Just purchased this software.

[adams77331]

I'm new to this board, so hello to everyone. I purchased this package to hammer-out some remodelling project ideas to my home. I specifically was looking for an application where I could document my existing structure, and "play" with different remodelliing ideas, to include an addition(s). I am interested in an application that can generate a materials list and generate construction drawings since this will be a DIY project. I cannot find anywhere to produce drawings? Am I missing something? Thanks.

[Allan Chesney]

Hi,  Welcome to the Forum.

First, TurboFLOORPLAN is the perfect product for "playing" with remodelling ideas.  That really is what it is for - quickly visualising what you plan to build.  It can create virtual photographs of how your finished project will look, complete with your own textures, fabrics and lighting etc and that is what TFP is all about. It can also produce material lists and even cutting lists, which may or may not be accurate, depending whether you use it correctly or not. 

TFP is all about visualisation so is not optimised for producing printed plans, although it will do that.  The 2D Plan screen is where you produce your drawing and it can be a precisely accurate representation of the building but it is really only used to create the layout, so that TFP can turn it into 3D for you to visualise. It will print the plans and may be fine for a DIY project but may not be sufficient for getting planning approval.  It will print whatever you display on the screen and to whatever scale you require via the File/Print options. Via the Tools/Layout there are some addtional  2D drawing options also and some auto and manual Dimensions options too.

Many use the program to quickly divise a plan, see that it looks OK then export it as a DXF file.  This can be read by TruboCAD, AutoCAD and similar technical architectural programs, if technical plans are required but starting with TFP is a much quicker way to get the basic drawing done.  A further option for technical plans is the much more expensive (9-10X more) parent program Envisioneer.  All depends what you are looking for I suppose.

Hope that helps,

Allan

[adams77331]

Thanks for the reply. I don't need drawings to submit for any type of approval (my rural area has no building codes), but just wanted something in my hand when constructing the addition - to keep me from having to carry around my laptop. Sounds like this app may just work.

How difficult is it to create custom wall construction methods? My house is from the early 1930s and has 2"x4" stud construction with 1"x10" half-lapped boards on both sides of the studs forming the walls, and 3/8" drywall over that. This makes for a non-traditional wall thickness.

[Allan Chesney]

If you do not need technical plans TFP should be fine - Oh how I wish we did not have to comply with building codes here (Australia) - they sometimes won't even allow you to use some paint colours!!! - Going too far in my opinion!

Your wall should not be a problem - the wall Properties allows you to set it to any thinkness.  Just right click the wall in the list and Add a new one or Edit an existing one to the total thickness you want.

Allan

[Doug.S]

and be sure to see and maybe use the "notation" tools as you can add text notes and reference lines and dimensions wherever you like....which could be handy references when printed.

also note you can export a picture view (screen capture, screen print, rendered output) and add notation using another program too overlay notes and dimensions etc. and then print......handy if you want something but can't seem to get it easily in TFP

Suggest you save a drawing master file and then make a copy and use the copy file for adding notes etc.  Can be cumbersome that way but safer.  But you can also have it all in one file, use a separate "location" for the notes etc and turn them on or off when needed or not for viewing or printing.

[Jack Zimmer]

Plans can be dimensioned / noted as is in Plan View but Elevations / Sections will not accept dims / notes. So export them and import.

Go to Elevations or Section required and select File / Export / 2D Drawing (as a dxf file) Zoom in as needed.
Now switch to 2D view where you drew your base plan and can add dims / notations. Then go to File / Import/ Object Wizard (set scale to 'Custom' and to 1 (one) if Feet and Inches. You can now postion the the imported dxf Elevation or Section where ever you like on the 'page' and add dims/ notations.

You can Print by zooming in on the required Elevation or Section or use the print 'Window' option. You can also use print to PDF if you have a pdf printing program on your computer, then email it to a local Kinkos for larger prints.

Jack

[Allan Chesney]

Hi Jack,

Nice to hear from you again. Thanks for the idea for adding dimensions to elevations. I have not had a need to do that as yet but others do ask about it from time to time, so it is good to have an option for doing it.

Allan

[Jack Zimmer]

Hi Allan,

Nice to see all your great advice on the forum!

I suppose if one wanted to make up a title sheet you could actually export it to dxf and re-import it to Model view. If for instance it was set up for 24 x 36 (Arch D) size, you could export all your elevations, zoom in on wall sections and footings, building sections etc and do a complete plan layout by placing them within the Title Sheet.

If you added a top left and bottom right snap point to the title block corners, you then could print Window to PDF and would hopefully get an actual 'scaled' print.

I find it easier to export and import to TCAD which has proper paper spaces and better control , but this  would be an second option.

Jack