Changing default settings of cataloge cabinets.

[builderpaul]

Hi,
I just started my 15day trial. Easy to use program but need some direction on making globale changes.
Building standards dictate the tops of upper cabs should be 84" off the floor. Your measure, behaviour, sets the hight from the bottom of the cab to the floor. This means every hight cab (15,12,30 etc) needs a different measure. Your catalogue measure for a 30 cab is set to 24". This leaves the top at 7'6. I have figured out how to change the hight but only for one cab at a time. This just adds extra steps to the drawing. Also everytime I use a cab in a, different drawing, I need to again change the measure.
Is there a way to set the measure to the top of the upper cabs?
Is there a way to change the hight (in behaviour) for all upper cabs and have it stay changed in the catalogue?
Are there any valances, fillers, knick knack shelfs, crown mouldings in any of the catalogues?
How do I build a soffit over the cabinets?
Lots of questions for 1 day use

Thanks
Paul

[Doug.S]

I have not done all you ask about but will try to answer with what I think I know...

You can select (shift click shift click) to select many cabs, the set changes for all at same time

I don't think you can change where height is measured from/to...its consistent from floor to bottom of objects

Yes if you change the catalog item the next time you use it, it will retain your new setting...and if saved it stays that way in the catalog for future uses

Most anything you listed is available in catalog (you may have to look to find it) or can be "made from" other objects....or you can find .dxf .dwg or .3ds objects free on www or create yourself in another 3D program

Soffit may be as easy as insert a timber board "member", size and place as needed....or use a column and rotate it, or a block, or other shape like what you want...or if scalloped, import

Also search thru the Cadsoft.com forum for Envisioneer (parent program for TFP)

[Allan Chesney]

Hi Paul,

Welcome to TurboFloorplan!  As you said a lot of questions for one day.  Looks like we will have a busy time with 14 days still to go!!

Doug has probably covered most of what you asked, so I will just add a couple of other thoughts.  You will find all the global settings under Settings/Program Settings.  It is probably a good idea to go there first and work through each tab, setting things as you would want them to work.  Even if you change nothing from the defaults, it will hopefully come back to mind when something does not work in the way you would like it to - go back and change it.  These global settings do not go as far as cabinet heights though.

Second go to Settings/Building Locations and set all the standard settings for each floor/level that you are likely to use.

Probably the best solution for cabinets would be to add your own.  You would probably find that there are only one of two styles that you would use regularly, so right click it and Add a new one. Change the properties to what you want and they will stay for future applications.

You will find some things are attached to others - baseboards (we call then skirting boards), window trim (architaves) and crown mouldings (cornice) are part of the wall settings (Trim tab).

Most things are there or as Doug said you can add them.  I have attached a simple Valance (pelmet) and a Block that can be simply resized to become a shelf, soffit or almost any other rectangular shape you want. To import it click within a Catalog group, right click in a blank area and Add Element, changing the selector at the bottom of the file search box to 3ds (or use File/Import/Object Wizard ). Once imported you can change the sizes, appearance etc or right click and add another one the same as something else..  Note that the Block has two surfaces as far as setting textures are concerned.  I have also included a Cylinder and Triangle just in case they are useful.  Remember you can join all these bits (and other from TFP) together (turn off collision detection in the status bar and use the Nudge with the arrow keys to to move them into each other) and when you have assembled the 'new' object (in a new file) export it as a 3DS (File Export). You can then import it again and use it as a single object.

Hope that helps.

Allan