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November 30 – December 3, 2004 ◊ Las Vegas, Nevada

How to Miss-USE and Abuse


Autodesk® Architectural Desktop
Jeanne Aarhus – ProSoft NET, Professional Software Solutions, Inc.

BD32-2 Learn how you can use Architectural Desktop objects for much more than their obvious use. Why does a wall have to
be just a wall? Can a door be more than a door? Take advantage of all the capabilities Architectural Desktop has to
offer. Discover the possibilities, then dazzle your co-workers back at the office. A sure-fire way to get a ticket to attend
next year!

Who Should Attend:


Intermediate and advanced Architectural Desktop users

Topics Covered:
* How to use Architectural Desktop objects and displays to solve everyday problems
* Use Wall objects for more than walls
* Use Doors for more than just doors
* Use objects for innovative solutions
* Learn how Architectural Desktop can help solve problems in unexpected ways

About the Speaker:


Jeanne is known for keeping her training sessions fast-moving and fun. She is a nationally known speaker and expert
in CAD and presents seminars and workshops on CAD productivity for managers and users in both corporate and
college settings. She has been involved with production drawing, user support, standards coordination, programming,
and training in CAD applications for more than 20 years. She continues to be actively involved in international, national,
and local CAD user groups.

jaarhus@prosoftnet.com
How to Miss-USE and Abuse Autodesk® Architectural Desktop

How to Miss-USE and Abuse ADT


What is this session about?
This session will demonstrate how you can use ADT objects for much more than their obvious use.
Why does a wall have to be just a wall? Can a door be more than a door? Do you take advantage
of ALL the capabilities ADT has to offer? If you use ADT objects ONLY for the obvious…you are
missing out! Attend this session to discover the possibilities; and then go home and “dazzle” your
co-workers. A sure fire way to get a ticket to attend next year!

The topics I selected for this presentation were collected from friends, co-workers, other user
groups; and of course the newsgroups.

If you have an idea or a great tip to pass along….I invite you to share your ideas with other users.
This only works when we ALL share ideas and concepts. Keep the information flowing….and thanks
to all those who helped with this collection of ideas.

About this document:

Topic available in Architectural Desktop 3.3 (although not as easily in most cases)

Topic available in Architectural Desktop 2004

Topic available in Architectural Desktop 2005

Object Type to “Abuse”


Form of Abuse? (CREDIT – after all I didn’t think of all of these ideas on my own!)

Thanks to everyone who contributed ideas to this session. And remember me if you have a clever
way to use ADT, send me YOUR ideas. We all learn through sharing!

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How to Miss-USE and Abuse Autodesk® Architectural Desktop

Doors
Can a DOOR be a SINK? (Paul Aubin -Autodesk)
This example will demonstrate how you can use a door
object as a sink.

First we must have all the necessary pieces and parts.

Here is what you need:


• ALL BLOCKS created to make up the views
you need of the SINK
• The CASEWORK wall style

Step-by-Step Instructions:

STEP 1: Make a NEW door style and name it KITCHEN SINK

STEP 2: <Double-Click> to edit the new door style and select the DISPLAY
PROPERTIES Tab

STEP 3: Select the MODEL representation and select the EDIT DISPLAY PROPERTIES
button

STEP 4: Select the OTHER Tab….and pick ADD to add a custom block

STEP 5: SELECT BLOCK and choose block KITCHEN_SINK_M

Modify the following parameters:


Scale to Fit: WIDTH ON
Insertion Point: CENTER, CENTER, BOTTOM
Insert Offset: 0, 10”, 2’11”

Use the PREVIEW command to verify your settings are correct

Pick OK to SAVE

STEP 6: ADD a second custom block

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How to Miss-USE and Abuse Autodesk® Architectural Desktop

STEP 7: SELECT BLOCK and choose block KITCHEN_SINK_BASE_M

Modify the following parameters:


Scale to Fit: WIDTH ON
Insertion Point: CENTER, CENTER, BOTTOM
Insert Offset: 0, 10”, 2’11 3/4”

STEP 8: ADD a third custom block

STEP 9: SELECT BLOCK and choose block KITCHEN_SINK_COUNTER_M

Modify the following parameters:


Scale to Fit: WIDTH ON
Insertion Point: CENTER, CENTER, BOTTOM
Insert Offset: 0, 10”, 2’11 3/4”

STEP 10: Before we place this “door” we need to turn off some of the default door displays.
Select the LAYER/COLOR/LINETYPE Tab

TURN OFF the visibility of the following door components:


Door Panel
Frame
Stop
Swing
Glass

STEP 11: Use the ADD DOOR command to place the SINK into a CASEWORK wall

Now lets check out the FRONT View:

STEP 1: Select the KITCHEN SINK in the FRONT view and <Right-Click> to access the
EDIT DOOR STYLE command

STEP 2: Select the ELEVATION representation and select the EDIT DISPLAY
PROPERTIES button

STEP 3: Select the OTHER Tab….and pick ADD to add a custom block

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How to Miss-USE and Abuse Autodesk® Architectural Desktop

STEP 4: SELECT BLOCK and choose block KITCHEN_SINK_F

Modify the following parameters:


Insertion Point: CENTER, CENTER, BOTTOM
Insert Offset: 0, 10”, 2’11 3/4”
Scale to Fit: WIDTH ON

STEP 5: ADD a second custom block

STEP 6: SELECT BLOCK and choose block KITCHEN_SINK_BASE_F

Modify the following parameters:


Insertion Point: CENTER, CENTER, BOTTOM
Insert Offset: 0, 0, 0
Scale to Fit: WIDTH ON

STEP 7: Select the LAYER/COLOR/LINETYPE Tab

TURN OFF the visibility of the following door components:


Door Panel
Frame
Stop
Swing
Glass

You can continue to edit each view as needed the same way until you have EXACTLY the look you
want!

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How to Miss-USE and Abuse Autodesk® Architectural Desktop

Can a DOOR be a FIREPLACE? (Ron Palma)


This one is similar and I wanted to pass on the idea…I think it is the best way I have found to do
this.

First, we must have all the necessary pieces and parts.

Here is what you need:


• ALL BLOCKS created to make up the views you
need of the FIREPLACE
• The STANDARD wall style

Step-by-Step Instructions:

STEP 1: Make a NEW door style and name it


FIREPLACE

STEP 2: <Double-Click> to edit the new door style


and select the DISPLAY PROPERTIES
Tab

STEP 3: Select the MODEL representation and


select the DISPLAY PROPERTIES button

STEP 4: Select the OTHER Tab….and pick ADD to add a custom block

STEP 5: SELECT BLOCK and choose block FP_FIREBOX_M

Modify the following parameters:


Scale to Fit: WIDTH ON and HEIGHT ON
Insertion Point: CENTER, CENTER, BOTTOM

Use the PREVIEW to verify your settings are correct

Pick OK to SAVE

STEP 6: ADD a second custom block

STEP 7: SELECT BLOCK and choose block FP_LEFT_MANTLE_M

Modify the following parameters:


Scale to Fit: HEIGHT ON
Insertion Point: LEFT, FRONT, BOTTOM
Frame Component: INSIDE

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How to Miss-USE and Abuse Autodesk® Architectural Desktop

STEP 8: ADD a third custom block

STEP 9: SELECT BLOCK and choose block FP_RIGHT_MANTLE_M

Modify the following parameters:


Scale to Fit: HEIGHT ON
Insertion Point: RIGHT, FRONT, BOTTOM
Frame Component: INSIDE

STEP 10: SELECT BLOCK and choose block FP_TOP_MANTLE_M

Modify the following parameters:


Insertion Point: CENTER, FRONT, TOP
Frame Component: INSIDE

STEP 11: Before we place this “door” we need to turn off some of the default door displays.
Select the LAYER/COLOR/LINETYPE Tab

TURN OFF the visibility of the following door components:


Door Panel
Stop
Swing
Glass

STEP 12: Use the ADD DOOR command to place the FIREPLACE into the existing wall

Now let’s check out the PLAN View

STEP 1: Select the FIREPLACE in the PLAN view and <Right-Click> to access the
EDIT DOOR STYLE command

STEP 2: Select the PLAN representation and select the EDIT DISPLAY PROPERTIES
button

STEP 3: Select the OTHER Tab….and pick ADD to add a custom block

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How to Miss-USE and Abuse Autodesk® Architectural Desktop

STEP 4: SELECT BLOCK and choose block FP_FIREBOX_P

Modify the following parameters:


Insertion Point: CENTER, CENTER, BOTTOM

STEP 5: Select the LAYER/COLOR/LINETYPE Tab

TURN OFF the visibility of the following door components:


Door Panel
Frame
Stop
Swing
Glass

You can continue to edit each view as needed the same way until you have EXACTLY the look you
want!

• To really get the true benefit of this method….modify the HEIGHT and WIDTH of the “door”
aka “fireplace”

STEP 1: Select the FIREPLACE and <Right-Click> to access the PROPERTIES


command

STEP 2: Modify the height of the door to 4’ and the width to 3’6”.

How’s that for performance!

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How to Miss-USE and Abuse Autodesk® Architectural Desktop

Walls
Can a WALL be a CHURCH PEW?
This example will help you set up an easy to use
church pew

First we must have all the necessary pieces and parts.

Here is what you need:


• POLYLINES for the BENCH and CUSHION
sweep profiles

Step-by-Step Instructions:

STEP 1: Make a NEW wall style and name it


CHURCH PEW

STEP 2: <Double-Click> to edit the new door


style and select the COMPONENTS Tab

STEP 3: Rename the first component to BENCH and ADD a second component named
CUSHION.

For now I won’t worry about the PRIORITY or OFFSETS…..but depending on


your use, you might need to modify these parameters for the final style.

Pick OK to SAVE

Next we need to convert the polylines to PROFILES

STEP 1: Select the BENCH polyline and <Right-Click> to access the CONVERT TO Æ
PROFILE DEFINITIONS…

STEP 2: Select the insertion point as shown by the node in the drawing

STEP 3: Create a NEW profile definition and name it BENCH

STEP 4: Select one of the CUSHION polylines and <Right-Click> to access the
CONVERT TO Æ PROFILE DEFINITIONS…

STEP 5: <Right-Click> to ADD RING and select the second CUSHION polyline

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How to Miss-USE and Abuse Autodesk® Architectural Desktop

STEP 6: Select the insertion point as shown by the node in the drawing

STEP 7: Create a NEW profile definition and name it CUSHION

Now we need to add these sweeps to the wall style CHURCH PEW

STEP 1: Draw a wall using the wall style CHURCH PEW

STEP 2: Select the new “wall” and <Right-Click> to access the SWEEP Æ
ADD…command

STEP 3: Select the wall component BENCH and the profile definition BENCH

Pick OK to SAVE

STEP 4: Select the new “wall” again and <Right-Click> to access the SWEEP Æ ADD…

STEP 5: Select the wall component CUSHION and the profile definition CUSHION….

Pick OK to SAVE

Now let’s change the color of the cushions:

STEP 1: Select the wall CHURCH PEW and <Right-Click> to access the EDIT WALL
STYLE command….and select the MATERIALS Tab

STEP 2: Select the BENCH component and select the EDIT MATERIAL button

STEP 3: Select the GENERAL HIGH DETAIL display representation and pick the STYLE
OVERRIDE checkbox.

STEP 4: Select the OTHER Tab and change the RENDER MATERIAL to
WOOD.WHITE.ASH

STEP 5: Pick OK to SAVE.

STEP 6: Modify BOTH materials as needed.

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How to Miss-USE and Abuse Autodesk® Architectural Desktop

• If you want to draw another CHURCH PEW wall….it won’t look like this unless you use this
wall as the selected object. Try it this way instead.

STEP 1: Select the existing CHURCH PEW wall and <Right-Click> to access the
ADD SELECTED command

STEP 2: Now you can draw a CHURCH PEW without having to “sweep” the wall style
again.

• If you draw a corner wall you might need to run the SWEEP MITRE command to clean up the
corners. But it still works great!

• You might need to change the CUT PLANE in PLAN VIEW for the desired appearance. Try
turning on DISPLAY INNER LINES BELOW and setting a manual cut plane at 1’-4”
and 3’-6”. Does that look better!

Can a WALL be CUBICLE?


This example will help you set up a desktop similar to that in a standard cubicle. It has that 45
degree return in the corner.

First we must have all the necessary pieces and parts

Here is what you need:


• POLYLINE to represent the desk
return which will be used for the wall
endcap condition

Step-by-Step Instructions:
STEP 1: Make a NEW wall style and name it
CUBICLE DESK

STEP 2: <Double-Click> to edit the new wall style and select the COMPONENTS Tab

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How to Miss-USE and Abuse Autodesk® Architectural Desktop

STEP 3: Rename the first component to CUBICLE DESK

Modify the following parameters:


Priority: 2
Width: 2’0”
Bottom Elevation: 2’6 from WALL BOTTOM
Top Elevation: 2’8” from WALL BOTTOM

Pick OK to SAVE

Now we need to add the ENDCAP condition to the CUBICLE DESK wall

STEP 1: Draw a wall using the new style CUBICLE DESK

STEP 2: Select the new “wall” and <Right-Click> to access the ENDCAPS Æ
CALCULATE AUTOMATICALLY

STEP 3: Select the polyline and answer NO to delete the polyline…until you know this is
what you want

STEP 4: <Right-Click> and select WALLSTYLEDEFAULT…and give the ENDCAP


STYLE the name CUBICLE DESK RETURN

Pick OK to SAVE

How does that work? Pretty good right?

• If you want to have the return on just one end you can just use the OVERRIDE PROPERTIES
to modify the specific wall end as needed.

STEP 1: Select the wall and <Right-Click> to access the ENDCAPS Æ OVERRIDE
ENDCAP STYLE and set either end of the wall back to the STANDARD
endcap style.

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How to Miss-USE and Abuse Autodesk® Architectural Desktop

Can a WALL be DECORATIVE SHELVES?


This example will help you set up a shelf system with a fancy footprint for the shelf.

First we must have all the necessary pieces and parts.

Here is what you need:


• POLYLINES to represent the shapes of the shelf
footprints

Step-by-Step Instructions:

STEP 1: Make a NEW wall style and name it FANCY SHELVES

STEP 2: <Double-Click> to edit the new wall style and select


the COMPONENTS Tab

STEP 3: Rename the first component to BACK WALL

Modify the following parameters


Edge Offset = BW * -1/2”

STEP 4: ADD the following additional components and set their parameters as shown:
Top Shelf
Width: 1’0”
Edge Offset: BW*1/2
Bottom Elevation: -2” from WALL TOP
Top Elevation: 0” from WALL TOP
Middle Shelf
Width: 1’0”
Edge Offset: BW*1/2
Bottom Elevation: 6’0” from WALL BOTTOM
Top Elevation: 6’2” from WALL BOTTOM
Bottom Shelf
Width: 1’0”
Edge Offset: BW*1/2
Bottom Elevation: 3’0” from WALL BOTTOM
Top Elevation: 3’2” from WALL BOTTOM

Pick OK to SAVE

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How to Miss-USE and Abuse Autodesk® Architectural Desktop

Next, we need to convert the polyline to WALL MODIFIERS

STEP 1: Select the WALL and <Right-Click> to access the PLAN MODIFIERS Æ
CONVERT POLYLINE TO WALL MODIFIER…command

STEP 2: Select the first polyline for the bottom shelf and answer NO to deleting it. Give
this modifier the name BOTTOM SHELF

STEP 3: Select the BOTTOM SHELF wall component and set


START ELEVATION to 3’0 from BOTTOM
END ELEVATION to 3’2 from BOTTOM

STEP 4: Repeat for the MIDDLE SHELF wall component and set
START ELEVATION to 6’0 from BOTTOM
END ELEVATION to 6’2 from BOTTOM

STEP 5: Repeat for the TOP SHELF wall component and set
START ELEVATION to -2” from TOP
END ELEVATION to 0 from TOP

YES…you CAN see through WALLS…


Get a “CLEAR” view through walls and windows. Use the trick to see through objects to get a clear
view of your building. Try it out on roofs too!

STEP 1: Select a WALL and <Right-Click> to access the EDIT WALL STYLE command

STEP 2: Select the DISPLAY PROPERTIES Tab

STEP 3: Select the MODEL representation and select the EDIT DISPLAY PROPERTIES
button

STEP 4: TURN OFF the BY MATERIAL option for BOUNDARY 1 and modify the color to
COLOR 123

Pick OK to SAVE all the changes.

STEP 5: Select a ROOF and <Right-Click> to access the EDIT OBJECT DISPLAY
command

STEP 6: Select the DISPLAY PROPERTIES Tab

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How to Miss-USE and Abuse Autodesk® Architectural Desktop

STEP 7: Select the MODEL representation and select the EDIT DISPLAY PROPERTIES
button

STEP 8: TURN OFF the BY MATERIAL option for ROOF and modify
the color to COLOR 43

Pick OK to SAVE all the changes.

STEP 9: Key-in the RMAT command and IMPORT the following materials:
AQUA GLAZE
GREEN GLASS

STEP 10: Assign the following materials to these specific colors:


AQUA GLAZE to COLOR 123
GREEN GLASS to COLOR 43

STEP 11: SHADE the model view to see the “clear walls”

You can also use materials to obtain the “translucent” wall effect, however, I prefer to leave
the wall materials for later use in the project and use the render materials for the “working
translucent” effect. But you decide which works best for you!

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How to Miss-USE and Abuse Autodesk® Architectural Desktop

• You might need to make one other change to your default display settings.

STEP 1: Select FORMAT Æ OPTIONS to access user options

STEP 2: Select the SYSTEM Tab and select the PROPERTIES

button

STEP 3: Verify that the following parameters are set:


Render Options: ON
Enable Materials: ON
Transparency: at least MEDIUM QUALITY

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How to Miss-USE and Abuse Autodesk® Architectural Desktop

Slabs
Can a SLAB be a DESK? (Matt Dillon)
This is another good example of how you can set up an easy cubicle desk using a slab instead of
the wall shown earlier. This is another good “use” of ADT objects.

First we must have all the necessary pieces and


parts.

Here is what you need:


• POLYLINES to represent the
profiles for the BACKSPLASH and
BULLNOSE edges
• POLYLINE to represent the shape
of the desktop

Step-by-Step Instructions:

STEP 1: Make a NEW slab style and name it


CUBICLE DESK

STEP 2: <Double-Click> to edit the new


slab style and select the DESIGN
RULES Tab

STEP 3: Modify the following parameters


Thickness: 1”

Pick OK to exit the slab styles dialog and SAVE these changes

STEP 4: Select the polyline for the BACKSPLASH and <Right-Click> to


access the CONVERT TO Æ PROFILE DEFINITION command.

STEP 5: Select the INSERTION POINT as shown and name the new profile
BACKSPLASH

STEP 6: Select the polyline for the BULLNOSE and <Right-Click> to


access the CONVERT TO Æ PROFILE DEFINITION command.

STEP 7: Select the INSERTION POINT as shown and name the new profile
BULLNOSE

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How to Miss-USE and Abuse Autodesk® Architectural Desktop

Next, we need to create the SLAB EDGE STYLE

STEP 1: Make a NEW slab edge style and name it BACKSPLASH

STEP 2: <Double-Click> to edit the new slab edge style and select the DESIGN RULES
Tab

STEP 3: Modify the following parameters


Fascia: ON
Profile: BACKSPLASH
Auto-Adjust to Edge Height: OFF

Pick OK to exit the slab edge styles dialog and SAVE these changes

STEP 4: Make another NEW slab edge style and name it BULLNOSE

STEP 5: <Double-Click> to edit the new slab edge style and select the DESIGN RULES
Tab

STEP 6: Modify the following parameters


Fascia: ON
Profile: BULLNOSE
Auto-Adjust to Edge Height: OFF

Pick OK to exit the slab edge styles dialog and SAVE these changes

STEP 7: <Right-Click> on the SLAB tool in the tool palettes to access the APPLY TOOL
PROPERTIES TO Æ LINEWORK AND WALLS

STEP 8: Select the POLYLINE that represents the footprint of the desktop

Answer NO to erasing the layout geometry until you are confident in the results.

Choose the option D for the DIRECT creation mode

Choose T for the TOP justification

STEP 9: Select the new SLAB and modify the style to the new slab style CUBICLE DESK

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How to Miss-USE and Abuse Autodesk® Architectural Desktop

Next we need to modify the appropriate slab edges to our new slab edge styles

STEP 1: Select the new slab and <Right-Click> to access the EDIT SLAB EDGES…
command

STEP 2: Select both of the back edges and modify the following parameters:
Edge Style: BACKSPLASH

STEP 3: Select all of the front edges and modify the following parameters:
Edge Style: BULLNOSE

Your desk should now be complete. What do you think of this method?

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How to Miss-USE and Abuse Autodesk® Architectural Desktop

Curtain Walls
Can a CURTAIN WALL be AUDITORIUM SEATING? (Paul Aubin - Autodesk)
This is a good example of how you can set up auditorium seating that is great for keeping file size
small and makes rendering much easier. This is one of my favorite “miss-uses” of ADT objects.
Thanks Paul, you’re a genius!

First we must have all the necessary pieces and


parts.

Here is what you need:


• ALL BLOCKS created to make up the
views you require for the SEATS

Step-by-Step Instructions:

STEP 1: Make a NEW curtain wall style and name it AUDITORIUM SEATING

STEP 2: <Double-Click> to edit the new curtain wall style and select the DESIGN
RULES Tab

STEP 3: Select the ELEMENT DEFINITION Æ DIVISIONS…and set the following


parameters

Vertical Division Name: CHAIR SPACING


Orientation: VERTICAL
Cell Dimension: 3’-0”

STEP 4: Select ELEMENT DEFINITION Æ INFILLS…and create a NEW infill type CHAIR
INFILL using the following parameters:
Name: CHAIR INFILL

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How to Miss-USE and Abuse Autodesk® Architectural Desktop

STEP 5: Select PRIMARY GRID and set the following parameters:


Division Assignment: CHAIR SPACING
Cell Assignment: CHAIR INFILL
Frame Assignment: DEFAULT FRAME
Mullion Assignment: DEFAULT MULLION

STEP 6: Select the DISPLAY PROPERTIES Tab

STEP 7: Select the MODEL representation and select the EDIT DISPLAY PROPERTIES
button

STEP 8: Select the OTHER Tab….and pick the ADD button to add a custom block

STEP 9: Modify the following parameters:


Component Type: INFILL
Component Name: CHAIR INFILL
(use the SELECT ELEMENT button)
Draw Custom Graphics: ON
Replace Graphics: ON
Select Block: SEATING_M
Insertion Point: CENTER, FRONT, BOTTOM

Pick OK to SAVE these changes

STEP 10: Before we place this “curtain wall” we need to turn off some of the default curtain
wall displays. Select the LAYER/COLOR/LINETYPE Tab

TURN OFF the visibility of the following curtain wall components:


Default Frame
Default Mullion

STEP 11: Pick OK and SAVE all changes

STEP 12: Use the ADD CURTAIN WALL command to place the AUDITORIUM SEATING
in your drawing. Try using STRAIGHT are ARC curtain walls. This one works
GREAT doesn’t it!!!!!

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How to Miss-USE and Abuse Autodesk® Architectural Desktop

Now let’s check out the PLAN View

STEP 1: Select the AUDITORIUM SEATING in the PLAN view and <Right-Click> to
access the EDIT CURTAIN WALL STYLE command

STEP 2: Select the PLAN representation and select the EDIT DISPLAY PROPERTIES
button

STEP 3: Select the CUSTOM PLAN COMPONENTS Tab….and pick ADD to add a
custom block

STEP 4: Modify the following parameters:


Component Type: INFILL
Component Name: CHAIR INFILL
(use the SELECT ELEMENT button)
Draw Custom Graphics: ON
Replace Graphics: ON
Select Block: SEATING_P
Insertion Point: CENTER, FRONT

You can continue to edit each view as needed the same way until you have EXACTLY the look you
want!

• Use the OFFSET command to create as many rows of seating as needed.

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How to Miss-USE and Abuse Autodesk® Architectural Desktop

Can a CURTAIN WALL be PARKING SPACES? (www.aeccadcon.com)


This example will help you set up an easy way to layout parking lot stripes.

First we must have all the necessary pieces and


parts.

Here is what you need:


• A BLOCK for the parking stripe
• A PROFILE for the parking stripe
• The PARKING LOT curtain wall
style

Step-by-Step Instructions:

STEP 1: Make a NEW curtain wall style and


name it PARKING LOT –
STRAIGHT

STEP 2: <Double-Click> to edit the new curtain wall style and select the DESIGN
RULES Tab

STEP 3: Select the ELEMENT DEFINITION Æ DIVISIONS…and set the following


parameters
Horizontal Division: PARKING SPACES
Orientation: Vertical |||
Cell Dimension: 9’0”
Allow to GROW on the LAST division

STEP 4: Select ELEMENT DEFINITION Æ MULLIONS…and create a NEW mullion type


PARKING STRIPE using the following parameters:
Name: PARKING STRIPE
Width: 4”
Height: 4”
Use Profile: ON
Profile: PARKING STRIPE

STEP 5: Select PRIMARY GRID and set the following parameters:


Division Assignment: PARKING SPACES
Cell Assignment: DEFAULT INFILL
Frame Assignment: DEFAULT FRAME
Width = 0”, Depth = 0”
Mullion Assignment: PARKING STRIPE

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STEP 6: Select the DISPLAY PROPERTIES Tab

STEP 7: Select the MODEL representation and select the EDIT DISPLAY PROPERTIES
button

STEP 8: Select the OTHER Tab….and pick ADD to add a custom block and set the
following parameters:
Component Type: MULLION
Component Name: PARKING STRIPE
Draw Custom Graphics: ON
Replace Graphics: ON
Select Block: PARKING STRIPE
Insertion Point: CENTER, FRONT, BOTTOM

STEP 9: Before we place this “curtain wall” we need to turn off some of the default curtain
wall displays. Select the LAYER/COLOR/LINETYPE Tab

TURN OFF the visibility of the following curtain wall components:


Default Infill
Default Frame
Default Mullion

STEP 10: Use the ADD CURTAIN WALL command to place the PARKING STRIPES onto
your parking lot layout

Now let’s check out the PLAN View

STEP 1: Select the PARKING STRIPES in the PLAN view and <Right-Click> to access
the EDIT CURTAIN WALL STYLE command

STEP 2: Select the PLAN representation and select the EDIT DISPLAY PROPERTIES
button

STEP 3: Before we place this “curtain wall” we need to turn off some of the default curtain
wall displays. Select the LAYER/COLOR/LINETYPE Tab

TURN OFF the visibility of the following curtain wall components:


Default Infill
Default Frame

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How to Miss-USE and Abuse Autodesk® Architectural Desktop

STEP 4: Before we place this “curtain wall” we need to turn off some of the default curtain
wall displays. Select the LAYER/COLOR/LINETYPE Tab

TURN OFF the visibility of the following curtain wall components:


Default Infill
Default Frame
Default Mullion

You can continue to edit each view as needed the same way until you have EXACTLY the look you
want!

Structural Members
Can a COLUMN be a LADDER? (Ron Palma)
This example will help you set up an easy to use ladder similar to what you would see in a utility
vault.

First we must have all the necessary pieces and parts.

Here is what you need:

• ALL BLOCKS created to make up the views you need of the


LADDER
• The LADDER structural member style

Step-by-Step Instructions:

STEP 1: Make a NEW structural member style and name it LADDER

STEP 2: <Double-Click> to edit the new structural style and select


the DISPLAY PROPERTIES Tab

STEP 3: Select the MODEL representation and select the EDIT


DISPLAY PROPERTIES button

STEP 4: Select the OTHER Tab….and pick ADD to add a custom block

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How to Miss-USE and Abuse Autodesk® Architectural Desktop

STEP 5: SELECT BLOCK and choose block HANDRAIL_M

Modify the following parameters:


Position Along (X): END OF CURVE
Insertion Offset (X): -6”

Pick OK to SAVE…you can use the PREVIEW button to check your work.

STEP 6: ADD a second custom block

SELECT BLOCK and choose block RUNG_M

Modify the following parameters:


Repeat Mode: START OF CURVE
Start Offset: 1’
End Offset: -1’
Space Between: 1’

STEP 7: Before we place this “column” we need to turn off some of the default structural
displays

STEP 8: Select the LAYER/COLOR/LINETYPE Tab

TURN OFF the visibility of ALL the default structural components

STEP 9: Use the ADD COLUMN command to place the LADDER next to the existing wall

STEP 10: Modify the HEIGHT of the column and note that additional rungs are added as
needed.

Now let’s check out the PLAN View

STEP 1: Select the LADDER in the PLAN view and <Right-Click> to access the EDIT
MEMBER STYLE command

STEP 2: Select the PLAN representation and select the EDIT DISPLAY PROPERTIES
button

STEP 3: Select the OTHER Tab….and pick ADD to add a custom block

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How to Miss-USE and Abuse Autodesk® Architectural Desktop

STEP 4: SELECT BLOCK and choose block LADDER_P

Modify the following parameters:


Position Along (X): START OF CURVE

Pick OK to SAVE…you can use the PREVIEW button to check your work.

Now let’s check out the LEFT SIDE View

STEP 1: Select the LADDER in the SIDE view and <Right-Click> to access the EDIT
MEMBER STYLE command

STEP 2: Select the ELEVATION representation and select the EDIT DISPLAY
PROPERTIES button

STEP 3: Select the OTHER Tab….and pick ADD to add a custom block

STEP 4: SELECT BLOCK and choose block HANDRAIL_L

Modify the following parameters:


Position Along (X): END OF CURVE
Insertion Offset (X): -1’

Pick OK to SAVE…you can use the PREVIEW button to check your work.

STEP 5: ADD a second custom block

SELECT BLOCK and choose block RUNG_L

Modify the following parameters:


Repeat Mode: START OF CURVE
Start Offset: 1’
End Offset: -1’
Space Between: 1’

Pick OK to SAVE…you can use the PREVIEW button to check your work.

WELL…..that's probably more than I have time for….but hopefully not more than you wanted to
know! I hope this session has been a benefit to each of you….and have a GREAT CONFERENCE!

Thank you for your time……I hope I didn't talk too fast!

Please forward any questions or suggestions to me via email at - jaarhus@prosoftnet.com

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