SKETCHFRAMER
Exercise 1 > Hello World
Exercise_Hello World
Model the structure of a simple module based on 2D drawings.
In this case we will use a combination of Familia CC for walls and CU for the roof.
Step-by-step guide:
Import the file PLANTA_HW.DWG
Check the scale. Confirm the position of the coordinate origin.
START MODELING
We will draw the Steel Framing walls over the imported plan. This plan is a set of grouped edges. We will draw the walls along the structural line, marked as the second one from the outside toward the inside of the project.
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Select the following configuration.
Drawing Settings > AUTOLEVELS
This sets up the system for positioning objects without snapping or restricting them to a specific level. It’s a freer way of working in space.
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Profile Type > CC
We choose the peripheral family to use; in this case, the CC structure corresponds to automatic roll-forming machines, for which we will later have a fabrication file to send to the machine.
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C Section > 89x41x10
Make sure this profile is selected, the most common for this type of machine.
Leave the rest of the configuration as default.
CREATE WALLS
We begin drawing the walls of the model over the plan. Select the starting point and the end point, using SNAP to ensure that the external point of the previous wall is selected.
Create Horizontal Panel / JOISTS
The roof structure can be made with JOISTS or TRUSSES.
With the panel configuration set to CC structure, the program defaults to using Trusses.
We will change the profile family selector to CU.
This way, we will use Joists for the roof. This can be changed after the panel is created.
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As with wall drawing, leave Drawing Settings > AUTOLEVELS.
CREATE > Select 3 points on the same plane to draw the Horizontal Panel, which will be the roof.
We use Bounding BOX representation to simplify the detection of points (SNAPS).
If the roof joists are oriented the wrong way, to rotate them use:
Select the panel > Right Click > Sketchframer > ROTATE
It can also be done from the object properties, FLIP JOISTS.
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DRAW PROFILES
Using the box display mode (BBOX), draw the profiles over the roof panel. Use the CC family, 300 mm in height. We can combine techniques for modeling them: draw, move + copy, or others.
ADD OPENINGS
We will add doors and windows by drawing them over the plan we have placed.
We will use the DRAW WITH 2 POINTS method.
To do this, select the wall where the opening will be placed, then select a start point and an end point for the opening, referencing the plan underneath.
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There may be cases where it’s not easy to find the SNAP on the plan. We can use X-ray view with the shortcut “X”.
We can also use BB display mode to reduce the number of SNAP points.
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Hide / Show Hidden Geometry
In some cases, it’s necessary to hide geometry that obstructs or covers objects behind. We will use the Hide / Show Hidden Geometry options to help with this.
Alerts / The model is displayed with panels colored by Alerts. We will turn off alerts in the Settings ICON > Graphics > (Switch) OFF.
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TRIPLES
Using the EDIT icon, we will insert Triples or T-Connections at all corners or intersections in T, C, or L shapes.
EDIT > Geometry > TRIPLES
We will use the MEDIUM STUD type of connection, which is selected by default.
To choose another type, use the (*) next to the button and select the desired TC type.
Click the TRIPLES button and then click two walls to connect them.
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Walls can have multiple triples assigned, which can be found in the LINKS tab in their properties.
By entering the panel properties, TRIPLE types can be changed later, or they can be deleted.
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We will apply Triples to all intersections in the model.
Clicking on the TRIPLE type (MEDIUM STUD) displays the available types to change to others. Clicking the “X” deletes the connection. Connections are maintained when moving panels along the destination panel.
PRINT PLANS
When the model is ready, we move on to preparing the documentation and fabrication. To do this, follow these steps:
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Fill in the user information by entering the Settings icon in the main toolbar.
This information will appear on the plans, printed automatically.
LEVELS
We will create the levels to print each on a separate sheet. In this case, we will have one sheet for:
GROUND FLOOR WALLS
ROOF PANEL
PROFILES
To create the levels, go to the LEVELS icon and open the dialog box. We will use the DETECT AND CREATE option.
In the configuration option (*), select only WALLS and ROOFS. This will create a level at each Z position of the objects in the scene.
Sketchframer automatically assigns the level to each object according to its Z position at the time of automatic creation. This operation will delete all previous levels.
We will rename the LEVELS, as this will be the name of each sheet in the set of plans. This can be done from the Levels tool by clicking on each name in the list, or simply by double-clicking the icon in the scene and changing the name.
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The level name will appear as a reference on the sheet, which is why it’s important to choose an appropriate name for each level.
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PRINT - tutorial 1 / tutorial 2
Click the printer icon to open the print workspace.
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From this window, we will configure, adjust, and print the Fabrication plans and the Assembly plans of the structure.
The initial view is a Plan projection of the 3D model we are working on.
The model appears centered and scaled to the page. If there are objects far from the model we want to print, everything may appear very small. In that case, check the 3D scene.
These objects (lines, faces, or volumes) should be deleted or moved toward the model of interest.
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At the top, there is a series of options. In the LEVEL selector, we can switch between the different levels of the project, which correspond here to the different pages of the Assembly plan.
By clicking LEVEL, we change the model levels that configure the different pages. Below, on the right, are the working options:
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DXF – To export the plans in DXF format for use in CAD programs
PANELS – Opens automatic panel printing options
PLANS – Options for designing the assembly plans (current view)
SAVE – Every adjustment must be saved before returning to the model
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We will open PLANS to make the following adjustments:
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Turn off automatic dimensions.
Turn off the LAYER containing the CAD floor plan, so only the panels are visible.
Adjust the size and position of wall labels.
Rename the panels (this affects the model) by double-clicking the labels.
Dimension the plan using LINEAR DIM.
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Verify that the project data has been entered.
Save changes and Print.
Select where to save the PDF plan.
FABRICATION FILE DOWNLOAD – NC FILES
Sketchframer CLOUD PLATFORM
Accessed from Sketchframer
User Registration
To log in, a registered Username and Password are required.
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After entering the login details, the current project information appears within Sketchframer. Click Add Project to UPLOAD it to the platform.
Go to the project list and click the NC FILE button.
This takes us to the screen where we configure the type of machine to use and then download the fabrication file.