Examining Wall Systems and Properties

INSTRUCTION TYPE: Exploration INSTRUCTION TITLE: Examining Wall Systems and Properties CATEGORY: Structural Elements OBJECTIVE: Learn how walls are designed by exploring geometry, placement, and material properties

PREREQUISITES:

• Understanding of floor systems

• Basic 3D navigation skills

EXPERTISE LEVEL: Novice

PARAMETERS:

• Wall Height: Vertical dimension of wall elements

• Wall Position: Placement and orientation in the floor plan

• Wall Materials: Layered construction of wall assemblies

STEPS:

1. Switch to the Floor Plan module using Option 1-2-1

2. Right-click on a wall in the view

3. Select "Height" from the context menu to view current height settings

4. View the walls in 3D by using Option 9-6 (OpenGL view)

5. Change a wall's height:

   • Right-click on the wall and select "Height" (or use Option 3-03)

   • Enter a new value when prompted

6. Reposition a wall:

   • Select Option 3-6 to activate the move command

   • Double-click on a wall to select it

   • Drag it to a new position and observe how it affects adjacent walls

7. Delete a wall:

   • Select the wall you wish to remove

   • Use Option 3-07 to delete it

8. Create a new wall:

   • Select Option 2-3 to start the wall creation tool

   • Choose a wall type from the catalog in the pop-up dialog

   • Click to place start and end points of the new wall

9. Examine wall materials:

   • Right-click on a wall and select "Property"

   • Review the layers that make up the wall assembly

   • Choose a different wall buildup from the available options

   • Observe how this changes the appearance and properties of the wall

EXPECTED RESULTS: You should understand how walls are constructed in layers and be able to perform basic wall modifications including creating, moving, deleting, and changing wall types.

COMMON VARIATIONS:

• Interior and exterior walls will have different construction types

• Load-bearing walls may have additional structural elements

TROUBLESHOOTING:

• If walls don't connect properly: Check snapping settings

• If wall height changes don't appear: Verify the view is updated or refresh

FOLLOW-UP ACTIONS:

• Explore roof geometry and properties

• Learn to add door and window openings in walls

• Understand how walls connect to floors and roof structures

QUERY EXAMPLES: "How do I create a new wall?", "Can I change the wall material after it's built?", "How do I make walls different heights?"