File drop down menu.
7.)Default is the normal mode you will work in.
8.)A terrain perimeter represents the property boundaries or plot. Chief generates this flat, but Chief can make terrain features and contours that represent the true topography. A Plan that shows the property boundaries and the locations of the Buildings, Services, Driveways, Sidewalks, Decks and Patios, Rightaways and Easements, and Major Terrain Features is called a Plot Plan.
9.)F6 is the shortcut for fill window.
10.)Temporary Dimensions let you adjust the position ofterrain perimeter and walls without having dimensioned the plan.
11.)Ok
12.)“ = Inches‘ = Feet In Chief when you enter dimension numbers you must finish with ‘ if the number is in feet. Chief use inches for default so if you enter a number and hitenter you will get inches.
13.)When you make Walls the way you relocated the terrain perimeter is one of the methods you can use to move walls.
14.)Ok
15.)Save to your folder in the CADD drive. Make a folder for each house plan you make. Chief makes multiple files for each house plan so a folder for each plan is the best way to stay organized. Crtl S is the shortcut to save. Use it often.
Setting Floor Defaults
This takes you the process of setting the ceiling height for an entire floor. The have you set it to 9’ which is a bit unusual, 8’ is the most common residentialceiling height. You can also just double click on items in the tree instead of using the Edit button.
Drawing Walls
To draw exterior walls
1.)+ and – on the numeric pad will zoom in and out, but seems to do so unpredictably I prefer the more precise Zoom Area tool . Click on the origin of the area to zoom and drag over to include just the area you want to see closer.
2.)Default for walls is 6” exterior, be aware what type wall mode you are in before you draw.
3.)I prefer the left mouse method.
4.)Do not get concerned with exact length at this point we will make fine adjustments later in a method similar to how we adjusted the terrain perimeter earlier.
5.)If you draw walls counter clockwise the walls will have their layers flipped with the interior finish on the outside and the siding inside. This can be fixed later, but it is a good habit to draw counter clockwise.
To draw exterior walls
Just make sure your wall is lined up with the back wall as in the example and that it snaps to the left wall.
Creating Dimension Lines
1.)Exterior dimensions are to the framing not the sheathing or the exterior material such as siding. They are set that way by default. If you double click on the rule (dimensions) icon under the setup tab you can adjust the number height. For this drawing at this point in the tutorial 12’ Number Height may work better. While you are in the dimensions dialog box got to the locate obejects tab and set openings>centers and Walls>Both Wall Surfaces. Use that for all drawings.
2.)Shift Z is the shortcut for zoom. Be careful Crtl Z is undo.
3.)
4.)F6 is the shortcut
To draw an interior dimension line
1.)Interior dimensions are also to the framing not the surface.
2.)You can go over the walls with this tool and it will snap back to the insides.
3.)
Adjusting Wall Spacing
To adjust the spacing of the exterior walls
1.)F6
2.)You will see handles pop up.
3.)Associated with means controls were that wall is located.
4.)
5.)15’ NOT 15 15 = 15INCHES
6.)Or hit enter
7.)When you are finished exterior dimensions always move the LIVING AREA note to a clear spot so it is easy to read.
To delete all dimensions at once
1.)
2.) This works for any of the items listed in the dialog box.
Creating Rooms
To define rooms using interior walls
1.)
2.)You can the break walls toll to the toolbar
3.)
4.)Use the dimensions from the drawings I have given out.
5.)
To create an invisible wall
1.)
To designate a Room Type for a room
1.)If you do not use room types the Plan Check will not work.
2.)In the room specification Dialog you can change floor and ceiling height.
3.)
4.)
5.) The room labels can be resized and rotated by clicking on them.
6.)
Decks and Porches
To draw a deck
1.)You must use manual dimension to dimension Deck Railing as the are not picked up by Auto Dimension.
2.)You can also change the length of a wall using the specification dialog and lock Start, End, or Center of the wall or railing. Once you have the 14’ 6 1/16” to length, select the wall and use the Same Wall Type tool from the pop-up tools that appears at the the bottom of the screen. You can find which tool it is by dragging your cursor over top of the icons and the names pop up.
Creating a 3D Overview
To create a floor overview
1.)You can use the blue camera icon for render (raster or photo-like) or the white camera icon (vector or drawing-like) for 3D.
2.)The left mouse button held down rotates and the mouse roller zooms in and out.
1.)Use the same shape as the tutorial.
2.)Use the same dimensionsas the tutorial. Move the Living Area Sq. Ft. away from the dimensions so it is not underneath them. Do not Auto Dimension again after this step.
3.)Place your interior walls in the same shape as the tutorial. The interior walls are all Interior 4 except the wall between the garage and the living space. It is Interior 6 for fire safety.
4.)Use the dimensions from the tutorial. Drag your interior dimensions outside of the house. Except the front they will run along the front of the house and then some will be in the garage. Remember the number one rule with dimensions is to place them where they are easy to read and not laying on top of anything. Pull the front to back interior dimensions outside the house to the right.
5.)Save to The CADD drive. No one should have any plans any other place.
Create a folder for each Plan as Chief Architect makes more than one file
for each plan.
6.)To locate the exterior doors use a manual placement to dimension, but set the Dimension defaults to >Locate Objects>Both Wall surfaces and Internal Only and locate openings by center. Place the Mudroom door on center @4’, the slider @ 6’5” from the right interior. For the front door use Library>doorways>entryways>without transoms>grid side lite. Double click on the closet doors to change them to bifold.
7.)OK
8.)Place an invisible wall across the mouth of the hall to separate in from the living room. Label the hall. Labeling rooms tells Plan Check, atool we will use later what type of room each area is and allows it to be check to see if that room meets code.
9.)Before step 9 place a slab under the garage by double clicking on the room and checking Slab Foundation for this Room under the Structure tab so that no foundation is built below the garage.
10.)OK
11.)After step 11 Print the first floor plan on the laser printer, landscape orientation with your name and class period placed in the upper left corner using text in Chief Architect. Make sure all of the drawing prints out.