16 replies to this topic

[Colin Freichels]

Does anyone know how(or if) I can add/remove materials from the Wall Definition materials dropdown?

 

It would be really nice to be able to set up specific siding types (vinyl, LP, fiber cement, etc.) instead of having to constantly remember that I use "siding A" for vinyl, "siding B" for LP, and so on. We have multiple users so the more straightforward I can make it the better it will be for our accuracy when things pull into Softlist. Plus then I can make sure that we have the proper materials in the correct wall types.

[Allen McDonnell]

I would really really really appreciate your idea being implemented!!!

[Keith Almond]

As far as I'm aware, you're constrained to the predefined material lists.

 

We have asked for user defined materials in the past, but it hasn't happened yet. Even just being able to rename a material would be handy sometimes.

[Fred Russell]

I think the easiest way is,  if to go to system options, wall definitions and take say a 2x4 siding wall and save as a say ?  2x4 board and batten or ? Vinyl, and change the materials what I need.  

Another pointer for discussion, is one I sorta argued with an architect, 

was he was making a say 2x4 siding wall at 8'   and another definition at 9' and another one for 10' walls and another one for 12' wall, all as a 2x4 siding.

 

I believe the logic with softplan is you draw the 8' wall there then edit it to say a 10' wall and your done, all the additional walls you draw of any material definition will now come in as a 10' wall.

Just thought I would throw that out there

[David Zawadzki]

Does anyone know how(or if) I can add/remove materials from the Wall Definition materials dropdown?

 

It would be really nice to be able to set up specific siding types (vinyl, LP, fiber cement, etc.) instead of having to constantly remember that I use "siding A" for vinyl, "siding B" for LP, and so on. We have multiple users so the more straightforward I can make it the better it will be for our accuracy when things pull into Softlist. Plus then I can make sure that we have the proper materials in the correct wall types.

 

A speed note added to your elevations stating the exterior wall cover material should work.

[Matthew Dunson]

@Fred Russel,

 

Yes, I agree that most wall types should be fine with one unique wall definition and if the wall is setup properly, making the height adjustments should scale accordingly. I think that making a list of pre-defined heights of your walls with locked material dimensions that do not scale would be beneficial in a modular aspect where walls are consistently at a determined height and would make designing new structures faster since SoftPlan does default to 8ft (primarily since most of the pre-assembled walls are at 96" in their definition but are able to scale) and any adjustments have to be made at the start of each project. I do like how it does remember your wall height for connecting walls so that only the first wall needs to be adjusted and any other walls drawn will have those same height properties. Small features like that are often overlooked with other CAD programs and I appreciate SoftPlan's attention to detail and user experience.

 

What I hope to see in the future is the ability to offset the profiles we add to wall materials for better alignment. For instance, if I have a Board & Batten wall, I could offset the profile so that the batten strip is on the center of a window or that it aligns visually. Currently I add the profiles and hope that it aligns somewhat aesthetically for rendering purposes.

[David Zawadzki]

@Fred Russel,

 

Yes, I agree that most wall types should be fine with one unique wall definition and if the wall is setup properly, making the height adjustments should scale accordingly. I think that making a list of pre-defined heights of your walls with locked material dimensions that do not scale would be beneficial in a modular aspect where walls are consistently at a determined height and would make designing new structures faster since SoftPlan does default to 8ft (primarily since most of the pre-assembled walls are at 96" in their definition but are able to scale) and any adjustments have to be made at the start of each project. I do like how it does remember your wall height for connecting walls so that only the first wall needs to be adjusted and any other walls drawn will have those same height properties. Small features like that are often overlooked with other CAD programs and I appreciate SoftPlan's attention to detail and user experience.

 

What I hope to see in the future is the ability to offset the profiles we add to wall materials for better alignment. For instance, if I have a Board & Batten wall, I could offset the profile so that the batten strip is on the center of a window or that it aligns visually. Currently I add the profiles and hope that it aligns somewhat aesthetically for rendering purposes.

 

Maybe you could set up a "Start" project with your basic wall heights, material files, etc. and then copy that project to your new drawing.

 

As for offsetting the profiles, the future is here...  Right click on the exterior finish and then click on Surface Edit.  Next, click on the option tab in the window that pops open and you will see where you can change either the horizontal or vertical.

[Fred Russell]

you can also draw the whole thing at eight foot, then edit one wall then do a block repeat edit and change all to 10' real quick.

Block repeat edit is super useful

[David Zawadzki]

And don't forget the Edit - Wall Height tool

[Fred Russell]

Is that a right click thing.  I always forget about right clicking

[Keith Almond]

No it's on the EDIT menu. Wall Height.

[Keith Almond]

... I believe the logic with softplan is you draw the 8' wall there then edit it to say a 10' wall and your done, all the additional walls you draw of any material definition will now come in as a 10' wall ...

 

Doesn't quite work like that ...

 

Any wall you draw FROM another wall takes on the height attributes of the wall you drew it FROM.

 

If you draw from a blank spot TO another wall, It defaults to the wall height in the definition.

[Matthew Dunson]

Maybe you could set up a "Start" project with your basic wall heights, material files, etc. and then copy that project to your new drawing.

 

As for offsetting the profiles, the future is here...  Right click on the exterior finish and then click on Surface Edit.  Next, click on the option tab in the window that pops open and you will see where you can change either the horizontal or vertical.

I know SoftPlan has the ability to offset a wall surface texture however when I do a surface edit on a wall with a 3D profile and a texture, the actual profile doesn't offset if I surface edit to make any adjustments, I believe this is only a setting to offset the actual surface texture. I am not sure if I am missing something, but my profile does not adjust, only the texture applied to the surface.

[Mark Petri]

I know SoftPlan has the ability to offset a wall surface texture however when I do a surface edit on a wall with a 3D profile and a texture, the actual profile doesn't offset if I surface edit to make any adjustments, I believe this is only a setting to offset the actual surface texture. I am not sure if I am missing something, but my profile does not adjust, only the texture applied to the surface.

You are correct. It is only the rendering/model texture that offsets. Often if SP sees that the same exact wall material (drywall or siding, etc.) is used between walls it will try to clean them up and make the profiles align/stack properly. It doesn't always work. A clean up of the model or of offending walls sometimes helps.

[Philip Frank]

I have found that closing down the 3d model image and then reopening will sometimes fix the alignment of like sided wall textures.

[Colin Freichels]

A speed note added to your elevations stating the exterior wall cover material should work.

 

Yeah, I have that set up in our wall sections so getting the right material installed isn't the issue. I'm looking to actually rename the material so when it pulls into SoftList I can know which material name equals which material type.

[David Zawadzki]

Yeah, I have that set up in our wall sections so getting the right material installed isn't the issue. I'm looking to actually rename the material so when it pulls into SoftList I can know which material name equals which material type.

I would like to see a finish schedule added to the notes that would show the actual material and paint colors that are used from the catalogs in SoftPlan in the project we are working on.