Wall Properties

by | Jan 11, 2022 | Learning Center, Walls, Doors, and Windows | 0 comments

Video: https://youtu.be/ZsoT-CBn31c

Instructions from Video:

Every wall in the catalog has a set of properties that define not only the size and appearance of a wall but settings regarding framing, energy efficiency and a shopping list of all materials needed to build the wall.

Select Insert>walls>Walls.

In the catalog panel to the right, select one of the walls and then right-click and select Edit Element.

The Walls dialog box appears and it is broken into tabs:

Basic

On the Basic tab you can edit the type of wall construction as well as the components used in the wall system. Our stone wall is a composite wall, meaning it is made up of several components such as a stud wall, and an exterior surface. These are separated by sheathing and possibly an air space. You may also have interior surfaces such as gypsum wallboard applied to either side. This is also where you control the Top and Bottom Edges of your wall as well as the framing options and energy calculations.

Wall Type

Allows you to choose the type of wall you are constructing. You choose between General, Framed, Concrete, Masonry, Girt and Log.

Exterior Wall System

If the wall being created is to be an Exterior Wall, this option should be selected as it will adjust the Component Layout to allow for an Exterior Finish.

If the wall being created is to be an Interior wall, this option should be unselected as it will adjust the Component Layout to allow for a Left and Right Interior Finish.

Width

The width is a locked value that updates based on the total thickness of all components that make up the wall. As you adjust your components this value will update with any changes.

Component Layout

This option applies the components needed to create the wall type being defined. When you select this option the Component Layout dialog box is opened.

In the Component Layout dialog box, the types of components are listed on the left. A wall can have multiple Interior Finishes, Interior Layers, Exterior Layers and Exterior Finishes. It can only have one Core element. As you select a component, the middle of the dialog box will display the component Properties and the graphic to the right will highlight where the component is sitting within the wall.

  1. To add components, click on the Add
  2. To remove a component, click the Delete
  3. To move the component within its category, select either the Move Upor Move Down  Components can only be moved within their category, if there are multiple components within a category, otherwise the buttons are greyed out.
  4. Under Properties, in the middle column, the component is listed at the top. If you select the component, a button will appear to the right. Click on it.
    1. This takes you to the Catalog Accessdialog box where the components are found in the catalog. Right click on the current component and select Edit Element.
    2. The Size, Appearance, Line Workand Quantity information of the component is set here.
      1. Under the Sizetab you can set the Function of the component and that will carry forward as a default to the Component Layout tab. The width of the component can be added beside a-Width. If it is a framing component check the Framed Component option and then specify a member. Under Energy specify the R value of the component and if you wish to Include in Calculations for the overall Energy analysis.
      2. Under the Appearance tab set the texture for the component for when it is visible in a 3D view.
      3. Under the Line Worktab set the Layer and Hatch pattern information for the components view in Surface and in Plan and Section
      4. The Quantitytab will outline the quantity information for the component that will carry back to the parent wall.
      5. Click OKto exit the Components and Catalog Access dialog boxes and return to the Component Layout dialog box.
    3. You can also pick the Functionfor the component. The function can be Structure, Sheathing, Barrier, Insulation, or Finish. The function determines the properties that will be listed in the dialog box.
    4. Each component can be considered Load-Bearingor get its Load-Bearing information from the parent wall. Most components are set to Parent so the wall, and not the individual components, are considered Load-Bearing or not.
    5. The Widthof the component comes directly from the component information. It can’t be altered here.
    6. The Topand Bottom Edge settings will shift the component up or down relative to the core. You can have the component sit higher or lower at the Top Edge or the Bottom Edge by typing in a value. The diagram to the right will update to show the change.
    7. The last options define if the component is visible when the Surfaceis in elevation view or Plan and Section Check to turn the visibility on or off.

 

Top Edge and Bottom Edge

Level – The top or bottom of the wall is straight (i.e., it lies at a 0-degree angle). If you want to change the height of the wall, edit the Wall Height.

Slope – Creates an angled top or bottom. A wall underneath a staircase typically has a sloped top to match the slope of the staircase.

Step – Gradually steps the top or bottom down at regular increments. If you are building your home on a sloped site, you might step the bottom of the foundation wall to avoid excessive excavating and materials.

Auto Extend – Extends the top of the wall to the roof.

Framing Options

You can determine whether a wall is framed as a load–bearing wall or non-loadbearing wall. This ensures that the proper head/sill/jamb configuration is applied to the wall. You can set it to Auto, Yes or No. Interior walls set to “Auto” will be defined as non-loadbearing and exterior walls set to “Auto” will be defined as load-bearing.

Energy

This will allow you to set up Energy calculations for your wall for export to the ResCheck application. Check to include the walls in your energy calculations.

  • Wall Type:ResCheck has different designations for Basement and Crawlspace type of walls. All other walls should be set to Normal.
  • Cavity R Valuebased on the insulation that you will use in the cavity of the wall.
  • Continuous R Value. A continuous R value would be for insulated sheathing that will run up the entire wall

Trim:

Here you can apply different trim packages to either side of the wall. You do not need to draw the trim at all – it is automatically applied to the wall based on your Trim Settings. To use a different trim package on a specific wall you can Add or Remove Trim Packages as needed. You can also select Advanced to turn specific trims on and off.

The trim package that is used is defined under Settings > Document Settings > Trim Settings.

Appearance:

Here you can determine how the wall will look in both 2D and 3D. Each component of the wall is listed on the left. You can select and edit each one individually. The Material settings determine how the wall will look in rendered display mode.

Line Work:

Here you can determine how the wall will look in 2D. Each component of the wall is listed on the left. You can select and edit each one individually. The Pattern settings determine how the wall will look in a patterned display mode. The Layer option determines how the wall will be represented in 2D in both model view and worksheet view.

Quantity:

The Quantity section on the left defines the ordering and sorting information for the wall and how it will appear in a material list.

The Assemblies section on the right lists the individual assembled materials to be ordered when the wall is constructed. You can Add, Edit and Remove assembled products. Assemblies that are greyed out are assemblies that are attached to defined Components and can only be edited within the component itself.