3d design and construction

Tech-Design

3D Design and Construction Module Guide

Edition 2 37673-E0

SECOND EDITION

Second Printing, April 2007

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3D Design and Construction Modeling Table of Contents

Module Guide i

Introduction to 3D Design and Construction Modeling ............................................. 1

Designing a Home......................................................................................................... 3

Design Considerations...........................................................................................................4 Time to Shape Up .................................................................................................................4

Building Requirements...........................................................................................................6 The Building Site.....................................................................................................................8

Solar Considerations.............................................................................................................8 Design Limitations..................................................................................................................9 Outline Your Needs...............................................................................................................10 Draw a Bubble Diagram........................................................................................................10 Drawing Floor Plans .............................................................................................................11 About Your Plans..................................................................................................................12

3D Design and Construction Modeling ..................................................................... 13

Lesson 1 – Measure for a Floor Plan ..................................................................................14 Lesson 2 – Create Wall Elevation Sketches.......................................................................17 Lesson 3 – Create a Final Floor Plan ..................................................................................19 Lesson 4 – Create Final Wall Elevation Drawings .............................................................22 Lesson 5 – Assemble a 3D Scale Model of the Room .......................................................24 Lesson 6 – About Roofs.......................................................................................................28

Determining Roof Pitch .......................................................................................................30 Determining Roof Size ........................................................................................................31 Build a Model Roof..............................................................................................................31

Lesson 7 – Circles and Polygons........................................................................................39 Determining the Area of a Circle .........................................................................................40 Determining the Area of a Trapezoid ..................................................................................42

Lesson 8 – Floor Area Puzzle ..............................................................................................47 Lesson 9 –Use Home Design Software to Create a Floor Plan.........................................50

Naming a Room ..................................................................................................................56 Adding Furniture..................................................................................................................57

Lesson 10 – Completing Your Floor Plan ...........................................................................59 Accessing Your Program File..............................................................................................59 Viewing Your Floor Plan in 3D ............................................................................................60 Adding a Roof .....................................................................................................................62 Generating a Quantity Report .............................................................................................63

Independent Study Projects.................................................................................................65

Appendix – How to Use the Architect’s Scale ............................................................ 1

3D Design and Construction Modeling Table of Contents

ii Module Guide

3D Design and Construction Modeling Introduction

Module Guide 1

INTRODUCTION TO 3D DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION MODELING

Welcome to 3D Design and Construction Modeling, part of the new Tech-Design Residential Workshop Series! The other modules in this series are titled "Residential Plumbing" and "Residential Wiring." These modules offer hands-on experiences in residential design and demonstrate the techniques used to install the most common plumbing and electrical fixtures. It is likely that you will someday become a homeowner. Even if you choose not to, you may still find yourself in need of a common repair or an upgrade. Craftspeople charge large sums of money to do the same jobs you'll learn to perform in this workshop series. Regardless of whether or not you pursue one of these fields professionally, you will benefit enormously from the knowledge you gain from this series. For example, imagine having the ability to design an addition for your house. The possibilities are endless. There are plenty of job opportunities for talented craftspeople in the areas covered in the Residential Workshop Series. Renovation, for example, is becoming an increasingly larger percentage of construction in the United States. Imagine the enormous satisfaction a carpenter gets after restoring the facade1 of a stylish Victorian home, along with all the details of its original design. Whether you enroll in a union apprenticeship program or learn these skills and practices on your own, a career in some aspect of residential design, plumbing, or electrical wiring can be very rewarding. You may even decide to go into business for yourself. If you work hard and have patience and determination, your business can become a success.

1 facade - the front or face of a building.

3D Design and Construction Modeling Introduction

2 Module Guide

3D Design and Construction Modeling Designing a Home

Module Guide 3

DESIGNING A HOME

As an amateur designer, arriving at your final plans may be the result of much trial and error. You will need a great deal of care and patience during the designing process. After all, it is a lot easier to correct a serious mistake with an eraser than it is to make changes midway through construction. Before you can succeed, it’s very important that you understand each step in the process.

Keep in mind that your design should be economical, functional, and energy efficient. It should also utilize practical construction techniques. A home should be more than a structure that provides shelter; it should also be aesthetically pleasing, easily expandable, and secure.

Depending on your landscape, you may want the living room and/or dining room to face the most scenic view of your property. You may want the kitchen to face east to take advantage of the sunrise. If intimacy and privacy are important, your plans should include a room away from the busier parts of the house. Determining your needs and requirements is one of the first steps in designing a home. See the section titled “Building Requirements.”


4 Module Guide

Design Considerations If on a budget, it is important that you take advantage of every structural, functional, and decorative element that fits into your budget. A house cannot be economical unless the plans call for building only what is needed. If you ignore your budget, your new home may be an empty shell with no insulation. Let’s take a look at a few important design considerations. Time to Shape Up If you could design your home in any shape you’d like, which one would you choose? The shape of a house is directly related to how much internal heat is lost and how much solar heat is gained. Look at the homes in your area to decide which styles are appropriate for the climate. Also, you don’t want to design a home that is totally out of proportion to its surroundings. In many cases, a variance2 would be necessary if you wanted to build a very large house in an area dominated by small ranch houses3. A well-designed home will blend nicely with the geography of the site and the ecology of the area. The shape of the roof or the size of a wall is directly related to the energy efficiency of a house. Heat escapes through the exterior walls and the roof. If you reduce the area exposed to the outside, you will reduce the amount of lost heat. The house shown in the illustration below is designed for maximum energy efficiency. The roof is contoured to deflect the winter winds coming from the north.

2 variance – a license to construct something that is not in harmony with its surroundings. 3 ranch house – a one-story house with a low-pitched roof.


Module Guide 5

Also, notice that the exterior wall on the north side has less area than the wall on the south side. This also reduces heat loss. Another factor that affects the design of a house is a central chimney. A fireplace in the central section of a two-story house can radiate heat to the rooms on the second floor as the smoke rises up and out of the chimney. The ultimate goal is to design a house with both a pleasant appearance and the least amount of exterior surface area possible.


6 Module Guide

Building Requirements Now think about the landscape and exterior requirements for your house, and write them down. You should also include your own personal lifestyle requirements. Once you’ve decided on the rooms you need and how they will be used, you must determine if there are any special characteristics that need to be addressed. For instance, you may want an abundance of light to pour into the living room area. Therefore, the living room should be located on the south side of the house, where large windows should be installed. The following list of questions gives you an overview of the types of questions that should be answered before the actual design process begins. • How many people will be living in the house? • Do you have to modify your design to accommodate the disabilities of anyone in the

house? • Will you be expanding the amount of living space in the future? • What is the approximate total square footage of each room? How did you arrive at

this figure? • What are your storage requirements? You should also know the type of environment you would like to create. In other words, how would you like each space of the house to look and feel? Bedroom • Which type of ventilation would you like for the bedroom? Do you prefer windows, an

air conditioner, or a fan? • What are your storage requirements for the bedroom? • How secluded would you like the bedroom to be from the rest of the house?


Module Guide 7

Bathroom • Do you prefer showers or baths? • How much privacy should the master bathroom offer and how accessible should it

be to the rest of the house? • Are there any special features you like in a bathroom? For instance, does it need

special lighting or do you need a lot of room? Kitchen • Which types of fixtures would you like in the kitchen? • Which appliances are necessary? • How many people will be using the kitchen at the same time? • How much cabinet and drawer space will you need? • Will you be eating in the kitchen or in a separate dining area? Dining Room • What is the maximum number of people that the dining room should accommodate? • What is the easiest way to service the dining room from the kitchen? • Will the dining room be used for other purposes? • Should this be a formal dining room? Will it be used only when guests are invited? Living Room • How many people will be able to sit comfortably? • Should the living room be bright during the day? • Do you want a fireplace in the living room? • What types of activities will take place in the living room? • Should the living room be separate from the other rooms or should it be integrated?


8 Module Guide

The Building Site Understanding the building site is very important to the outcome of the design. It is important to consider the view, the contour of the land, the trees, and the plants. In addition, the house should be protected from the wind as much as possible. Other important factors to consider include which trees will be saved or removed, the direction used to access the property, the locations of neighboring houses, the locations of any lowland swamps or creeks, summer shade, isolation from noise, and whether there is adequate sunlight. If the site is hilly, the best location for the house is on a south-facing slope. This allows you to take full advantage of the sun. The best location for a house positioned on the side of a hill is near the top, but not quite all the way up. The famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright referred to this as “organic” siting, in which the house adapts to and blends with nature without overpowering it. This concept works well for many reasons. For example, placing a house on the top of a hill subjects it to high winds, whereas the side of a hill offers a natural barrier against the wind. You should avoid building your house at the bottom of a hill because this is where cold air settles and snow accumulates. In hot climates, the bottom of a hill stifles cool breezes.

Solar Considerations The sun is a very important factor to consider when determining where your house will be situated. When drawing a plan, you should determine and label solar south. Decisions regarding the number of windows, their sizes, and their locations are as important as their ability to insulate and their appearance. You should also consider the relation of the windows to the sun's orientation at different times of the year. In some rooms, stock (standard) windows may be all that’s needed. In other rooms, larger specialty windows may be used to take advantage of a view or to allow large amounts of light to enter.


Module Guide 9

If the house is well situated and you use the proper number of windows and the proper amount of insulation, you’ll benefit by lowering energy consumption during the winter months. It is also possible to have too much solar heat. If you do install large windows on the south side, it may be important to have sufficient eave4 overhang to shade these south-facing windows. This will prevent unwanted solar gain during the summer months. A western exposure is notorious for excessive heat gain. The hot afternoon sun could generate more heat than an evening breeze can compensate for. Under these circumstances, the house should be well shaded from the sun.

Design Limitations In most locations, there are building codes that limit some of the freedom you might want to express in your design. You should keep in mind that building codes are designed to protect you from dangerous situations such as fire, structural collapses, and exposure to poisonous building materials.

Having a copy of the local building codes helps you determine which restrictions affect your plans. In some cases, energy conservation codes may limit the size and number of windows, exterior wall composition, and the design of fireplaces. It is also important to check the local zoning laws before you begin drawing your plans. It is possible that there are limitations on the size of the house as well as a mandatory setback, which refers to the depth of the front yard. In areas where homes are predominately Victorian, you may not be allowed to build a house that is contemporary in design.

It is very important that you contact local and state building authorities to make sure you have the most current version of the zoning laws and building codes.

4 eave – the lower border of a roof that projects out over a wall.


10 Module Guide

Outline Your Needs The first step in planning a home is to determine your space requirements. This can be accomplished by making a list of the rooms you want, along with a description of what each room will be used for. You should include both your physical requirements and ideas that comply with your lifestyle. For example, you may wish to include a room that is void of windows and large enough for a home theater. Also, you may prefer a master bedroom that has its own private bathroom and is large enough for a king-size bed and various types of exercise equipment. Determine how the rooms relate to one another. For instance, the kitchen and dining room should be close to each other because their functions are related. After the list is complete and you’ve determined the relationships between the rooms, it is time to arrange them according to the outside environment. This arrangement is based on factors such as sunlight or the most scenic view for the living room. The planning stage can take some time, but after giving it a lot of thought, the concept for a floor plan is well under way.

Draw a Bubble Diagram Once you’ve gained a thorough understanding of the building site, your specific requirements, and the design limitations, you can begin to draw a plan. A bubble diagram is the best way to create an initial layout of the design elements. In the sample diagram shown here, the living room, dining room, kitchen, and breakfast area are all integrated. This was done for functional reasons and to create a spacious atmosphere. The stairs are not hidden between walls and can be used to enhance the interior design. For added convenience, the master bedroom and an attached master bathroom were placed on the first floor. The master bathroom can only be accessed through the master bedroom. A walk-in closet was added as a spacious storage area, and sliding glass doors in the breakfast area lead to a large, wooden deck.


Module Guide 11

Drawing Floor Plans Floor and frame plans require a concept of the shape of the house, the living spaces, and aesthetic judgment based on the location of the site. At this stage, you must be precise about spatial relationships and how the house is expected to work. In this step, begin by drawing a block diagram, which is based on the information in the bubble diagram. Keep modifying the blocks as necessary until they are arranged into a floor plan. The goal is to find an acceptable arrangement of rooms. It is crucial that you are aware of the relationship that all the rooms have with each other. You must be sure that the sizes of the spaces are adequate and that there is plenty of room for traffic to circulate. Once the block diagram is complete, the plan is ready for the next stage of development. You must now draw a diagram that shows more detail than the previous diagram. This is more complicated because it must include accurate room dimensions and accurate spatial relationships. It should also show how the house is going to work. For example, the kitchen should now show the cabinets and counters. The bathrooms should show all fixtures as well as the locations of the doors and windows. The bedrooms should show their storage furniture and closets.


12 Module Guide

About Your Plans Extreme care is needed during the planning process. A full set of plans will be necessary if your home is to come out the way you planned and within the set budget. A “full set of plans” means that every detail has been explained and every item has been accounted for. The following list details what is typically found in a set of final plans, or blueprints. The list below is an example of what you’d receive from an architect. However, plumbing and electrical plans may be omitted because codes vary from state to state. • Foundation and basement plan – a detailed drawing showing all the dimensions

needed for constructing a foundation, including the basement layout. • Floor plan – detailed drawings of each floor of the house. This includes all required

framing dimensions, such as the sizes and locations of all windows and doors. • Building section – these drawings show the walls from the footings to the roofline,

including floor and deck framing, stairs, insulation, and Typical Specification Sheets, which show the types of products to be used and how various members are to be joined.

• Exterior elevations – plans showing front, side, and rear views. They also show how

the house would look covered with a particular material such as vinyl siding, cedar, stucco, etc.

• Interior elevations – these plans show kitchen cabinet details and any other unique

conditions pertaining to columns and walls. • Electrical plan – this shows the location of all the lights, receptacles, and switches. It is possible to do a great job of planning, but most of us don’t have the skill or the time to draw blueprints. If you are able to accomplish this on your own, you should at least retain a professional to consult when questions arise. Another alternative to designing your own home or hiring an architect is to purchase pre-drawn plans from any number of companies who make this their specialty. For an additional fee, some of them can modify the plans to suit individual requirements.


Module Guide 13

3D DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION MODELING

This Module Guide provides you with an overview of the many considerations that must be addressed prior to building a new home. Before plans can be drawn, you must have a concept of dimensions and space. The lessons in this Module Guide will help you develop these skills. By measuring your classroom, the areas around furniture, and the distances between objects, you will develop a more accurate perception of dimensions based on functional requirements. If space is provided in the wrong areas, the room becomes awkward to use. For instance, if you enjoy cooking and the kitchen is going to be a popular place to entertain, then the room should be sized accordingly. On the other hand, if a kitchen is too big, then its space may either be wasted or used inefficiently. The proper size of a room depends on its intended use. Once you are more familiar with determining the dimensional requirements of a given room, you’ll be able to use that experience to draw other rooms as well. Before you know it, you’ll have the skills to draw an actual working floor plan. The key to meeting the challenges in the following lessons can be found in one word – teamwork. Since accuracy is very important, both you and your partner(s) will be depending on each other to communicate information and ideas clearly. The ability to work as a team will be one of your lifelong keys to success.


14 Module Guide

Lesson 1 – Measure for a Floor Plan When you have completed this lesson, you will be able to: • draw a preliminary floor plan. • measure and record the size of a room. • measure and record the top surface dimensions of the furniture. • measure and record the distances between the furniture and how far it is from the

walls. Materials List 25-ft (7.62-m) tape measure(s) ¼-inch graph paper (0.635 cm) Pencil Large eraser 8-inch triangle (20.32 cm) Calculator In this lesson, you and at least one partner will begin by determining the dimensions of your classroom or tech lab. Accuracy is very important so take the time to verify that all your measurements are correct. One person should measure while another records the measurements on a sheet of graph paper. This will be a preliminary drawing and it does not have to be to scale. Since the tape measure may not extend the entire length of the room, it may be necessary to place a mark at a specific point before continuing with your measurements. Never try to pull the tape beyond its limit; otherwise, it may break. You may view a video of this activity by going to Lesson 1 on your computer. Click on the graphic titled “Measure for a Floor Plan” to start the video. This video can be paused or replayed as often as necessary to complete this lesson. 1. Using the triangle for a straight edge, draw an outline of the classroom. For now,

only the general shape is necessary. You’ll use this information to create an accurate floor plan later in this lesson.

2. Measure the length and width of the room. Record these measurements in your floor

plan. If the entire room is not square or rectangular shaped, additional measurements may be needed (see step 10).


Module Guide 15

3. Draw a top view of all the objects on the floor. These objects should be located in

your floor plan in the same approximate place that they actually appear. For instance, if there is an L-shaped workbench in one corner of the room, draw this in your floor plan. Remember that this does not have to be accurately drawn because this is only to be used as a reference.

There may be some objects that should not be included in the sketch: for example, small items, boxes, trashcans, anything that is moved around a lot, and anything temporary. 4. Measure the surface of each object on the floor and write the length and width inside

each of the top-view shapes you’ve drawn. 5. Measure the distances between each object and write these figures in the

appropriate places on the floor plan. Lines or arrows may be used to indicate which pieces of furniture each figure represents. For instance, if a filing cabinet is 7 ft 3 in. (2.21 m) from a workbench, it may be recorded as shown.

In order to make an accurate determination of where furniture should be placed in your floor plan, you must determine the distance each piece of furniture is from the wall. If these distances are not correctly recorded, the entire floor plan will be inaccurate. 6. Starting from any wall, lay the tape measure out and record the distance each of the

objects are from the starting point. Do this from each wall while recording the measurements in the floor plan.

Take the time to make sure that all the measurements have been calculated and that they are accurate.


16 Module Guide

7. Refer to your drawings and enter the following information about the room in the

spaces below.

Length =

Width = Once you’ve determined the length and width of a room, you can also figure out the area (sq. ft or sq. m). Follow this simple formula: L x W = Area. 8. Determine the area of the room and enter this figure in the space below.

Total Area = 9. If the room is L-shaped, as shown in the example below, divide it into two areas and

measure the length and width of each. Then, multiply L x W for each area and add the two products.

The information you've gathered in this lesson will be used later for creating a 3D model of your classroom. Go to your computer and read the Lesson Review. When you have finished, click on the Forward arrow and take the Lesson Quiz. When you have completed the quiz, you may move on to Lesson 2.

Measure This Area Separately

lw


Module Guide 17

Lesson 2 – Create Wall Elevation Sketches When you have completed this lesson, you will be able to: • draw preliminary wall plans. • measure and record the sizes of windows and doors. • measure and record the sizes of all objects on the walls. • measure and record the distances between objects and their relationship to the floor

and ceiling. • determine the volume of space in a room. Materials List 25-ft (7.62-m) tape measure(s) ¼-inch graph paper (0.635 cm) Pencil Large eraser 8-inch triangle (20 cm) Calculator In this lesson, you will create wall elevation sketches that show the locations of the windows and door openings, including a detailed layout of all the objects on the walls. The length and width of all the objects on the walls are to be measured. You also need to determine how far apart they are from each other and where they are in relation to the floor and the ceiling. This includes posters, murals, blackboards, bulletin boards, and anything else that is mounted to the walls. You should record the measurements on graph paper while your partner is measuring. Since the tape measure may not extend the entire length of the room, it may be necessary to place a mark at a specific point before continuing with your measurements. Never try to pull the tape beyond its limit; otherwise, you may break the tape measure. You may view a video of this activity by going to Lesson 2 on your computer. Click on the graphic titled “Create Wall Elevation Sketches” to start the video. This video can be paused or replayed as often as necessary to complete this lesson.

1. Using the triangle for a straight edge, draw the walls. To avoid confusion, each wall should be drawn separately and identified with a name or an initial. This information will also be used to create a 3D scale model of the room.

2. Measure the distance between the floor and the ceiling. Record this figure on the

wall elevation sketch and in the space provided next to “Height” on the next page.


18 Module Guide

3. Measure the size of the door openings and windows (where applicable). Then record these figures on the sketch.

4. Starting from any corner of the room, measure the distance to the first object on the

wall. Then record that measurement on the sketch. Continue to the end of the wall. Repeat this for the other three walls.

As in the previous lesson, some objects do not have to be included in the sketch. This includes objects that are temporary or insignificant because of size.

4. Measure and record the distance each object is from the floor and from the ceiling, and then record these figures on the sketch.

5. Refer to your floor drawings and enter the length and width in the following spaces.

The height should already be entered.

Length =

Width =

Height = Once you’ve determined the length, width, and height of a room, figure out the volume (cubic feet or cubic meters) by using this simple formula: V = L x W x H.

6. Enter the volume in the space provided. If the room is L-shaped, follow the procedure described in the previous lesson.

Volume =

Volume is important when determining the amount of energy required for heating and cooling. The Btu (British thermal unit) is the standard used by all heating and cooling product manufacturers for determining the rate of energy flow needed to heat or cool a given area. At this point, the detailed information from your floor plans and elevation sketches should contain all the information needed to begin creating a 3D scale model of your classroom. Go to the next section in the presentation, Exercise. When you are finished, you will read the Lesson Review and then take the Lesson Quiz. When you have completed the quiz, you may move on to Lesson 3.


Module Guide 19

Lesson 3 – Create a Final Floor Plan When you have completed this lesson, you will be able to: • create a final floor plan. • use an architect’s scale. • convert measurements into ¼-inch scale drawings. • sketch a top view of furniture and other objects. • use tools such as a protractor and a compass. Materials List 11 x 17 in. (28 x 43 cm) white cardstock with ¼-inch (0.635 cm) scale grid Pencil Large eraser 8-inch triangle (20 cm) Protractor Compass Architect’s scale In this lesson, you will use all the data previously collected for creating a floor plan. You will draw the floor plan on a sheet of 11 x 17 in. (28 x 43 cm) cardstock graph paper. Take your time because accuracy is important. Refer to How to Use the Architect’s Scale in the Appendix of this guide. In order to draw the floor plan on the cardstock, you must use a scale. Scales are also considered ratios. Map scales are a good example of ratios because distance is a ratio of inches to miles (centimeters to kilometers). In choosing a scale, you must consider the size of the object and the size drawing that will be needed. A large building must be scaled down, but you must be able to distinguish the windows and doors. A very small object, such as a computer, may need to be scaled up so that the appropriate circuit connections are visible. Some commonly used scales are shown below.


20 Module Guide

In the following example, the dimensions of both lines are the same even though the lines are different lengths. Using a scale of 1:2, the object is ½ the size of the original.

If you used a ½-inch (1.3 cm) scale to represent a 24-ft classroom (7.32 m), on your graph paper the line would be 12 inches (30.5 cm) long. The ratio would be 1:24. In a model or drawing where ¼ inch (.25 in.)= 1 ft (12 in.), the ratio is 1:48 (12 in. ÷ .25 = 48). In other words, 1 inch (2.5 cm) is equal to 4 ft (1.2 m). On your ¼-inch-scale (0.635 cm) graph paper, how long a line would be needed to represent a classroom that is 24 ft long (7.32 m)? 24 ft x .25 in. (¼ inch) = 6 in. What is the ratio of the drawing to the real-world object? 24 ft x 12 in./ft = 288 in. 288 ÷ 6 in. = 48:1 Ratio = 1:48 You may view a video of this activity by going to Lesson 3 on your computer. Click on the graphic titled “Create a Final Floor Plan” to start the video. This video can be paused or replayed as often as necessary to complete this lesson. 1. Each ¼-inch (0.635 cm) square on the cardstock represents 1 ft (30.5 cm). Using

the "¼" side of the architect’s scale, mark four points that represent the corners of the room.

2. Using the triangle for a straight edge, draw an outline of the room. 3. Add the furniture and any other objects that you placed in the original sketch. Use

the measurements you recorded to draw them more accurately. The chairs can be represented in any way you’d like, but they should be easy to distinguish from the other furniture.

4. Label the objects in your drawing.


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5. In one corner of the floor plan, indicate the length and width of the room. Your floor plan is now complete. All of the objects should be drawn to a ¼-inch scale and located in the drawing as they are in reality. Although there were only five steps in this procedure, they were time consuming due to the time needed to draw the furniture to the proper scale and in its correct location. Go to the next section in the presentation, Exercise. When you are finished, read the Lesson Review and then take the Lesson Quiz. When you have completed the quiz, you may move on to Lesson 4.


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Lesson 4 – Create Final Wall Elevation Drawings When you have completed this lesson, you will be able to: • create final wall elevation drawings. • use an architect’s scale. • convert measurements to create ¼-inch (0.635 cm) scale drawings. • sketch doors, windows, and other objects. • use tools such as a protractor and a compass. Materials List 11 x 17 in. (28 x 43 cm) double-sided cardstock with cinder block print Pencil Large eraser 8-inch triangle (20 cm) Protractor Compass Architect’s scale In this lesson, you will use all the data previously collected in your elevation sketches to create the final wall elevation drawings. If necessary, refer to “How to Use the Architect’s Scale” in the Appendix of this guide. You may view a video of this activity by going to Lesson 4 on your computer. Click on the graphic titled “Create Final Wall Elevation Drawings” to start the video. This video can be paused or replayed as often as necessary to complete this lesson. 1. Using the "¼" side of the architect’s scale, draw a separate outline of each wall.

Remember that each ¼-inch square (0.635 cm) = 1 ft. (30.5 cm). 2. Using the data you recorded in Lesson 2, begin working on your first wall elevation

drawing. 3. Draw all door openings and windows. Remember that accuracy is very important. If there is a discrepancy in one measurement, the entire drawing will be inaccurate. Your instructor will be comparing your drawings against those created by the other students. 4. Continue until all of the drawings have been completed.


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5. In one corner of each elevation drawing, indicate the length and height of the wall. In the next lesson, your drawings will be cut out and used to construct a 3D scale model of your classroom. Go to the next section in the presentation, Lesson Review. When you have finished, you may move on to Lesson 5. (The Lesson 4 quiz has been combined with the Lesson 5 quiz.)


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Lesson 5 – Assemble a 3D Scale Model of the Room When you have completed this lesson, you will be able to: • create a 3D scale model of a room by assembling the cardstock floor plan and

cardstock wall elevation drawings. Materials List Ruler Scissors Scotch tape Cardstock floor plan and elevation drawings Scale models have many important purposes in the construction industry. They are used to communicate ideas in a way that everyone can understand, especially those who don’t understand blueprints. Models show features such as design concepts, colors, shapes, and scale. A well-made scale model can be used as a tool for answering questions and solving potential problems. It can also be used for making revisions during the design and development stages. Changes made in the early stages of development cost much less than changes made after the project has begun. Architectural models are primarily used for public relations and information displays, pre-construction sales, showing different project phases, and planning future expansions. Models are also extremely important for fund-raising because they show contributors how their money is being spent. Scale models are made to order by model makers. Model makers provide 3D scale models for architects, engineers, and those in many other fields where models are needed. In this lesson, you will cut out the drawings you created in the previous lessons and use them to create a 3D scale model of your classroom. You may view a video of this activity by going to Lesson 5 on your computer. Click on the graphic titled “Assemble a 3D Scale Model of the Room” to start the video. This video can be paused or replayed as often as necessary to complete this lesson.


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1. Using the ruler or triangle, lightly draw a line ¼ inch (0.635 cm) beyond the borders of your floor plan.

2. Cut the drawing along each line. Once the drawing is cut out, it will have a ¼-inch (0.635 cm) border.

3. Place the ruler along one of the inside borders of the floor plan. This will be a ¼ inch

(0.635 cm) from the outside edge of the cardstock.

4. While holding the ruler firmly in place, open the scissors and use one of the blades to score the cardstock along the inside border of the floor plan. It is not necessary to use excessive force because you only want to score the surface of the cardstock.

5. Repeat step 4 until all the borders of the floor plan have been scored with the scissors.

WARNING: Do not hold the scissors in a way that the scissor blade is touching your hand. Do not allow the scissor blade to point toward you or your partner while scoring the cardstock. Excessive force is not needed.


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6. Using the scissors, cut a ¼-inch (0.635 cm) diagonal slot in each of the corners. These should be up to, but not into, the actual floor plan.

7. Bend the edges up along the scored edges.

8. Cut out each of your wall elevation drawings.

9. While making sure the first wall elevation drawing is positioned on the correct side of the room, place it on the inside folded edge of the floor plan. Once it is in position, tack it in place with a couple of pieces of tape. Then, tape it on both sides until secure.


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10. Repeat step 9 until all the walls are attached to the floor plan. The basic 3D model of your classroom is nearly complete. The only thing that is missing is a roof. Go to the next section in the presentation, Exercise. When you are finished, read the Lesson Review then take the Lesson Quiz. When you have completed the quiz, you may move on to Lesson 6.


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Lesson 6 – About Roofs When you have completed this lesson, you will be able to: • determine the size of a roof. • determine the pitch of a roof. • build a roof for the 3D model classroom. Materials List Ruler 8-inch triangle (20 cm) Pencil Scissors ¼-inch graph paper (0.635 cm) Protractor Glue gun Glue sticks Balsa woodchopper Balsa wood strips 11 x 17 in. (28 x 43 cm) double-sided cardstock with shingles print In this lesson, you will build a gable roof5 for the 3D scale model you created. For additional support, you will construct wooden rafters6 and gable end studs. You will also learn how to determine the size of a roof and how to determine roof pitch. Roofs have much to do with the style of a house. It is the part of the house that varies most widely depending on the area of the country. This is because of the variations in climate. Some roofs must offer protection against tons of snow, while others must offer protection against the hot sun. Areas where there is typically more rain or snow have a steeper pitch, while areas where there is more direct sunlight have flatter roofs.

5 gable roof – a basic triangular-shaped roof that has two equally pitched roofs opposed to each other. 6 rafter – the principal structural component in a sloped roof. It consists of a series of parallel beams that

are nailed to a ridge board at the peak of the roof and extend down to the top plate, which is the uppermost part of a stud wall.


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These illustrations show the two major types of roof systems, which are usually made of joists and rafters or trusses7.

Details of a Typical Rafter-Type Gable Roof

Typical Truss Configuration Known as the Fink Truss

Trusses reduce the amount of on-site labor because they are prefabricated. They allow a ceiling to span greater distances without intermediate support, which means there is no need for load-carrying partitions. On the other hand, the truss system renders the attic uninhabitable due to the multitude of diagonal braces. There are other shapes of roofs worth investigating. One of your independent study projects will be to study some of the other shapes of roofs not discussed in this lesson, such as the hip roof or the gambrel.

7 truss – a series of triangular-shaped structural members that are used for building roofs.


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Determining Roof Pitch

The illustrations above show three different styles of houses. The first shows a ranch-style home, which has a relatively low roof pitch of 6 in 12. The colonial saltbox-style house in the second picture has a roof pitch of 12 in 12. Finally, the A-frame style house has a roof pitch of 17 in 12. The values above refer to the number of inches that the rafters rise per horizontal span of 12 inches (30.5 cm). For instance, a 6 in 12 pitch means that the roof angle rises 6 inches per foot (15.24 cm per 30.48 cm). Many carpenters refer to a roof by its angle. The diagram below shows how this is determined.

Roof Pitch Can Also Be Measured In Degrees

12 in. 6 in. 12

45° 22.5°


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Determining Roof Size The size of a roof is measured in square feet or square meters. For instance, if the rafters are 20 feet long and the house is 60 feet wide, you can determine the number of square feet by multiplying: 20 ft x 60 ft = 1,200 ft2. When ordering plywood for sheathing8, a carpenter has to determine how much will be needed while allowing for error and waste. The carpenter does this based upon the size of a 4-by-8-ft sheet of plywood. Knowing that a sheet of plywood is 4 x 8 ft, the square footage can be determined by multiplying (4 ft x 8 ft = 32 ft2). If, for example, the roof is 1200 ft2, use the equation: 1200 ÷ 32 = 37.5 sheets. Therefore, sheathing a roof that is 1200 ft2 requires at least 38 sheets of plywood. A few extra sheets should be ordered (to allow for error and waste). In metric terms, if the rafters are 6.10 m long and the house is 18.29 m wide, multiply: 6.10 x 18.29 = 111.57 m2

A sheet of plywood for sheathing is 1.22 m x 2.44 m. To determine how much plywood would be needed to cover a 111.57-m2 roof, begin by determining the square meters of the plywood (1.22 m x 2.44 m = 2.98 m2). Using the same size roof as in the previous example, the next step is to use the following equation: 111.57 ÷ 2.98 = 37.44 sheets. Therefore, sheathing a roof that is 111.57 m2 requires at least 38 sheets of plywood. As mentioned earlier, a few extra sheets should be ordered to allow for error and waste. You may view a video of this activity by going to Lesson 6 on your computer. Click on the graphic titled “About Roofs” to start the video. This video can be paused or replayed as often as necessary to complete this lesson. Build a Model Roof In this lesson, your roof will have a 6 in 12 pitch. If you would like to use a different pitch, you may substitute the number representing the height.

1. Begin by drawing a right triangle in the center of an 11 x 17 sheet of grid paper. The base of the triangle should be 12 grid boxes wide and the height should be six grid boxes long. Using the triangle for a straight edge, complete the triangle template by drawing a diagonal line.

8 sheathing – the first covering of boards applied to the surface of an outside wall or the roof of a house.


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2. Repeat step 1 for the opposite side of the triangle. You should now have a template for building your 6 in 12 pitch roof.

3. Use the ruler to measure the width of your model classroom. Write this measurement on the grid sheet.

4. Measure and mark two balsa wood strips. They should be 1 inch longer than the

width of your model. Then, cut them on the woodchopper.

5. On each piece, write “top plate” or “TP” so they can be easily identified.

WARNING: The razor blade in the chopper is extremely sharp. Keep your fingers away from the blade. Never use the chopper for any purpose other than cutting balsa wood.


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6. Turn a new piece of balsa wood on its edge (narrow side up) and place it on the grid sheet so that it runs along the slope you’ve drawn. The top of the strip should extend slightly beyond the top of the triangle.

7. Mark the edge of the balsa wood strip with a line parallel to the vertical line (6 squares) in the drawing. Follow the same procedure with the other new strip of balsa wood. These represent your rafters.

8. Cut each strip on the lines you’ve drawn. This provides you with the proper angle for your roof pitch.

If you accidentally damage the end of the wood, don’t worry. There will be plenty of excess. Just mark a new strip of wood and re-cut.


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9. Plug the glue gun into a receptacle and allow at least five minutes for it to heat up.

10. Place the balsa wood rafters on the grid sheet template you created in steps 1 and 2. Place one of the rafters on the template with the cut angle facing up and lined up with the center line in the drawing.

11. Place a glue stick in the glue gun. If necessary, follow the directions that came with the gun.

12. When the gun is hot, squeeze the trigger and melt some hot glue on one end of the

balsa wood rafter. Quickly push the other rafter against it and adjust it so that it follows the slope of the triangle. Let it dry for approximately 30 seconds.

13. Gently lift the two rafters off the paper. Do not apply any stress to your rafters until

the top plate has been added. The result will be very close to a 6 in 12 pitch (or 6:12).


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14. Once you’ve freed the two rafters from the paper, place them back on your template and line them up as closely as possible. Place one of the top plates you cut in step 4 horizontally behind the rafters until they cross.

15. Move the top plate until it is parallel with one of the horizontal lines on the graph paper. Mark the top plate by tracing a line, using the rafter as a template. Carefully do the same on the other side.

You don’t want to shorten the length of the top plate. If the line does not extend to the corner edge, redraw the line at the same angle.

16. Place a drop of glue on each end of the top plate, then push the top plate onto the bottom of the rafters. Try to keep the rafters lined up on the template while making sure the top plate remains parallel to one of the horizontal lines on the graph paper.

The pitch on your scale model roof should now be an accurate 6 in 12 pitch.


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17. Mark the rafters ½ inch below where they intersect with the top plate. Cut the rafters parallel to the top plate.

18. Repeat steps 4 through 17 to make the other end of the gable roof.

19. If too much glue has accumulated on your template, or if the template was destroyed while separating it from the wood, repeat steps 1 and 2 to create a new template.

This gable roof should have end studs for additional support. In real-world applications, these studs transfer the load of the roof to the outside wall. To add them to your model, you may refer to the Rafter-Type Gable Roof illustration shown in this guide. The ridge board, also shown in the same illustration, will not be needed.

20. Measure, cut, and glue the end studs to your gable ends. If you place balsa wood strips vertically behind the rafter, the angles can be traced for each of your cuts. Each stud should be evenly spaced.

NOTE: This step can be omitted if you are running out of time.


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21. Measure one of the rafters and write the distance from the peak to the bottom edge. Multiply that number by 2 and write your result on a sheet of paper.

22. Measure the length of your model classroom and write this measurement on the

same sheet of paper.

23. Cut a piece of the 11 x 17 (28 x 43 cm) cardstock using the dimensions from steps 21 and 22.

24. Using a straight edge, locate the lengthwise center of the cardstock and mark it with

a pencil. Then score the cardstock with the scissors blade.

25. Fold the cardstock roof so that it closely follows the slope of the rafters. Then, glue the roof in place on both ends.


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26. To create the ceiling, measure and cut another piece of cardstock. Glue this onto the bottom of your gable ends.

NOTE: If your room is L-shaped, you can use two gable roofs that intersect. You may optionally build another gable roof with only one gable end and cardstock cut on an angle (as shown). The specific angle depends on the roof pitch you’ve chosen and the width of the roof.

27. Unplug the glue gun. Clean up your work area and place everything back in its

storage area. Congratulations! Your model is complete. Hand the finished product in to your instructor. Go to the next section in the presentation, Exercise. When you are finished, read the Lesson Review and then take the Lesson Quiz. When you have completed the quiz, you may move on to Lesson 7.


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Lesson 7 – Circles and Polygons When you have completed this lesson, you will be able to: • determine the area of a circle. • determine the area of a pentagon. • determine the area of a trapezoid. • determine the area of various triangles. Materials List Pencil Calculator Geometric shapes are commonly used in architecture. In fact, architecture is a form of geometry. You may think that circles, pentagons, triangles, and many other shapes are uncommon in architecture, but this is untrue. From an architectural standpoint, these shapes are commonly used, particularly for commercial applications. The equations used in this lesson are fundamental, and you cannot enter the field of architecture without knowing them. Whether you choose to become an architect or not, you will be able to apply this knowledge to future real-world applications. The knowledge you gain will also enable you to determine the area of any shape you create in Lesson 8. In 1943, the famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright was asked to design a museum for a man named Solomon Guggenheim. When the building was completed in 1959, it incorporated many different shapes in its design, including ovals, circles, arcs, triangles, and squares.

The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum


40 Module Guide

A design such as this presented many problems for the architect. It was important that the rooms could handle the volume of traffic that would flow through the museum on a daily basis. One important factor was the total area of the rotunda9, which is the main exhibition area consisting of a spiral ramp encircling an open center space. The rotunda is just one of many examples of round shapes that are common in modern architecture. To determine the area of a rotunda, you’ll need to know how to figure out the area of a circle. Determining the Area of a Circle

The radius of a circle is the distance from the center to a point anywhere on the circle. Before you can determine the area of a circle, you must know the radius. The diameter of a circle is the distance across a circle through its center. It is twice as long as the radius. If you know the diameter of a circle, you divide that number in half to determine the radius.

The distance around a circle is called its circumference. If you divide the circumference by its diameter, you will get a value of 3.14. To represent this number, we use the Greek letter π (Pi). The area of a circle can be found by multiplying π (3.14) by the square of the radius. For example, to find the area of a circle that has an 8-inch radius, use the following formula: A = π x (r x r) or A = π x r2 What is the area of a circle that has a diameter of 25 ft?

9 rotunda – a large, round room or building; a building covered with a dome.

• Radius

A = π x (r x r) A = 3.14 x (8 in. x 8 in.) A = 3.14 x 64 in2

A = 200.96 in2

r = D ÷ 2 r = 12.5 A = π x (r x r) A = 3.14 x (12.5 in. x 12.5 in.)A = 3.14 x 156.25 in2

A = 490.63 in2

•Diameter


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What is the area of a circle that has a diameter of 7.62 m? The Rotunda of the United States Capitol is 96 ft (29.26 m) in diameter. Determine the area of this room and write your answer in the box provided. This value may be English or metric.

The Rotunda of the United States Capitol The area of the Rotunda is:

r = D ÷ 2 r = 3.81 A = π x (r x r) A = 3.14 x (3.81 m x 3.81 m) A = 3.14 x 14.51 m2

A = 45.58 m2


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The Pentagon, designed by American architect George Edwin Bergstrom, is another interesting building. Its purpose is to house the Department of Defense. The vast amount of office space occupies 3,705,793 ft2 (344,268.17 m2). The building has a total area of 6,636,360 ft2 (616,517.84 m2). The Pentagon is so large that the U.S. Capitol Building would fit into any one of its five sections.

The Pentagon The Pentagon covers an area of 34 acres (13.8 hectares) and is considered to be the largest building in the world. Construction was started in 1941 and was completed in 1943. Determining the Area of a Trapezoid Determining the area of a pentagon is accomplished by first breaking it down into segments. Using the Pentagon building as an example presents an interesting problem because the building has a pentagonal-shaped center court. When the pentagon is broken down into segments, there are five trapezoids10. If you can determine the area of one trapezoid, the problem can be solved by multiplying that area by the number of trapezoids in the shape.

10 trapezoid – a quadrilateral (four-sided) figure with one pair of parallel sides.


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To find the area of a trapezoid, use the following formula: A = ½ x (b1 + b2) x h In this formula, b1 is base one, b2 is base two, and h is height. If b1 of a trapezoid is 8 in., b2 is 12 in., and the height is 14 in., what is the area? If the bases are 20.32 cm and 30.48 cm and the height is 35.56 cm, what is the area?

Base1

Base2

Height

A = ½ x (b1 + b2) x h A = ½ x (8 + 12) x 14 A = ½ x (20) x 14 A = ½ x 280 A = 140 in2

A = ½ x (b1 + b2) x h A = ½ x (20.32 + 30.48) x 35.56 A = ½ x (50.80) x 35.56 A = ½ x 1806.45 A = 903.22 cm2


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If a trapezoid has bases that are 23 in. (58.42 cm) and 30 in. (76.20 cm) and a height of 35 in. (88.90 cm), what is its area? Write your answer in the box provided. This value may be English or metric. The area of this trapezoid is: This shape is a solid pentagon, forming triangles when segmented. Triangles are also commonly used in architecture. You will now determine the area of a triangle. If you know the base and height dimensions, you can determine the area. If you can determine the area of one triangle, the total area of the pentagon can be determined by multiplying that area by the number of triangles.

Base1 = 23 in. (58.42 cm)

Base2 = 30 in. (76.20 cm)

Height = 35 in. (88.90 cm)


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To find the area of a triangle, use the following formula: A = ½ x (b x h) In this case, multiply the base times its height. Then divide the result by 2. The height of the triangle must be measured on a plane that is perpendicular to the base of the triangle. Since there are different types of triangles, the height may be measured in different ways. For instance, in a right triangle, one side of the triangle is perpendicular to the base; therefore, it can be used to determine the height. The lateral sides of an isosceles triangle are not perpendicular to the base. A line has been drawn to represent the height. An acute triangle also has no lateral sides that are perpendicular to the base. Again, a line has been drawn to represent the height.

Height

Base

Base

Height

Base

Height


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If an isosceles triangle is 14 in. high and has a base that is 9 in. wide, what is its area? If a right triangle is 40.64 cm high and has a base that is 28.80 cm, what is its area? If an acute triangle is 21 in. (53.34 cm) high and has a base that is 9 in. (22.86 cm), what is its area? Write your answer in the box provided. This value may be English or metric. The area of this triangle is: Go to the next section in the presentation, Exercise. When you are finished, read the Lesson Review and then take the Lesson Quiz. When you have completed the quiz, you may move on to Lesson 8.

A = ½ x (b x h) A = ½ x (9 x 14) A = ½ x (126 in2) A = 63 in2

A = ½ x (b x h) A = ½ x (40.64 x 28.80) A = ½ x (1170.43 cm2) A = 585.22 cm2

Base = 9 in.

Height = 21 in.


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Lesson 8 – Floor Area Puzzle When you have completed this lesson, you will be able to: • create various shapes to find the one that offers the most area. Materials List Architect’s scale Ruler Compass Protractor Pencil Corkboard square Pushpins String 11 x 17 in. (28 x 43 cm) graph paper Calculator In this lesson, you will work with various shapes to determine which one offers the maximum amount of area. The knowledge you gained in the previous lesson will enable you to determine the area of any shape you create on the corkboard.

Your goal is to manipulate a piece of string on a corkboard until you come up with a shape that offers the maximum amount of surface area (in2 or cm2). Whenever you design a new shape, make sure you use the entire length of the string. It may be helpful to pin it down at the end when you have decided on your final shape. When you measure, use the side of the architect’s scale that is marked with a 16 on one end. This indicates that the numbered tick marks are marked in inches. When you transfer your shape to the grid sheet, it should be drawn at a ratio of 1:1. For instance, if your shape is 7 in. x 8 in. (17.78 cm x 20.32 cm), the shape on the grid sheet should have the exact same dimensions. You may view a video of this activity by going to Lesson 8 on your computer. Click on the graphic titled “Floor Area Puzzle” to start the video. This video can be paused or replayed as often as necessary to complete this lesson.


48 Module Guide

1. Stick a pushpin into the corkboard. Then tie the end of the string around the pushpin handle. Stretch the string out, and then measure and cut it exactly 30 in. (76.2 cm) long.

2. Place more pushpins in the corkboard, and run the string around them to create different shapes. You may use as many pushpins as you’d like. Experiment with various shapes while measuring the area of each shape with the architect’s scale. If necessary, use the calculator.

3. Once you have tried various shapes and decided on one that has the most surface area, transfer it to the graph paper. Use any of the tools at your disposal to re-create the shape with the same dimensions.


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4. Using lines with arrows, show the dimensions of your drawing. Also, write the amount of area inside the shape. Write your name and class in the upper-right corner of the graph paper. If you are working with a partner, both names should be included.

5. Clean up your work area and put everything back in its storage area. Go to your computer and read the Lesson Review. When you have finished, click on the Forward arrow and take the Lesson Quiz. When you have completed the quiz, you may move on to Lesson 9.


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Lesson 9 –Use Home Design Software to Create a Floor Plan When you have completed this lesson, you will be able to: • use a 3D home design software program to create a floor plan. • access catalogs where objects are stored. • place objects in a floor plan. • arrange a floor plan to maximize functionality. Materials List Computer Floor Plan 3D® software program In this lesson, you will use a home design software program to design your own floor plan. You will then add furniture and fixtures to learn more about spatial relationships. If a room is too small, the furniture won’t fit or it will take up too much space. Halls should be wide enough to allow people to walk through them without feeling cramped. Use your imagination, and take the time to experiment until you come up with a working plan that is dimensionally sound. You may want to include a garage with an additional entryway or even a laundry room. The possibilities are endless; but don’t get carried away, because you only have one class period to complete this lesson. Don’t feel intimidated when using this software program. This program is easy and fun to use, and you don’t need any prior CAD (computer-aided design) or graphic arts experience.


Module Guide 51

On your computer desktop, double-click on the 3D Design icon. The program opens. Before you design your floor plan, you will first familiarize yourself with the software by opening a sample plan. 1. Click on File and then Open. Select your C:\ drive and double click on Program

Files, then IMSI, then FloorPlan 3D v10, and finally on Samples. Select Ahp 9300 then click Open.

The sample plan appears on the screen in 2D view. If you place the cursor over a button the name of the button appears and the description of the button is shown on the bottom left section of the screen. You will see the blueprint view of the sample in 2D Plan View. There are two 3D view modes: Perspective and Orthogonal. 2. Click on the 3D View button and select a different view mode. Try each one. You will find the Perspective and Ortho mode on the bottom of the screen next to Plan view.


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3. Click on the Walls button to display the Walls features on the left side of the screen.

4. In the Walls menu, click General Walls and select 6” Wall.

In the construction industry, the 2 x 6 wall is becoming increasingly popular because it offers energy-saving advantages such as more space for insulation. Using 2 x 6s allows builders to notch the bottom of the studs to run electrical wire, which is against code in a 2 x 4 wall. Framing the outside walls with 2 x 6s and interior walls with 2 x 4s is a typical combination when 2 x 6 walls are constructed.


Module Guide 53

5. Click and drag the mouse in your drawing area to start drawing the perimeter of your model.

6. After you have drawn the first wall, click the mouse again to draw each additional

wall. Notice that the length of each wall is displayed automatically.

NOTE: If you make a mistake, click Edit in the menu bar, select Undo, and start again.


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The walls drawn in the graphic below are just a basic example of a shape that can be used.

Once the perimeter11 of the house is drawn, you may begin drawing the interior walls. Remember to pay attention to the dimensions of your rooms. You must make sure they are large enough to accommodate the furniture/fixtures that you will add later to your design. 7. In the Walls menu, click on General Walls and select 4” Wall. Draw the interior walls

of your model the same way you drew the exterior walls. Click the mouse when you're done drawing each wall. (If necessary, right-click and select Finish when you complete a wall.)

8. To move a wall or to change its length, click on the wall. The cursor changes. You

can now move the wall to a new position or change its length.

11perimeter – a boundary line that defines the outer limits of an area.


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9. Click the Door menu to display the Door options. Select a Type of door and select an

Element. 10. Select a wall and click the mouse to insert a door. Notice that the program will not

allow you to insert a door in the middle of a room, where it will not fit realistically. 11. Repeat the above step to insert additional doors. You can select different types of

doors. (Right-click and select Finish). 12. To insert windows, click the Window menu to display the Window options. Select a

window Type and an Element. Select a wall and click the mouse to insert a window. Repeat this step to insert additional windows and different types of windows.

13. To insert openings, click the Openings menu in both the Door and Window menu to

display the Openings options and follow the same steps. 14. When you are finished inserting these elements, right-click in your drawing area and

select Finish.


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Naming a Room 1. To name a room, click on Tools in the menu bar and select Text. The Text dialog

box appears. Type in your text. 2. Type a name – for example, "Living Room".

3. Click the Insert icon then OK. 4. The text will be attached to the cursor. Move the text to the appropriate room – in

this case, the living room – and click the mouse once. 5. Repeat this process to name the other rooms in your drawing.


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Adding Furniture Now that you have created the rooms in your model and are satisfied with their dimensions, you can add furnishings and fixtures. Visualize each room and where you want the furnishings and fixtures to be located.

1. Click the Cabinets button to view the Cabinets menu. Select a Type and an Element

then click where you want the cabinet to appear in the drawing. Right-click and select Finish.

2. Click the Furniture button to display the Furniture menu. Select the furniture Type

and Element and place the furniture where you want it to appear in the drawing. Do this for each room. Right click and select Finish.

3. Click on the Appliances button to display the Appliances menu. Select the Type and

Element and then click in the appropriate location in your drawing.

NOTE: When you select a table for the dining room, make sure that the room is large enough to accommodate it while allowing enough room for people to walk around it without bumping into each another. Also, remember that you will need enough space for a china closet or any other furniture that you may want to include.

4. To move an item, click on the select button. Click on the item and move it to the

desired place. 5. To rotate an item, click on the select button then click on the item. You will see a red

triangle. Place the cursor on top it and drag the element in a circular motion to rotate it.

6. Try the other buttons to add plumbing, accessories, stairs, etc. to you drawing.


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Your drawing should look something like this:

When you are satisfied with your drawing, you may save it. 7. Click on File in the menu bar and select Save. The Save As dialog box appears. 8. Click the down arrow next to the Save in: box and select your C: drive. 9. Double-click on Program Files, then IMSI, then Floor Plan3D v10, then

Documents. 10. In the File name: box, type your initials followed by the number 1. This file will be

saved as a .bmf file in your Document folder.

11. When you are finished, click File on the menu bar and select Exit, or click the X in the upper right corner of the window.

Congratulations! You’ve drawn your first floor plan using a 3D home architect program. The plans generated with this software cannot be used to build a house; however, it does give you an idea of what is involved and how to solve some of the more basic problems. In Lesson 10, you will add a roof to your floor plan and use virtual cameras to view your model in 3D. Go to the next section in the presentation, Exercise. When you are finished, read the Lesson Review and take the Lesson Quiz. When you have completed the quiz, you may move on to Lesson 10.


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Lesson 10 – Completing Your Floor Plan When you have completed this lesson, you will be able to: • view your floor plan in 3D. • add a roof to your drawing. • generate a quantity report. Materials List Computer Floor Plan 3D® software program In this lesson, you will use virtual cameras to view your floor plan in 3D. This will offer you a great opportunity to actually see how your rooms appear with the furniture and fixtures you chose in the previous lesson. With this software, you can view your model from many positions and angles using the Camera function. The Camera function involves two elements: the Camera and the Target. The target is placed in an area or on a specific detail that you wish to see. The camera is then moved to various viewing positions. You will also be adding a roof to your house. This program allows you to see how the roof contours to the shape of the house. When you are done, you will generate a quantity report (bill of materials) that includes all the materials that would be needed to actually build the structure. This includes the lumber, furniture, appliances, cabinets, and more. Accessing Your Program File

On your computer desktop, double-click on the 3D Design icon. The program opens. 1. Click on File and then Open. In the Open dialog box, in the Documents folder. Your plan appears on the screen in 2D Plan view. 2. If you would like to make any modifications or add more elements to your plan, you

may do so now. Just remember to save your changes.


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Viewing Your Floor Plan in 3D 1. Click on the 3D View button.

2. Click on the Bird’s Eye View button. Move the cursor to the top of your drawing.

Click, hold, and drag the mouse to view your floor plan as if you were looking down on it.


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3. Click on the Reset Camera button. Now you are ready to view the floor plan from a

different perspective. Click on the Standing View button. Click, hold, and drag the mouse to move the camera around your floor plan as if you were walking.

You can also change the display modes of your 3D view. This software includes different display types, such as Shaded View, Rendered View, and Wire Frame. The display types determine the appearance of objects in your drawing area. Try different modes.

4. Click on the 2D Plan View button.


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Adding a Roof 1. To add a roof to your model, click Construct from the Menu Bar and then select

Roofs.

2. From the Roof menu on the left side, select a Type. Double-click on it and the roof

will automatically be added to your design. 3. You can view your house by clicking on the 3D View button. 4. When you are satisfied with your drawing, click File in the menu bar and select

Save.


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Generating a Quantity Report A quantity report, or bill of materials, lists the materials in your drawing and the quantity, unit price, and total cost of each material. The quantities in the report come from your model. Keep in mind that the bill of materials does not calculate the cost of labor or the hours of labor needed to complete the project. 1. Click on Tools in the menu bar and select Material List. The Material List appears.

You should scroll down the list to get an idea of what materials are needed to make your floor plan become a reality. If you were actually going to build this house, you could take this list to a supplier and get an estimate for the materials. You should add 10 percent to the total because you always need more than originally estimated. Don’t forget to adjust your budget accordingly! 2. When you have finished viewing the report, close it by clicking on the X in the upper

right corner or by clicking on the Exit button. 3. If you'd like to make any last-minute changes to your floor plan, do so now. When

you are finished, click on File in the menu bar and select Save. Remember to generate a new report if necessary.


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4. When you are finished, click on File and select Exit, or click the X in the upper right corner of the window.

Congratulations! You’ve completed the last activity in the 3D Design and Construction Modeling module. Go to the next section in the presentation, Lesson Review. When you have finished, read the Module Conclusion.


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Independent Study Projects Choose one of the independent study projects from the list below. Ask your instructor for the INDEPENDENT STUDY worksheets. These worksheets help you define and clarify your project. When you have completed your project, give it to your instructor for review.

1. Determine how much area your home occupies. Record the length and width of your home, and then calculate the total area. Write these figures on paper and then hand the paper in to your instructor. If you live in a condominium or an apartment building, you can measure the entire building in increments.

2. Determine the volume of space occupied by your computer and the volume of space

inside your classroom/lab. Calculate how many computers it would take to completely fill the room. Write these figures on paper and tell your instructor how you got your answer.

3. Construct a hip roof using the same materials you used to construct a gable roof.

You can investigate hip roofs on the Internet to get ideas for this project.


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3D Design and Construction Modeling Appendix – How to Use the Architect’s Scale

Module Guide 1

APPENDIX – HOW TO USE THE ARCHITECT’S SCALE

Look at the architect’s scale. Notice that each side has differently scaled measurements. Find the side that has the "1/4" on one end of the scale. The 1/4 means that each tick mark represents 1 foot, and every inch of your drawing represents 4 feet. Looking to the left of the "0," notice that there are 12 very small tick marks. Each of these small tick marks represents 1 inch. If, for example, your room is 42 ft (12.80 m) long, begin by placing a small mark at "0" and another at "42." Then, using a straight edge, draw your line. You can also determine the length of your line by using the following equation: 42 x .25 = 10.5. You may use the calculator whenever necessary. If, for example, your room is 42 ft 7 in. long, begin by placing a small mark at "42" and use the seventh small tick mark at the other end to add the seven inches. Using the architect’s scale helps you draw your plan more quickly by determining the length of a line without having to count the individual squares.

NOTE: It is recommended that you use the triangle or protractor for a straight edge and the architect’s scale only for measuring. The edge of an architect’s scale should always be protected from damage.

Scales are used to measure and represent many types of objects in drawings and models. Without them, it would be impossible to do this with any accuracy. If you needed to add a 30 ft x 50 ft swimming pool in a model or drawing, for instance, the scale would be used to depict the actual size of the pool.