Dado rail, horizontal tile strips, Power Tools

[JCBrown]

Hi,

I'm new to this and have been going through the learning process. Using TFP 3D H&L Pro2015.

1. Is there an easy way to place a dado rail at the top of a wainscot? Or do I have to create the dado rail in 3D and place it on the wall? I tried drawing a rectangle in TFP, but "Convert to is quite limited."
1a. Any way to change the default heights of a wainscot?

2. I want to have 2 or 3 horizontal strips of tiles on the wall (bathroom). How can this be done?
2a. How can a tiling pattern be changed? For example on a wall with square tiles with a diagonal but with a row horizontal tiles at the bottom around a bathtub, then maybe one horizontal row mid-height, and another at the top.

3. PowerTool - as others have pointed out, there are only 3D Custom Workshop, Photoview, Estimator and Fence Designer included. The TFP makes reference to others like Door Designer, Window Designer, etc. on page 171. Of those mentioned on this page, only Fence Designer is included. Can I presume that 3D Custom Workshop replaces these?
3a. Many times in the manual it is stated that "Please Note that the features in this User Guide are not available in every TurboFloorPlan." But, I have the top program, so where are all of the features, like Door Designer? Or is this just very sloppy editing? If so, then it makes one wonder about the quality of the rest of the program.

Thanks,
John

[Patricia G.]

Hi John,

TFP, as any program, has a learning curve. The best way to learn the program, IMO, is practice + practice + practice => read and follow the manual (this is important), see the videos => try to create elements not related with your project, so you will become familiar with the commands and how to develop the different objects, elements and components as well as the differences among them.

1. Is there an easy way to place a dado rail at the top of a wainscot? Or do I have to create the dado rail in 3D and place it on the wall? I tried drawing a rectangle in TFP, but "Convert to is quite limited."
1a. Any way to change the default heights of a wainscot?

As you will learn, most of the components (not objects) are applied on the walls and are part of these walls (as trims, wainscots, cabinets,windows, etc), for this reason you can't  "Convert To" lines or shapes to Trims or Wainscots.
To apply Trims or Wainscots  you can use the different options contained in the Trim tab. The 4th subcategory is Wainscot => you will find 4 different heights

Now, in order to set a chair rail (or dado rail) => try these resources (I used all them in this image in my website  http://www.punchhelpers.com/residential14.html )

Say you have a wall with height 104", your wainscot height is 60" and your chair rail is 4"
1 - Create a wall with height= 64" => apply the wainscot or texture => apply the rail as crown molding. For the upper segment, create a wall with height= 40" and set the elevation @ 64" (it will be stacked on the 64" wall)

or

2- Create a wall with height= 60" => apply the wainscot or texture --> For the upper segment, create a wall with height= 44" and set the elevation @ 60" (it will be stacked on the 60" wall) => apply the rail as baseboard
Of course, you can create a rail using the 3D workshop and set it with the necessary dimensions / elevation.

2. I want to have 2 or 3 horizontal strips of tiles on the wall (bathroom). How can this be done?
2a. How can a tiling pattern be changed? For example on a wall with square tiles with a diagonal but with a row horizontal tiles at the bottom around a bathtub, then maybe one horizontal row mid-height, and another at the top.

2 - You can use a flat trim and apply a texture on the trim
2a - You can import new textures using File => Import => Material to library. Or you can import the additional tiles as Accessories using File => Import => Accessory to library.

3. PowerTool - as others have pointed out, there are only 3D Custom Workshop, Photoview, Estimator and Fence Designer included. The TFP makes reference to others like Door Designer, Window Designer, etc. on page 171. Of those mentioned on this page, only Fence Designer is included. Can I presume that 3D Custom Workshop replaces these?
3a. Many times in the manual it is stated that "Please Note that the features in this User Guide are not available in every TurboFloorPlan." But, I have the top program, so where are all of the features, like Door Designer? Or is this just very sloppy editing? If so, then it makes one wonder about the quality of the rest of the program.

If you are forming an opinion about a program using the User Manual as reference, then you will be disappointed with lots of great programs. For example, MS Word doesn't include a Manual! 
This is the issue: the TFP manual is a general non specific guide for all the programs licensed with different names. Some of them include all the Power Tools, but some don't. Why they didn't edit the guide: I don't work for IMSI, so I can't answer.
But, if you are really interested in learning the program, my e-book http://www.imsidesign.com/Products/TurboFLOORPLAN/TurboFloorPlan-Training-Tutorials is specific for TFP programs and contains lots of step by step tutorials, graphic guides and more than 1000 color images.

Hope this helps

Patricia

[JCBrown]

@Patricia,

Thank you for your reply.

I have been reading the manual a lot and trying most of the tools. I need a bit more clarification.

Using the previous posting and my numbering:

1. Creating one wall on top of another is interesting but difficult to modify if the lower wall has to be moved. All I could figure out was to move the top wall then modify the bottom wall. Is there any other way to grab the wall below and move it?

I have a floor thickness of 10 inches (actually I'm using metric). In TFP, walls start at the bottom, or ceiling of the lower floor, and go upward. They don't sit on the floor. For the second wall, I can set the elevation to the top of the first wall, at 64 in., but if I make it 40 in., it will actually come out to be 50 in. Try it. Try adding a base trim to the upper wall. It will be 10 in. from the bottom of the upper wall to the bottom of the base trim.

I wanted to stack 3 walls and I tried 6 in. or 150mm. Doesn't work. There is a min. height of wall despite what the dialog box says.

Is there a way to have walls actually start at the bottom of the wall on the floor or working elevation?

I think that I'll go with the 3D option. I made a strip that I can place on the walls at different elevations. However, if I place one above the other, I have the same problem as above. How can I grab one of these stacked objects to position it? I can grab only one from the 2D view. I can't find a 2D elevation mode that would allow me to grab one of these stacked objects. The 3D view doesn't allow selecting an object.

2. You say that I can import new textures using File => Import => Material to library. Or I can import the additional tiles as Accessories using File => Import => Accessory to library.

From where do I get these new textures and additional tiles?

3. Unlike most users, it seems, I use the manual and depend on it. When I find major errors like the one that I described, it makes one wonder. All software manufacturers should take great care with their manuals, but many do not.

As far as I can tell, the various Designers mentioned in the manual are not available in the top product and thus likely not in any of the other TFP programs.

4. I was trying to draw a polygon to represented a mirror frame (in 3D), with the end of each piece beveled at 45 degrees. I can't see how to do this with any accuracy except by using snap to grid at a different size than I want, then resizing the main dimensions of the object. I could find no way to accurately modify the points of a polygon. Maybe I missed something.

Is there an accurate way to draw these things in the 3D module? How?
Does your book describe how to draw complex objects in 3D and modify them?

Thanks again,
John

[Patricia G.]

Hi John,

You're welcome! 

Feel free to use Metric units in your posts

1 A - Regarding your question "Is there any other way to grab the wall below and move it?" => you can work in Elevation View mode (3D => 3D navigation=>  select the view or choose this option in the 3D Window)
1 B - Regarding your question "Is there a way to have walls actually start at the bottom of the wall on the floor or working elevation?" => yes, create a level without slab.
FYI, there is not a minimum wall height. In the image attached, you can see a wall with height = 1 cm 
2 -  Regarding your question "From where do I get these new textures and additional tiles?" => there are many websites that offer free textures, you can Google "free textures". If you prefer, you can use a picture of your favorite tiles (Lowes, Home Depot have nice pictures). In addition, in my Facebook page (link in my signature), you will find several links (probably at the bottom of the page)
3 - Regarding your statement "As far as I can tell, the various Designers mentioned in the manual are not available in the top product and thus likely not in any of the other TFP programs" => read my answer carefully => I wrote "the TFP manual is a general non specific guide for all the programs licensed with different names. Some of them include all the Power Tools, but some don't." => by different names, I meant different programs, but not necessarily IMSI
4 A - Regarding your question "Is there an accurate way to draw these things in the 3D module? How?" => the 3D Custom Workshop is a very useful tool, but requires some training. The explanation of the procedures exceeds this post's extension. In the user guide, the 3D Custom Workshop goes from page 191 to page 247.
4 B - Regarding your question "Does your book describe how to draw complex objects in 3D and modify them?" => My e-book includes a full chapter called "3D Custom Workshop" with different step by step tutorials. Nope, I don't explain how to develop complex objects. I explain how to use this module, starting by the development of simple objects as a table: when you understand the simple processes (as a chamfer), you will be able to create the complex objects.
Hope this helps,

Patricia

[JCBrown]

Hi Patricia,

Thanks again for your help. More clarifications and questions, but I'm getting better at TFP. I am playing with many different things in both TFP and 3D CW, not just trying to make my project. I do use the manual and have been going through both parts, but not yet in enough detail.

1. Using 3D navigation, I totally missed the select arrow at the top left. Next is the eyedropper. I was looking for a way to identify my materials - tiles, paint. Wonderful!

2. Read up on importing the textures and imported some tiles. Great! However, my wife has to pick the tough ones, those interlocking little odd shaped mosaic wall tiles. See the image attached. I modified it in Xara Designer Pro X11 to create a strip almost long enough to use - I still have to close up one end, but it looks good. Attached is a 3D image of these tiles on a strip on the wall. I presume that my method is the basic way to create a repeating pattern from the source file.

3. The program is growing on me.

4. I will probably buy your book. I finally stumbled on how to modify the points of a 3D object in 3D CW, so I will be playing more (and reading the manual) with strange and wonderful objects, and your book should help greatly.

5. See the second image. There are inset open boxes in the wall (with candles). I created these open boxes by using the window tool and then adding a 3D rectangle to the back for the tiles. Is there another way to make these cutouts or holes in the wall other than using lower and upper wall sections? The window tool leaves an extension into the room for the trim, even though I gave it 0 trim. Same problem on the other side of the wall where I want to see nothing.

Thanks again,
John

[Patricia G.]

You're welcome! 

If I understand your question, you wish to create a niche in the wall. Try this:
- Go to Custom Windows => Fixed => the 3rd window is a fixed rectangle with an opaque panel => place this window => set the dimensions => don't change the Trim dimension.
- Texture the panel as desired
- Go to Materials => Custom Materials Library => Punch Bonus Materials => the 8th material is transparent black => apply on both sides of the trim (if the Smart Wand is ON, choose the "both sides of the trim" option) => the trim will disappear => see attached.

My help at the Forum is independent of the e-book purchase, so it is up to you. I try to help all the users, however, the space is limited and I am just a volunteer here, with limited time 

Patricia

[JCBrown]

Hi Patricia,

That is just marvelous! I hadn't noticed the custom objects. Thanks to you, I also found the simple door that I was looking for. I have to watch these things and the popdowns more carefully.

I contribute a lot to an audio & video editing forum, including creating some tutorials. I well understand the volunteer effort and the time involved. You are doing this very well. It's a shame that there are not many experienced users who help out.

I'll probably have more questions when I get around to trying to put a roof on the house, which looks quite challenging for my house. Right now, I'm just supposed to be renovating the bathroom, but doing the whole house and yard looks like fun. Hmmm, maybe I can try rendering the new whirlpool tub since I have the dwg file.

Thanks again,
John

[Patricia G.]

You're welcome! 

That is just marvelous! I hadn't noticed the custom objects. Thanks to you, I also found the simple door that I was looking for. I have to watch these things and the popdowns more carefully.

This is why I always recommend => practice, practice, practice => try to create elements not related with your project, so you will become familiar with the all the commands and options and how to develop the different objects, elements and components as well as the differences among them

Patricia