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Who are we looking for?
We are looking for a few knowledgeable ACA users who work in residential architecture and need the solutions this kit will offer.  We want to know things like, "How do you want this to look on Plans, Elevations, Sections and in 3D?",  "Do you want the slider arrow to come from a DimStyle?" and "What type of data do you want for your Schedules?".  This eKit can be used in ADT 2007 and/or ACA 2008.

What's in it for you?
For those who work with us to develop this kit, the prize is a free copy of the final release. 

What's in the kit thus far?
So far we have a variety of prototypes for regular Door and Window Styles with trim.  We also have some prototypes for entry DWA's that offer sidelights, transoms and trim.

What will the final product have?
AutoCAD Architecture doesn't offer Door or Window trim so that was one of the primary reasons for the development of this kit.  The trim that we have attached to the native Door and Window Styles is fairly generic in nature and has been created by attaching Blocks of Mass Elements to the Frames of these Objects (the blocks can be modified to create unique trim pieces).  Tol earn more, read "Trim your Doors and Windows in Architectural Desktop".  AutoCAD Architecture

  also doesn't offer the more complicated opening styles such as Window and Entry combinations which typically require the use of customized Door/Window Assemblies.  We have several prototypes now and will add many more.  Over the years we have also noticed that other openings are missing such as the Dutch Door, Sliders beyond three doors and Skylights.  Oh, and we are adding handles, knobs and levers to the doors.

How do I get on-board?
Simply write an e-mail to odin@archidigm.com with a request to test this product.  A brief explanation of who you are, where you work and your skill level will help us filter out people who are unqualified.  ARCHIdigm reserves the right to refuse requests.

Over the years we have noticed that architectural offices tend to have different reasons for how they use the "Measure to" option in AutoCAD Architecture: some use "Inside of Frame", some use "Outside of Frame" and many use one for Doors and another for Windows.

In the illustration to the right you will see an example of why we have chosen to use "Inside of Frame" for Doors and Windows.  When using this Kit, you may still choose "Outside of Frame" but be aware that the trim will not necessarily match up as would be the case when a common head height is used.

Door/Window Assemblies, on the other hand, do not offer either of these options so you are usually forced to draw them to the outside of frame.  These Objects don't offer the "Auto-adjust to Width of Wall" option found within Door and Window Styles so some user customization will be required when these Style are used (to match your Wall Width).

The Openings 9 eKit (Alpha) is simply an ADT 2007 drawing file with a number of styles that can be used as prototypes for the creation of numerous other styles.  There are several Door, Window and DWA styles that can easily be copied, named and altered to produce custom solutions.

Once you have created your own custom style, you can copy-n-paste the object into your own working drawings.  Once this eKit is complete we will include a Content Browser Catalog with Tool Palettes.

In the illustration to the right I show how I have Copied an entry assembly and then used the "Copy Door/Window Assembly Style and Assign..." context menu option to produce a new style name.  After providing this style with a new name under the "General" tab, I show that I have gone to the "Design Rules" tab and Selected "Infills".  Under "Infills" you will find names that correspond to components within the assembly; such as "Door", "Sidelight" and/or "Transom".  Within this eKit there are a number of prototype style options that you can use in-place of the default ones; i.e., you can use a half glazed entry door with 2 panels.

Door based on Door/Window Styles
Openings_Dutch_Trim
Openings_Entry_2_Sidelight_Transom_Trim
Openings_Entry_2_Sidelight_Trim
Openings_Entry_Double_2_Sidelight_3_Transom_Trim
Openings_Entry_Sidelight_Trim
Openings_Entry_Sliding_OXXO_4_Transom_Trim
 

Window Styles
Casement - Double - Trim
Casement - Trim
Double Hung - DWA
Lower Screen
Picture - DWA
Picture - Trim
Single Slider - DWA
Slider - DWA

Windows based on Door/Window Styles
Openings_DHPDH_Trim
Openings_DS-P_Trim
Openings_Generic_Trim
Openings_Right_Triangle_Trim
Openings_SSPSS_Trim
Openings_Trapazoid_Trim

Questionnaire

1. Please comment on the primary Views: Plan, Elevation and 3D (low, medium and high) – what changes, if any, would you need in order to use this product?
    

2. We have decided to use the “Inside of Frame” option for “Measure to” throughout this product in order to keep a consistent appearance in Plans and Elevations (Windows need to be set to “Inside of Frame” in order for the Head Heights to match).  Is this a problem for you?  Should we include instructions for tricks like using negative values for Frames?
    

3. Please list Opening Styles that you would like to see added to this product.
    

4. Most manufacturers offer “grill” options for glazing that have patterns that cannot be produced with the Muntin tool.  Are these patterns important to you?  - Please rate as “low, medium or of high importance” and state the patterns you would like to see included or simply refer to the manufacturer.
    

5. We may add light commercial styles such as ADA doors with levers; would these be of value to you?  Please list the styles you would like to see added to this product.

After receiving this product and testing it for a period of time, please include the adjacent questionnaire in your e-mail along with any other comments you would like to make.