Creating Wall, Floor & Roof
Introduction
This guide will walk you through the process of creating a basic building structure in Dietrich's software, including walls, floors, and a roof. We'll use a simple rectangular building as an example.
This tutorial demonstrates the fundamental workflow for creating walls, floors, and roofs using Dietrich's construction software. The software provides an integrated approach to building design, allowing users to create complete building structures with proper dimensions, materials, and construction details. This is part of the comprehensive Dietrich's timber construction program suite that includes modules for wall design, floor planning, and roof calculation.
The tutorial follows a sequential approach where each building element depends on the previous ones: walls form the foundation structure, floors are created based on wall layouts, and roofs are calculated from the building outline. All elements maintain 3D relationships and can be visualized together for comprehensive building visualization.
Prerequisites
Before beginning this tutorial, ensure you have:
Dietrich's construction software with wall, floor, and roof modules installed
Access to the building icon and layer templates
Basic familiarity with the software interface
Understanding of Imperial measurement system (feet and inches)
Tutorial Workflow
Step 1: Project Setup and New Building Creation
Start New Project
Right-click in Project Administration
Select "New Project"
Choose "Building" as project type
Name the project for "Wall Floor and Roof buildup"
Initialize Building Module
Click "Start" to begin the project
Select the "Building" icon from the toolbar
Choose "Layer Template Imperial" for measurement units
Set starting position number to "01" (or any preferred number)
Step 2: Floor Plan Setup and Wall Creation
Access Floor Plan Module
The software automatically opens in the floor plan view when wall/floor/roof modules are active
Option to import reference files (2D file, PDF, DXF, DWG, or image) or start from scratch
For this tutorial, we will start with direct wall input
Configure Wall Properties
Navigate to wall creation tool (option "2" or use direct input)
Access the pull-down menu and select favorite wall configuration
Configure wall parameters in the dialogue box:
Story Setting: Set to "Ground Floor" as starting level
Wall Buildup: Uses half-inch drywall, stick framing with insulation, and OSB sheathing
Guidelines: Standard 2x6 framing guideline attached
Wall Height: Set to 10 feet
Wall Position: Set to "fuse side" (outside edge)
Direction: Connect walls going clockwise, right to left when looking from outside
Wall Type: Exterior wall
Create Building Outline
Click "OK" to confirm wall settings
Click on the origin point on screen to start wall placement
Input wall dimensions using keyboard:
First Wall: Use up arrow key, input "16.." (16 feet)
Second Wall: Use right arrow key, input "24.." (24 feet)
Third Wall: Use down arrow key, input "16.." (16 feet)
Fourth Wall: Use left arrow key, input "24.." (24 feet)
Note: Double dots (..) indicate feet measurement. Single numbers default to inches, "16.25" equals 16 and 1/4 inches
Automatic Features
The software automatically adds dimensions
Fuse (outside edge) of walls is clearly marked
Building outline creates a simple rectangular structure
Step 3: Door Installation
Access Door Module
Navigate to doors section (number "4" or use door icon)
Select "4-1-1" for rectangular door or use door icons
Choose from favorites pull-down menu for preferred door configuration
Place Door
Click on the wall where the door will be located
Dialog box opens showing door sizes and wall guidelines
Positioning: Select "Enter by Center"
Click on the center of the chosen wall
Horizontal Adjustment: Move right or left as needed (keep at zero for center)
Door Swing Direction: Choose inside or outside opening with right-click
Hinge Side: Adjust hinge side with right-click after confirming direction
Left-click to confirm and place door
Step 4: Window Installation
Access Window Module
Navigate to windows (number "4" or use window icon - blue icons indicate windows)
Select rectangular window option
Choose 4x4 window size from available options
Place First Window
Click on desired wall for window placement
The window appears as a logic block showing window type and specifications
Positioning: Select "Enter by outside corner"
Click on outside corner reference point
Offset: Move window 2 feet from corner
Click "OK" to confirm placement
Place Second Window
Select the same wall
Use the same window configuration
Position 2 feet from the opposite corner
Automatic dimensioning updates to show all measurements
Step 5: Floor Creation
Access Floor Module
Navigate to floor creation (1-2-3 for floor or use floor icon)
Select floor module from toolbar
Configure Floor Properties
Copy Walls Feature: Since wall outline matches desired floor area, select "Copy Walls"
Review floor properties showing:
6-inch concrete base layer
Terra cotta tiles as finish surface
Additional insulation layers available but not used in this example
Save changes and click "OK"
Position Floor
Position floor directly underneath walls at zero elevation
Use measure button if uncertain about height positioning
Execute "Copy Walls" command to generate floor
Floor Visualization
Switch to 3D view (9-6) to see floor installation
Tiles extend to inside wall face
Concrete foundation extends to wall exterior
Right-click or press Escape to exit floor mode
Step 6: Roof Construction
Access Roof Module
Navigate to roof creation (1-5 or roof icon)
Use "Copy Walls" function to create building outline for roof calculation
Apply Roof Properties
Building Site Creation: Copying walls creates the "building site" for roof application
Access building site properties (2-8 or building site icon)
Select roof surfaces (number 4 and number 2 surfaces)
Right-click to access roof buildup properties
Configure Roof Buildup
Select roof configuration from e-learning folder: "2x8 Rafter Roof"
Roof Layers (from inside to outside):
Half-inch drywall (interior finish)
2x8 rafters (structural framing)
Half-inch plywood (sheathing)
Asphalt shingles (exterior finish)
Wall Integration: Controls how walls extend to roof line
Set Roof Parameters
Roof Slope: Input as degrees or calculate using pitch ratio
Example: 8/12 pitch automatically calculates proper angle
Overhang: Set 24-inch overhang on eave sides
Eave Calculation: Software calculates eave relationships
Height Settings:
Heel height or perpendicular offset from wall plate
6-inch perpendicular offset for this example
10-foot wall height measured to outside of OSB sheathing
0.5-inch offset for OSB thickness
Complete Roof Calculation
Click "OK" to calculate eave dimensions
Gable End Overhangs: Before final calculation, apply 24-inch overhangs to gable ends
Select two gable ends, right-click, and enter 24-inch overhang
Execute roof generation
Step 7: Gable Wall Construction
Assess Roof Integration
Switch to 3D view (9-6 or L button) to examine roof-to-wall relationship
Notice walls are 10 feet high, requiring gable end walls above this point
Create Upper Story
Return to floor plan view
Navigate to story creation (2-1)
Select "New" to create upper story for gable walls
Start Height: Set to 10 feet (matching existing wall height)
Click "OK" and make new story current
Build Gable Walls
Access wall creation tool (2x6 wall configuration)
Confirm wall settings
First Gable Wall: Create wall from one gable end to the other
Second Gable Wall: Right-click to repeat function, use plus sign for repetition
Create matching wall on opposite gable end
Final Visualization
Turn on roof objects and wall displays
Toggle between ground floor and upper floor stories using navigator
Verify complete building assembly with walls, floor, and roof integration
Measurement System Notes
The software uses Imperial measurements with specific input conventions:
Feet Input: Use double dots (..) after number (e.g., "16.." = 16 feet)
Inch Input: Single number without dots (e.g., "16" = 16 inches)
Fractional Inches: Use decimal (e.g., "16.25" = 16 and 1/4 inches)
Feet and Inches: Combine using dots (e.g., "1.3." = 1 foot 3 inches)
Key Features Demonstrated
Integrated Workflow: Wall, floor, and roof modules work together seamlessly
Automatic Dimensioning: Software maintains dimensional relationships automatically
3D Visualization: All 2D input creates 3D building components
Copy Functions: Efficient building creation using wall outlines for floors and roofs
Logic Blocks: Doors and windows contain complete specification information
Material Layering: Wall, floor, and roof assemblies include multiple material layers
Building Physics: Components ready for structural analysis and material takeoffs
Next Steps
This tutorial establishes the basic building structure ready for:
Wall Framing: Detailed timber frame component generation
Material Ordering: Automated material lists and cutting schedules
Construction Documentation: Plan generation and construction drawings
Structural Analysis: Load calculations and engineering verification
The building model created in this tutorial serves as the foundation for all subsequent construction planning and documentation processes within the Dietrich's software system.
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