Full Workflow
1. Exploring Display Settings & Building Navigation
Why this matters: As a new user, exploring an existing project is the best way to understand how Dietrich's software organizes building information. The display settings and navigation tools help you see the project from different angles and understand how professional designers structure their work.
Access Free Design
In Building Navigation panel, click on "FD" (Free Design)
Why use 3D display: The 3D view gives you an immediate understanding of the overall design that might be difficult to grasp from 2D plans. By rotating and viewing the model from different angles, you'll quickly understand the spatial relationships in this existing project.
Exploring 3D Display
Go to Free Design - Option 1-2-9
Turn on OpenGL - Option 9-5-1
Rotate the structure by clicking and dragging with left mouse button!
Explore various Render Modes:
Hidden - Option 1-5-4
Shaded - Option 1-5-5
Textured - Option 1-5-6
Textured and Edges - Option 1-5-7
Textured Objects - Option 1-5-8
Wireframe - Option 1-5-01
Why use the Display Menu: Professional designers organize elements into logical groups. By toggling different elements on and off, you'll learn how this project is structured and how the various building components relate to each other.
Using the Display Menu
Open Display Settings (typically icon in toolbar or Option 1-7-1)
Toggle Building Parts on/off using checkboxes
Toggle Objects on/off using checkboxes
Why use Building Navigation: The Building Navigation tree shows how elements are organized in this existing project. Learning to use this hierarchical view will help you understand how professionals organize complex designs into manageable components.
Using Building Navigation
Go to Free Design (FD)
Locate Roof in the navigation tree and uncheck to hide
Locate Walls and toggle visibility on/off
2. Exploring Geometry of Floor, Wall & Roof
Floor
Why explore floor settings: By examining how floors are set up in this project, you'll learn professional techniques for floor modeling. Making simple modifications will help you understand how changes affect the overall design while gaining hands-on experience with the tools.
Floor Geometry
Change to Floor Deck module - Option 1-2-3
Right-click on Floor decks
Select "Height" to view current height
View Floor in OpenGL - Option 9-6
Change Floor Height
Right-click, select "Height" or use Option 3-01
Enter new value when prompted
Modify Floor Shape
Move a point - Option 3-3 → Double-click on a corner point → Click to place the point in new position
Move a line - Option 3-2 → Select an edge → Move to new position
Manage Openings
Add an Opening - Option 4-1-1
Delete an Opening - Option 4-5
Why examine floor materials: Looking at the floor buildup in this project shows you how professionals layer materials to meet both structural and architectural requirements. By changing materials, you'll learn how buildup options are organized in the system.
Floor Materials
Right-click on the edge of a Floor Deck and select "Property"
In the dialog box, select a different floor buildup from the dropdown
Wall
Why explore wall settings: The walls in this project demonstrate professional wall modeling techniques. By examining and modifying them, you'll learn standard practices for wall layout and construction while getting comfortable with the wall tools.
Wall Geometry
Change to Floor Plan module - Option 1-2-1
Right-click on a wall
Select "Height" to view current settings
View in OpenGL - Option 9-6
Change Wall Height
Right-click, select "Height" or use Option 3-03
Enter new value
Reposition Wall
Move a Wall - Option 3-6
Double-click on a wall and drag to new position
Delete a Wall
Select wall and use Option 3-07
Create a Wall
Option 2-3
Select wall type from catalog in the pop-up dialog
Click to place start and end points
Why examine wall materials: The wall buildups in this project showcase industry-standard construction methods. By looking at these predefined wall types, you'll learn how professionals specify multilayer wall assemblies for different purposes.
Wall Materials & Buildup
Right-click on a wall and select "Property"
Choose a different wall buildup from the options available
Roof
Why explore roof settings: Roof design is often the most complex part of a building model. This existing project shows professional roof modeling techniques. By examining and modifying the roof, you'll understand how complex roof forms are broken down into manageable elements.
Roof Geometry
Change to Roof Calculation Module - Option 1-2-5
Right-click on a Roof Surface in Building Navigation
View properties and current settings
Modify Roof Outline
Select building outline - Option 3-1
Edit individual sides by clicking on them
Change Roof Pitch
Select a roof side
Option 3-05 or right-click and select "Properties"
Adjust pitch value in the dialog
Add/Modify Dormers
Option 4-1 to add new dormer
Option 4-3 to modify existing dormer
Why examine roof materials: The roof buildup in this project demonstrates professional approaches to roof construction. By exploring these settings, you'll learn standard practices for layering roof materials to achieve both protection and insulation.
Roof Materials & Structure
Right-click on a roof surface and select "Properties"
In the dialog, select the "Properties" tab
Choose a different roof buildup from the available options
Modify layer thicknesses as needed
Why explore roof components: This project shows how professionals model structural roof elements. By examining these components, you'll learn proper placement and sizing of rafters, purlins, and plates according to industry standards.
Roof Components
Switch to Roof Design module - Option 1-2-6
Add rafters - Option 2-1-1 for distributed rafters
Add ridge/purlins - Option 2-5-1
Add plates - Option 2-3-1
Modify components using right-click menu or Options 3-xx
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