User Guide Landscaping and Desk Design

Better Homes and Gardens®

Landscaping and Deck Designer™

User’s GuidePlus Additional

Reference Material

Chief Architect6500 North Mineral Drive

Coeur d’Alene, Idaho 83815www.homedesignersoftware.com

Copyright © 2005 by Chief Architect. All rights reserved.

No part of this book or the accompanying software may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from Chief Architect, Inc.

Landscaping and Deck Designer™ is a trademark of Chief Architect, Inc.

Better Homes and Gardens® is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporation.

All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Printed in the United States of America.

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Contents
Chapter 1: Installation ..............................................1What’s in the Product Box ..............................................1System Requirements ......................................................2Recommended System .....................................................2Installing the Program ....................................................3Starting Landscaping and Deck Designer .....................9Removing Landscaping and Deck Designer ................13Training Videos ..............................................................14

Chapter 2: Overview ...............................................15Using Landscaping and Deck Designer .......................15Quick Start Guide ..........................................................16The Landscaping and Deck Designer Interface ..........17

Windows................................................................................... 17Views ........................................................................................ 18Menu Commands .................................................................... 23Toolbar Buttons....................................................................... 24Tool Tips .................................................................................. 24

Designing With Objects .................................................24Editing Objects ........................................................................ 25

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Drawing a Building ........................................................27Adding Walls ........................................................................... 28Adding Doors........................................................................... 28Adding Windows ..................................................................... 28Working with Fixtures, Furniture, and Outdoor Objects .. 28Working with Roofs ................................................................ 29Adding Electrical Objects ...................................................... 29

Understanding Default Settings ....................................30Working with Multiple Floors ......................................30Using Text .......................................................................30Using Dimensions ...........................................................30Additional Resources .....................................................31

Better Homes and Gardens Design Planning Center .......... 31Landscaping and Deck Designer User’s Guide .................... 31Landscaping and Deck Designer Help .................................. 31Landscaping and Deck Designer Web Site ........................... 32User Forum.............................................................................. 32Training Videos ....................................................................... 32

Technical Support ..........................................................32Before Contacting Technical Support................................... 33Installation Issues .................................................................... 33Contacting Technical Support ............................................... 34

Chapter 3: Landscaping Tutorial ...........................35Introduction ....................................................................35Starting a New Project ..................................................36Adding Elevation Information ......................................38Adding a Retaining Wall ...............................................40

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Adding Terrain Features ..............................................42Adding Library Objects ................................................50Taking Final Views ........................................................52

Chapter 4: Deck and Porch Tutorial ......................55Introduction ....................................................................55Starting a New Project ..................................................55Adding Decks .................................................................56Drawing Stairs ...............................................................59Adding Furniture ...........................................................63Changing Materials .......................................................64Generating a Materials List ..........................................66

Chapter 5: Custom House Tutorial ........................67Introduction ....................................................................67Starting a New Project ..................................................68Drawing a House Using the Wall and Roof Tools ......70Placing a Digital Photo of Your House in the Yard ....74

Chapter 6: Menus ....................................................77File Menu ........................................................................78

New Plan .................................................................................. 78Open Plan................................................................................. 78Close ......................................................................................... 78Close All ................................................................................... 79

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Save........................................................................................... 79Save As ..................................................................................... 79Export Submenu ..................................................................... 79Import Submenu ..................................................................... 80Print Submenu......................................................................... 81Exit............................................................................................ 82

Edit Menu .......................................................................82Undo ......................................................................................... 82Redo.......................................................................................... 83Cut, Copy, and Paste............................................................... 83Delete ........................................................................................ 83Delete Objects .......................................................................... 83Select Objects........................................................................... 83Open Object............................................................................. 83Move Area................................................................................ 84Default Settings ....................................................................... 84

Build Menu .....................................................................84Wall Submenu ......................................................................... 84Curved Walls Submenu.......................................................... 91Door Submenu......................................................................... 92Window Submenu ................................................................... 95Floor Submenu ...................................................................... 100Roof Submenu ....................................................................... 101Trim Submenu....................................................................... 101Stairs Submenu ..................................................................... 102Fireplace................................................................................. 105Electrical Submenu ............................................................... 107Image Submenu..................................................................... 111

Terrain Menu ...............................................................112Create Terrain Perimeter..................................................... 112

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Build Terrain ......................................................................... 112Elevation Point ...................................................................... 112Elevation Line........................................................................ 112Raised Region ........................................................................ 112Lowered Region..................................................................... 113Hill .......................................................................................... 113Valley...................................................................................... 113Flat Region............................................................................. 113Feature Region ...................................................................... 113Driveway ................................................................................ 113Sidewalk ................................................................................. 113Round Garden Bed ............................................................... 113Kidney Garden Bed .............................................................. 114Pond........................................................................................ 114Plant Submenu ...................................................................... 114Sprinkler Submenu ............................................................... 115

Library Menu ...............................................................115Library Browser.................................................................... 115Library Search ...................................................................... 115Refresh Library Browser ..................................................... 115Architectural Block Library ................................................ 115Fixtures (Exterior) Library.................................................. 116Furniture (Exterior) Library ............................................... 116New Submenu........................................................................ 116Delete Object ......................................................................... 117Rename Object ...................................................................... 117Expand All ............................................................................. 117Collapse All ............................................................................ 117Open ....................................................................................... 117

3D Menu .......................................................................117Camera................................................................................... 118

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Full Overview ........................................................................ 118Final View .............................................................................. 119Final View with Exterior Shadows ...................................... 119Adjust Sunlight...................................................................... 119Adjust Material Definition ................................................... 119Material Painter .................................................................... 120Material Eyedropper ............................................................ 120Play Walkthrough ................................................................. 120Record Walkthrough ............................................................ 120Stop Recording ...................................................................... 120Cross Section Slider .............................................................. 121Day/Night Toggle................................................................... 1213D Backdrop.......................................................................... 121

CAD Menu ....................................................................121Dimension Lines Submenu................................................... 121Text Submenu........................................................................ 125

Tools Menu ...................................................................126Display Options ..................................................................... 126Set Background Color .......................................................... 126Color On/Off.......................................................................... 126Show Crosshairs .................................................................... 126Change Floor ......................................................................... 126Up One Floor ......................................................................... 127Down One Floor .................................................................... 127Materials List Submenu ....................................................... 127Better Homes and Gardens Design Planning Center ........ 128

Window Menu ..............................................................128Fill Window ........................................................................... 128Fill Window Building Only .................................................. 128Zoom....................................................................................... 129

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Zoom Out ............................................................................... 129Zoom In.................................................................................. 129Undo Zoom ............................................................................ 129Pan Window........................................................................... 129Cascade .................................................................................. 129Tile Horizontally ................................................................... 129Tile Vertically ........................................................................ 129Arrange Icons ........................................................................ 130Next Window ......................................................................... 130Previous Window .................................................................. 130Names of Open Plans ............................................................ 130

Help Menu ....................................................................130Contents and Index ............................................................... 130Current Mode........................................................................ 130Launch Quick Start at Startup ............................................ 131View User’s Guide................................................................. 131View Quick Start Guide ....................................................... 131View Training Videos ........................................................... 131Visit Better Homes and Gardens Web Site......................... 131Visit Home Designer Web Site ............................................. 131Upgrade to Chief Architect .................................................. 131Download Program Updates ................................................ 132Technical Support ................................................................. 132About Landscaping and Deck Designer.............................. 132

The Contextual Menu ..................................................132

Chapter 7: Toolbar Buttons .................................135Overview .......................................................................135

Child Buttons......................................................................... 135Edit Buttons ........................................................................... 136

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The Toolbar Buttons ....................................................136Select Objects......................................................................... 136Wall Tools .............................................................................. 136Curved Wall Tools ................................................................ 137Door Tools.............................................................................. 138Window Tools ........................................................................ 139Library Browser.................................................................... 139Fireplace................................................................................. 140Stair Tools .............................................................................. 140Roof Tools .............................................................................. 140Electrical Tools ...................................................................... 141Dimension Tools .................................................................... 141Text Tools............................................................................... 142Terrain Tools ......................................................................... 142Terrain Feature Tools........................................................... 143Sprinkler Tools ...................................................................... 144Plant Tools ............................................................................. 144Down One Floor .................................................................... 145Change Floor ......................................................................... 145Up One Floor ......................................................................... 145Floor Tools ............................................................................. 145View Tools.............................................................................. 146Material List Tool ................................................................. 146Zoom Tools ............................................................................ 146New Plan ................................................................................ 147Open Plan............................................................................... 147Print........................................................................................ 147Save......................................................................................... 148Help Index.............................................................................. 148

View Tools ....................................................................148Final View .............................................................................. 148

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Final View With Exterior Shadows..................................... 148Cross Section Slider .............................................................. 149Toggle Sunlight...................................................................... 149Material Painter .................................................................... 149Material Eyedropper ............................................................ 149 Camera Orbit Tools ............................................................. 150Camera Tilt Tools ................................................................. 150Camera Move Tools .............................................................. 151Move Camera With Mouse Tools ........................................ 151Walkthrough Recording Tools ............................................ 152Calculate From All Floors .................................................... 152Manufacturers ....................................................................... 152Export Materials List............................................................ 153

Edit Toolbar Buttons ...................................................153Select Next Object ................................................................. 153Open Object........................................................................... 153Copy/Paste ............................................................................. 153Delete ...................................................................................... 154Accurate Move....................................................................... 154Replace from Library ........................................................... 154Break Line ............................................................................. 154Change Line/Arc ................................................................... 154Form Stairwell....................................................................... 155Change Opening/Hinge Side ................................................ 155Change Swing Side................................................................ 155Gable Over Door/Window.................................................... 155Delete Gable Over an Opening ............................................ 155Center Object ........................................................................ 155Explode Block........................................................................ 156Align Left ............................................................................... 156Center ..................................................................................... 156

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Align Right............................................................................. 156Justify ..................................................................................... 156

Chapter 8: Dialogs ................................................157Overview .......................................................................1573D Backdrop .................................................................158Arrow Defaults .............................................................158Bay/Box/Bow Window Specification ..........................159Build Roof .....................................................................160Camera Defaults ..........................................................162Camera Specification ...................................................162Change Floor ................................................................163Color Chooser ..............................................................163Corner Board Specification ........................................164Create New Plan ..........................................................164Cross Section Slider .....................................................165Deck Railing Specification ..........................................166Default Settings ............................................................166Define Material ............................................................167Delete Objects ...............................................................168Dimension Defaults ......................................................169Display Options ............................................................170Door Specification ........................................................171Elevation Line Specification .......................................175Elevation Point Specification ......................................176

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Export Picture File ......................................................177Export Windows Metafile ...........................................178Fencing Specification ...................................................179Fireplace Specification ................................................180Fixture Specification ....................................................182Flat Region Specification ............................................184Foundation Defaults ....................................................185Furniture Specification ...............................................185Material Defaults .........................................................185Grow Plants ..................................................................186Hardiness Zone Map ...................................................187Hill/Valley Specification ..............................................188Image Specification ......................................................189Import Backdrop File ..................................................191Import Picture File ......................................................192Library Browser ..........................................................192Library Search .............................................................194Line Specification .........................................................196Manufacturers ..............................................................197Material Defaults .........................................................198Material List Display Options ....................................199Materials List ...............................................................199Metafile Size .................................................................201New Floor .....................................................................202Open Movie File ...........................................................203

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Open Plan File ..............................................................203Page Setup ....................................................................204Picture File Box Specification .....................................205Plan Defaults ................................................................205Plant Chooser ...............................................................206Plant Image Specification ............................................209Polyline Specification ...................................................213Print ..............................................................................214Print Material ...............................................................215Quoin Specification ......................................................215Railing Specification ....................................................217Raised/Lowered Region Specification ........................219Render Quality .............................................................220Replace From Library .................................................220Room Defaults ..............................................................221Room Specification ......................................................221Save Plan File ...............................................................225Select Library Object ..................................................225Select Material .............................................................226Set Background Color .................................................227Sprinkler Specification ................................................228Staircase Specification .................................................229Stair Landing Specification ........................................232Sun Light Specification ...............................................232Terrain Feature Specification .....................................233

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Terrain Specification ...................................................235Text Defaults ................................................................236Text Specification .........................................................238Wall Defaults ................................................................238Wall Hatch ....................................................................238Wall Specification ........................................................239Window Defaults ..........................................................242Window Specification ..................................................242Write Materials Export File .......................................247Write Movie File ..........................................................248

Appendix A: License Agreement......................... 251

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What’s in the Product Box

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Chapter 1:

Installation

This chapter will help you get started with the program. In this chapter you will learn:

• What’s in the Product Box• System Requirements• Recommended System• Installing the Program

• Starting Landscaping and Deck Designer

• Removing Landscaping and Deck Designer

• Training Videos

What’s in the Product BoxYour Landscaping and Deck Designer package includes the following:

• Landscaping and Deck Designer Program CD• Landscaping and Deck Designer Tutorial CD• Landscaping and Deck Designer User’s Guide

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System RequirementsIn order to install and run Landscaping and Deck Designer, your computer system must meet the following minimum requirements:

• A computer running Windows 98 SE, Windows ME, Windows NT, Windows 2000 or Windows XP.

• 400 MHz processor or greater.• At least 1 GB of available hard disk space for a full installation (400

MB to install without all available program content).• 64 MB of RAM or greater.• A CD-ROM drive.• A 2-button mouse supported by Windows.• A color monitor which supports 16 bit color.

Recommended SystemFor improved performance the following system is recommended:

• A computer running Windows XP or newer.• 2 GHz processor or greater.• At least 2 GB of available hard disk space.• 512 MB of RAM or greater.• A CD-ROM drive.• A 2-button mouse with a mouse wheel.• A color monitor which supports 32 bit color at a screen resolution of

1024x768 or greater.• A video card with OpenGL hardware acceleration that has 32 MB of

memory or greater.• For more information on system recommendations, visit our Web site

at www.homedesignersoftware.com.

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Installing the Program

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Installing the ProgramTo install Landscaping and Deck Designer

1. Insert the CD-ROM into your CD drive. The Landscaping and Deck Designer startup window will open.

2. Click the Install Landscaping and Deck Designer 7.0 button to open the welcome window of the InstallShield Wizard for Better Homes and Gardens Landscaping and Deck Designer.• Acrobat Reader is also available on the CD for installation if you

would like to view the User’s Guide in PDF format.• Click the Visit the Web Site button to launch your Web browser

and connect you to the Home Designer home page.• Click the Help button to open the on-line help for information

about installation. • Click the Exit button to close the Landscaping and Deck Designer

startup window.

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Setup Maintenance

3. If you have installed the program before, this window will appear, allowing you to reinstall or uninstall the program. If you are installing the program for the first time, this window will not appear.

Note: If the Landscaping and Deck Designer installation window does not appear,you can open it manually. Click the Start button, then click the Run…option. TypeD:\Setup (assuming your CD-ROM drive is drive D) and press Enter or click OK.

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InstallShield Wizard Welcome

4. Click Next to continue.

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License Agreement

5. Read the License Agreement carefully. You must click the Yes button acknowledging agreement to its terms before continuing.

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Choose Destination Location

6. Choose the destination folder for the program. By default, the program will install in the C:\Program Files\ART Inc\Landscaping and Deck Designer 7.0 folder. Click the Browse button to navigate the directories. Click Next to proceed.

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Select Program Folder

7. Define the name of the program folder. When you click the Windows Start button and choose Programs, this is the name you will see in the program listing. All shortcuts for Landscaping and Deck Designer will be contained in this program folder.

8. Click Next to continue and the InstallShield Wizard will begin copying files to your hard disk. This may take a few minutes.

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Starting Landscaping and Deck Designer

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InstallShield Wizard Complete

9. When all files have been copied, this dialog will display. • Click Finish to launch Landscaping and Deck Designer.• Uncheck Launch Landscaping and Deck Designer and click

Finish to return to your desktop.

Starting Landscaping and Deck Designer1. You can use the Start menu or the shortcut on your desktop to start

Landscaping and Deck Designer. When you launch the program for the first time, the Registration Wizard will open.

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Registration Wizard

2. Click Next to continue.

Enter CD Key

3. Enter your CD key, which is on a sticker on your CD jewel case.

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Starting Landscaping and Deck Designer

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User Information

4. Enter your contact information for registration. This information is used to authenticate your right to use this product and to notify you of free updates and other important information.

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Mailing Address

5. Enter your mailing address and click Next to continue.

Online Registration

6. Click the Next button to register your software information online.

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Removing Landscaping and Deck Designer

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Completing the Registration Wizard

7. Click Print Registration Information to print a copy of the registration for your own records. Click Finish to close the Registration Wizard and launch Landscaping and Deck Designer.

Removing Landscaping and Deck DesignerThere are three ways that Landscaping and Deck Designer can be removed from your computer: from the Control Panel, from the Start menu, or using the InstallShield Wizard on the program disk.

To remove the program using the Control Panel1. Double-click the My Computer icon on your desktop.2. Open the Control Panel.3. Double-click Add/Remove programs.4. Find Landscaping and Deck Designer and click Remove.

To remove the program using the Start menu1. Click the Windows Start button.

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2. Select Programs> Better Homes and Gardens> Landscaping and Deck Designer> Uninstall Landscaping and Deck Designer.

To remove the program using the installation disk1. Place the disc in the CD-ROM drive and select Install Landscaping

and Deck Designer 7.0 from the Landscaping and Deck Designer startup window.

2. On the Setup Maintenance page, select Uninstall and click Next.

3. Click Yes to remove Landscaping and Deck Designer.

Training VideosA CD-ROM containing Landscaping and Deck Designer Training Videos is included in the software package. To view the tutorials, place the Tutorial CD into your CD-ROM drive. The training videos will run automatically.

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Using Landscaping and Deck Designer

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Chapter 2:

Overview

This chapter presents an overview of the program. In this chapter you will learn:

• Using Landscaping and Deck Designer

• Quick Start Guide• The Landscaping and Deck

Designer Interface• Designing With Objects• Drawing a Building

• Understanding Default Settings

• Working with Multiple Floors• Using Text• Using Dimensions• Additional Resources• Technical Support

Using Landscaping and Deck DesignerLandscaping and Deck Designer creates complete, professional-looking landscaping and deck plans. The program simplifies the task of drawing accurate plans, allowing you to experiment with alternatives and communicate your ideas to others. With Landscaping and Deck Designer, you can:

• Start your plan with an existing template, then modify it for your needs.

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• Add decks, porches, patios, and stairs to your plan.• Add terrain elevation information using elevation points and elevation

lines and generate contours based on this elevation data.• Add terrain objects such as hills, valleys, and elevated regions.• Add terrain features such as driveways, sidewalks, garden beds, and

ponds.• Add exterior landscaping objects like trees, shrubs, and flowers.• Add sprinklers and sprinkler lines to your landscaping.• Add exterior fixtures such as pools, hot tubs, firepits, playground

equipment, mailboxes, and fire hydrants to your plan.• Add exterior furniture such as tables, chairs, benches, ping pong tables,

and planters.• View and edit your plan in two dimensions and three dimensions.• Experiment with different design alternatives without agonizing over

every line and measurement.• Add text to your plan to help communicate your ideas.• Create accurate dimensions and other details.• Record and show animated 3D “walkthrough” representations of your

landscaping project.• Create itemized lists of materials to help you estimate material costs.

For more information about the available tools in Landscaping and Deck Designer and how they can be used, see the “Landscaping Tutorial” on page 35, the “Deck and Porch Tutorial” on page 55, and the “Custom House Tutorial” on page 67.

Quick Start GuideWhen you first start Landscaping and Deck Designer, the Quick Start Guide opens. This tutorial is designed to help you get familiar with the program and determine which approach to landscaping design makes the most sense for you.

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The Landscaping and Deck Designer Interface

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The Landscaping and Deck Designer InterfaceLandscaping and Deck Designer uses multiple application windows to display different views of your plan. All the menus and commands in the program are available via the toolbar or menu.

WindowsThe term “windows” has two meanings in Landscaping and Deck Designer. A window is an object that can be placed in a wall in your plan, and is also a graphical user interface element that contains a particular view.

Landscaping and Deck Designer can display multiple independent application windows, so you can have several views of a single plan open at once. For example, you can have a plan view, overview, and camera views from several angles open at the same time; and even can even open more than one plan to compare designs. All open windows are listed at the bottom of the Window menu. To switch to a different window, select it from that list; or, press Ctrl + Tab on your keyboard to cycle through all currently open views.

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Views

The View Tools in Landscaping and Deck Designer offer several of ways to look at your design. You can move, resize, open, close, and print each window separately. To make a window active, simply click it. You can open a maximum of ten windows at any given time.

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Floor Plan View

Most views are opened from floor plan view, which is the view displayed when you first open a file. Floor plan view shows you a two-dimensional view of your design. Here you can add, edit, and see all the elements of your plan, from walls and doors to plants, dimensions, and labels.

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Camera View

Camera views display three-dimensional perspectives of your design, showing you how the plan will look when finished. The angle, direction and zoom of the camera can be adjusted, while the camera itself remains in place. You can add, delete, and edit objects in a camera view.

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Full Overview

The Full Overview is a bird’s-eye view of the entire plan, including multiple-level designs with roofs. As in a camera view, objects can be selected and edited in a full overview. Unlike a camera view, a full overview allows you to move not only the angle and direction of the camera, but its position, as well.

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Final View

The Final View and Final View With Shadows buttons are available from the 3D menu and from the toolbars within camera and full overviews.

A Final View displays the same scene as the 3D view from which it was created. It smooths out textures and makes sure they are accurate where different planes meet. You can save this view as a bitmap graphic

image. A Final View With Shadows will also display shadows cast by the sun.

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Materials Lists

A Materials List can be generated for the entire plan or for a portion of it. The Materials List tools can be accessed by selecting Tools> Materials

List from the menu. The Materials List window shows an estimate of the materials needed to construct your design. You can also use the Materials List window to generate an estimated cost of materials based on unit costs that you enter. For more information, see “Materials List” on page 199.

Menu CommandsMost of the program’s functionality can be accessed from the menu. Which menu items are available for use at any one time depends on a variety of conditions including, but not limited to, the type of object which is currently selected; the type of view which is currently active; and whether

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a certain type of object exists in your plan or not. For a complete discussion of the menu commands, see “Menus” on page 77.

Toolbar ButtonsWhile the menus offer access to most of the program’s functionality, Landscaping and Deck Designer simplifies access to much of the program’s functionality through the use of toolbars and toolbar buttons. Toolbar buttons are shortcuts to the most commonly used menu commands, and are displayed in the toolbars, typically at the top and sides of the program’s main window. Landscaping and Deck Designer has different toolbars that display at different times, depending the selected object; active tool; and current view.

Some toolbar buttons, identified by a blue triangle in their bottom right corner, have child buttons and are referred to as “parent” buttons. Click a parent button to display its child buttons to the right.

Some toolbar buttons may become available on the edit toolbar when objects are selected. The edit toolbar buttons that display depend on the object(s) that are currently selected and indicate how that object can be edited. For more information, see “The Toolbar Buttons” on page 136.

Tool TipsWhen the pointer passes over a button, its name pops up in a small window called a Tool Tip. At the same time, a brief description of each tool can be found on the Status Bar at the bottom of Landscaping and Deck Designer’s main window.

Designing With ObjectsLandscaping and Deck Designer uses objects that contain information about what the objects are; how they are shaped; how they relate to other objects; and what they can and cannot do. Walls, deck railings, terrain

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Designing With Objects

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features, plants, furniture, and text are just a few of the many objects ready to be used in Landscaping and Deck Designer. Because so much of your drawing is done automatically, Landscaping and Deck Designer helps you spend less time drawing and more time designing.

Editing ObjectsOnce an object is placed in your plan, you can select it and edit it in many different ways.

When an object is selected, edit buttons display on the edit toolbar. Click

the Open Object edit button to open the specification dialog, where you can edit the selected object. Other edit buttons may also display, depending on what type of object is selected.

When an object is selected, it will also display edit handles which indicate how the object can be edited using your mouse. Not all edit handles display for all objects. For example, a window placed in a wall cannot be rotated, so the rotate edit handle does not appear for selected windows. The following image shows a selected object; its edit toolbar; the edit handles it displays when selected; and an arrow indicating which way it faces.

edit handlesedit toolbar

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To select an object

1. Click the Select Objects tool on the toolbar or select Edit> Select Objects from the menu.

2. Click on the object using your mouse to select it. • You can use some drawing tools to select the type of object they

create. For example, to move a staircase you just created, you can click on it with the Stairs tool active.

• When you select an object, edit tools display on the edit toolbar, indicating how that selected object can be edited.

3. Right-click on the object while any tool is active, which will display the object’s edit handles and its contextual menu.

To select an object sharing the same space with another1. Click on an object sharing the same space as, or stacked on top of,

the one you wish to select.

2. Click the Select Next Object edit button.To open an object for specification

1. Select the object.

2. Click the Open Object edit button or double-click the object

using the Select Objects tool.To copy an object

1. Select the object.

2. Click the Copy/Paste edit button. 3. Click in the desired location to place the copy.

To delete an object1. Select the object.2. Select Edit> Delete from the menu; press the Delete key; or click

the Delete Object edit button.To move an object

1. Click the object to select it.

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Drawing a Building

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2. Move the pointer over the Move handle to change the cursor to a four-headed arrow.

3. Click on the Move handle and drag it to move the object to a new location. To move diagonally or through another object, hold down the Ctrl key on your keyboard while dragging.

To resize an object1. Click the object to select it.2. Drag one of the side or end handles in or out to contract or expand it.

To rotate an object1. Click the object to select it.2. Move the pointer over the triangular Rotate handle to change the

cursor to a rotation arrow.3. Click and drag in a circular motion to rotate the object.

Drawing a BuildingThere are three things to remember when drawing a plan:

• Room spaces are defined by walls and railings. If a space is not completely surrounded by walls, it is not a room. Some outdoor living areas such as decks and porches are considered “rooms” and must be surrounded by walls, railings, or invisible walls.

• Openings in walls and railings are best made by placing doors or doorways, not by leaving out a section of wall.

rotate

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• The program will measure and align walls for you and will even move and resize walls to make them connect. You can sketch out the general shape first and fine-tune it later.

Adding Walls

Create walls using any of the the Wall Tools or by selecting Build> Wall from the menu.

Adding Doors

You can create doors using any of the Door tools or by selecting Build> Door from the menu. Select a door type and click on a wall or railing to place it. Once a door is placed into your plan, you can move; resize; and otherwise customize it by opening it for specification.

Adding Windows

Windows are created by selecting one of the Window tools or by selecting Build> Window from the menu and placing a window in a wall. Once a window is placed, you can move it, resize it, and otherwise customize it by opening it for specification.

Working with Fixtures, Furniture, and Outdoor ObjectsThe Library Browser lets you find and place fixtures, furniture, and outdoor objects.

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Drawing a Building

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Working with RoofsOnce a structure has walls, a roof can be created. Landscaping and Deck Designer offers fully automatic roofing tools to make roofing easy. Using the appropriate Roof tools, you can add gables above doors and windows and create roof styles such as gable, hip or shed. The default is a hip roof, but you can change this. The training videos offer some examples of how to create different roof styles.

Adding Electrical Objects

Electrical objects are created by clicking the Electrical parent button or selecting Build> Electrical. Select an electrical object and click in your plan to place it. Both 110V and 220V outlets, switches, and light fixtures are available and can be placed and edited much like other objects.

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Understanding Default SettingsFor most object types, default settings are derived from the plan-wide defaults for that object type. Select Edit> Default Settings from the menu to open the Default Settings dialog; click on a category in the tree view to the left; and click the Edit button to open the default dialog for that object type. Setting the default values for objects saves time: for example, if you specify the window defaults before beginning your plan, all windows will be of the style and size that you selected. Once they’re placed in your plan, you can then edit them individually as needed.

Working with Multiple FloorsIn Landscaping and Deck Designer, up to three separate floors can be created in a plan, plus an attic and a foundation. Only one floor at a time can be active; it is, however, possible to view more than one floor simultaneously by selecting File> Open Plan and opening a second window displaying the plan view of your current design.

By default, the floor height of Floor 1 is 0 (zero) and the Foundation is always built under this level. Regardless of the floor plan of the structure in your plan, it is usually best to create your Terrain Perimeter on Floor 1.

Using Text

Text is drawn as an object, so it scales up or down as you zoom in or out of the plan.

Using DimensionsDimension lines locate walls and openings in walls by showing how far one wall is from another or how far an opening is along a wall. You can

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create interior, exterior, automatic, and manual dimension lines using the

Dimension Tools . Dimension lines can be selected and moved using the central edit handle.

Additional ResourcesA variety of reference sources are available to help you learn about Landscaping and Deck Designer and how to use it to meet your design goals.

Better Homes and Gardens Design Planning CenterThe Better Homes and Gardens Design Planning Center is an excellent resource for learning more about landscaping and deck design topics. Select Tools> Better Homes and Gardens Design Planning Center from the menu to learn more.

Landscaping and Deck Designer User’s GuideThe User’s Guide is a comprehensive source of information for Landscaping and Deck Designer. It includes a table of contents and step-by-step tutorials. It is also available in electronic format by selecting Help> View User’s Guide in Landscaping and Deck Designer. This electronic PDF contains additional reference information covering the program’s toolbar buttons, menus, and dialogs.

Landscaping and Deck Designer HelpSelect an object, toolbar button, or menu item and press the F1 function key on your keyboard to open Landscaping and Deck Designer Help and learn more about that specific object or command. You can also click the Help button found in dialogs throughout the program to learn more about that dialog.

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Selecting Help> Contents and Index will open Landscaping and Deck Designer Help and allow you to navigate the available help topics or search for information by keyword. Landscaping and Deck Designer Help contains reference information covering the program’s toolbar buttons, menus, and dialogs.

Landscaping and Deck Designer Web SiteSelect Help> Visit Landscaping and Deck Designer Web Site or go to www.homedesignersoftware.com to visit the Landscaping and Deck Designer Web site for up-to-date information about the program, including program updates.

User ForumThe HomeTalk Bulletin Board is a great place to discuss and exchange ideas with other Better Homes and Gardens home design software users. Here you can post questions; read and join in discussions with other users; and post suggestions to improve our products. In addition to our regular users, you will find that from time to time, our engineering and support teams provide input on current topics. This resource is available free of charge at www.homedesignersoftware.com/hometalk/.

Training VideosA free tutorial CD of training videos for Landscaping and Deck Designer is included with the software. These “how-to” videos provide helpful information about using the program.

Technical SupportLandscaping and Deck Designer offers installation support free of charge. When you contact our support team, be prepared to provide information about your computer make and model and the brand names of the video card and sound card you are using. If possible, sit at your computer with

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the program running when you call, as you will be asked to provide a detailed description of what happens when you try to run the program.

Before Contacting Technical SupportBefore contacting Technical Support, take a moment to see if the answer to your question is found in the User’s Guide, tutorials, or in our on-line Help Database. When you contact us, you will be referred to these resources if the answer can be found there.

• Look up items related to your question in the Table of Contents of the User’s Guide. This guide will assist you in answering most “how-to” questions.

• Click Help> Contents and Index in Landscaping and Deck Designer to access a comprehensive index of help topics.

• Refer to the Tutorial CD included with the program, which answers many “how-to” questions.

• Visit our Technical Support Help Database, which contains articles describing how to resolve common technical problems, at: www.homedesignersoftware.com.

• The Help Database also includes a selection of articles describing how to accomplish a number of design goals. Use the How Do I...? Solution Finder to locate articles of interest to you.

• If you have a question about how best to accomplish a certain design task, you may find the users at the HomeTalk user form a valuable resource for information and advice.

Installation IssuesThe following are common reasons for installation failure of Landscaping and Deck Design and other software:

1. Anti-virus software is enabled and interfering with installation. Anti-virus software is the number one cause of installation failures for any type of software. Refer to the documentation for your anti-virus

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software for details on how to disable the software and re-enable it once installation is complete.

2. The recommended minimum system requirements are not met.3. The CD has fingerprints, scratches, or other defects. Sometimes a

small fingerprint can prevent a program from installing. Clean the CD with a soft cotton cloth that will not cause scratching on the CD.

Contacting Technical SupportLandscaping and Deck Designer Technical Support is available Monday through Friday from 6 AM to 5 PM Pacific Standard Time and can be reached in the following ways:

E-mail - Send an e-mail to our technical support department using the Email Support form in the Contact Technical Support section of our Web site, www.homedesignersoftware.com.

Telephone - You can speak with a Technical Support professional on the telephone, the number can be found on our Web site at www.homedesignersoftware.com.

Note: If you see visible cracking on a CD, do not insert it in your CD ROM drive. CrackedCDs can fly apart and cause damage to your CD drive.

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Chapter 3:

LandscapingTutorial

IntroductionThis tutorial and the two that follow were written to help you learn how to use the Landscaping and Deck Designer tools. It is a good idea to complete these tutorials and become familiar with all available tools before beginning your own project.

In this tutorial, you will learn how to add elevation information to your terrain; how to create terrain features; and how to add plants and other objects from the library.

We’ll begin this tutorial with a template plan. It’s a good idea to close other open plans. If necessary, you can restart the program to make sure no plans are open.

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Starting a New Project

To start Landscaping and Deck Designer1. Click the Windows Start button and select Programs. 2. Select Better Homes and Gardens.3. Click Landscaping and Deck Designer to start the program.

To close any open plans Select File> Close All from the menu. Using the Close All command

instead of Close closes all open plans.To open a new plan

1. Select File> New Plan to open the Create New Plan dialog.

Note: Screen images throughout the tutorials have been taken from asmaller window to optimize graphics quality. The size and proportionsof the interface may display differently on your screen than they do inthis manual.

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2. In the Create New Plan dialog, there are several templates to choose from. Some templates contain empty yards into which you can place your own house. Other templates contain houses. When you are ready to start your own project, you’ll want to set up a house and yard similar to the one you’ll be working on. For now, we’ll begin with the Tutorial_Template.plan and select U.S. Units.

3. Click OK and the floor plan view opens, ready for you to start drawing.

4. It is a good idea to get into the habit of saving your work. Select File> Save to open the Save Plan File dialog; browse to select a location; enter a name for your file; and click OK to save your plan and close the dialog.

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Adding Elevation InformationOur terrain is flat because there is no elevation data in the plan.

To add elevation information to your plan1. Click the Terrain Tools parent button and then the Elevation

Line child button.2. Draw elevation lines as illustrated in the following image. Drawing

an elevation line near the end of another will attach the two elevation lines together.

3. To enter elevation information, click the Select Objects button, select an elevation line, and click the Open Object edit button to open it for specification. You can also double-click an object when the Select Objects button is active to open it for specification. Values entered are in inches unless the foot ( ' ) mark is added.

4. Enter elevation information for all elevation lines.

200”

180”

96” 72”48”

-72”-120”

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5. Select 3D> Full Overview to create a full overview. Pressing the “I” key or the “O” key will move the camera in or out. We can see that the terrain directly below the house is being flattened.

6. At the bottom of the Window menu select Tutorial_Template: floor plan to return to floor plan view. Note that the building is surrounded by a rectangle in floor plan view, this is the terrain perimeter.

7. Select the terrain perimeter, click the Open Object edit button to open the Terrain Specification dialog, uncheck Flatten Pad on the General tab, and click OK.

8. Look at the plan in a full overview and notice that the terrain is now unaffected by the building pad. Next we’ll create a retaining wall.

Note: For better clarity, images of 3D views in this tutorial were takenusing low render quality settings. Select Edit> Default Settings fromthe menu, select Render Quality from the Default Settings dialog andclick the Edit button to open the Render Quality dialog. See “RenderQuality” on page 220.

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Adding a Retaining WallAdding a retaining wall will help to create a flat building pad for the house.

To draw a retaining wall1. Return to the floor plan view by selecting it from the bottom of the

Window menu.

2. Select the Wall Tools parent button, then the Retaining Wall child button. Draw two straight wall sections as shown, excluding the section where they connect.

Note: Open 3D views are redrawn whenever changes are made tothe plan, even if they are not currently visible. Closing 3D views andrecreating them when they are needed will allow the program tooperate as quickly as possible.

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3. Select the Curved Wall Tools parent button, then the Curved Retaining Wall child button and draw a curved retaining wall that connects the two straight sections. You may need to adjust the arc of the curved section to connect it to the straight sections. Do this by selecting the curved section using the Select Objects tool and using the triangular edit handle that appears.

4. Now draw another elevation line just to the inside of the retaining wall to help designate the height of this area when terrain is generated. This elevation line can stay at its default height of 0' 0”.

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5. Now look at your plan in a full overview. It should look like this.

Adding Terrain FeaturesNow we’ll add a garden bed, a beach, a water line, and a pathway to our plan.

0”

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To add a a skirt to the house1. In floor plan view, click the Terrain Feature Tools parent button

and then the Round Garden Bed child button. The garden bed tool can be used in a variety of ways. We’ll use it to create a terrain skirt, not an actual garden.

2. Click and draw a garden bed that surrounds the house.

3. With the Select Objects button active, click the garden bed to select it, click the Break Line edit button, then click on the garden bed to add a break. A break adds an edit handle, allowing greater control of the shape of the terrain feature. Continue adding breaks and using the edit handles to adjust the shape of the garden bed to match the footprint of the house.

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4. Take a look at the skirt in a camera view. Click the View Tools parent button, then the Camera child button, and click and drag in floor plan view to create the camera view. Where you click determines the position of the camera and where you release the mouse determines the point about which the camera will rotate.

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To create a beach1. In floor plan view, click the Terrain Feature Tools parent button

and then the Round Garden Bed child button. Click and drag in floor plan view to draw a garden bed.

2. Select the garden bed and click the Open Object edit button to open the Terrain Feature Specification dialog.

3. On the Materials tab, select the terrain feature and click Select Material to open the Select Library Object dialog and assign a sand material from the landscaping library.

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4. Now take a full overview to see our new beach.

To create water1. Click the Terrain Feature Tools parent button and then the

Pond child button. Click and drag in floor plan view to draw a pond on top of the beach we just created.

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2. Select the pond and click the Open Object edit button to open it for specification.On the General tab, change the Height to .25 to raise the water above the beach.

3. Take a look in a full overview.

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To add a stepping stone pathway from the beach to the house1. Click the Terrain Feature Tools parent button and then the Flat

Region child button. Click and drag a flat region just above the beach which is approximately 1' x 4'. It may help to Zoom in.

2. Now select the Terrain Feature Tools parent button and then the Feature Region child button and click and drag to draw a feature region of the same size, directly on top of the flat region.

3. Select the feature region and click the Open Object edit button to open it for specification. If you select the flat region instead, you can press the Tab key or the Next edit button to select the feature region. The status bar at the bottom of the window will say “Terrain Feature” when the feature region is selected.

4. On the General tab, change the Height to 1 inch. On the Material tab, select the terrain feature, click the Select Material button, and specify

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a different material if you like. Brick Pavers in the Masonry library make nice stepping stones.

5. Let’s look at our stepping stone in a Camera view.

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6. In floor plan view, click the Select Objects button, hold down the Shift key, and drag a marquee around the feature region and flat region to group-select them. To group select the two objects you can also select one of them, hold down the Shift key, then select the other.

7. Double-click the Copy/Paste edit button and click in floor plan view to paste copies of the group selected objects. Continue pasting copies until you have created a pathway that leads to the house.

Adding Library ObjectsThe library contains many objects that can be added to a plan such as plant images and landscaping blocks.

To add plants1. Find the Library Browser on the right of your screen. If it is not

open, select Library> Library Browser from the menu.

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2. At the bottom of the Library Browser, click the Plant Chooser button to open the Plant Chooser dialog. This dialog can also be opened by selecting Terrain> Plant> Plant Chooser from the menu.

3. On the Plant Information tab in the Plant Chooser dialog, enter “birch” in the Common Names field, and click the Search button to find birch trees in the Library Browser.

4. Double-click Betula papyrifera (young) from the search results. This selects Betula papyrifera (young) in the Library Browser for placement.

5. Close or move the Plant Chooser dialog, and click in floor plan view or a 3D view to place the selected plant at that location. You can continue placing the selected plant image until another tool or library object is selected.

Note: Images do not appear in low render quality mode. Select Edit>Default Settings from the menu, select Render Quality from theDefault Settings dialog and click the Edit button to open the RenderQuality dialog. Select either the medium or high render quality settingand click OK. You may need to press F5 to refresh the 3D view.

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To add Landscaping Blocks1. Return to floor plan view and select Library> Architectural Block

Library to open the Library Browser to the Architectural Block category.

2. Click on the + next to the Landscaping Beds library to display its contents, and click on Bench Garden to select it and display it in the preview panes.

3. Click in your terrain to place this garden block in your plan. 4. Take a Camera view to see the landscaping bed in 3D.

Taking Final ViewsA final view can be created from any full overview or camera view. A final view smoothes out edges in a plan and creates a more realistic rendering of the model.

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Taking Final Views

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To take a Final View1. Create a full overview by selecting 3D> Full Overview from the

menu.2. Select 3D> Final View, or 3D> Final View with Exterior Shadows

from the menu to to create a final view from a 3D view.

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Chapter 4:

Deck andPorch Tutorial

IntroductionIn this tutorial, you will learn how to create a multi-level deck. You’ll create two decks; add a sliding door from the house to the deck; and draw stairs from one level to the other. You will also learn how to change materials on objects and create a materials list.

Starting a New ProjectIn this tutorial we’ll continue where we left off in the previous tutorial. It is not necessary that you complete the prior tutorial before continuing with this one, but it is recommended.

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Adding DecksSince our home is on a beach, we’ll add a couple of decks so we can enjoy the scenery from the outside of the house.

To add a first and second floor deck to the plan1. In floor plan view, go to the first floor (if you aren’t there already).2. Click the Wall Tools parent button, select the Deck Railing

child button, and draw a deck off of the first floor. When the deck is enclosed by deck railings, a Deck label will display.You can delete the stepping stones that we made in the previous tutorial if you like.

3. Now take a look at our first floor deck in a Camera view. You can see that the program automatically generated support pillars, footings, and the handrail.

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4. In floor plan view, click the Up One Floor button to go to the second floor.

5. Click the Wall Tools parent button, then the Deck Railing child button, and draw a deck on the second floor which is 10 ½ feet deep and 10 feet wide.

6. The deck railing that runs parallel with the beach should align closely with the wall on the first floor below. When it is in near-alignment, select the railing, open it for specification, and on the General tab of the Railing Specification dialog, check Align With Lower Floor.

7. Now we’ll add a sliding door onto the second floor deck. Click the

Door Tools parent button, then the Sliding Door child button, and then click on the wall.

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8. The second floor deck was drawn on top of existing roof planes. The roof must be regenerated to update it. To regenerate the roof, select Build> Roof> Build Roof from the menu and click OK.

9. Now take a look at our second floor deck in a Camera view.

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Drawing Stairs

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Drawing StairsNow we’ll connect the upper and lower decks with a flight of stairs and draw a staircase from the lower deck to the terrain below.

To connect the upper and lower decks with stairs1. In floor plan view, click on the Stair Tools parent button. By

default, the Straight Stair child button will be selected. 2. On the first floor, click and drag to draw a stairway from the lower

deck railing to the outside edge of the upper deck railing. In many cases an opening will be added automatically to the deck railing at the top of a staircase. In this case we’ll add the door manually, which we’ll get to in the next few steps.

Note: The grey area at the front of the second story deck can bemade to match the rest of the wall. In floor plan view, select the deckrailing, open it for specification, and change the platform edgematerial to match the wall.

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3. Let’s look at our staircase in a 3D view.

4. A door can be added in a 3D view or in floor plan view. Click the Door Tools parent button, which will select the Door child button by default, then click on the deck railing to create an opening.

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To draw a down staircase to the ground1. On the first floor, in floor plan view, click on the Stair Tools

parent, then the Straight Stair child button.2. Hold down the Shift key and drag a straight stair section from the left

side of the lower deck to the ground. Holding the Shift key draws a down staircase instead of an up staircase. Down staircases should only be drawn when a staircase is needed to connect to the ground level. Let’s also move the stepping stones so that they lead to the staircase.

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3. Now take a look at our deck in a Camera view.

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Adding FurnitureNow let’s add some furniture to our deck.

To add furniture to the deck1. Select Library> Furniture (Exterior) Library to open the Library

Browser to the Furniture (Exterior) category.2. Navigate to the Exterior Chairs library and select a chair, such as the

Adirondack Chair. When selected, a preview will display.

3. In floor plan view or a 3D view, click on the deck to place a chair at that location. You can continue clicking to place more chairs.

4. Select Library> Fixtures (Exterior) Library and navigate to the Exterior Recreation library.

5. Select a barbeque and place it on the deck, as well.

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Changing MaterialsNow let’s change the material used on the adirondack chairs to a white paint.

To change materials using the Material Painter1. In a 3D view, click the Material Painter button to open the

Select Library Object dialog.2. In the Materials category, select Colors> White> Bone. Double-click

in the upper pane to load that material and close the dialog.3. The cursor will display as an aerosol paint can in a 3D view,

indicating that the selected material is ready to be applied.4. Click on one of the adirondack chairs to make them white.

To change materials using specification dialogs1. In floor plan view, select one of the chairs, click the Open Object

edit button to open the Furniture Specification dialog.

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2. On the Materials tab, select Main, then click the Select Material button to open the Select Library Object dialog.

3. Select Colors> White> Bone and click OK to close the Select Library Object dialog.

4. Click OK to close the Furniture Specification dialog.

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Generating a Materials ListA materials list can be generated to estimate the cost of an entire plan or just a portion of a plan.To calculate a materials list for the entire plan

Select the Tools> Materials List> Calculate from All Floors. A materials list is generated for all floors of the house.

To calculate a materials list for just the deck1. Select the Tools> Materials List> Calculate from Area.2. Click and drag a box surrounding the first floor deck to display a

Materials List for the area surrounded by the box.3. Locate the barbeque under the Fixtures category.4. Click in the “Price” column for the barbeque and type in $75.00.

Notice that the subtotal and Total both update to reflect the pricing change. You can specify prices for every material in your plan, allowing you to generate a cost estimate.

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Chapter 5:

Custom HouseTutorial

IntroductionWhen starting a landscaping design project, the first step is usually to outline the yard and the house. In previous tutorials, we’ve shown you how to start using an existing house template. If you can’t find a house template which matches yours, you can draw your house and yard or use a digital photograph of your home. This tutorial will show you:

• How to select and edit the terrain perimeter representing your yard• How to use the Wall and Roof tools to draw your house• How to place a digital photo of your house in the yard

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Starting a New ProjectIf you can’t find a house template which matches yours, you can quickly and easily draw your floor plan. Let’s begin this tutorial in a new plan with a simple, flat lot.

To close any open plans Select File> Close All from the menu. Using the Close All command

instead of Close closes all open plans. To open a new plan

1. Select File> New Plan to open the Create New Plan dialog.

2. Under Choose plan style you will find a number of template plans to choose from. Some contain empty yards into which you can place your own house; while others contain pre-built houses. • When you click on a template, a brief description displays beneath

the Choose plan style list. • Under Choose plan style, select Default.

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• Click on the radio button beside the units of measurement you wish to use. In this tutorial, U.S. Units (inches) will be used.

3. Click OK to close the dialog and open a floor plan view window, ready for you to start drawing.

To represent the shape of your lot

1. Use the Fill Window button to resize the plan to fit your screen. 2. The rectangular box that displays is the Terrain Perimeter, which

represents your property lines. Click near one of its edges to select it and display its edit handles.• Notice the Move handle that displays at the center of the side that

you clicked near. Click and drag this handle to resize the perimeter.• The Reshape edit handles at each corner allow you to adjust the

shape of the perimeter by clicking and dragging. 3. The edit toolbar has additional tools for modifying the perimeter.

• Select the Break Line tool, then click on the terrain perimeter to add a new corner handle, which you can then drag to make an irregularly shaped lot.

• Select the Change Line/Arc edit tool to change the selected edge from a line to an arc. Click it again to restore it to a straight line.

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By editing your terrain perimeter, you can create any property outline that you like. In the Landscaping Tutorial, you can also learn how to adjust the slope and relief of your yard.

Drawing a House Using the Wall and Roof ToolsWith the Terrain Perimeter adjusted to match your property lines, let’s begin to draw a house on the property.

To draw walls1. Click the Wall Tools parent button on the toolbar to display its

child tools, then select the Wall child tool. 2. Click in the drawing area and drag a wall from left to right. As you

drag, the Status Bar at the bottom of the screen displays the wall’s length and angle. Angled walls are allowed at increments of 7 ½ degrees, helping to ensure that parallel walls will be parallel.

Move handle

Rotate handle

Reshape handles

Edit toolbar

Resize handle

Terrain perimeter with edit handles and toolbar

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3. Use the same technique to draw three more walls. Don’t worry about exact placement: new walls will automatically snap to existing walls as long as they are drawn close enough; their positions can always be adjusted later.

To adjust the spacing of the walls

1. Click on the Select Objects tool, then click on a wall to select it. Notice the dimension line stretching to the opposite wall, as well as the edit handles in the middle of the selected wall and at each end.

A wall’s length displays as it is drawn. A wall’s length and angle also display in the Status Bar as it is drawn.

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2. To move a wall, click on the Move handle that displays near the point where you clicked and drag it to the desired location. The lengths of all connected walls will automatically adjust, keeping them connected. This makes it very easy to sketch out a rough design, which you can adjust for precise dimensions later.

3. To resize a wall, click the wall, then drag one of its end handles. To add a door

1. Click the Door Tools parent button. By default, the Door child tool is selected.

2. Click on a wall to place a door at the location where you click. To add a window

1. Click the Window Tools parent button. By default, the Window child tool is selected.

2. Click on a wall to place a window at the location where you click. To build a roof

1. Select the Roof Tools parent button and click the Build Roof child tool to open the Build Roof dialog.

Resize handles

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A selected wall and its edit handles

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Drawing a House Using the Wall and Roof Tools

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2. For this tutorial, accept the default settings and click the OK button to close the dialog and create a 6 in 12 standard hip roof.

To create a 3D view1. Click on the View Tools parent button2. Select the Full Overview child button to create a 3D view that

displays the walls, windows, door, and roof that you’ve created.

Note: In addition to the options available in the Build Roof dialog, roofparameters can be controlled through the settings for individual walls.For more information, see “Roof Tab” on page 218.

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Placing a Digital Photo of Your House in the YardDigital photographs can be used in a number of ways in a plan. A photo of your house can be displayed in the yard; photographs of windows, doors, or other accessories can be displayed on a house drawn in the program; and photos of people, plants, or other personal items can be displayed in a plan.

We’ll demonstrate how to place a photo of a house into the yard. Begin by selecting File> New Plan, and choosing the Default template plan under Choose plan style.

To import an image1. Select Build> Image> Create Image to open the Image

Specification dialog.

2. Click the Browse button to open the Select Image File dialog and browse to a digital photograph saved on your computer.

The image used in this example is included in the Landscape and Deck Designer Library Browser. On a standard installation it can be found by browsing to: C:\Program Files\ART Inc\Landscaping and Deck Designer 70\Images\Objects\Splilt-Level-House.png.

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3. Place a check in the box beside Do not rotate in 3D View so that it does not rotate to face the camera in a 3D view.

4. In the 2D Plan Symbol field, specify how this image will display in floor plan view. For this tutorial, select “Line”.

5. In the Height field, type in the height of the house in the photograph so that it displays at the correct height in the plan. Be sure to include the foot symbol (’) if you specify the height in feet.

6. Next, navigate to the Transparency tab. Some images have transparency information associated with them, but this one does not. We’d like the purple areas to be transparent.

7. Uncheck the Only use transparency data from the image file checkbox, and select Show Transparency to display a preview of what the image will look like below.

8. Click the OK button to close the dialog and return to floor plan view. 9. Click in floor plan view to place the image at that location. Notice

the line that displays where the house will be. Viewing the image in 3D

1. Select the View Tools parent button.

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2. Choose the Full Overview child button to create a 3D view in which you can see the house image in 3D. If the image appears reversed or at an incorrect angle, adjust the camera angle using the Camera Orbit tools, the arrow keys on the keyboard; or select the image in floor plan view and rotate it to the desired angle.

Images can be selected and edited in both floor plan view and 3D views using either the edit handles that display or by clicking the Open Object

edit button to open the Image Specification dialog.

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Chapter 6:

Menus

Most of the program’s functionality can be accessed from the menu. Which menu items are available at a given time depends on the type of object currently selected; the type of view which is currently active; and whether a certain type of object exists in your plan or not.

In this chapter you will learn about the commands found in the:

• File Menu• Edit Menu• Build Menu• Terrain Menu• Library Menu

• 3D Menu• CAD Menu• Tools Menu• Window Menu• Help Menu

To display a menu

Click the menu title using your mouse or press the Alt key, then press the letter of the menu title which becomes underlined. Each menu contains a list of commands, some of which bring up dialog boxes or submenus with their own commands.

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File MenuThe File menu includes commands for creating, opening, closing, saving, printing, and exporting plans. The list at the bottom of the File menu displays the last four plans that were opened. You can select one to open it.

New PlanOpens the Create New Plan dialog, allowing you to choose a blank plan from a variety of templates for metric and imperial plans. For more information, see “Create New Plan” on page 164.

Opening a new file does not close open files. You can have up to ten files open at once. You can even open several copies of the same plan at once, which can be useful for detail work on different parts of your plan.

The title bar of a new plan reads Untitled1: Floor Plan, indicating the file is new, and that the current view is a floor plan view. The floor plan view is always displayed when a new file is created.

Open PlanOpens the Open Plan File dialog which allows you to browse your computer for existing plan files. For more information, see “Open Plan File” on page 203.

CloseCloses the active window. You can close one view of a plan and leave the others open. For instance, closing a camera view window does not close the floor plan view window. When you close an existing plan, you are prompted to save any changes.

Click Yes to save the changes, No to disregard them, or Cancel to leave the file open. When you choose to save a new plan, the Save Plan File dialog

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appears so you can name the plan. For more information, see “Save Plan File” on page 225.

Close AllCloses all open windows for all plans.

SaveSaves the current plan using its existing name and location. To change the name or location, use File> Save As. If you are saving a new, unnamed plan, the Save Plan File dialog appears automatically. For more information, see “Save Plan File” on page 225.

Save AsDisplays the Save Plan File dialog, where you can enter a new file name and save the current plan’s contents to a different file or save the file to a different location.

If you open an existing file, then make changes and save the result to a new file, use File> Save As right after opening the existing file to make sure you do not accidentally overwrite the original file. For more information, see “Save Plan File” on page 225.

Export SubmenuDisplays a menu that allows you to export data to other programs. Landscaping and Deck Designer cannot import any of these file types. The export options available depend on the type of window which is currently active.

Metafile (WMF, EMF)

This option allows you to create a Windows Metafile, an image format which is typically used by word processing and publishing programs. Select File> Export> Metafile (WMF,EMF) and click and drag a box

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around an area to export it. After you have drawn the box, the Export Windows Metafile dialog displays. Enter a filename and click Save. For more information, see “Export Windows Metafile” on page 178.

Once you have saved the image the Metafile Size dialog will display, allowing you to specify how big your Metafile will be when imported into another program. For more information, see “Metafile Size” on page 201.

Picture (BMP, JPG, PNG)

Saves images. Select this option in 3D views to open the Export Picture File dialog. Enter a file name and click OK to create a .bmp, .jpg., .png, .tif, or .pcx file of the current view. For more information, see “Export Picture File” on page 177.

Materials List (TXT)

Exports the active Materials List as a .txt file, which can be used by spreadsheet and database programs. This option is only available when a Materials List is active.

To export a Materials List

1. Click the Material List button or select one of the options from the Tools> Materials List submenu to create a Materials List. For more information, see “Materials List Submenu” on page 127.

2. Select File> Materials List (TXT) from the Materials List menu.3. Enter a filename and click OK to create a .txt file containing the

current Materials spreadsheet. For more information, see “Write Materials Export File” on page 247.

Import SubmenuDisplays a menu that allows you to import data from other programs.

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Import Picture

Opens the Import Picture File dialog which allows you to import a picture file into floor plan view. If you’ve drawn a plan by hand, you can scan it and save it as a .bmp, .jpg. or .png file; import it into Landscaping and Deck Designer; then trace it using the program’s drawing tools. For more information, see “Import Picture File” on page 192.

To use a plan you’ve hand-drawn as the basis for a new plan1. Scan your drawing.2. Save it as a picture file (.bmp, .jpg., .png, .gif, .tif or .pcx).3. Open a floor plan view window.4. Choose File> Import Picture from the menu.5. Select the picture file of your scanned plan. You can stretch and

rotate the image like any other object and trace the outline of your plan with Exterior and Interior Walls.

Import Backdrop

Opens the Import Backdrop File dialog which allows you to import a .bmp, .jpg, .png, .gif, .tif, or .pcx file for use as a backdrop in 3D views. See “Import Backdrop File” on page 191.

Print SubmenuDisplays a menu of options related to printing.

Page Setup

Opens the Page Setup dialog, which allows you to specify page size, orientation, and print scale.

Scale to Fit

Selects a suitable scale so that everything that is displayed fits on the drawing sheet.

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Center Sheet

Moves the drawing sheet relative to the drawing so that it is centered on the drawing without affecting the position of the drawing.

Show Sheet

Displays the drawing sheet in floor plan view.

Print

Opens the Print dialog which allows you to specify print settings, change printers, and print your plan. Depending on which window has the focus, this command will either print a 2D floor plan view or a 3D view. For more information, see “Print” on page 214.

Clear Printer Info

Clears the printer information associated with the current Page Setup.

ExitExits the program, closing all windows and prompting you to save any files that have changed.

Edit MenuThe Edit menu contains commands for modifying existing objects in your plan. The Edit menu also contains the Default Settings submenu which allows you to specify the initial settings for many of the objects that can be placed into your plan.

UndoReverses the previous operation.

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RedoReverses the previous Undo.

Cut, Copy, and PasteCut removes the selected object from the plan to the Clipboard. Copy copies the object to the Clipboard. Paste places an object from the Clipboard onto a plan.

DeleteRemoves a selected object without storing it on the Clipboard, like pressing the Delete key. A deleted object cannot be pasted back into a plan. Delete can be used in all views except the Materials List.

Delete ObjectsLets you delete entire categories of objects from a single room or an entire plan. Available only in floor plan view. For more information, see “Delete Objects” on page 168.

Select ObjectsLets you select individual objects by clicking them. In most cases, you can also select objects by clicking them with the tools used to create them. This

is the same as clicking the Select Objects button. For more information, see “Select Objects” on page 136.

Open Object

Select an object in your plan and select Edit> Open Object to open the object’s specification dialog and edit aspects of the object which cannot be edited with the mouse. You can also double-click on an object or select the

object and click the Open Object edit button to open its specification

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dialog. The command applies to all objects, including walls, rooms, and cameras, and works in all views. The options in the dialog that opens will depend on the type of object, but all have basic dimension and style information, and most have a preview of the selected object. An explanation of the specification dialog for each type of object is included with the description for creating that object.

Move AreaMoves an area and all objects within it at once.

To move an area1. Select Edit> Move Area from the menu.2. Drag a box around the area to move.3. Place your cursor over the center handle and drag the area to its new

location.

Default SettingsOpens the Default Settings dialog, which provides access to the defaults dialogs for various elements of the program. For more information, see “Default Settings” on page 166.

Build MenuUse this menu to create and place objects in your plan. Most of the selections in this menu bring up submenus with further selections, because many objects, such as windows, have several types from which to choose.

Most tools remain active until you select another tool. To draw a series of walls, select Build> Wall> Wall and draw as many walls as you like.

Wall SubmenuLets you create and edit various kinds of walls. You can draw walls vertically, horizontally, or at any 7 1/2-degree angle. The end of the wall

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where you began the drag will remain fixed, while the other end will move about until you finish dragging. While you are drawing, the length of the wall will display in the toolbar’s status box. Once you finish a wall, you can move and resize it by selecting it.

To draw a wall1. Select Build> Wall> Wall from the menu.2. Click and drag a wall in floor plan view.

When drawing walls, draw straight through doorways, windows, and other openings. They can be easily added later. To draw a wall at an angle, move the pointer in a circle as you drag. The wall will snap to 7 1/2-degree increments.

The length of new walls appears in the status box in the toolbar as you draw them. When you move walls connected perpendicularly to other walls, temporary dimension lines display, locating the wall (in relation to other parallel walls) as you move it.

Drawing one wall close enough to the end of another will cause the program to join the two, regardless of wall type or angle. If the walls are of the same type and are parallel to one another, they will actually merge to become one object.

The new wall may extend, contract, or move to meet the old wall accurately; and the old wall may extend or contract to meet the new. The program will try to make all such joints as smooth as possible by eliminating gaps and stubs. To do so, it will adjust the end of a new wall if it approaches an old wall; and will adjust the end of an old wall if it is crossed by a new one.

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To select a wall Click the wall’s central area, which is everything further than six plan

inches from its end. The mid-line, by which walls connect and are measured, runs the length of the wall, down the middle.

To move a wall Drag the center edit handle. The pointer changes to a double-headed

arrow, indicating the direction you can move the wall. Walls can only be moved perpendicular to the direction in which they run; they cannot be moved lengthwise or rotated. When a wall is moved, any walls connected to it will extend or contract to maintain their connection, if possible.

After walls have been snapped together and smoothed

Second wall drawn at 90° to first wall

Selected wall showing handles

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To extend or shorten a wall 1. Select the wall.2. Drag an end edit handle.

To delete a wall• Draw over it completely.• Select it and pull one end towards the other, resizing it to nothing.• Select it and press the Delete key or click the Delete edit button.To view and change the characteristics of a wall

1. Click the Select Objects button, then double-click a wall to open the Wall Specification dialog.

2. Change the settings and click OK. For more information, see “Wall Specification” on page 239.

Wall

Create walls that enclose space to define the exterior of a structure. You can locate them using manual and automatic dimension lines, and place windows and doors in them.

Invisible Wall

Create walls that define areas, but are invisible and not located by dimension lines.

Connected walls expand when a wall is moved

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Invisible walls divide larger spaces into individual rooms, without using a physical member like a wall or railing, and can be used to create spaces that are open below, such as stairwells.

Railing

Creates railing walls that define areas such as balconies, porches, and decks, but do not affect plan dimensions. Railings can also be used to mark off staircases and landings, and to divide a room.

Invisible wall separating deck from stairway

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To change the appearance of railings1. Select the railing.2. Click the Open Object edit button to open the Railing

Specification dialog. For more information, see “Railing Specification” on page 217.

Deck Railing

Draws a deck, with framing and bounded by a railing. If a foundation level exists, supports for the deck are created as well.

Fencing

Draws a fence that follows the terrain.

3D interior railing defining a stairwell

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Retaining Wall

Draws a retaining wall with an accompanying break in the terrain.

Hatch Wall

Marks an existing wall with diagonal lines to make walls, particularly their thickness, stand out better. Use wall hatching to mark a wall for a special purpose: for example, for removal in a remodel.

To hatch a wall1. Select Build> Wall> Hatch Wall from the menu.2. Click on an existing wall. The entire wall fills with cross-hatching,

but is affected in no other way.

Break Wall

Breaks one wall section into two. They remain connected until you move or delete one of them and can be opened for specification separately. Do not use this command to create a doorway: use one of the Door tools to place a door in a wall instead.

To break a wall1. Select Build> Wall> Break Wall from the menu or click the Break

Wall child button.

Hatched Wall

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2. Click a wall. A thin line indicates the break.3. Click either side with the pointer to select the wall on that side.

4. To deactivate the Break Wall tool, select another tool or press the Esc key.

Walls of different thicknesses can be joined together. They will align at their centers, creating a step on either side. Moving one wall to align it flush with one surface of the other wall will have no effect, because the join will always snap back to the center.

To prevent the walls from snapping to each other’s centers, temporarily divide them with a third, perpendicular wall. Once the walls are properly positioned, you can delete part or all of the third wall.

Curved Walls SubmenuContains wall options similar to those on the Walls Submenu, but curved. For more information, see “Wall Submenu” on page 84.

This wall has been broken in two, and the right wall is selected.

Walls separated by a third wall Part of the third wall is deleted

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Door SubmenuLets you create and edit various kinds of doors.

A door’s initial size is determined by the default for that type and the room available. The program will narrow a door to fit a tight space, but when the space is too tight, a warning dialog will display. You can create and edit doors in floor plan and 3D views to get a sense of how your doors fit with the windows other objects.

To create a door1. Create a wall to place the door in.2. Select Build> Door from the menu, then choose a door type.3. Click on a wall at the location that you would like the door to be

centered. Its position can be adjusted later, if needed.4. Click the doorway you just created to select it and display

dimensions and edit handles.

The image above shows a door along with its four-digit label, 3068. The first two digits refer to the width of the door in feet and inches: 3 feet, 0 inches. The second two digits refer to the door’s height: 6 feet, 8 inches.

To resize a door1. Select the door.2. Drag one of its end edit handles. Notice that both ends move,

keeping the same center. The movement is constrained to standard door sizes.

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To move a door1. Select the door.2. Drag the center handle to move it sideways along the wall.

To delete a door Select the door then press the Delete key, click the Delete edit

button; or resize the door down to nothing.To create double doors

Widen a standard door using either of the end edit handles. A doorway four feet or wider automatically becomes a double door.

To specify a door’s hinge side

1. Select the door and click the Change Opening/Hinge Side edit button; or,

2. Click the triangular rotation edit handle and drag it across to the other side of the door.

To specify a door’s swing

1. Select the door and click the Change Swing Side edit button; or,2. Click the triangular rotation edit handle and drag it through the

doorway to the other side of the wall.3. If needed, adjust the hinge side using the method described above.

Click and Drag Result

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To adjust the angle of the open door1. Select the door.2. Position the pointer over the triangular rotation handle at the edge of

the door.3. When the pointer changes to a circular arrow, click and drag to adjust

the angle of the door swing.

Hinged Door

Creates single and double doors. Standard exterior doors have sills added automatically and are usually 36 inches wide.

Doorway

Creates a doorway in a wall.

Sliding Door

Creates exterior sliding doors which are placed and edited like standard doors. Sliding doors default to a width of five feet and must be at least four feet; but otherwise, can be resized. Exterior sliding doors always have the moving part on the inside.

Click and drag Result

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Bifold Door

Creates folding doors, usually for closets. Drag a side handle out to determine which way the fold faces, and from which side the door opens. The default size for a bifold door is 30 inches. Widening it beyond 32 inches makes it a double door.

Garage Door

Places garage doors in exterior walls. The default width is eight feet. Garage doors cannot be narrower than six feet.

Door Library

Opens the Library Browser to the Doors category, which allows you to select different styles of doors. For more information, see “Library Browser” on page 192.

Doorway Library

Opens the Library Browser to the Doorway Library, which allows you to select shaped entryways and transoms. For more information, see “Library Browser” on page 192.

Window SubmenuLets you create and edit various kinds of windows. Windows must be placed in walls. Placing a window in an interior wall or one that does not define a closed space will display a warning message, because interior walls do not usually have windows. No warning comes up if the adjoining room is labeled Porch, Deck, Balcony, or Court.

Landscaping and Deck Designer creates bay, box, and bow windows from standard windows and structural members. You can buy prefabricated bays and bows with more glass, and more elaborate frames and trim compared to framed. Structural bays, boxes, and bows, however, allow for floor-to-ceiling openings and built-in seating, are easier to repair, and are built from

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standard materials on site. If you plan to use prefabricated windows, you can approximate them with the Bay, Box, and Bow Window commands or indicate the opening using a standard window. Check with your builder and suppliers to see what will work best.

Because the program allows only one window per side in a defined bay window, you cannot place a standard bay window and then add extra windows. You can, however, create custom windows structures using walls and standard windows. For example, if you want a bay window with three windows across the front instead of just one, create the wall structure, then add additional component windows. Use similar methods for creating recessed windows for herb gardens and interior courts.

You can assign almost any dimensions you want to windows in Landscaping and Deck Designer; however, not all window designs are practical. For example, you can draw a single twenty-foot wide picture window; but a single piece of glass that big and the required wall engineering would be expensive and complicated. You would be better off with six three-foot windows or several sliding doors. Similarly, you can set the window separation to zero and place several windows side-by-side; but actually building these without structural supports between them would be difficult.

To create a window1. Create a wall to place the window in.2. Select Build> Window> from the menu, then choose the type of

window you want.3. Click on a wall where you want the window. A window appears,

centered where you clicked.4. Click the window you just created to select it and display dimensions

and handles for resizing or moving the window. The size of the window is indicated with four digits. For example, 2668 means two feet, six inches wide, and six feet, eight inches high.

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To resize a window1. Drag either of its side handles along the wall to change its width. The

window dimension shows the changing width.2. Select the window and click the Open Object edit button to open

the Window Specification dialog to change its height.To move a window

Drag the center handle. You can move a window only sideways in a wall.

To delete a window Select it and click the Delete edit button or resize the window

down to nothing.To choose a window style

Double-click a window to see the Window Specification dialog. For more information, see “Window Specification” on page 242.

Window

Creates a window using the specifications in the Window Defaults dialog. You can place, move, resize, and delete standard windows. For more information, see “Window Defaults” on page 242.

Bay Window

Creates a bay window out of three standard windows, with one at the front parallel to the wall and two on either side at angles. By default, bay windows are 1 foot deep, 2 feet 2 inches wide at front; and 4 feet 2 inches at the wall, with the center window 1 foot 6 inches wide and the side windows 10 inches.

To create a bay window1. Select Build> Window> Bay Window from the menu.2. Click on a wall.3. Move and resize the resulting window like a standard window.

You’ll see three dimensions: the width of the bay at the wall, the

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width at the front window, and the depth from front to wall. If Opening Size is checked in the 2D Display Options dialog, you’ll also see the width of all three windows.

To move the bay window Drag the center handle side to side.

To increase the depth of the bay Drag the center handle in and out. When the window depth is

changed, the widths of the windows on each side changes, as well.To edit the individual windows separately

Select a component window when the Window child button is active. If a component window is resized in this way, it stays that size regardless of how you change the bay, except to become smaller to fit a smaller bay.

Box Window

Create a special version of a bay window, with the front window parallel to the wall and the two sides perpendicular. To make a dormer window, create a box window and delete the two side component windows. Box windows default to 4 feet 2 inches wide, 1 foot 6 inches deep, with a 3-foot wide center window and 8-inch wide side windows.

Bay window selected to show dimensions and handles. The center handle of a bay window is in the front window.

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Bow Window

Create a series of identical standard windows arranged in an arc. A five-section bow window defaults to 5 feet 10 inches wide, with a 4 foot 10 inch radius, 3 feet 9 inches from the bow center to the wall, with windows 3 feet high and 10 inches wide. Bow windows usually have an odd number of sections (component standard windows) so that there will be a window, rather than a divider, in the center. All the bow windows are alike. Only the number of sections changes.

Bow windows have four dimensions:

• The width along the original wall.• The distance from the center of the bow to the outer edge of the wall.• The distance the bow projects from the outer edge of the wall.• The distance (radius) from the center of the bow to an outer corner.

All four dimensions are needed. While the middle two dimensions add up to the last dimension for a bow with an even number of sections, they do not add up for a bow with an odd number. The depth of the bow is measured to the flat center of a window, while the radius extends all the

Bow window selected to show dimensions and handles

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way to a corner. Window opening dimensions are given for only one component, because all are the same in a bow. You cannot selectively change the components individually, as you can with bay windows. Changing the specifications of a single-component window changes all other components within that bay window.

Window Library

Lets you select specialty windows, including round and oval windows. For more information, see “Library Browser” on page 192.

Floor SubmenuContains options for creating and deleting floors.

Build New Floor

Starts a plan for the next floor in your home. You can derive the plan from the first floor or create a blank plan. For more information, see “New Floor” on page 202.

Delete Current Floor

Deletes the current floor. If there is a floor above the current floor, it will move down.

Build Foundation

Opens the Foundation Defaults dialog which allows you to specify your foundation. Foundations are based on the layout of walls on the first floor. Discuss the type of foundation for your project with a licensed contractor. For more information, see “Foundation Defaults” on page 185.

Delete Foundation

Deletes the existing foundation.

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Roof SubmenuLets you create and edit various kinds of roofs.

Build Roof

Opens the Build Roof dialog, which automatically builds your roof based on the provided settings. For more information, see “Build Roof” on page 160.

To create a roof1. Select Build> Roof> Build Roof or click the child button.2. On the Build tab of the Build Roof dialog, specify roof settings or

accept the default settings and click OK.

Skylight

Click and drag within a roof plane to create a skylight and well.

Delete Roof

Removes the current roof from your plan, but leaves any settings you have made intact.

Trim SubmenuContains tools for adding trim to your house.

Corner Boards

Click on a corner in a 3D view or near a corner in floor plan view to place corner boards.

Quoins

Click on a corner in a 3D view or near a corner in floor plan view to place quoins.

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Stairs SubmenuContains straight and curved stair options.

Stairs

Creates straight stairs. Built-in staircases can be placed inside or outside of a home, can be set to go up or down from the current floor, and can be made up of several sections, including landings. Staircases can be created and edited only in floor plan view.

To create a straight single-section staircase1. Select Build> Stairs from the menu.2. Click and drag the staircase, starting where the bottom will be and

dragging up to the top of the stairs. To make a staircase that goes down from the current floor rather than up, hold the Shift key while dragging.

In general, create an up staircase, unless you are building a staircase from a deck or porch. See “About Down Staircases” on page 104. The program uses default settings for the dimensions of the staircase components. How high and long the staircase will be, and whether it reaches the next floor will depend on how far you drag.

To move a staircase Drag it by the center handle.

To change the length/height of a staircase1. Drag one of its side handles.2. Double-click a staircase to open the Staircase Specification

dialog.To delete a staircase

Select the staircase and press the Delete key or click the Delete edit button.

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To make a multiple-section staircase with landings between staircases1. Click the Straight Stairs child button and drag out the stair

sections, leaving space for landing(s). Imagine walking up the stairs, and position and drag out each section in the order that you would climb them.

2. While the Straight Stairs button is active, click between stair sections and a landing will connect them. You can create a staircase with a maximum of four sections. The sections can point in different directions. Multiple-section staircases move as one piece, but the individual sections can be selected and edited independently. Landings are custom treads that the program shapes and sizes automatically. Once created, they can be resized independent of the stair sections by clicking and dragging their edit handles.

To be effective and safe, staircase design must balance three factors: the height of the individual stairs (the risers), their width (tread width), and their number. When you drag out a staircase, you are telling the program how many steps to use. It will use default settings for the width and height of each stair, so your staircase may not reach the next floor. This happens because the program cannot tell whether you are trying to build a single- or multiple-section staircase. Once you have set the length, the program adjusts the risers and treads to fit the length.

To edit the staircase1. Select the staircase.

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2. Click the Open Object edit button to open the Staircase Specification dialog. For more information, see “Staircase Specification” on page 229.

About Down Staircases

Always try to draw staircases that go up in your plan. Sometimes a down staircase is needed, when a staircase goes down from a deck or porch, for example.

To create a stairwell1. Select the staircase.

2. Click the Form Stairwell edit button to automatically create a stairwell between the two floors.

3. Go to the upper floor to view your stairwell. A stairwell is a room assigned “Stairwell” as a Room Type.

A stairwell is a room called “Stairwell”, allowing the stairs to display between floors.

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Curve to Left

Creates stairs that curve to the left. Select Build> Stairs> Curve to Left or click the child button, and click in floor plan view to place a set of curved stairs which can then be edited.

Curve to Right

Creates stairs that curve to the left. Select Build> Stairs> Curve to Right or click the child button, and click in floor plan view to place a set of curved stairs which can then be edited.

FireplaceYou can create two kinds of fireplaces with this command. Both kinds are built-in masonry fireplaces. Fireplaces placed in walls behave like doors and windows, while those placed in the middle of a room behave like fixtures. To move one, drag its center handle. To resize it, drag its side and front handles. To rotate it, drag its rotate handle. To deepen it, drag its front handle. Unlike wall fireplaces, freestanding fireplaces cannot be fully set into a wall, but can be placed against one. They will not attach. Most residential houses use wall fireplaces. You can also place prefabricated fireplaces using the Fixture Library. These are treated like fixtures because, unlike masonry fireplaces, they are not built on site, but prefabricated then built into the structure. See “Library Browser” on page 192.

All masonry fireplaces have three components: the hearth, which projects out from the rest of the fireplace, the fire box, and the surrounding walls. You can set the height, width, and depth of the fireplace and fire box, as well as the depth of the hearth.

A wall fireplace can be set in so the box is flush with the wall or pulled out so that the back is flush with the back of the wall. For example, for fireplaces on exterior walls, dragging the center handle of the fireplace out and away from the house will move the fireplace further into the wall, so that the chimney is external and runs up the outside of the structure.

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To create a fireplace1. Select Build> Fireplace from the menu.2. Click a wall for the fireplace. If it is an exterior wall, the new

fireplace will automatically face inwards. If it is an interior wall, click the side of the wall in the room into which you want the fireplace to face. Widen the wall fireplace by dragging the side handles.

To move a wall fireplace Drag the center handle along the wall. Drag the center handle

perpendicular to the wall to move the fireplace in and out.To delete a fireplace

Drag the side handles inward toward the center or use the standard delete commands.

To change a fireplace Double-click the fireplace to open its Fireplace Specification

dialog. For more information, see “Fireplace Specification” on page 180.

Exterior wall fireplace with chimney outside wall

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Electrical Submenu

You can select an electrical object using the Select Objects tool to move or rotate it like a fixture. To delete an electrical object, select it and

press the Delete key or click the Delete edit button.

Electrical objects do not have specification dialogs. They are not structurally important to your plans, and their use and location are largely prescribed by building code regulations.The program uses standard heights to place electrical objects: wall outlets are 12 inches from the floor, wall switches are 48 inches, and wall lights are 72 inches.

To place an electrical object1. Select Build> Electrical> from the menu, then choose a type of

electrical object. You can find electrical items other than outlets, lights, and switches in the Electrical category of the Library Browser.

2. Click in your plan to place the electrical object. Clicking near a wall places items on it. Clicking away from a wall places light fixtures in the ceiling. Switches can be placed only on walls.

3. To move an electrical object, select it and drag it.4. To connect light fixtures and outlets to switches, select Build>

Electrical> Connect Electrical from the menu. Starting with the first switch and ending with any additional switches, click and drag a line that connects each electrical object you want in the circuit. Click an electrical object that is part of a circuit to disconnect it.

110V Outlet

Places 110-volt outlets wherever you click in your plan. Clicking near a wall places the outlet in it.

220V Outlet

Places 220-volt outlets in a wall.

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Light

Click anywhere to place lights in your plan. Clicking near a wall will place the light in the wall, and clicking away from a wall and toward the middle of the room will place the light in the ceiling.

Switch

Click on a wall to place switches in your plan.

Electrical Library

Opens the Library Browser to the Electrical category. For more information, see “Library Browser” on page 192.

To select and place electrical objects1. Select Build> Electrical> Electrical Library to open the Library

Browser. 2. Locate an item and select it for placement.Click the plus sign (+)

next to any entry to see its subentries.3. Double-click the item, then click in your plan to place it. When an

item is ready for placement in the plan, the pointer changes to an S in a circle to remind you that you are placing symbols for electrical items. You can place multiple copies of the same item by clicking the plan as many times as needed.

Connect Electrical

Connect Electrical allows you to create circuits between switches and other electrical items. For multiple-switch systems, start with one switch, drag to the items, then end with the other switches. To disconnect an item from the circuit, click it.

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About Rooms

Rooms are not listed on the Build menu, and there is no tool to create them. Rooms are not objects, but collections of objects. Like a floor plan, a room defines a space by surrounding it with walls so that you can tell what is inside and what is out. You define a room as you do a house, by enclosing it in walls. Once enclosed, the room can be considered apart from the rest of the rooms, and treated as such. Rooms let you divide your plan into separate areas and treat each area separately so what you do in one area does not affect the other areas.

A typical circuit layout

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To create a room in your plan1. Wall off an area so it is completely separate from the rest of the plan.2. Click within a room (but not on any of its objects) to select it.3. Subdivide your plan with walls of any type to create rooms. If the

wall is a standard wall or railing, place a door in it. Beams and invisible walls define a room, but do not close it off in any way, leaving the room open. Many dining rooms, for example, are not completely enclosed by walls. You can also create a real wall but place a large doorway in it, which creates a kind of arch to divide the rooms.

Rooms defined by different wall types

Invisible wall Deck railing

Wall

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You cannot delete a room by simply selecting it. You can, however, delete its contents by selecting Edit> Delete Objects.

To change a room type1. Double-click in a blank area of the room to open the Room

Specification dialog. 2. Click the Room Type drop down list and select a different room

type. For more information, see “Room Specification” on page 221.

Image SubmenuDisplays a menu with options for placing images in your plan.

Create Image

Creates an image from a picture file for use in 3D views.

Image Library

Opens the Library Browser to the Images category.

Archways are created using wide doorways.

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Terrain MenuThe Terrain menu contains a variety of commands that allow you to create the exterior of your house.

Create Terrain PerimeterA Terrain Perimeter is created automatically on all new plans. The Terrain> Create Terrain Perimeter command is not available if a Terrain Perimeter already exists. To see the Terrain Perimeter in floor plan view,

click the Zoom Out button a couple of times.

If you are opening a plan that was created in another compatible version of this program, a Terrain Perimeter may not exist. Select Terrain> Create Terrain Perimeter to create one.

Build TerrainBuilds a 3D model of your terrain.

Elevation PointPlaces an elevation point containing elevation information for one location in your plan.

Elevation LineDraws an elevation line that contains elevation data for many points along a constant elevation.

Raised RegionDraws a raised area of constant elevation which is defined by a closed polyline.

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Lowered RegionDraws a lowered area of constant elevation which is defined by a closed polyline.

HillDraws a hill that converges at a defined elevation point.

ValleyDraws a valley that converges at a defined elevation point.

Flat RegionDraws a flat region at zero elevation.

Feature RegionCreates a terrain feature or hole at any elevation. For more information, see “Terrain Feature Specification” on page 233.

DrivewayCreates a driveway that is defined by a closed polyline which follows the elevation of the terrain beneath it.

SidewalkCreates a sidewalk that is defined by a closed polyline which follows the elevation of the terrain beneath it.

Round Garden BedClick and drag to draw a round garden bed.

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Kidney Garden BedClick and drag to draw a kidney-shaped garden bed.

PondCreates a pond that is defined by a closed polyline which can be edited.

Plant Submenu

Plant Chooser

Opens the Plant Chooser dialog to search the library for plants. See “Plant Chooser” on page 206.

Plant Library

Opens the Library Browser to the Plants category.

Create Plant Image

Opens the Plant Image Specification dialog where a new plant image can be created. See “Plant Image Specification” on page 209.

Grow all Plants

Opens the Grow Plants dialog which allows you to estimate the growth of plants in your plan. See “Grow Plants” on page 186.

Show Hardiness Zones

Opens the Hardiness Zone Map which displays average temperatures by region. See “Hardiness Zone Map” on page 187.

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Sprinkler Submenu

Sprinkler Head

Opens the Library Browser to the Sprinklers category.

Sprinkler Line

Click and drag in floor plan view to connect sprinklers with a sprinkler line.

Sprinkler Spline

Click and drag in floor plan view to connect sprinklers with a sprinkler spline.

Library MenuThe Library menu contains options that allow you to locate and manage objects stored in the Library Browser.

Library BrowserOpens the Library Browser.

Library SearchOpens the Library Search dialog. See “Library Search” on page 194.

Refresh Library BrowserRefreshes the Library Browser to display newly added library items.

Architectural Block LibraryOpens the Library Browser to the Architectural Block category.

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Fixtures (Exterior) LibraryOpens the Library Browser to the Exterior Fixtures category.

Furniture (Exterior) LibraryOpens the Library Browser to the Exterior Furniture category.

New Submenu

Library

Creates a new library in the library category that is currently selected. See “Library Browser” on page 192.

Folder

Available when a library or folder is selected in the Library Browser. Creates a new library folder in the selected library or folder. See “Library Browser” on page 192.

Material

Opens the Define Material dialog, allowing you to define a new material. See “Define Material” on page 167.

Image

Opens the Image Specification dialog, allowing you to create a new image that can be added to the library. See “Image Specification” on page 189.

Plant Image

Opens the Plant Image Specification dialog, allowing you to create a new plant image that can be added to the library. See “Plant Image Specification” on page 209.

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Delete ObjectDelete a library, folder or file that you have created. See “Library Browser” on page 192.

Rename ObjectRename a library, folder or file that you have created. See “Library Browser” on page 192.

Expand AllExpand all folders located in a selected library subcategory. See “Library Browser” on page 192.

Collapse AllCollapse all folders located in a selected library subcategory. See “Library Browser” on page 192.

OpenAvailable when an unlocked item is selected in the library. Opens the specification dialog for that library item. See “Library Browser” on page 192.

3D MenuThe 3D menu options create and control 3D views of your plan. You can open several views in the same plan at once and switch back and forth between them by pressing Ctrl + Tab. You can also display multiple views of the same type. The menu commands that create 3D views, Camera and Full Overview, are accessible when floor plan view is active. Other commands in the menu are available for some views. When 3D views are

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created, the program calculates the floor and ceiling areas, which results in the creation of an attic.

CameraLets you locate a camera in your three-dimensional plan. A camera view shows you how your plan will look when finished. It can display a perspective view of an entire multistory model, including the roof, when the camera is positioned outside. The Final View makes sure surfaces are smoothed out and are accurate where different planes meet.

To create a Camera view1. Select 3D> Camera from the menu.2. Click and drag the line of sight you wish to create in floor plan view.3. After you release the mouse button, a camera view opens, showing a

three-dimensional display of the view you selected.To edit a Camera view

1. In a 3D view, the toolbar changes to include new camera movement toolbar buttons. For more information about using these buttons, see “View Tools” on page 148.

2. If you switch to floor plan view when a 3D view exists, a camera can be seen in your plan. Select it and rotate or reposition the camera using the two edit handles to adjust the view.

3. You can also select a camera in plan floor view and open it for specification. For more information, see “Camera Specification” on page 162.

Full OverviewOpens a three-dimensional, bird’s-eye view of the entire plan, including multiple level designs with roofs. While you can edit objects in this view,

Toolbar in Camera view

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the angles usually make it easier to edit in other views. Selecting this command creates and displays the overview immediately. The toolbar changes to include new camera movement tools. For more information about using these buttons, see “View Tools” on page 148.

Final ViewCreates a high quality image which is more suitable for printing or saving as a .bmp, .jpg, .png, .cif or .pcx file than a regular overview.

Final View with Exterior ShadowsCreates a high quality image with shadows which is more suitable for printing or saving as a .bmp, .jpg, .png, .cif or .pcx file than a regular camera view.

Adjust SunlightLets you control the intensity and direction of sunlight in 3D views and final views.

Adjust Material DefinitionLets you choose the color, texture, type of material, and the shininess of the materials that comprise any element of your plan. The result is used in all 3D views.

To select materials1. Create to a 3D view.2. Select 3D> Adjust Material Definition from the menu.3. Click an item in your plan to open the Define Material dialog. You

can click any object, even those you can’t usually select as individual items, like the base molding on a wall or the frame of a window. In

Toolbar in Full Overview

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the Define Materials dialog. For more information, see “Define Material” on page 167.

Material PainterSelect 3D> Material Painter to select a material from the Select Material dialog. You can then apply that material to an object in 3D Views. The change will only affect the object to which the material was applied and will not change the material default settings.

Material EyedropperSelect 3D> Material Eyedropper and click on an existing object in a 3D view to load its material assignment, then click on another object to apply that material to it.

Play WalkthroughShows a 3D walkthrough of a plan. A walkthrough is a 3D representation of what your finished house would look like if you walked around or through it. Click this command, then open a walkthrough file (for example, MYPLACE.AVI). Windows Media Player plays the walkthrough.

Record WalkthroughRecords 3D walkthroughs of your plan. You record your walkthrough much as you would film your house, moving from area to area to show different perspectives. You save the walkthroughs as files that you can show later.

Stop RecordingEnds a 3D walkthrough recording session.

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Cross Section SliderOpens the Cross Section Slider dialog, where you can specify a cross section angle; adjust the position of the cutting plane; or turn off the cross section cutting plane altogether.

Day/Night ToggleSwitches between day and nighttime lighting in a 3D view.

3D BackdropLets you choose a picture or a solid color as the background for 3D views. For more information, see “3D Backdrop” on page 158.

CAD MenuContains dimension and text tools that help add detail to your floor plan views.

Dimension Lines SubmenuDisplays a menu with options for creating dimension lines in a plan.

Dimension line between walls

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Dimension lines locate walls and openings in walls by showing how far one wall is from another or how far an opening is down a wall. Temporary dimension lines display when objects like openings, fixtures, and furniture are selected. Dimension lines are treated like objects in Landscaping and Deck Designer and can be selected and moved, but are only visible in floor plan view.

Dimension lines are always drawn perpendicular to the walls they locate. Like walls, dimension lines can be drawn at angles in 15 degree increments. For openings in walls, dimension lines can be parallel to these and still locate them. To do so, a line called a mark is extended to the center of the opening from the dimension line. This is called reaching. The same dimension line may locate several walls and openings, with marks extending to each item. Each part of the entire dimension line between these marks is called a section. The numbers in a dimension line show length in feet, inches, and eighths of an inch. A 12-foot distance is shown as 12’, 12 feet 4 inches as 12’4, and 12 feet 4-1/2 inches as 12’4"4 232 (four eighths equal half an inch). The size of the numbers themselves is fixed, to make sure you can always read them.

To set defaults for dimensions1. Select Edit> Default Settings> Dimension Defaults from the

menu. For more information, see “Dimension Defaults” on page 169.

Dimension lines on a bow window

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Dimension

Lets you create manual dimension lines.

To create manual dimension lines1. Select CAD> Dimension Lines> Dimensions .2. Click and drag in your plan, starting at a wall and dragging a line to

another facing wall. You can also drag a line to or from an opening, by beginning or ending your dimension line close enough to the center of it.

A dimension line that extends past several interior walls or openings will locate all of them by using a mark for each item, creating a series of dimension line sections.

Once placed, dimension lines can be selected and moved like walls. They display three handles that allow them to be moved sideways by dragging the center handle and resized by dragging the end handles. It is a good idea to create them after you your walls and openings are arranged.

Dimension lines and numbers will automatically adjust to changes, but diagonal walls can cause slight errors in measurement. If you made changes after placing dimensions for diagonal walls, select each dimension line associated with it to update it.

While all the sections of a dimension line are treated as one when creating and editing them, individual sections can later be deleted by drawing over them. Adjacent sections are not affected.

Automatic Exterior Dimensions

Creates a comprehensive set of exterior dimension lines all around each building in your plan that is defined by walls. These lines locate all exterior walls and openings as well as interior walls, but not railings, deck railings, fencing or retaining walls. Auto exterior dimensions are only generated when at least one area has been defined as a room by walls.

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To create exterior dimension lines• Select CAD> Dimension Lines> Automatic Exterior Dimensions

from the menu.

The Auto Exterior Dimensions tool always creates at least one line for each exterior wall in a plan; however, up to three separate dimension lines can be created for each wall. The first line, closest to the plan, locates openings and interior walls; the second locates just interior walls; and the third locates just exterior walls. Exterior dimensions do not always update completely when you change your plan. Reissue the command if changes occur to completely redraw the exterior dimension lines. Manual dimension lines are not affected by Auto Exterior Dimensions, but will update if they are moved using their edit handles.

Basic enclosure with exterior dimension lines

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Text SubmenuContains options that allow you to add text to your plan. For more information, see “Text Specification” on page 238.

Text

Allows you to add comments to your plan.

Text With Arrow

Allows you to add text along with an editable arrow to bring attention to detail and add comments to your plan.

Text Line With Arrow

Allows you to attach a line with arrow to an existing text object.

To add text1. Select CAD> Text> Text with Arrow from the menu.2. Click where you would like the center of the first line of text to

display and the Text Specification dialog will open. For more information, see “Text Specification” on page 238.

To change a text label

1. Click on the text object with the Select Objects tool to select it and display its three edit handles.

2. To move the label, drag the center handle.3. To change the line length, drag the side handles.

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4. To change the size of the text, double-click the label and use the Text Specification dialog.

It is best to place labels only when your plan is finished. You can create room labels automatically by double-clicking a room and selecting a room type from the Room Specification dialog.

Tools MenuDisplays a menu of options for controlling the appearance and display of your plan

Display OptionsDetermines which objects display in your plan. For more information, see “Display Options” on page 170.

Set Background ColorSpecifies the floor plan view background color. See “Set Background Color” on page 227.

Color On/OffToggles the display of colors on and off.

Show CrosshairsReplaces the standard pointer with a cross-hair cursor that extends to the edges of your screen.

Change FloorOpens the Change Floor dialog. For more information, see “Change Floor” on page 163.

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Up One FloorMoves the floor plan view to the floor above the current floor. This button is available only with multiple floors.

Down One FloorMoves the floor plan view to the floor below the current floor. This button is available only with multiple floors.

Materials List SubmenuCreates a Materials List. For more information, see “Materials List” on page 199.

Calculate From All Floors

Creates a Materials List for the whole plan.

Calculate From Area

Lets you drag out a box on the plan to create a Materials List for all objects fully enclosed within the box.

Manufacturers

Opens the Manufacturers dialog. For more information, see “Manufacturers” on page 197.

Plan Materials

Changes the definition of materials used throughout your plan, but not for future plans. To change the default for future plans, select Edit> Default Settings> General Materials from the menu. For more information, see “Material Defaults” on page 198.

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To create a new material In the Materials category in the Library Browser, navigate to the My

Materials library, right click, and select New> Material. This opens the Define Material dialog. For more information, see “Define Material” on page 167.

Better Homes and Gardens Design Planning CenterSelect this option to open the Better Homes and Gardens Design Planning Center and learn more about exterior design.

Window MenuThe Window menu contains options related to graphical user interface windows (not architectural windows) such as the size, magnification, arrangement, and features of windows. The commands affect only the display of your plan; the plan itself remains at the scale at which you created it. Most of the commands work in all views. At the bottom of the Window menu is a list of the windows open in the program. Select one of these windows to make it active.

Fill WindowResizes the display of your plan so the entire plan, regardless of scale or size, fills the window.

Fill Window Building OnlyResizes the display of your plan so that everything in the plan (except the terrain perimeter) fills the window, regardless of scale or size.

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ZoomLets you zoom in on part of your plan by clicking and dragging a box around an area. The magnification adjusts so the selected area fills the screen. You can continue zooming until you select another command.

Zoom OutReduces the current view by half, showing twice as much of your plan in less detail.

Zoom InEnlarges the current view by two, showing less of your plan in more detail.

Undo ZoomReverses the last zoom, but not other Window operations.

Pan WindowAllows you to click and drag to move the floor plan view in the direction dragged.

CascadeStaggers windows, one on top of the other.

Tile HorizontallyDisplays windows horizontally, one next to the other.

Tile VerticallyDisplays windows vertically, one above the other.

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Arrange IconsOrganizes minimized Landscaping and Deck Designer windows.

Next WindowDisplays the next open Landscaping and Deck Designer window.

Previous WindowDisplays the last open Landscaping and Deck Designer window that was viewed.

Names of Open PlansDisplays the names of open plans and views. Click on one of these plans to make it the current view.

Help MenuThe Help menu accesses additional learning resources for Landscaping and Deck Designer.

Contents and IndexOpens Landscaping and Deck Designer Help and allows you to navigate or search the available help topics. A complete list of the topics is found on the Contents tab. The Help window can be moved and resized, so you can view a help topic while working on your plan.

Current ModeOpens Landscaping and Deck Designer Help to information about the currently selected object or toolbar button. For more information about the menus, highlight a menu command and press F1.

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Launch Quick Start at StartupDisplays the Quick Start Guide when Landscaping and Deck Designer is started. Select this menu option again to enable or disable this feature.

View User’s GuideOpens the User’s Guide in PDF format.

View Quick Start GuideOpens the Landscaping and Deck Designer Quick Start Guide.

View Training VideosOpens the Landscaping and Deck Designer training videos.

Visit Better Homes and Gardens Web SiteOpens your default Internet browser to www.bhg.com.

Visit Home Designer Web SiteThe Home Designer Web site provides answers to many technical support questions.

To use the Home Designer Web site1. Connect to the Internet using your usual connection method.2. Select Help> Visit Home Designer Web Site. You must have an

Internet browser such as Netscape® Communicator® or Microsoft® Internet Explorer® installed and have Internet access from your computer.

Upgrade to Chief ArchitectOpens your default Internet browser to the Chief Architect Web site at www.chiefarchitect.com. Chief Architect is a sophisticated application

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designed to allow builders, architects, and other professionals in the building and interior design trades to design and produce plans. Chief Architect can open and edit Landscaping and Deck Designer plans.

To upgrade to Chief Architect1. Connect to the Internet using your usual connection method.2. Select Help> Upgrade to Chief Architect. 3. On the Chief Architect Web site, follow onscreen instructions to

order the new application.

Download Program UpdatesOpens your default Internet browser to the updates section of the Home Designer Web site, www.homedesignersoftware.com/support/tech/updates.

Technical SupportOpens the Landscaping and Deck Designer Help to information about contacting Landscaping and Deck Designer Technical Support.

About Landscaping and Deck Designer Displays version, registration, and other information about the product.

The Contextual MenuRight-click on an object to display its contextual menu. The menu options available correspond to the buttons on the edit toolbar. For more information, see “Edit Toolbar Buttons” on page 153.

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Chapter 7:

Toolbar Buttons

OverviewLandscaping and Deck Designer simplifies access to much of the program’s functionality through the use of toolbars and toolbar buttons. Toolbars contain toolbar buttons. Toolbar buttons are basically short cuts to the most commonly used menu commands. While the menus offer access to most of the program’s functionality, toolbar buttons are often more convenient. Landscaping and Deck Designer has toolbars that display at different times, depending on which tool is active and which view is current. In this chapter you will learn about:

• The Toolbar Buttons• View Tools

• Edit Toolbar Buttons

Child ButtonsSome toolbar buttons, identified by a blue triangle in their bottom right corner, have child buttons and are referred to as “parent” buttons. Click the

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parent button to display its child buttons to the right. For example, click the

Wall Tools parent button to see the child buttons for creating walls: the

Wall , Invisible Wall , Railing , Deck Railing , Fencing ,

Retaining Wall , Hatch Wall , and Break Wall tools.

Edit ButtonsSeveral toolbar buttons become available on the edit toolbar when objects

are selected, such as the Next , Open Object , and Delete edit buttons. Which edit toolbar buttons display depend on the object that is currently selected. A wall, for instance, cannot be copied, so the Copy/

Paste tool does not appear when walls are selected. For a description of the edit buttons, see “Edit Toolbar Buttons” on page 153.

The Toolbar ButtonsThe toolbar buttons are briefly described below. Child buttons are grouped with their related tools. For more information about the menu command that corresponds to a particular toolbar button, see “Menus” on page 77.

Select Objects

The first button on the main toolbar is the Select Objects tool. Click

the Select Objects tool then click on any object to select it, allowing you to edit the object in a variety of ways.

Wall ToolsThe Wall Tools allow you to create a variety of wall types. Click the Wall

Tools parent button to display its child buttons to the right. For more information about using these tools, see “Wall Submenu” on page 84.

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• Click the Wall child button to create or select exterior walls. • Click the Invisible Wall child button to create invisible walls,

which are used to define rooms but do not display in 3D views or the Materials List.

• Click the Railing child button to draw railings for creating areas like porches.

• Click the Deck Railing child button to create a deck with railings.

• Click the Fencing child button to create or select fences.• Click the Retaining Wall child button to draw or select retaining

walls in the terrain.

• Click the Hatch Wall child button then click on an existing wall to add hatch marks.

• Click the Break Wall child button to divide one wall into two sepa-rate walls. A line shows where the break occurs. You can press the Esc key to return to the previously active tool.

Curved Wall ToolsThe Curved Wall Tools allow you to create a variety of curved walls. Click

the Curved Wall Tools parent button to display its child buttons to the right. For more information about these tools, see “Curved Walls Submenu” on page 91.

• Click the Curved Wall child button to create or select curved exte-rior walls.

• Click the Curved Railing child button to create or select curved railings.

• Click the Curved Deck Railing child button to create or select curved deck railing.

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• Click the Curved Fencing child button to create or select curved fences.

• Click the Curved Retaining Wall child button to create or select curved fences.

• Click the Hatch Wall child button then click on an existing wall to add hatch marks.

• Click the Break Wall child button to divide one wall into two sepa-rate walls. A line shows where the break occurs. You can press the Esc key to return to the previously active tool.

Door ToolsThe Door Tools allow you to create a variety of doors. Click the Door

Tools parent button to display its child buttons to the right. For more information about these tools, see “Build Menu” on page 84.

• Click the Hinged Door child button to create or select a door. To indicate which direction the door will open, select the door and drag one of its edit handles in the desired direction of swing. To create a double door, widen the doorway to 4 feet or greater.

• Click the Doorway child button to create or select a doorway.

• Click the Sliding Door child button to create or select a sliding door. You can create single or double sliding doors.

• Click the Pocket Door child button to create or select a pocket door (a door that slides into a wall). You can create single or double pocket doors.

• Click the Bifold Door child button to create or select a bifold door. It will be a single or double bifold, depending on the width of the door.

• Click the Garage Door child button to create a garage door.

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• Click the Door Library child button to open the Library Browser to the Door Library, where you can select doors and doorways.

Window ToolsThe Window Tools allow you to create a variety of window styles. Click

the Window Tools parent button to display its child buttons to the right. For more information about these tools, see “Window Submenu” on page 95.

• Click the Window child button to create or select a window.

• Click the Bay Window child button to create or select a bay win-dow. This tool creates a structure composed of three standard windows, one in the center and one on each side. It projects out from an exterior wall, angling back toward the base wall.

• Click the Box Window child button to create or select a box win-dow. This tool creates a structure composed of three standard windows, one in the center and one on each side. The two sides of the window projection are perpendicular to the base wall, instead of diagonal, like a bay window.

• Click the Bow Window child button to create or select a bow win-dow. This tool creates a window structure that bows out from the wall. Each section of the bow is a standard window.

• Click the Window Library child button to open the Library Browser to the Window category.

Library BrowserThe Library contains a wide variety of backdrops, objects, images, and textures that can be used in your plan. Click the Library Browser button to open the Library Browser. For more information, see “Library Browser” on page 192.

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Fireplace

Click the Fireplace button, then click a wall or inside a room to place a masonry fireplace. For more information about fireplaces, see “Fireplace” on page 105.

Stair ToolsThe Stair Tools allow you to create built-in stairs and landings. Click the

Stair Tools parent button to display its child buttons to the right. For more information about these tools, see “Stairs Submenu” on page 102.

• Click the Straight Stairs child button and click and drag in floor plan view to create straight stairs. This button also allows you to select both straight and curved stairs.

• Click the Curve to Left child button and click in your plan to place stairs that curve to the left.

• Click the Curve to Right child button and click in your plan to place stairs that curve to the right.

Roof ToolsThe Roof Tools allow you to build a variety of roof styles. Click the Roof

Tools parent button to display its child buttons to the right.

• Click the Build Roof child button to display the Build Roof dialog. You can change the default information for roofs and click OK to auto-matically build the roof. Roof information for individual walls over-rides these default settings for those walls.

• Click the Skylight child button to create or select a skylight.

• Click the Delete Roof child button to delete the existing roof, but not the roof-at-wall information.

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Electrical ToolsThe Electrical Tools allow you to design the electrical layout of your exterior with electrical objects such as outlets, lights, and switches. You can then select and edit them and even connect them to create circuits.

Click the Electrical Tools parent button to display its child buttons to the right. For more information about these tools, see “Electrical Submenu” on page 107.

• Click the Electrical Outlet child button to place 110-Volt outlets on walls.

• Click the 220V Outlet child button to place 220-Volt outlets on walls.

• Click the Light child button to place a light on a wall or ceiling.

• Click the Switch child button to place a switch on a wall.

• Click the Connect Electrical child button and draw lines between electrical objects in your plan to create circuits. Click on the switch with Connect Electrical selected, then click on a light or outlet. To cre-ate three-way switches, start the circuit at one switch; click and drag to connect each light or outlet; then drag to a second switch. To discon-nect objects, click them again with this tool.

• Click the Electrical Library child button to open the Library Browser to the Electrical Library where electrical objects like tele-phone jacks and smoke detectors can be selected and placed in your plan.

Dimension ToolsThe Dimension Tools allow you to draw dimension lines manually or

automatically. Click the Dimension Tools parent button to display its child buttons to the right.

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• Click the Dimension child button to draw manual dimension lines. These lines update automatically when walls are relocated. Dimension lines can also be selected and moved.

• Click the Automatic Exterior Dimensions child button to auto-matically create exterior dimensions. If exterior walls have moved, the exterior dimension lines will update automatically. However, if you construct additional exterior walls, new exterior dimension lines will not appear for those walls. Reselect the tool to redraw exterior dimen-sion lines for all current walls.

Text ToolsThe Text Tools allow you to add annotation to your plan. Click the Text Tools parent button to display its child buttons to the right.

• Click the Text child button and click in your plan to open the Text Specification dialog. Click OK to place the entered text in your plan.

• Click the Text with Arrow child button and click in your plan to open the Text Specification dialog. Click OK to place the text in your plan with an arrow attached.

• Click the Text Line with Arrow child button to add a line with arrow to an existing text object.

Terrain ToolsThe Terrain Tools allow you to design the terrain outside your home. Click

the Terrain Tools parent button to display its child buttons to the right. For more information about these tools, see “Terrain Menu” on page 112.

• Click the Build Terrain child button to build the terrain contours. Terrain is automatically built before a 3D view is created. If you

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change the terrain and a 3D view does not update, clicking this button will force the terrain to be rebuilt.

• Click the Elevation Points child button to place an elevation point.

• Click the Elevation Lines child button to draw an elevation line.

• Click the Hill child button to place a hill.

• Click the Valley child button to place a valley.

• Click the Raised Region child button to draw a raised region of ter-rain.

• Click the Lowered Region child button to draw a lowered region of terrain.

• Click the Flat Region child button to draw a flat region of terrain.

Terrain Feature ToolsThe Terrain Feature Tools create special terrain features. A Terrain Feature is a region on your terrain which has special properties, such as special material or a different height than the surrounding terrain. An example of a Terrain Feature is a pond, which appears as water instead of grass. Click

the Terrain Feature Tools parent button to display its child buttons to the right. For more information about these tools, see “Terrain Menu” on page 112.

• Click the Feature Region child button to create a feature region.

• Click the Driveway child button to create or select a driveway.

• Click the Sidewalk child button to create or select a sidewalk.

• Click the Round Garden Bed child button to create or select a round garden bed.

• Click the Kidney Garden Bed child button to create or select a kidney-shaped garden bed.

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• Click the Pond child button to create or select a round pond.

Sprinkler ToolsThe Sprinkler Tools allow you to design an irrigation system for your landscaping. Click the Sprinkler Tools parent button to display its child buttons to the right.

• Click the Sprinkler Line child tool to draw sprinkler lines in your plan.

• Click the Sprinkler Spline child tool to draw sprinkler splines in your plan.

• Click the Sprinkler Head child tool to open the Library Browser to the Sprinklers category, where you can select a sprinkler head to place in your plan.

Plant ToolsThe Plant Tools help you select plants for your landscaping plan. Click the Plant Tools parent button to display its child buttons to the right.

• Click the Plant Chooser child button to open the Plant Chooser dialog

• Click the Plant Library child button to open the Library Browser to the Plant category.

• Click the Create Plant Image child button to create a plant image. Once an image is created, it can be added to the library for future use.

• Click the Grow all Plants child button to open the Grow Plants dialog.

• Click the Show Hardiness Zones child button to access regional climate zone maps.

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Down One Floor

• Click the Down One Floor button to move to the floor below. This button is available only when you’ve created multiple floors.

Change Floor

• The Change Floor button displays the current floor number. Click this button to open the Change Floor dialog and select a floor to be the current active floor.

Up One Floor

• Click the Up One Floor button to move to the floor above. This button is available only with multiple floors.

Floor ToolsThe Floor Tools allow you to add and remove floors to your model. Click

the Floor Tools parent button to display its child buttons to the right.

• Click the Build New Floor button to open the New Floor dialog which allows you to create a new floor based on the footprint of the first floor plan or to start with a blank plan for the second floor. For more information, see “Build Menu” on page 84.

• Click the Build Foundation button to open the Foundation Defaults dialog and automatically build a foundation. For more infor-mation, see “Foundation Defaults” on page 185.

• Click the Delete Current Floor button to delete the current floor.

• Click the Delete Foundation button to delete the foundation.

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View ToolsThe View Tools allow you to create views of your model from different

perspectives. Click the View Tools parent button to display its child buttons to the right. When you open a view window, the toolbar changes to show the tools available in that view. For more information about these tools, see “View Tools” on page 148.

You can open up to ten windows at once. To switch to a different window, click its title bar; select it from the bottom of the Window menu; or press Ctrl + Tab. A floor plan view must be open before you can open another view. For more information about the View Tools, see “3D Menu” on page 117.

• Click the Camera child button and click and drag a line of sight in floor plan view to create a perspective view of your model. The camera itself appears in floor plan view; you can rotate and move it like an object to change the camera view perspective. Double-click the camera in the floor plan view to change its settings.

• Click the Full Overview child button to create a full overview of your model. Provides a three-dimensional, bird’s-eye view of your entire multi-story model, including roofs.

Material List Tool

Click the Material List button to create a cost estimate of your entire plan. For more information, see “Materials List Submenu” on page 127.

Zoom ToolsThe Zoom tools allow you to change the magnification within the active window. For more information about these tools, see “Window Menu” on page 128.

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• Click the Zoom Window button to zoom in on your plan by drag-ging a box around an area. When you release the mouse button, the area within the box fills the window.

• Click the Zoom In button to increase the magnification of your plan by half each time the button is clicked.

• Click the Zoom Out button to reduce the magnification of your plan by half each time the button is clicked.

• Click the Undo Zoom button to reverse the last zoom operation.

• Click the Fill Window button to resize your entire plan to fit the active window.

• Click the Pan Window button and click and drag in floor plan view to move the view area in the direction dragged.

New Plan

Click the New Plan button to open the Create New Plan dialog. For more information, see “Create New Plan” on page 164.

Open Plan

Click the Open Plan button to open the Open Plan File dialog. For more information, see “Open Plan File” on page 203.

Print

Click the Print button to open the Print dialog. For more information, see “Print” on page 214.

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Save

Click the Save button to open the Save Plan File dialog (if your plan has not yet been saved) and save your work. For more information, see “Save Plan File” on page 225.

Help Index

Click the Help Index button to open Landscaping and Deck Designer Help and navigate or search the available help topics. A complete list of the topics can be found on the Contents tab. The Help window can be moved, resized, minimized and maximized like other windows, so you can view a help topic while working on your plan.

View ToolsMany of the toolbar buttons that display in floor plan view also appear in other views. Depending on which view tool is used, some of the following buttons may also appear on the toolbar.

Final View

Click the Final View button in an overview to create a high quality image which is more suitable than a regular 3D view for printing or saving as a .bmp, .jpg, .png, .cif or .pcx file. It usually takes significantly longer to generate the final view than a regular overview.

Final View With Exterior Shadows

Click the Final View With Exterior Shadows button in a camera view to create a high quality image which is more suitable than a regular 3D view for printing or saving as a .bmp, .jpg, .png, .cif or .pcx file. It usually

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takes significantly longer to generate the final view with exterior shadows than a final view without shadows or regular camera view.

Cross Section Slider

Click the Cross Section Slider button in a camera view or an overview to open the Cross Section Slider dialog. For more information, see “Cross Section Slider” on page 165.

Toggle Sunlight

Click the Toggle Sunlight button to switch between daytime and nighttime renderings.

Material Painter

Click the Material Painter button to select a material from the Select Material dialog. You can then apply that material to an object in 3D Views. The change will only affect the object to which the material was applied and will not change the material default settings.

Material Eyedropper

Click the Material Eyedropper button in a 3D view and then click on a surface to load that surface’s material assignment. The cursor will change

to a spray can icon ( ), indicating that the material is ready to be applied to another object. You can continue to apply the material to the surfaces of other objects until another tool is selected.

Note: If you use the Material Painter on a wall in a room, all walls inthat room will change. To apply a material to just one wall in a room,open the Wall Specification dialog for that wall and select a newmaterial from the Material tab.

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Camera Orbit Tools

The Camera Orbit Tools are available for Camera views and Full

Overviews .

• Click the Move Camera In child button to move the position of the camera toward the focal point along the line of sight.

• Click the Move Camera Out child button to move the position of the camera away from the focal point along the line of sight.

• Click the Orbit Camera Upward child button to rotate the camera up around its focal point.

• Click the Orbit Camera Downward child button to rotate the camera down around its focal point.

• Click the Orbit Camera Left child button to rotate the camera left around its focal point.

• Click the Orbit Camera Right child button to rotate the camera right around its focal point.

Camera Tilt Tools

The Camera Tilt Tools are only available for views taken with the

Camera tool.

• Click the Tilt Camera Upward child button to tilt the camera upward.

• Click the Tilt Camera Downward child button to tilt the camera downward.

• Click the Turn Camera Left child button to tilt the camera to the left.

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• Click the Turn Camera Right child button to tilt the camera to the right.

Camera Move Tools

The Camera Move Tools are only available for views taken with the

Camera tool.

• Click the Move Camera Forward child button to move the cam-era’s position and the focal point forward.

• Click the Move Camera Backward child button to move the cam-era’s position and the focal point backward.

• Click the Move Camera Left child button to move the camera’s position to the left.

• Click the Move Camera Right child button to move the camera’s position to the right.

• Click the Move Camera Up child button to move the camera’s position up.

• Click the Move Camera Down child button to move the camera’s position down.

Move Camera With Mouse Tools

All of the Move Camera With Mouse Tools are available for Camera

views. For Full Overviews , only Mouse Orbit Camera and 3D Center Camera on Point are available.

• Click the Mouse Orbit Camera child button to rotate the camera around the current camera center.

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• Click the Mouse Pan Camera child button to move the camera up, down, left, or right.

• Click the Mouse Dolly Camera child button to move the camera forward, backward, left and right.

• Click the 3D Center Camera on Point child button to focus the camera at a particular point in the scene.

Walkthrough Recording ToolsThe Walkthrough Recording Tools allow you record a series of picture files which can be played back as a 3D walkthrough movie and are available

only in Camera views.

• Click the Record Walkthrough child button to begin recording a walkthrough.

• Click Stop Recording to stop recording the walkthrough. This closes the walkthrough file. Use this button when you are done.

Calculate From All Floors

Click the Calculate From All Floors button in floor plan view to create a material list for all floors of the model. You can also select one of the options from the Tools> Material List submenu. When the Material List window is open, the following buttons display.

Manufacturers

Click the Manufacturers button to open the Manufacturers dialog. For more information, see “Manufacturers” on page 197.

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Export Materials List

Click the Export Material List button to export your material list as a .txt document. For more information, see “Materials List (TXT)” on page 80.

Edit Toolbar ButtonsThe Edit toolbar displays when an object or group of objects is selected. Which buttons display on this toolbar depends on the type of object selected; the current view; and how the object was selected. Edit toolbars are defined by the program and are not customizable.

Select Next Object

Select an object and click the Select Next Object edit button to select an object stacked in the same space, such as a candle placed on a table.

Open Object

Select an object and click the Open Object edit button to open the object’s specification dialog and edit it. You can also double-click an object to open its specification dialog.

Copy/Paste

Select an object and click the Copy/Paste edit button to copy the selected object. To paste the copy, click where you want the copy to appear.

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Delete

Select an object and click the Delete edit button to delete it. To delete more than one object at a time, use the Edit> Delete Objects command. For more information, see “Delete Objects” on page 83.

Accurate Move

Select an object and click the Accurate Move edit button to slow down the movement of the object with the mouse. This can be useful for precisely positioning objects.

Replace from Library

Select an object and click the Replace from Library edit button to open the Replace from Library dialog and replace the selected item, and others like it if you choose, with another from the library.

Break Line

The Break Line edit button displays when a Sprinkler line, Elevation

line, or Terrain Perimeter is selected. Click the Break Line edit button then click on the CAD object where you would like to add a break.

Change Line/Arc

The Change Line/Arc edit button displays when a Sprinkler line, Elevation line, or Terrain Perimeter is selected. The line section that you clicked on or near will be converted to an arc when you click the button. Click the button again to return the selected line to a straight line.

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Form Stairwell

Select a flight of stairs and click the Form Stairwell edit button to automatically create a stairwell between two floors.

Change Opening/Hinge Side

Select a door and click the Change Opening/Hinge Side edit button to move the hinges from one side to the other.

Change Swing Side

Select a door and click the Change Swing Side edit button to change the hinge swing direction.

Gable Over Door/Window

Select a door or a window and click the Gable Over Door/Window edit button to generate a gable roof over the selected opening the next time roofs are generated.

Delete Gable Over an OpeningSelect an opening that contains a gable and click the Delete Gable Over

Door/Window edit button to delete the gable roof.

Center Object

Select a door or window; click the Center Object edit button; and click on a wall to center the selected window/door along that wall.

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Explode Block

Select an architectural block and click the Explode Block edit button to break the block into its individual components so that they can be selected, edited, and moved independently.

Align Left

Select text and click the Align Left edit button to align the selected text to the left.

Center

Select text and click the Center edit button to center the selected text.

Align Right

Select text and click the Align Right edit button to align the selected text to the right.

Justify

Select text and click the Justify edit button to justify the selected text.

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Chapter 8:

Dialogs

OverviewThe following is a collection of the dialogs found in Landscaping and Deck Designer along with brief descriptions of the various options they contain. They are organized alphabetically by dialog name. The name of each dialog appears on its title bar.

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3D BackdropSelect 3D> 3D Backdrop from the menu to open the 3D Backdrop dialog. This dialog allows you to specify a solid color or picture file of your choice to use as a background for 3D views.

• If you select Picture, click the Select button to choose a picture file from the Library Browser.

• If you select Solid Color, click the Select button to choose or create a color in the Color Chooser dialog.

Arrow DefaultsTo open the Arrow Defaults dialog, select Edit> Default Settings from the menu; select Arrow from the Default Settings dialog; and click the Edit button. The options in the Arrow Defaults dialog are used to determine the initial settings for arrows created using the Text with Arrow

and Text Line With Arrow tools.

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• Select an arrow Type from the drop-down list.• Click the Fill Color color box to open the Color Chooser dialog and

select a color for the arrow.• Specify a Size for the arrow.

Bay/Box/Bow Window Specification

Select a bay, box or bow window and click the Open Object edit button to open the Bay/Box/Bow Window Specification dialog.

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• Check Use Existing Roof to generate a standard roof with no adjustments made for the bay, box or bow window. This option will not be suitable if the bay, box or bow window is too large for the existing roof to cover.

• Check Extend Existing Roof to extend the existing roof plane over the bay, box or bow window.

• Check Force Rectangular Roof to create a roof over the bay, box or bow window, which is square across the end instead of following the profile of the window.

• Check Suppress Dimension to keep dimensions from displaying.• Click OK to close the dialog and apply your changes.

Build Roof

Select Build> Roof> Build Roof ; or click the Roof Tools parent

button, then the Build Roof child button to open the Build Roof dialog.

Build Tab

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• Specify a Pitch for your roof. This specifies the default pitch of your roof. This value can be overridden if you specify pitches for individual walls on the Roof tab of the Wall Specification dialog.

• Specify the Minimum Alcove width (depression into an otherwise straight exterior wall), which is noticed by the Automatic Roof Generator. Any alcove smaller than the specified width and in an exterior wall is treated as though the exterior wall went straight across. Alcoves wider than this width cause a change in roof planes.

• The Roof Overhang is the distance from the edge of the roof to the exterior of the house. Normal is the overhang at the eaves, Gable is the overhang at gable ends.

Materials Tab

• Select a surface in the tree view on the left, then click the Select Material button to open the Select Material dialog and specify a material to apply to that surface. The contents of the tree diagram will vary depending on the type of object selected. For more information, see “Select Material” on page 226.

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Camera DefaultsTo open the Camera Defaults dialog, select Edit> Default Settings from the menu, select Camera Defaults from the Default Settings dialog and click the Edit button. The options in the Camera Defaults dialog are used to determine the initial settings for 3D views. They are the same as those in the Camera Specification dialog.

Camera Specification

Select a camera in floor plan view and click the Open Object edit button to open the Camera Specification dialog. The settings in this dialog determine how the camera will behave when controlled with the keyboard buttons and the camera movement toolbar buttons in 3D views.

• Incremental Move Distance controls how many inches the camera moves each time you direct it to move right, left, forwards or backwards. For interior views a small number is good, but for exterior you may want a larger increment.

• The Incremental Rotate Angle defines how many degrees the camera rotates each time you direct it to. A setting of 90 degrees would make one full rotation in four moves.

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• The Height Above Floor defines the height that the camera is above the floor level for the current floor.

• Field of View (FOV) defines the camera’s field of vision in angular degrees. Use this setting to create “fish eye” or telephoto lens effects.

• The Tilt Angle determines the angle at which the camera is tilted. A tilt angle of zero (0) is horizontal; minus 10 degrees (-10) tilts the camera 10 degrees downward; and 90 degrees tilts it to look straight up.

• Place a check in the box beside Default for any of these settings to restore it to the default value as defined in the Camera Defaults dialog.

Change Floor

Click the Change Floor button to open the Change Floor dialog.

This dialog determines which floor is displayed in floor plan view.

• Specify which floor you would like to be the Current Floor and click OK to close the dialog and go to that floor.

Color ChooserClicking the color bar which can be found in various dialogs throughout the program opens the Color Chooser dialog. You can select from many Basic Colors, or create your own Custom Colors.

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• To create a custom color, click a color in the color display that’s close to what you want, then use the slider, the Hue, Saturation, and Luminosity settings, as well as the Red, Green, and Blue settings, to find the color you want. Setting all the colors to zero (0) creates black; setting them to their maximum value, 255, produces white. Equal values for each primary color create shades of gray.

• Click the Color Chooser eyedropper then drag the eyedropper anywhere on screen and release the mouse button to select that color.

Corner Board SpecificationThe options in the Corner Board Specification dialog are also found in the Quoin Specification dialog. For more information, see “Quoin Specification” on page 215.

Create New Plan

Select File> New Plan to open the Create New Plan dialog.

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• Select from a variety of plan templates or choose Default. Select one of the templates and click More information about this style to learn more about that template.

• Specify U.S. Units or Metric Units and click OK to open a new file.


Click the Cross Section Slider button from any 3D view to open the Cross Section Slider dialog.

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• Choose one of the cross section angles and move the Position slide to adjust the position of the cutting plane. Select the option at top right to turn off the cutting plane.

Deck Railing Specification

Select a railing and click the Open Object edit button to open the Deck Railing Specification dialog.

The options on the Deck Railing Specification dialog are the same as those on the Railing Specification dialog. For more information, see “Railing Specification” on page 217.

Default SettingsSelect Edit> Default Settings to open the Default Settings dialog, from which the default dialogs for various tools in the program can be accessed.

Click on a heading in the list to select it, and then click the Edit button to open the defaults dialog for that tool or object.

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Define MaterialSelect 3D> Adjust Material Definitions to open the Define Material dialog. It is also accessible through the Define Materials dialog by clicking the Edit, Copy, or New button. This dialog allows you to change the appearance of a surface in 3D views.

• The material Name displays at the top left of the dialog.• At top right the current texture Group for the surface is displayed.• Select the Solid Color option to set the material to appear as a solid

color. Click the Select button to choose a color from the Color Chooser dialog. See “Color Chooser” on page 163.

• Select the Texture option to set the material to appear as a textured surface, such as brick. Click the Select button to open the Select Texture File dialog, which allows you to select a picture file to be used as a texture. You can also set a Width for the chosen texture.

• Shininess controls the sheen of the material when it is rendered with a point or spot light source on it. Shiny materials such as metal will reflect light when viewed at the right angle.

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• Transparency controls the opacity of the material. Most materials are set to Opaque, but Partial can be used to simulate a glass surface that you can see through.

• A preview of the current material displays at right.

Delete ObjectsSelect Edit> Delete Objects from the menu to open the Delete Objects dialog. This dialog allows you to delete categories of objects either by room or for a whole floor.

• Delete Scope determines whether you delete objects from a specific room, or from all rooms.

• Delete allows you to specify object categories to be deleted. Dimensions, Roof, Images, and Terrain Objects are available only if Delete Scope is set to All Rooms.

• Click a room to delete its objects or click anywhere in a plan if you checked All Rooms. The dialog remains open, letting you go from room to room, until you click Done.

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• You cannot delete walls or manual dimensions with this dialog. These objects must be individually deleted by selecting them and clicking the Delete Object edit button, or by pressing the Delete key.

Dimension DefaultsTo open the Dimension Defaults dialog, select Edit> Default Settings from the menu, select Dimension Defaults from the Default Settings dialog and click the Edit button.

• Check the box Place Numbers Above Lines to place numbers above, rather than on, dimension lines.

• Check Display Dimensions to 1/16 Inch Accuracy to calculate dimensions to 1/16 inch rather than 1/8 inch accuracy.

• Select either option from Locate Interior Wall Dimensions At to determine whether walls are measured from their centers, which is the default, or from their outer surfaces. Exterior walls are always measured from the outer surfaces. You can always change the object or surface that a dimension locates after it has been created.

• Enter a value at Number Height to determine how big dimensions appear, in scale inches. Unlike text, dimensions display at this size at any magnification level, so you can read them.

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Display OptionsThe display of objects in 2D and 3D can be controlled using the Display Options dialog. If the 2D display of a certain type of object is turned off, that object can still be added to the plan but will not be visible.

All objects, regardless of whether or not they are displayed, are saved and included in the Materials List. However, only displayed objects are included when DXF and WMF/EMF files are exported; and only displayed objects will print.

• Remove the check from the 2D column to turn off the display of a category of objects in floor plan view.

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• Remove the “3D” from the 3D column to turn off the display of a category of objects in 3D views.

• Click a color bar to open the Color Chooser dialog and set the display color for that category of objects in floor plan view.

• Walls cannot be hidden, but they can be defined as Invisible in their specification dialogs. If their display is not turned off, invisible walls will display with dashed lines. For more information, see “Wall Submenu” on page 84.

Door Specification

Double-click a door with the Select Objects tool or select a door and

click the Open Object edit button to open the Door Specification dialog. Press the Tab key on your keyboard to move to the next field and update the preview.

General Tab

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• Choose a Door Style. Your choices are default, slab, glass, panel, louvered, and Library. Click the Library button to open the Library Browser to the Doors category.

• Choose a Door Type. Your choices are doorway, hinged, slider, pocket, bifold, and garage.

• Set the Width, Height, and Thickness of the door. • If Draw Closed is checked, the door will appear closed in 3D views.• On all tabs, you can specify the preview in the dialog to show the

Interior or Exterior of the door.

Frame and Trim Tab

• Specify the Frame Width and the width of the Frame bottom. • Change the door type to Interior or Exterior. If you change the door

type, the values for the other settings may change. • You can change the Casing Width for any custom molding or flat

casing. Changing the casing here will change it for all future casings.

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Lites Tab

If you chose a glass door on the General tab, click the Lites tab to choose the number of lites (glass panes) in the door.

• Choose the number of Lites Across the glass (horizontal divisions) from 1 to 8. Normally, the panes of glass are evenly spaced.

• Choose the number of Lites Vertical (1 to 8) for the glass. Normally, the panes of glass are evenly spaced.

• Choose a Special Type for the divided lites. Your choices are Normal, Diamond, Prairie, and Craftsman. The preview shows the differences between the styles.

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Hardware Tab

• Select a Handle from the drop-down list of available styles. You can specify a different handle for the exterior of the door and specify its position In from Door Edge and Up from Floor.

• Select an Interior Lock from the drop-down list of available styles.• Select an Exterior Lock from the drop-down list of available styles. • Specify the position of the lock Up From Floor.• Select your Hinges from the drop-down list of available styles and

specify its distance from the door’s top and bottom.

Materials TabThe Materials tab of the Door Specification dialog is similar to the Materials tab of the Build Roof dialog. For more information, see “Materials Tab” on page 161.

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Elevation Line Specification

Double-click an elevation line with the Select Objects tool or select an

elevation line and click the Open Object edit button to open the Elevation Line Specification dialog.

Elevation Tab

• The current elevation for the selected elevation line displays.• Enter an elevation for the selected elevation line and click OK.

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Line Style Tab

• Click the Line Color box to open the Color Chooser dialog and specify a new line color.

• Click the Line Style drop-down list to select from a variety of available line styles.

Elevation Point Specification

Click the Terrain Tools parent button, then click the Elevation Points

child button then place a point to open the Elevation Point Specification dialog and enter information about the point you are

placing. Selecting a point with the Select Objects tool and clicking the

Open Object edit button will open the Elevation Point Specification dialog for an existing elevation point.

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• Enter the height, or Elevation, of the elevation point. The default unit for this value is inches (mm for metric).

• Enter any Text you would like to display beside the elevation point in floor plan view.

• Enter the Marker Radius in inches (or millimeters). • Specify the Character Height of the text.• Click the color bar to open the Color Chooser dialog and define the

color of the elevation point and accompanying text.

Export Picture FileSelect File> Export Picture to open the Export Picture File dialog.

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• The Export Picture File dialog is similar to the Save Plan File dialog, but the file types are .bmp, .jpg, .png, .tif, and .pcx.

• Click Save to close the dialog and export the file to the specified location.

Export Windows MetafileSelect File> Export Metafile (WMF, EMF) and draw a marquee around the area to be exported to open the Export Windows Metafile dialog.

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• The Export Windows Metafile dialog is similar to the Save Plan File dialog, but the file types are WMF and EMF.

• Click Save to close the dialog and export the file to the specified location.

Fencing Specification

Double-click a fence with the Select Objects tool or select a fence and

click the Open Object edit button to open the Fencing Specification dialog. The preview in the dialog will update as the fence is edited.

General Tab

• Specify a Thickness for the fencing.• Check Flip Layers to swap the direction the fence is facing.

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Fence Style Tab

• Specify the Fence Height and Post Spacing.• Click the Fencing Library button to open the Library Browser to the

Millwork library category, where you can browse to the Fence and Railing Panels library.

• Place a check in the box to use Large Posts/Pillars.

Materials TabThe Materials tab of the Fencing Specification dialog is similar to the Materials tab of the Build Roof dialog. See “Materials Tab” on page 161.

Fireplace Specification

Double-click a fireplace with the Select Objects tool, or select a

fireplace and click the Open Object edit button to open the Fireplace

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Specification dialog. The preview in the dialog will update as the fireplace is edited.

General Tab

• Specify the Height of the fireplace. The default is 48 inches. • Specify the Width of the fireplace. The default is 48 inches. • Specify the Depth of the fireplace. The default is 31 inches. • Specify the Hearth Depth from the front of the fireplace into the room.

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Fire Box Tab

• Specify the Height, Width, and Depth of the fire box. The defaults are 25, 24, and 18 inches respectively.

• Enter the number of Offset inches to offset the fire box from the center, then select To Left or To Right to specify the direction of the offset from the center. Enter 0 to center the fire box in the fireplace.

Materials TabThe Materials tab of the Fireplace Specification dialog is similar to the Materials tab of the Build Roof dialog. See “Materials Tab” on page 161.

Fixture Specification

Double-click a fixture with the Select Objects tool or select a fixture

and click the Open Object edit button to open the Fixture

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Specification dialog. The preview in the dialog will update as the fixture is edited.

General Tab

• The dialog shows the item’s Height, Width, Depth, and Floor to Bottom distance, along with a preview of the fixture.

• To change fixture dimensions, enter new values.• To return to the original values, click Reset.• Check Reverse Symbol to use a mirror image of the fixture. This can

be useful for creating a left-handed refrigerator.

Materials TabThe Materials tab of the Fixture Specification dialog is similar to the Materials tab of the Build Roof dialog. For more information, see “Materials Tab” on page 161.

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Flat Region Specification

Double-click a Flat Region with the Select Objects tool or select a Flat

Region and click the Open Object edit button to open the Flat Region Specification dialog.

Line Style TabFor information about the options on the Line Style tab of the Flat Region Specification dialog, see “Line Style Tab” on page 176.

Fill Style Tab

• Select a Fill Pattern from the drop-down list.• You can specify the Spacing of your fill pattern.• Check Transparent Fill to make the flat region transparent.• Click the Fill Color color bar to open the Color Chooser dialog and

specify a new color.

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Foundation Defaults

Select Build> Floor> Build Foundation ; or, click the Floor Tools parent button and select the Build Foundation child tool to open the Foundation Defaults dialog.

• Click the radio button beside Monolithic Slab or Footings to specify which foundation type will be built.

• Specify the Wall Thickness of the stem walls for a footing foundation.• Specify the Wall Height of the stem walls for a footing foundation.

Furniture SpecificationThe settings in the Furniture Specification dialog are the same as those in the Fixture Specification dialog. For more information, see “Fixture Specification” on page 182.

Material DefaultsSelect Edit> Default Settings. In the Default Settings dialog that displays, click on General Materials and click the Edit button to open the Material Defaults dialog.

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• Select an object type in the list to the left. The current default material for that object type will display in the preview to the right.

• Click the Select Material button to open the Select Library Object dialog to the Materials category of the Library Browser.

• Click the OK button to close the dialog and apply any changes.

Grow Plants

Select Terrain> Plant> Grow all Plants ; or click the Plant Tools parent button and select the Grow all Plants child tool to open the Grow Plants dialog.

Click and drag the slider bar and select a growth period from zero to twenty years. This only works for plants that have a mature height and age set in their Plant Image Specification dialogs.

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Hardiness Zone Map

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Hardiness Zone Map

Select Terrain> Plant> Show Hardiness Zones ; or click the Plant

Tools parent button and select the Show Hardiness Zones child button to open the Hardiness Zone Map dialog.

Click on the arrow beside the Specify Region pull-down menu and select a region to display its plant Hardiness Zone Map.

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Hill/Valley Specification

Select a Hill or Valley with the Select Objects tool and click the Open

Object edit button to open the Hill/Valley Specification dialog.

Hill/Valley Tab

• Specify the Hill or Valley Height in inches.

Line Style TabThe Line Style tab of the Hill/Valley Specification dialog is similar to the Line Style tab in the Elevation Line Specification dialog. See “Line Style Tab” on page 176.

Fill Style TabThe Fill Style tab of the Hill/Valley Specification dialog is similar to the Fill Style tab in the Elevation Line Specification dialog. See “Fill Style Tab” on page 184.

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Image Specification

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Image Specification

Select an image with the Select Objects tool and click the Open

Object edit button to open the Image Specification dialog.

Image Tab

• Image File - The path and name of the selected image file displays here. Click Browse to open the Library Browser and select an image that will display in 3D views.

• 2D Plan Symbol - A selection of universal symbols are available to mark the location of the image in floor plan view.

• If you change an image’s 2D Plan Symbol, you may want to save it as a new image in the library.

• Height - Enter a height for the selected image. The width will adjust proportionally.

• Width - Enter a width for the selected image. The height will adjust proportionally.

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• Height Above - Specify the symbol’s Height Above ground, if applicable.

• Check Do Not Rotate in Render View to make the image act like a facade or movie set. The image will always face the same direction no matter where the camera is. This can be useful for bringing a picture of a house into a plan to use as a backdrop, or for placing pictures of windows on walls of a house. If this option is disabled, the image will always face the camera, which is the default behavior for plants, people, and other images.

• The current image displays on the right side of the dialog.

Transparency Tab

• Choose which pixel color will indicate transparency by either clicking on the color bar and selecting a color in the Color Chooser dialog; or, clicking on a color in the image preview to select it.

• Check Show Transparency to display the Transparency Color in the image preview.

• Specify the Tolerance, in color units, to be applied to colors that are almost the same as the specified transparency color.

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Import Backdrop File

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Every color can be described using a value between 0 and 255 color units in each of three color channels: red, green, and blue. If a Toler-ance value of 3 is entered, the program will tolerate up to three color units of variation from the Transparency Color when assigning trans-parency. For example, white has a value of 255 in each channel. A color with a value of 254 in each channel varies from true white by three units in total and would be assigned transparency, as would a color which is 252 in one channel and 255 in the other two.

• Check Only use transparency data from the image file to ignore the assigned Transparency Color and use transparency data in the image file itself. Only some file types, such as .png files, contain transparency data.

Import Backdrop FileSelect File> Import Backdrop to open the Import Backdrop File dialog.

• Find and select the image you would like to import into Landscaping and Deck Designer.

• Click Open to display the image as the backdrop in 3D views.

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Import Picture FileSelect File> Import Picture to open the Import Picture File dialog.

• Find and select the image you would like to import into Landscaping and Deck Designer.

• Click Open to display the image in floor plan view.

Library BrowserThere are many ways to access the Library Browser.

• Click the Library Browser button on the toolbar. • Press Control + L on your keyboard.

• Select Library> Library Browser from the menu.

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Library Browser

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• Click the plus sign beside a category to see its contents. Click the minus sign to close it up again.

• Select an item to display a preview in the panes below, and click in floor plan view to place it. Notice the appearance of the cursor, which displays an icon indicating which type of library object is selected .

• Click the Library Search button at the bottom of the Library Browser to open the Library Search dialog.

• Click the Plant Chooser button at the bottom of the Library Browser to open the Plant Chooser dialog.

• Click the Online Content button at the bottom of the Library Browser to launch your Internet browser to the Better Homes and Gardens Home Designer Web site.

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Library Search

Select Library> Library Search from the menu; or, click the Library Search button at the bottom of the Library Browser to open the Library Search dialog.

Basic Search Tab

• Enter text to be used for the search in the Search Text field to the left.• Click on an item in the search results area to the right to find that item

in the Library Browser and select it for placement.• Use the arrow keys to scroll through the search results.

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Library Search

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Advanced Search Tab

• Search Categories - Place a check the box beside each category you want to include in your search.

• Click the Select All button to select all of the categories.• Click the Clear All button to clear all of the categories.• In the Search Text field, enter a keyword or words to search for. • Match Keyword - Check this box to match only the entered keyword.• Match Entire Word - Check this box to match the entire word. • Include Folders - Check this box to include folders in your search.• Match Case - Check this box to make your search case-sensitive.• Search - Click this button to begin searching.• Close - Click this button to cancel the search and close the Library

Search dialog.

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• When the search is complete, the results display on the right side of the dialog. Select a folder or library object to open the Library Browser to that item. Use the arrow keys to scroll up or down the results list.

Line Specification

Double-click a Line or Line With Arrow with the Select Objects tool

or select a Line or Line With Arrow and click the Open Object edit button to open the Line Specification dialog.

Line Style Tab

• Click the Line Color box to open the Color Chooser dialog and specify a new line color.

• Click the Line Style drop-down list to select from a variety of available line styles

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Manufacturers

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Arrow Tab

• Select an arrowhead Type from the drop-down list.• Click the Fill Color box to select a new color from the Color Chooser

dialog.• Specify the arrowhead’s Size.

ManufacturersSelect Tools> Materials List> Manufacturers from the menu or click the

Manufacturers button in a Material List to open the Manufacturers dialog.

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• For more contact information, select a manufacturer from the list.

Material DefaultsSelect Edit> Default Settings> General Materials from the menu to open the Material Defaults dialog.

A material consists of a color and a texture. Once materials are defined in this dialog, you can assign them to objects using the specification dialog for each type of object. You can use your own .bmp or .jpg files as textures for a particular material.

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Material List Display Options

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• Select an object in the scrolling list.• Click the Select Material button to choose a material. • Click the OK button to close the dialog and apply any changes.

Material List Display OptionsSelect Tools> Display Options when a Material List is active to open the Material List Display Options dialog.

• Uncheck any items you would like to exclude from the Material List.

Materials ListTo create a Materials List, select one of the calculation methods from the Tools> Materials List submenu or click the Calculate From All Floors

button to generate a Material List for all floors.

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The Materials List is a spreadsheet listing the materials needed to build your plan.

• Enter your own cost in the Price column, and a cost for that object will automatically appear in the Tot. Cost column.

• Export an open Materials List by selecting File> Export Material List

(TXT) or by clicking the Export Material List button. For more information, see “Write Materials Export File” on page 247.

The Materials List includes the following:

• Fixture and furniture objects.• Electrical fixtures, outlets, and switches. (Wiring is not included.)• Wall framing with studs at 16-inch intervals, and double plating on the

top of the frames. Also, square footage of wallboard required. Decks are constructed with 2x6-inch redwood decking planks unless another material is selected.

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Metafile Size

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• Flooring is constructed with 2x10-inch joists set at 16-inch intervals.• Roofing materials including roof sheathing, rafters, gable fascia, eave

fascia, and gutters.• Cubic yards of cement needed for the foundation wall and concrete

footing. Drilled pier holes and concrete support posts are also listed.• Carpeting and other flooring materials as defined in the Room

Specification dialog for a particular room.• Interior wall material as defined for each particular room.• Exterior wall material as defined for the exterior walls.• Roof materials as defined in the Build Roof dialog.• Landscaping objects from the Outdoor Image Library.

The Materials List does not include the materials needed to connect these components (such as nails and staples) or the labor required to put it all together. The Materials List calculates the exact amount of materials needed. You will almost always need a little bit more material than is theoretically required. Adjust the figures for base materials (like studs, joists, wall board, carpet, etc.) upward by 10%. You can make substitutions in the Quantity, Unit, and Price columns. If you want to use 2x12-inch joists instead of 2x10-inch joists, specify this change in the appropriate box in the Comment column, instead of the Size column. The idea here is to get a list of materials you can take to your local supplier and get an estimate of how much the materials alone will cost you.

Metafile SizeIn floor plan view, select File> Export> Metafile (WMF/EMF), click and drag an area and release the mouse to open the Export Windows Metafile dialog. See “Export Windows Metafile” on page 178. Once your file is saved, the Metafile Size dialog will display, allowing you to specify the size of your picture.

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• Width defaults to six inches, regardless of how wide your box was, but can be changed.

• Specify the Height and Wall line thickness (the default setting is 1, but settings of 6 through 8 work well for large plans).

New Floor

Select Build> Floor> Build New Floor ; or, click the Floor Tools parent button and select the Build New Floor child tool to open the New Floor dialog.

• Click on the radio button beside Derive new 2nd floor plan from the 1st floor plan to create a new upper floor with exterior walls generated over the exterior walls of the floor below. These walls can be edited.

• Click on the radio button beside Make new (blank) plan for the 2nd floor to create a blank floor above the current floor. This option is typically selected only if none of the exterior walls are directly above the existing walls on the floor below.

• Click the OK button to close the Floor Defaults dialog and add a new floor to your plan.

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Open Movie File

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Open Movie FileSelect 3D> Play Walkthrough to open the Open Movie File dialog.

Browse to an .AVI file on your computer; select it; and click the Open button to open the Windows Media Player and view the walkthrough.

Open Plan File

Select File> Open Plan to open the Open Plan File dialog.

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• The Files of type drop-down list lets you select the type of files displayed in the file list. Landscaping and Deck Designer labels files according to function. Plan files have the extension *.plan. Back-up files that are automatically saved as you work have the extension *_auto_save.plan. When you close a file normally, these back-up files are renamed *_auto_save_bak.plan and archived.

• Browse to a plan on your computer and click Open to open it.

Page SetupSelect File> Print> Page Setup to open the Page Setup dialog.

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Picture File Box Specification

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• Specify the printer paper Size and Source.• Select Portrait or Landscape paper orientation.• Specify a print Scale. 1/4 inch = 1 ft is typical.• Click the Printer button to select a printer.• A preview of the printer paper displays on the right side of the dialog.• Click OK to close the dialog and apply any changes.

Picture File Box SpecificationFor information about the options on the Line Style tab of the Picture File Box Specification dialog, see “Line Specification” on page 196.

Plan DefaultsSelect Edit> Default Settings> Plan Defaults to open the Plan Defaults dialog.

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• Check Fixtures and Furniture May be Resized to display fixtures and furniture with side handles, so you can resize them. Your changes are not reflected in the Materials List, because the Materials List refers to objects by their labels, not by their physical dimensions. Once you resize an object, the correlation between the object label and its actual physical dimensions is no longer accurate. Clear this option to display fixtures and furniture with only a center handle for moving and a rotation handle for turning.

• Casing is the trim that surrounds a door or window. When you resize a door or window, the sides of these openings are kept away from an intersecting wall by the width of the trim or casing. Check Window/Door Casing Ignored When Resizing to ignore the casing so that doors and windows can be moved or resized flush against an intersecting wall.

• Minimum Unconnected Wall Length allows you to set the minimum distance that two walls can automatically join.

• Inches Scrolled by Arrow Key determines how far your plan will scroll when you press an arrow key. The default is 12 inches.

Plant Chooser

Select Terrain> Plant> Plant Chooser ; or, click the Plant Tools parent button and select the Plant Chooser child tool to open the Plant Chooser dialog.

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Plant Chooser

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Plant Information Tab

• Enter a Common Name, a Variety Name, a Pronunciation reference, and/or a Scientific Name for the plant.

• Enter Plant Size information at maturity. • Enter a Hardiness Zone.• Enter a Lighting Preference. • A list of library items that fit your selected parameters displays to the

right. Click on an item to open the Library Browser to that item’s location. Use the arrow keys to scroll up or down the list.

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Plant Attributes Tab

• Click the drop-down list and select from the available the available plant attribute categories.

• The option chosen from the drop-down list above determines the checkboxes that display below it.

• Add Flower Color Comments that you would like to search for here.• Add Bloom Time Comments that you would like to search for here.• A list of library items that fit your selected parameters displays here.

Click on an item to open the Library Browser to that item’s location. Use the arrow keys to scroll up or down the list.

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Plant Image Specification

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Plant Description Tab

• Enter a Description to search for in the text field.• A list of library items that fit your selected parameters displays to the

right.


Select a plant in a floor plan or 3D view and click the Open Object edit button; or, select Terrain> Plant> Create Plant Image to open the Plant Image Specification dialog.

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Image Tab

• Image File - The path and name of the selected image file displays here. Click Browse to open the Library Browser and select an image that will display in 3D views.

• 2D Plan Symbol - A selection of universal symbols are available to mark the location of the image in floor plan view.

• If you change the symbol that displays for an image, you may want to save the new image to the library.

• Height - Enter a height for the selected image. The width will adjust proportionally.

• Width - Enter a width for the selected image. The height will adjust proportionally.

• Height Above - Specify the symbol’s height above the ground, if applicable.

• The current image displays on the right side of the dialog.• Check Do Not Rotate in Render View to make the image act like a

facade or movie set. The image will always face the same direction no

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matter where the camera is. This can be useful for bringing a picture of a house into a plan to use as a backdrop, or for placing pictures of windows on walls of a house. If this option is disabled, the image will always face the camera, which is the default behavior for plants, people, and other images.

Transparency TabThe Transparency tab of the Plant Image Specification dialog is similar to the Transparency tab of the Image Specification dialog. See “Transparency Tab” on page 190.

Plant Information Tab

• Enter a Scientific Name and a Variety Name for the plant. You can also enter a Pronunciation guide and any Common Names associated with the plant.

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• Enter Plant Size information at maturity. An average mature height range can entered using the drop down lists. This will be used with the Grow Plants feature. See “Grow Plants” on page 186.

• Specify a Hardiness Zone range and any associated comments. See “Hardiness Zone Map” on page 187.

• Specify the plant’s Lighting Preference and any associated comments.

Plant Attributes Tab

• Click the arrow beside the drop-down list and select from the available plant attribute categories.

• The option chosen from the drop-down list above will determine the checkboxes that display below it.

• Type relevant information in the Flower Color Comments field.• Type relevant information in the Bloom Time Comments field.

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Polyline Specification

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Plant Description Tab

• Enter a plant Description or other useful information in the text field.

Polyline Specification

Double-click a sprinkler line or spline with the Select Objects tool or

select it and click the Open Object edit button to open the Polyline Specification dialog.

Line Style TabFor information about the options on the Line Style tab of the Polyline Specification dialog, see “Line Specification” on page 196.

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Fill Style TabFor information about the options on the Fill Style tab of the Polyline Specification dialog, see “Fill Style Tab” on page 184.

Print

Select File> Print> Print or click the Print button to open the Print dialog. The options on the Print dialog will vary depending on the type of view that is currently active.

• The Printer settings allow you to choose a printer and set its properties or to print to a file instead of to a printer. If you check Print to file, the Print to File dialog displays, allowing you to name the file.

• You cannot specify a Print Range because multiple floor house plans cannot be printed with one print command. Each floor must be printed separately.

• Scaling Full Page fits the printout to the paper. Scaling may not be accurate. To specify an architectural scale, enter values in (Inch = 1 Foot) box.

• Specify how many Copies of the printout to print.

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Print Material

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• Either the Shaded or Color option is available, depending on whether the printer is black and white or color. Clear Color to print in shades of gray or clear Shaded to print in black and white instead of gray scale.

• Current Screen prints exactly what is displayed in the current window, including white space around the plan. Entire Plan View prints the

complete view, as if you had chosen Window> Fill Screen . • The Line Weight option is only available from floor plan views. If you

print onto paper larger than legal size, the image appears in the upper-left corner of the page.

• Only objects selected in the 2D Display Options dialog will print. For more information, see “Display Options” on page 126.

Print MaterialSelect File> Print from the menu when a Material List is active to open the Print Material dialog. The options are similar to the Print dialog. For more information, see “Print” on page 214.)

Quoin Specification

Double-click a quoin with the Select Objects tool or select it and click

the Open Object edit button to open the Quoin Specification dialog.

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General Tab

• Specify the Width and Height of the quoin.• Specify whether you would like the quoin to be Staggered or Uniform.

Materials TabThe Materials tab of the Quoin Specification dialog is similar to the Materials tab of the Build Roof dialog. For more information, see “Materials Tab” on page 161.

Staggered Uniform

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Railing Specification

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Railing Specification

Double-click a railing or a deck railing with the Select Objects tool or

select a railing or a deck railing and click the Open Object edit button to open the Railing Specification dialog.

General Tab

• Specify a wall Thickness from the drop down list.• Check Flip Layers to swap the exterior and interior wall surfaces.• Select Invisible to specify the wall as invisible. Invisible walls display

in floor plan view but not 3D views and are used to divide room areas that are not separated by a wall or railing.

• Select No Room Definition to create a wall that does not define or divide a room.

• Select either Align with Lower Floor or Align with Upper Floor to align the selected wall with a wall below or above it. These options are

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only enabled if the selected railing is very close, but not quite directly above or below a wall or railing on the other floor.

Roof TabThe Roof tab of the Railing Specification dialog is similar to the Roof tab of the Wall Specification dialog. For more information, see “Wall Specification” on page 239.

Railing Tab

• Select to create Balusters.• Select to create a Solid, wall style railing. The wall will be of the type

defined by the current wall layer definition.• Select to create an Open railing with only a top rail.• Select Open with Middle Rail to create a railing with a top and a

middle rail.• Check Large Posts/Pillars to change the posts or pillars from standard

5-inch size to 10-inch Large Posts/ Pillars.

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Raised/Lowered Region Specification

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• Check Post to Overhead Beam to set the newel posts to continue up to an overhead beam just below the ceiling.

• Check Post to Ceiling to make them extend to the ceiling. If an overhead beam is also desired, check Post to Overhead Beam.

• Check Exterior Materials to use outdoor default materials for the railing instead of indoor materials.

Materials TabThe Materials tab of the Railing Specification dialog is similar to the Materials tab of the Build Roof dialog. For more information, see “Materials Tab” on page 161.

Raised/Lowered Region SpecificationDouble-click a Raised Region or a Lowered Region with the Select

Objects tool or select a Raised Region or a Lowered Region and click

the Open Object edit button to open the Raised/Lowered Region Specification dialog.

Raised/Lowered Region Tab

• Specify the region’s Height. You can enter negative numbers.

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Line Style Tab• For information about the options on the Line Style tab of the Raised/

Lowered Region Specification dialog, see “Line Specification” on page 196.

Fill Style Tab• For information about the options on the Fill Style tab of the Raised/

Lowered Region Specification dialog, see “Fill Style Tab” on page 184.

Render QualitySelect Edit> Default Settings> Render Quality to open the Render Quality dialog.

• Move the slider bar to increase or decrease the render quality of 3D views.

Replace From Library

Click on a library object using the Select Objects tool to select it and

display its edit toolbar, then click on the Replace from Library edit button to open the Replace from Library dialog.

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Room Defaults

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• Click the Library button to open the Library Browser and select an object to use as a replacement. The object which is currently selected as a replacement will be listed above.

• Select Replace Selected Object to replace only the currently selected object.

• Select Replace Identical Objects in Room to replace all objects that are in the same room as, and are identical to, the currently selected object. This option is not available for doors or windows.

• Select Replace Identical Objects on Floor to replace all objects that are on the same floor as, and are identical to, the currently selected object.

• Click the OK button to close the dialog and apply the change.

Room DefaultsThe settings in the Room Defaults dialog are used to determine the initial values for newly created rooms. They are the same as those in the Room Specification dialog.

Room Specification

Double-click a room with the Select Objects tool or select a room and

click the Open Object edit button to open the Room Specification

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dialog. Enter new values and press the Tab key on your keyboard to move to the next field and update the preview.

General Tab

• Select a Room Type from the drop down list. The Room Type tells the program what kind of room the space is.

• Floor Height specifies the ground level of the floor. This is useful in designing split-level homes. The default is 0, but you can specify a negative number to make the floor lower in one room than another. When you set this value, the Ceiling Height value automatically updates to keep the ceiling level across the plan. If you want the ceiling to be 96 inches, but the floor to begin at –36 inches, reset the ceiling height to 96 inches. You can use stairs to join the two different levels.

• Ceiling Height controls the height of the walls in the room. It is relative to the room’s Floor Height.

• Lowered Ceiling specifies the height off the floor of a lowered ceiling.

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Room Specification

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•Ceiling Below shows the Ceiling Height for the floor below. It may be defined here or in the specification for that room. The values are linked.

• Floor Above Height specifies the height of the floor above the current floor. This option does not display if there is no floor above.

Molding Tab

• Crown Molding sets the Height and the Distance Above Floor of strips of molding that run around the wall/ceiling junction.

• Chair Rail sets the Height and the Distance Above Floor of strips of molding that run around the walls.

• Base Molding the Height and the Distance Above Floor of the molding around the floor.

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Structure Tab

• Check Ceiling Over This Room to specify that the room will have a flat ceiling. If this box is cleared, the ceiling follows the underside of roof or ceiling planes.

• Check Roof Over This Room to generate a roof over this room. • If both boxes are checked, the room will have a roof with a flat ceiling.

If neither box is checked, the room will not have a roof or ceiling. • You cannot check only the Ceiling Over This Room box. You must

have a roof in order to have a ceiling.

Fill Style TabFor information about the options on the Fill Style tab of the Room Specification dialog, see “Fill Style Tab” on page 184.

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Save Plan File

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Materials TabThe Materials tab of the Room Specification dialog is similar to the Materials tab of the Build Roof dialog. For more information, see “Materials Tab” on page 161.

Save Plan FileSelect File> Save As from the menu to open the Save Plan File dialog.

Selecting File> Save from the menu or clicking the Save button when a plan that has not yet been saved is currently open will also open the Save Plan File dialog.

• In the File name text field, enter a name for the plan. Landscaping and Deck Designer will automatically attach the extension .plan.

Select Library ObjectThe Select Library Object dialog can be opened in a number of ways:

Click the Select Image button in the Image Specification dialog to open the Select Library Object dialog to the Images library category.

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Click the Select Material button found in the specification dialogs for many objects to open the Select Library Object dialog to the Images category of the Library Browser.

Click the Material Painter button to open the Select Library Object dialog to the Materials library category.

• Click items in the tree view at left to navigate the Library Browser and select an image for placement.

Select MaterialSelect Tools> Materials List> Plan Materials to open the Select Materials dialog.

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Set Background Color

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• The list on the left displays the materials in your plan. Click on one to select it and display its preview in the center of the dialog.

• Click Edit to open the Define Material dialog and make changes to the selected material.

• Click New to open the Define Material dialog and create an entirely new material from scratch.

• Click Copy to open the Define Material dialog and make changes to a copy of the selected material. This is the recommended method of making changes to a material.

• Click Delete to delete the selected material. This option is only available if the material was created by you.

• Click Cancel to close the dialog without applying any changes.• Click OK to close the dialog and apply any changes you made.

Set Background ColorSelect Tools> Set Background Color to open the Set Background Color dialog.

Note: Materials determine how the model displays in 3D, but alsohow the material list is calculated. If you want to create your ownmaterial, it is best to copy an existing material with the same physicalproperties and modify the copy.

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Click on the color box to open the Color Chooser dialog and select or create a custom color for the background in floor plan view.

Sprinkler Specification

Double-click on a sprinkler head using the Select Object tool or click on it once and select the Open Object edit button to open the Sprinkler Specification dialog.

General Tab

• Enter the Height; Width; and Depth, or thickness, of the sprinkler.

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Staircase Specification

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• Enter a Floor to Bottom value to define the distance from the bottom of the sprinkler to elevation 0 of floor one.

• Click Reset to return the sprinkler’s values to the defaults for that sprinkler.

• Specify the Spray Angle in degrees and the Spray Radius in inches.

Fill Style TabFor information about the options on the Fill Style tab of the Sprinkler Specification dialog, see “Fill Style Tab” on page 184.

Materials TabThe Materials tab of the Sprinkler Specification dialog is similar to the Materials tab of the Build Roof dialog. See “Materials Tab” on page 161.


Double-click a staircase with the Select Objects tool or select a

staircase and click the Open Object edit button to open the Staircase Specification dialog. Enter new values and press the Tab key on your keyboard to move to the next field and update the other interdependent values.

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General Tab

• Here you can verify the current staircase dimensions. The first line tells you if the staircase reaches the next floor; if it does not, click Make Reach to calculate stair dimensions and number.

• The next section indicates how many sections and landings are in the whole staircase, how many risers are in the current section, and the height of the risers and the best value for the tread. Building codes do not permit risers to vary by more than an eighth of an inch, so the program keeps them all the same. To the right, you’ll see the number of risers of a recommended height to reach the next floor.

• Change any dimensions you want. These settings are interdependent, so altering one will alter the others. If you change your mind after you change them, you can click Revert.

• If there are multiple sections, they will all display here. You can change one staircase Section at a time.

• Length defines the horizontal length of this staircase section as seen in floor plan view. Length is calculated automatically by multiplying the number of treads by the tread width. If you change the length, the top of

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the staircase section remains fixed and the bottom, and all sections connected to the bottom, move.

• Tread Width specifies the width of each tread in the selected section. • Specify the # Treads in this section. • Section Width specifies the overall width of this section. • Rise Angle specifies the steepness of this section. The maximum angle

is 42 degrees.

Style Tab

• Check Open Underneath to remove the wall beneath a staircase.• Check Open Risers to eliminate the risers (the vertical part of a step),

leaving each step lying on an open pair of stringers (the side pieces of a staircase that stretch diagonally and support the individual steps).

• Check Large Stringer Base to make the first step a bit larger.

Note: Values you enter for the staircase may change. Landscapingand Deck Designer takes any value you provide and tries to find a“best fit” staircase.

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• You can also Use Exterior materials on your staircase.• Check either or both boxes for Left Railing and Right Railing, then

specify the Rail Width.• Enter a Runner Width to create a runner. Enter 0 to remove a runner.

Materials Tab• The Materials tab of the Staircase Specification dialog is similar to

the Materials tab of the Build Roof dialog. For more information, see “Materials Tab” on page 161.

Stair Landing Specification

Double-click a stair landing with the Select Objects tool or select a

stair landing and click the Open Object edit button to open the Stair Landing Specification dialog.

Line Style Tab• For information about the options on the Line Style tab of the Stair

Landing Specification dialog, see “Line Specification” on page 196.

Fill Style Tab• For information about the options on the Fill Style tab of the Stair

Landing Specification dialog, see “Fill Style Tab” on page 184.

Sun Light SpecificationFrom a 3D view, select 3D> Adjust Sunlight from the menu to open the Sunlight Specification dialog.

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• Use the Intensity slider bar to define the relative intensity of the light source.

• The Tilt Angle is used to control the angle of the light with respect to the horizon. A value of -90 degrees means that the light is pointing straight down and a value of 90 degrees means it is pointing straight up.

• The Direction Angle defines the angle that a light is pointed along. Zero degrees is measured horizontally on your screen pointing to the right. Positive values rotate ina counter-clockwise direction from there. Enter a value up to 360 degreess. If you enter a negative value, the program uses zero.

Terrain Feature SpecificationSidewalks, ponds, driveways, and garden beds, are considered to be Terrain

Features. Double-click a terrain feature with the Select Objects tool or

select a terrain feature and click the Open Object edit button to open the Terrain Feature Specification dialog.

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General Tab

• Enter a positive or negative Height for the Terrain Feature. • Check Make Hole if you would like to make a hole in your terrain.• Check Clip Overlapping Terrain Features if two terrain features

overlap and you would like this one to clip the other.

Line Style TabFor information about the options on the Line Style tab of the Terrain Feature Specification dialog, see “Line Specification” on page 196.

Fill Style TabFor information about the options on the Fill Style tab of the Terrain Feature Specification dialog, see “Fill Style Tab” on page 184.

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Materials TabFor more information about the options on the Materials tab of the Terrain Feature Specification dialog, see “Materials Tab” on page 161.

Terrain Specification

Double-click the Terrain Perimeter with the Select Objects tool or

select the Terrain Perimeter and click the Open Object edit button to open the Terrain Specification dialog. The Terrain Specification dialog allows you to change the appearance of your terrain in floor plan view and 3D views.

General Tab

• Check Flatten Building Pad to flatten the area beneath your building.

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• Check Auto Calculate Elevation to automatically calculate the building pad elevation, determined by the elevation of the center of the building footprint, during terrain rebuild.

Line Style TabFor information about the options on the Line Style tab of the Terrain Specification dialog, see “Line Specification” on page 196.

Fill Style TabFor information about the options on the Fill Style tab of the Terrain Specification dialog, see “Fill Style Tab” on page 184.

Materials TabThe Materials tab of the Terrain Specification dialog is similar to the Materials tab of the Build Roof dialog. For more information, see “Materials Tab” on page 161.

Text DefaultsSelect Edit> Default Settings to open the Default Settings dialog. Click on Text, then click the Edit button to open the Text Defaults dialog.

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Text Tab

• Enter text in the blank field. Press the Enter key to create a new line. • Set text size in the Character Height edit box. Character Height is

expressed in plan inches or mm. Unlike dimension numbers, text may be illegible on screen because it is too small to read. The important thing is that it be legible when printed. Usually, six plan inches at quarter scale (a quarter of an inch equals one foot) will work well. For other scales, you will have to experiment.

• Click Font to open the Font dialog and select a new font. Place a check by Bold or Italic if you wish to apply either or both or these styles.

• Click the Color bar to open the Color Chooser dialog and specify a new color for your text. Check Use Default to use the default text color, regardless of the color displayed in the color bar.

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Text Specification

Select CAD> Text> Text or Text with Arrow to open the Text Specification dialog and create a new text object. To open the specification dialog of an existing text object, select it using the Select

Objects tool and click the Open Object edit button. The Text Specification dialog allows you to add and change the appearance of text in floor plan view.

The options in the Text Specification dialog are similar to those found in the Text Defaults dialog but apply to the selected text object only. For more information, see “Text Defaults” on page 236.

Wall DefaultsSelect Edit> Default Settings to open the Default Settings dialog. Click on Wall, and then click the Edit button to open the Wall Defaults dialog .

• Specify a thickness from the Default Thickness drop-down list. The Default Thickness is used for all Exterior and Invisible Walls.

Wall Hatch

When the Hatch Wall child button is active, select an existing wall

which has already been hatched and click the Open Object edit button to open the Wall Hatch dialog.

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• Select a hatch pattern from the drop-down list at top.• Specify the Spacing that you would like between the pattern lines.• Check Transparent Fill to make the hatch fill .• Click on the color box to select a fill color from the Color Chooser

dialog.• The hatch pattern and color displays in the preview to the right..

Wall Specification

Using the Select Objects tool, click on a wall and then click the Open

Object edit button; or, double-click on the wall to open the Wall Specification dialog.

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General Tab

• Specify the Thickness of the selected wall.• Check Flip Layers to swap the exterior and interior wall surfaces.• Select Invisible to specify the wall as invisible. Invisible walls display

in floor plan view but not 3D views and are used to divide rooms that are not separated by a wall or railing, such as a nook from a kitchen.

• Select No Room Definition to create a wall that does not define or divide a room.

• Beam defines the wall as a beam which will not display in 3D views.• Select either Align with Lower Floor or Align with Upper Floor to

align the selected wall with a wall below or above it. These options are only enabled if the selected wall is very close, but not quite directly above or below a wall on the other floor.

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Roof Tab

• Check Full Gable Wall to create a gable end over the wall. • Check High Shed/Gable to model the high end of a shed roof. • Check Knee Wall to define a wall as a knee wall. A knee wall’s height

is defined by the roof plane, not the ceiling height. • Check Extend Slope Downward to continue a roof down over a

bumpout in an exterior wall.• Enter a value in a ratio over 12 to individually define the Pitch of the

roof plane over this wall. • Check the box to create a roof plane with two pitches, then enter a

value for the Upper pitch. • Start Height defines the height above the floor at which the second

pitch starts. From Baseline defines the distance from the roof plane baseline at which the second pitch starts.

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Materials TabThe Materials tab of the Wall Specification dialog is similar to the Materials tab of the Build Roof dialog. For more information, see “Materials Tab” on page 161.

Window DefaultsThe settings in the Window Defaults dialog are used to determine the initial values for windows. They are the same as those in the Window Specification dialog. For descriptions of these settings, see “Window Specification” on page 242.

Window Specification

Double-click a window with the Select Objects tool or select it and

click the Open Object edit button to open the Window Specification dialog. The preview in the dialog will update as the window is edited.

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General Tab

• Select a Window Type from the drop down list.• Specify the Width and Height, which include the frame. • Floor to Top specifies the header height of the window measured from

the finished floor. • Movable Size defines the size of the movable portion of the window.

Enter zero (0) to default the movable size to whatever is normal for the current type of window.

• On all tabs, you can specify the preview in the dialog to show the Interior or Exterior of the window.

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Sash Tab

• Specify the width for the left and right Side of the window sash. Increasing the size of the sash decreases the size of the glass.

• Specify the width for the Middle section of the window sash.• Specify the width for the Top section of the window sash.• Specify the width for the Bottom section of the window sash.• Specify the Sash Depth which is the thickness of the sash stock

measured from the exterior to the interior.

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Casing Tab

• Specify whether you’re defining the Interior or the Exterior of the window. The preview changes to display the selected side.

• Specify the Casing Width, which applies to the top, bottom and both sides.

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Lites Tab

• Choose up to 8 Lites Across (horizontal divisions) in each sash.• Choose up to 8 Lites Vertical (vertical divisions) in each sash.• Check Lites in fixed to create divided lites in the fixed sash.• Check Lites in movable to create divided lites in the movable sash.• Select a window Type from the drop down list. Your choices are

Normal, Diamond, Prairie, and Craftsman. Use the preview to see the differences between the styles.

• Check Shutters to add working shutters to the exterior of the window. Each shutter is half the window width, not including the casing. If one side doesn’t have room for a shutter because it is too close to a window or a corner, that side won’t have a shutter. Shutters resize with the window unless you Specify Width for them.

• Uncheck Set Width by Window to specify a custom shutter width; otherwise, the shutter will be set to half the window’s width.

• Check the Outside Casing box to place the shutters at the outside edge of the side casing. Normal functional shutters overlap the casing except

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for the innermost one inch. Decorative shutters usually attach to the house outside the casing.

• Check the Louver box to place louvers in the central portion of each shutter. Clear the check box to model shutters with solid panels. If Outside Casing is checked, the louvers are positioned to shield the sun when the shutters are closed. When the shutters display open, the louvers will appear backwards.

Write Materials Export FileWhen a materials list is active, select File> Export Materials List (TXT)

or click the Export Material List button to export your material list as a TXT document. The Write Materials Export File dialog is similar to the Save Plan File dialog. For more information, see “Save Plan File” on page 225.

• Specify a location on your computer to export the TXT file and click Save.

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Write Movie File In a 3D view, select 3D> Record Walkthrough or click the Record Walkthrough button to open the Write Movie File dialog.

• Click the arrow beside the Save In: drop-down list and browse to the location in which you want to save your walkthrough file.

• Any .AVI files already saved to that location display below the Save In: list.

• In the File name: text field, replace *.AVI with a name for your walkthrough file. The only file type available in this dialog is .AVI.

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Appendix A

License Agreement

BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS LANDSCAPING AND DECK DESIGNER (TM)

END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT

NOTICE TO USER:

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY: THIS IS A CONTRACT. BY INSTALLING, COPY-ING OR USING THIS SOFTWARE, YOU AGREE TO BE BOUND BY ALL THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THIS LICENSE AGREEMENT, ON YOUR OWN BE-HALF AND ON THE BEHALF OF THE ENTITY BY WHOM YOU ARE EMPLOYED OR REPRESENT. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE WITH THE TERMS OF THIS AGREE-MENT, DO NOT INSTALL, USE OR COPY THE SOFTWARE. INSTEAD, RETURN THE SOFTWARE WITHIN THE SPECIFIED GUARANTEE PERIOD TO THE PLACE OF PURCHASE FOR A REFUND OF YOUR PURCHASE PRICE.This End User License Agreement ("License Agreement", or "EULA") is a legal agreement between you ("LICENSEE", an individual or entity) and the entities of Better Homes and Gardens and Advanced Relational Technology ("ART") ("LICENSOR"), and sets forth the terms and conditions under which you are licensed to use the Software. "Software" means (A) all of the contents of the CD-ROM(s) or any other media which is accompanied by this Agreement, including, but not limited to (i) ART or third party software, (ii) printed, "on-line" or electronic explanatory materials ("Documentation"), (iii) digital images, sample

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plans, textures, images, symbols, photographs, videos or other artistic works ("Graphical Files"), (B) hardware security key, if any, and (C) modified versions, updates, upgrades, ad-ditions and copies of the software, if any, licensed to you by ART or Better Homes and Gar-dens (collectively, "Updates").1. GRANT OF LICENSE TO USE SOFTWARE: LICENSOR grants you a non-exclu-

sive, non-transferable (except as provided below) license ("License") to use the Soft-ware in object code only (and specifically not in source code) subject to the following terms and conditions: (a)Software: Unless otherwise agreed to in writing, LICENSOR grants you the right to

use one copy of the Software on only one computer at one location at any one time;

(b)Storage/Network Use: You may store or install the Software on a network server or other storage device only to install and run the Software on an internal network. You must, however, purchase and dedicate a separate copy of the Software for each computer and each concurrent user of the Software installed or accessed from a network server or other storage device. A single license for the Software may not be shared or used concurrently on different computers;

(c)Backup: You may make a backup copy of the Software for archival purposes. If printed Documentation accompanies the Software, it may not be copied. If the Software is accompanied by Documentation in electronic form, you may print out one (1) copy for your use which, in turn, may not be copied. A copy of the Soft-ware must include all copyright notices and this License Agreement;

(d)If you receive one copy of the Software electronically and a second copy on media, the second copy may be used for archival purposes only and may not be trans-ferred to or used by any other person. This license does not grant you any right to any enhancement or update unless otherwise agreed to in writing by LICENSOR;

2. OTHER RIGHTS AND RESTRICTIONS: (a)Reverse Engineering: You may not modify, translate, reverse engineer, decompile,

disassemble, or modify the executable in any way or use any other method to con-vert the Software or any component of the Software into human-readable code (except to the extent that this restriction is expressly prohibited by law), create de-rivative works based upon the Software, Documentation, or Graphical Files or al-low anyone else to do so;

(b)Renting: You may not rent, lease, sub-license, lend, duplicate or distribute the Soft-ware, Documentation, or Graphical Files without the prior written consent of LI-CENSOR, which, if given, is subject to the transferee’s consent to the terms and conditions of this License Agreement;

(c)Copying: You may not copy or reproduce the Software, Documentation, or Graph-ical Files (except for back-up purposes);

(d)Upgrades: If the Software is being licensed to you as an upgrade or update to soft-ware previously licensed to you, you must cease using the software previously li-censed to you, including any copies installed on your computer hard-disk drives, once you have successfully installed and commenced use of the upgrade or update software. You may not transfer or sell the software version previously licensed to you. You may, however, maintain a copy of the software previously licensed to

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you for archival purposes only;(e)Proprietary Notices: You may not remove any proprietary notices or labels from the

Software, Documentation, or Graphical Files; (f)Protection: You may not utilize any computer hardware or software designed to de-

feat any hardware or software copy-protection device, should the Software be equipped with such protection. You may not disable any licensing or control fea-tures of the Software;

(g)Public Access: You may not copy the Software or any component of the Software onto any public network. You may not, in any manner, make it accessible to oth-ers, including via internet web site, telecommunication transmittal, electronic bul-letin board, or any other form of electronic distribution system.

3. TRANSFERING YOUR SOFTWARE: You may permanently transfer your license to another person or entity only according to the following terms and conditions:(a)You may permanently transfer an original license for the Software, for which full

price was paid, but you must deliver the Software to the transferee and must not retain any copy of the Software, including backup or archival copies;

(b)Your License will automatically terminate upon any transfer of the Software;(c)If the Software being transferred is an Upgrade or Update, you must transfer all pri-

or versions of the Software, Documentation, and Graphical Files as well;(d)You may not transfer any earlier versions of Software which have been upgraded;(e)The recipient of the transfer shall agree to all the terms of this License Agreement

as a condition of the transfer;4. TITLE: Title, ownership, rights, and intellectual property rights in and to the Software,

Documentation, Graphical Files, and any other accompanying materials shall remain with LICENSOR or the respective third party. Title, ownership, rights, and intellectual property rights in and to each of the Sample Drawings, Sample Plans, and any accom-panying materials shall remain with each Licensor from whom LICENSOR licensed each Sample Drawing, Sample Plans, and any accompanying materials. Unauthorized copying of the Software, Documentation, Graphical Files, Sample Drawings, Sample Plans, or failure to comply with the foregoing restrictions, will result in the automatic termination of this License Agreement. Unauthorized duplication of the Software, Documentation, Graphical Files, Sample Drawings, or Sample Plans constitutes copy-right infringement and in the United States is punishable in a federal criminal action by a fine of up to $250,000 and imprisonment of up to five (5) years. In addition, fed-eral civil penalties allow the recovery of actual damages based on the number of unau-thorized copies produced or statutory damages of up to $100,000 for willful copyright infringement.

5. THIRD PARTY CONTENT: All trademarks and logos belong to their respective own-ers. All Sample Plans, Graphical Files, including symbols, images, textures, back-drops, and videos are the copyright subject matter of LICENSOR, or third parties. The Sample Plans and Graphical Files included with the Software are provided for use with the Software only. You may not use the Graphical Files included with the Software for any other purpose outside of the Software plan files. You may not sell or distribute the Sample Plans or Graphical Files for any purpose whatsoever. You may not use the Sample Plans or Graphical Files with other software. LICENSOR’s content and third

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party content, symbols, or textures may not be copied, redistributed, or sold separately from the Software. LICENSOR and third party product content is provided for repre-sentational purposes only. For information regarding the represented items, including product specification, contact the supplier directly for more details. LICENSOR and third parties assume no responsibility for any discrepancies between actual product ap-pearance and that represented in the Software, or between actual pricing, characteris-tics, and specifications, and that mentioned anywhere in the Software or Documentation.

6. MONEY-BACK GUARANTEE PERIOD: The Software has a money-back guarantee for satisfaction. During the money-back guarantee period (the "Guarantee Period") fol-lowing your first purchase of the Software, you may return the Software, Documenta-tion and packaging, along with the original purchase receipt, for a refund of the purchase price, less any applicable shipping fees. This money-back guarantee does not apply to upgrade purchases or license transfers. You agree to contact LICENSOR in order to obtain proper return material authorization ("RMA") prior to returning the Software. You also agree to uninstall the Software and all of its related files and content from your computer prior to returning the product.If, after returning the Software, Documentation and packaging for a refund, you repur-chase any version of the Software again, you are, by the act of repurchasing the Soft-ware, acknowledging satisfaction with the Software, and by doing so agree to purchase and keep the Software permanently without the option to return it for a refund.

7. GRANT OF LICENSE TO USE SAMPLE PLANS AND SAMPLE DRAWINGS: LICENSOR has licensed from third parties (its "Licensors") sample plans and sample drawings that may be included in the Software. These Sample Plans and Sample Draw-ings are provided to you by LICENSOR solely for demonstrative and illustrative pur-poses to help you more quickly learn and better understand the functional capabilities of the Software, and are licensed to you solely for these limited purposes. You may not reproduce, distribute or use these Sample Plans or Sample Drawings for any other pur-pose without the prior written consent of LICENSOR and the Licensor(s) from whom these Sample Plans and Sample Drawings were originally licensed.

8. LIMITED SOFTWARE WARRANTY: LICENSOR warrants that for a period of thir-ty (30) days from the date of your purchase of the Software as evidenced by an original copy of your receipt, the media upon which the Software is furnished will be free from defects in materials and workmanship under normal use. EXCEPT FOR THE ABOVE EXPRESS LIMITED WARRANTIES, LICENSOR MAKES NO WARRANTIES AS TO THE SOFTWARE, EXPRESS, IMPLIED, STATUTORY, OR IN ANY COMMU-NICATION WITH YOU. LICENSOR SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS ANY OTHER WARRANTY INCLUDING THE IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILI-TY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE WITH REGARD TO THE SOFTWARE, AND THE ACCOMPANYING WRITTEN MATERIALS. LICENSOR DOES NOT WARRANT THAT YOUR USE OF THE SOFTWARE WILL BE UNIN-TERRUPTED OR THAT THE OPERATION OF THE SOFTWARE WILL BE ER-ROR-FREE. If this Software was purchased in the United States, the above exclusions may not apply to you as some states do not allow the exclusion of implied warranties. In addition to the above warranty rights, you may also have other rights, which vary from state to state.

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9. CUSTOMER REMEDIES: The entire liability of LICENSOR and your exclusive rem-edy under the warranty provided as to Software set forth above will be, at LICEN-SOR's sole discretion: (i) to replace the media; (ii) to attempt to correct or work around software errors, if any; or (iii) if the above remedies are impracticable, to refund the license fee you paid, if any, for the Software. The latter remedy is subject to pre-autho-rized return of the Software, Documentation and packaging to LICENSOR or to the Authorized Dealer or Reseller from whom the Software and Documentation were ob-tained together with an original copy of your receipt. Repaired, corrected or replaced Software and Documentation shall be covered by this limited warranty for thirty (30) days after the date LICENSOR either shipped the re-paired or replaced Software to you or advised you as to how to operate the Software, whichever is applicable. Only if you inform LICENSOR of the problem with the Soft-ware during the applicable warranty period and provide evidence of the date you ac-quired the Software will LICENSOR honor this warranty.

10. NO WARRANTY AS TO THE SAMPLE PLANS, SAMPLE DRAWINGS OR VIDEOS: LICENSOR MAKES NO WARRANTY WHATSOEVER AS TO THE SAMPLE PLANS, SAMPLE DRAWINGS, OR TRAINING VIDEOS WHICH ARE PROVIDED TO YOU SOLELY FOR DEMONSTRATIVE AND ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES. LICENSOR MAKES NO WARRANTY THAT THE DIMENSIONS IN THE SAMPLE PLANS, SAMPLE DRAWINGS, OR VIDEOS ARE ACCURATE AND FREE OF DISCREPANCIES. LICENSOR MAKES NO WARRANTY THAT THE SAMPLE PLANS OR SAMPLE DRAWINGS COMPLY WITH ANY BUILD-ING CODES. THE SAMPLE PLANS AND SAMPLE DRAWINGS ARE PROVID-ED TO YOU "AS IS," AND LICENSOR AND THE LICENSORS OF THE SAMPLE PLANS AND SAMPLE DRAWINGS DISCLAIM ANY AND ALL WARRANTIES WITH RESPECT TO THE SAMPLE PLANS AND SAMPLE DRAWINGS, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED OR ARISING BY CUSTOM OR TRADE US-AGE, AND, SPECIFICALLY, MAKE NO WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

11. DISCLAIMER AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY: COMPUTER-AIDED DE-SIGN SOFTWARE AND OTHER TECHNICAL HOME DESIGN SOFTWARE ARE NOT SUBSTITUTES FOR TRAINED, EXPERIENCED AND PROFESSIONAL DESIGNS. COMPUTER-AIDED DESIGN SOFTWARE AND OTHER TECHNI-CAL SOFTWARE ARE INTENDED TO ASSIST WITH ARCHITECTURAL, PRE-MISES OR PRODUCT DESIGN AND ARE NOT SUBSTITUTES FOR INDEPENDENT TESTING OF STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY, SOUNDNESS, SAFETY, AND UTILITY. DUE TO THE LARGE VARIETY OF POTENTIAL AP-PLICATIONS FOR THE SOFTWARE, THE SOFTWARE HAS NOT BEEN TEST-ED IN ALL SITUATIONS UNDER WHICH IT MAY BE USED. LICENSOR SHALL NOT BE LIABLE IN ANY MANNER WHATSOEVER FOR THE RE-SULTS OBTAINED THROUGH THE USE OF THE SOFTWARE. PERSONS US-ING THE SOFTWARE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SUPERVISION, MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL OF THE SOFTWARE AND THEIR EMPLOY-EES OR CONTRACTORS WHO USE THE SOFTWARE. THIS RESPONSIBILITY INCLUDES, BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO, THE DETERMINATION OF APPROPRI-ATE USES FOR THE SOFTWARE AND THE SELECTION OF THE SOFTWARE

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AND OTHER PROGRAMS TO ACHIEVE INTENDED RESULTS. PERSONS US-ING THE SOFTWARE ARE ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR ESTABLISHING THE ADEQUACY OF INDEPENDENT PROCEDURES FOR TESTING THE RELI-ABILITY AND ACCURACY OF ANY PROGRAM OUTPUT, INCLUDING ALL ITEMS DESIGNED OR MEASURED BY USING THE SOFTWARE.UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES WILL LICENSOR, ITS DEALERS, RESELLERS, DISTRIBUTORS OR THE LICENSORS OF THE SAMPLE DRAWINGS BE LIA-BLE FOR ANY DAMAGES, WHETHER ARISING FROM TORT OR CONTRACT, INCLUDING LOSS OF DATA, LOST PROFITS, COST OF COVER, OR OTHER SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR INDIRECT DAMAGES ARIS-ING OUT OF THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE THE SOFTWARE, DOCUMEN-TATION, GRAPHICAL FILES, OR THE SAMPLE DRAWINGS. LICENSOR, ITS DEALERS, RESELLERS, DISTRIBUTORS AND THE LICENSORS OF THE SAMPLE DRAWINGS ASSUME NO LIABILITY OR RESPONSIBILITY FOR, AMONG OTHER THINGS, INADVERTENT DISCREPANCIES, CONSTRUC-TION INTERPRETATIONS OR CONSTRUCTED RESULTS. THESE LIMITA-TIONS WILL APPLY EVEN IF LICENSOR, ITS DEALERS, RESELLERS, DISTRIBUTORS OR THE LICENSORS OF THE SAMPLE DRAWINGS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE. YOU ACKNOWL-EDGE THAT THE LICENSE FEE REFLECTS THIS ALLOCATION OF RISK. FURTHER, IN NO EVENT SHALL THE LIABILITY OF LICENSOR, ITS DEAL-ERS, RESELLERS, DISTRIBUTORS AND THE LICENSORS OF THE SAMPLE DRAWINGS UNDER ANY PROVISION OF THIS AGREEMENT EXCEED THE LICENSE FEE PAID TO LICENSOR FOR THE SOFTWARE, DOCUMENTATION, GRAPHICAL FILES, AND THE SAMPLE DRAWINGS. BECAUSE SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES, THE ABOVE LIMITA-TION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.

12. TERMINATION: This license shall terminate automatically if you fail to comply with the terms, conditions, and limitations described in this license. No notice shall be re-quired from LICENSOR to effectuate such termination. On termination, you must re-turn or destroy all copies of the Software and Documentation.

13. U.S. GOVERNMENT RESTRICTED RIGHTS: The Software and Documentation are provided with RESTRICTED RIGHTS for U.S. Government customers. Use, du-plication or disclosure by the Government is subject to restrictions as set forth in sub-paragraph (c)(i)(ii) of The Rights in Technical Data and Computer Software clause at DFARS 252.227-7013 or subparagraphs (c)(i) and (2) of the Commercial Computer Software-Restricted Rights at 48 CFR 52.227-19 as applicable. The manufacturer is Advanced Relational Technology, Inc., 6500 N. Mineral Dr. Suite #105, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho 83815.

14. GOVERNING LAW: This License Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Idaho without regard to conflicts of law principles. This License Agreement shall not be governed by the United Nations Convention of Contracts for the International Sale of Goods, the application of which is hereby expressly excluded. If either you or LICENSOR employs attorneys to enforce any right arising out of this Agreement, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover reasonable attorney’s fees and costs.

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15. ENTIRE AGREEMENT: This agreement constitutes the complete and exclusive agree-ment between you and LICENSOR with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior oral or written understandings, communications or agreements not specifically in-corporated herein. This agreement may not be modified except in a writing duly signed by an authorized representative of LICENSOR and you. THE ACCEPTANCE OF ANY PUR-CHASE ORDER PLACED BY YOU IS EXPRESSLY MADE CONDITIONAL ON YOUR CONSENT TO THE TERMS SET FORTH HEREIN.

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IndexNumerics

110v Outlet ...............................107220v Outlet ...............................1073D Backdrop .............................1213D Backdrop Dialog .................158

AAccurate Move..........................154Adjust Material Defintion .........119Align Left..................................156Align Right ...............................156Arrange All ...............................130Automatic Exterior

Dimensions ............................123

BBay Window ...............................97Bay/Box/Bow Window

Specification Dialog ..............159Better Homes and

Gardens Web Site ..................131Bifold Door .................................95BMP ............................................80Bow Window ..............................99Box Window ...............................98Break Line.................................154

Break Wall ..................................90Build Foundation ......................100Build New Floor .......................100Build Roof.................................101Build Roof Dialog.....................160Build Terrain.............................112

CCAD..........................................121Calculate From All Floors ........127Calculate From Area.................127Camera ......................................118Camera Defaults Dialog............162Camera Move Tools..................151Camera Orbit Tools ..................150Camera Specification Dialog ....162Camera Tilt Tools .....................150Camera View ..............................20Cascade .....................................129CD Key .......................................10Center........................................156Center Object ............................155Change Floor/Reference ...........145Change Floor/Reference

Dialog.....................................163Change Line/Arc.......................154Change Opening/Hinge Side ....155

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Change Swing Side ...................155Chief Architect, Upgrade to......131Child Buttons ............................135Close ...........................................78Close All .....................................79Color Chooser Dialog ...............163Color Chooser Eyedropper .......163Color Dialog .............................163Color On/Off.............................126Connect Electrical.....................108Contents and Index ...................130Copy/Paste ................................153Copying Objects .........................26Corner Boards ...........................101Create New Plan Dialog ...........164Creating Double Doors ...............93Creating Windows ......................96Cross Section Slider Dialog......165Current Floor, Delete ................100Current Mode ............................130Curved Wall Tools....................137Curved Walls ..............................91Cut, Copy, and Paste...................83

DDeck Railing Specification

Dialog.....................................166Deck Railings..............................89Default Settings.....................30, 84Define Material Dialog .............167Delete ..................................83, 154Delete Current Floor .................100Delete Foundation.....................100

Delete Gable Over An Opening..................................155

Delete Objects.............................83Delete Objects Dialog...............168Delete Roof ...............................101Deleting

a Wall ....................................87Doors.....................................93Fireplaces ............................106Objects ..................................26Windows ...............................97

Design Planning Center ......31, 128Designing With Objects..............24Dialog

3D Backdrop .......................158Bay/Box/Bow Window

Specification ....................159Build Roof...........................160Camera Defaults .................162Camera Specification..........162Change Floor/Reference .....163Color ...................................163Create New Plan .................164Cross Section Slider............165Deck Railing Specification .166Define Material ...................167Delete Objects.....................168Dimension Defaults ............169Display Options ..................170Door Specification ..............171Elevation Line

Specification ....................175Elevation Point

Specification ....................176

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Export Picture File ..............177Export Windows Metafile...178Fencing Specification .........179Fireplace Specification .......180Fixture Specification...........182Flat Region Specification....184Furniture Specification .......185Hill/Valley Specification ....188Image Specification ............189Import Backdrop File..........191Import Picture File ..............192Line Specification ...............196Manufacturers .....................197Material Defaults ................198Material List Display

Options.............................199Metafile Size .......................201Open Plan File ....................203Plan Defaults.......................205Polyline Specification .........213Print.....................................214Print Material ......................215Quoin Specification ............215Railing Specification...........217Raised/Lowered Region

Specification ....................219Render Quality ....................220Room Defaults ....................221Room Specification.............221Save Plan File .....................225Staircase Specification ........229Sunlight Specification.........232Terrain Feature

Specification ....................233

Terrain Specification...........235Text Specification ...............238Wall Defaults ......................238Wall Specification...............239Window Defaults ................242Window Specification.........242Write Materials Export

File ...................................247Dialogs ......................................157Dimension Defaults Dialog ......169Dimension Tools.......................141Dimensions .........................30, 121

Automatic Exterior .............123Manual ................................123

Display Options ................126, 170Display Options Dialog ............170Door ............................................94

Bifold ....................................95Garage...................................95Sliding...................................94

Door Hinges................................93Door Library ...............................95Door Specification Dialog ........171Door Swings ...............................93Door Tools ................................138Doors.....................................28, 92

Deleting.................................93Moving..................................93Resizing ................................92

Doorway Library.........................95Double Doors, Creating ..............93Down One Floor .......................145Download Program Updates .....132Drawing a Plan............................27

261


Drawing a Wall ...........................85Driveway...................................113

EEdit Buttons ..............................136Edit Menu ...................................82Edit Toolbar Buttons.................153Editing Objects ...........................25Electrical ...................................107Electrical Library ......................108Electrical Objects ........................29

Placing ................................108Selecting..............................108

Electrical Tools .........................141Elevation Line

Specification Dialog ..............175Elevation Lines .........................112Elevation Point

Specification Dialog ..............176Elevation Points ........................112EMF ............................................79Exit..............................................82Export Materials List ................153Export Picture File Dialog ........177Export Windows Metafile

Dialog.....................................178Exporting Files............................79Exporting the Materials List .......80Extending a Wall ........................87Exterior Walls .............................87

FFeature Region..........................113Fencing........................................89Fencing Specification Dialog....179Fill Window ..............................128Final View...................................22Fireplace Specification Dialog..180Fireplace Tool ...........................140Fireplaces ..................................105

Deleting...............................106Fixture Specification Dialog.....182Fixtures .......................................28Flat Region................................113Flat Region Specification

Dialog.....................................184Floor Tools................................145Floors ........................................100Form Stairwell ..........................155Foundations...............................100

Building ..............................100Deleting...............................100

Full Overview .....................21, 118Furniture......................................28Furniture Specification

Dialog.....................................185

GGable Over Door/Window........155Garage Door................................95Grow All Plants ........................186Grow Plants Dialog...................186

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HHardiness Zone Map.................187Hatch Wall ..................................90Help Index.................................148Hill ............................................113Hill/Valley Specification

Dialog.....................................188Home Designer Web Site ...........32

IImage Specification Dialog ......189Images

Select from library ......189, 210Import Backdrop File................191Import Picture File Dialog ........192Importing Files............................80Importing Picture Files ...............81Installation ................................1, 3Invisible Walls ............................87

JJPG..............................................80Justify........................................156

KKidney Garden Bed ..................114

LLibrary ......................................139

Library Browser ........................192License Agreement ...............6, 251Light..........................................108Line Specification Dialog .........196Lowered Region........................113

MManual Dimension Lines..........123Manufacturers ...................127, 152Manufacturers Dialog ...............197Material Defaults Dialog ..........198Material Eyedropper .................120Material List......................127, 199Material List Display

Options Dialog.......................199Material List Tool .....................146Material Lists ..............................23Material Painter.................120, 149Menu Commands........................23Menus..........................................77Metafile .......................................79Metafile Size Dialog .................201Move Area ..................................84Move Camera With

Mouse Tools ..........................151Moving a Wall ............................86Moving Doors .............................93Moving Objects...........................26Moving Windows .......................97Multiple Floors ...........................30

263


NNew Floor .................................202New Plan...................................147

OObjects

Copying.................................26Deleting.................................26Editing...................................25Moving..................................26Outdoor .................................28Resizing ................................27Rotating.................................27Selecting................................26

Online Help.................................31Open Object ........................83, 153Open Plan..................................147Open Plan File Dialog...............203Opening Objects for

Specification ............................26Outdoor Objects ..........................28Outlet

110v ....................................107220v ....................................107

PPage Setup.................................204Picture Files ................................80Picture Files, Importing ..............81Placing Electrical Objects .........108Plan Defaults Dialog.................205

Plan Materials ...........................127Plan View....................................19Plant Chooser ............................206Plant Image Specification

Dialog.....................................209Plant Tools ................................144PNG ............................................80Polyline Specification Dialog ...213Pond ..........................................114Print...........................................147

Page Setup...........................204Print Dialog...............................214Print Material Dialog ................215

QQuoin Specification Dialog ......215Quoins.......................................101

RRailing Specification Dialog.....217Railings .......................................88Raised Region ...........................112Raised/Lowered Region

Specification Dialog ..............219Recommended System..................2Redo ............................................83Removing Home Designer..........13Render Quality Dialog ..............220Replace from Library................154Resizing

Doors.....................................92Objects ..................................27

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Windows ...............................97Roof ..........................................101

Build....................................101Delete ..................................101

Roof Tools ................................140Roofs ...........................................29Room Defaults Dialog ..............221Room Specification Dialog.......221Rooms .......................................109Rotating

Objects ..................................27Round Garden Bed....................113

SSample Plans...............................14Save.....................................79, 148Save As .......................................79Save Plan File Dialog ...............225Select Next Object ....................153Select Objects .....................83, 136Selecting

a Wall ....................................86Electrical Objects ................108Objects ..................................26Stacked Objects.....................26

Show Crosshairs .......................126Sidewalk....................................113Skylight .....................................101Sliding Door................................94Sprinkler Specification Dialog..228Sprinkler Tools .........................144Stacked Objects, Selecting..........26Stair Tools.................................140

Staircase Specification Dialog ..229Stairs .........................................102

Straight................................102Straight Stairs............................102Sunlight Specification Dialog...232Switch .......................................108System Requirements ...................2

TTechnical Support .......................32Terrain.......................................112Terrain Feature

Specification Dialog ..............233Terrain Feature Tools................143Terrain Perimeter ......................112Terrain Specification Dialog.....235Terrain Tools.............................142Text .....................................30, 125Text Specification Dialog .........238Text Tools .................................142Text With Arrow.......................125Tile ............................................129Toolbar Buttons ..........24, 135, 136Tooltips .......................................24Training Videos ..........................32Trim ..........................................101Tutorials ......................................14TXT.............................................80

UUndo............................................82Undo Zoom ...............................129

265


Up One Floor ............................145Upgrade to Chief Architect.......131

VValley........................................113View Mode Tools .....................148View Tools................................146View User’s Guide....................131Views ..........................................18

WWalkthrough Recording Tools..152Wall

Deleting.................................87Extending ..............................87Hatch .....................................90Selecting................................86

Wall Defaults Dialog ................238Wall Specification Dialog.........239Wall Tools.................................136Walls .....................................28, 84

Curved...................................91Exterior .................................87Invisible ................................87

Window.................................95, 97Window Defaults Dialog ..........242Window Library........................100Window Specification Dialog...242Window Tools...........................139Windows ...............................17, 28

Bay ........................................97Bow.......................................99

Box........................................98Creating.................................96Deleting.................................97Moving..................................97Resizing ................................97

WMF...........................................79Write Materials Export

File Dialog .............................247

ZZoom in.....................................129Zoom Out..................................129Zoom Tools...............................146Zoom Window ..........................129

266

Documents

User Guide Landscaping and Desk Design