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January 2012
SoftPlan News
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Featured News: Integration with REScheck
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We have lots of exciting news for this letter. First and
foremost, our latest version, SoftPlan 2012, gives you the
ability to integrate directly with REScheck, the
Department of Energy's building energy codes program. REScheck
is designed to simplify code compliance, but SoftPlan goes the
extra mile to insert all of the necessary information directly
from your SoftPlan drawing files. A full and complete REScheck
report is just a mouse click away!
Our technical support staff has made a two part video
illustrating just how simple it is to create complete
and accurate REScheck reports from your SoftPlan
drawings. The first video describes the customization
of each component of the building's thermal shell.
You'll see that you can set default values to reflect
regional specifications and you can quickly modify
these values for specific jobs. The second video
describes how to create a REScheck report and how to
use the feedback to create a more energy efficient
design.
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Design Trends for the New Year
Paul Schumacher, a long time SoftPlan user, was interviewed for a very
interesting article in Builder Magazine about custom home design trends for the
new year. He's got some great ideas about what consumers really want.
Read the article and view the slide show to see Paul's
top ten list for custom home design trends.
Come See Us at the 2012 NAHB International Builder's
Show
We're excited to show off SoftPlan 2012 at this year's show. Last year
SoftPlan 2012 received a lot of interest and we're hoping people are
just as enthusiastic this year. Register for a free 4-day pass for you and your
spouse, and stop by and see us!
Training Information
We've put up the Live Online Training schedule for the new year on our website. These
classes fill up fast, so register today.
New training video samples are up on YouTube. There's a video from the
beginner's class, the intermediate class, and the wildly popular 3D
training class. Enjoy these free samples, and consider purchasing the
entire DVD to help your business get the most out of the thousands of
SoftPlan features.
In Your
Toolbox: aligning drawings in a multi drawing
The Multi Drawing feature allows you to combine more than one drawing
on the drawing screen at one time. This feature is especially useful
when you want to print several drawings at one time. Once you've added
the drawings to the screen, you can create attractive and orderly Multi
Drawings using the Align Drawing tool.
1. Select File >Multi Drawing
> Multi
Drawing or press ctrl + g to display the
Multi Drawing menu.
2. Select the Align Drawing button.
3. Select a feature on a drawing to which you
want to align the other drawings. For example, select the bottom
line of the foundation. The feature will become highlighted.
4. On a different drawing, select the feature
you want to line up with the previously selected feature. For
example, select the foundation. The features will automatically line
up.
TechTips
Q: I created a new floor plan. How do I get it to show in my 3D model?
A: On the Navigation bar, simply drag the drawing from the Floor Plans
group up to the Model group. Place the floor plans in the order that
you wish to see them appear in 3D. For example, the foundation plan
would be listed below the main floor plan.
Q: How can I dimension between two walls without moving a wall that
lies between them?
A: Use Dimension Point, located in the Dimension menu, to select
the two walls you want to dimension. Anything between will be ignored.
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