Sketch Window

Creating Window Sketches

1.Draw the outside contour of the desired window using the ARCHICAD line type tools.

2.Make sure that the contour is closed.

3.Select the entire line contour with the Arrow tool (Figs. 2 and 3).

4.Group the selected line contour by choosing the Grouping > Group command in the Edit menu.

Note: The contour lines must be a group of lines. It cannot be a single polyline. Explode polyline to make it a group of lines.

5.Next, draw the desired transom for the window. The transom lines define the center axes of the transoms.

6.Now select the entire window sketch with the Arrow tool. Choose the ArchiGlazing command in the Design > Design Extras menu and click on the Sketch Window tool.

7.In the Sketch Window dialog box, specify the remaining parameters for the desired window.

8.Under Save as, select the ARCHICAD object type (Object, Window or Door) and the folder location and choose a name for the new window.

9.On completion of your entries, confirm them with OK.

10.From the ARCHICAD toolbar, select the object type created (Object, Window or Door), and click to position the new window.

Note: The choice you make here affects the behavior of the structure. Window and Door type elements can only be placed into walls and will create an opening there. Object type elements can be placed independently, they do not create an opening in a wall, will be listed as objects (and not as windows or doors) in calculations and can only be opened with the Object tool.

Door and Window Frames, Sills and Ledges

Under Options, specify the parameters for an additional door or window frame or window sill or ledge. Your settings will, however, only be used if Use Extra Frame and Windowsill Settings is selected. Window sills can only be generated for windows with a bottom edge.

ArchiGlazing always creates an additional door or window frame inside the window sketch specified.

Note: The parameters already specified for frame height and width are applied to the casement when a frame is selected.

Result with the selected window frames and ledges

Window Sketch Examples

Combinations of Lines, Polylines and Bézier Curves

You can create the contour for your window sketch using any line type or combination of line types.

   Example 1: Contours from lines and arcs

The transom lines for the window sketches can also have any form or direction.

Example 2: Slanted transom lines and a spline

Window Sketches from Circles and Ellipses

ArchiGlazing cannot automatically recognize sketch contours created from geometrically closed contours (circle or ellipse). Specify a closed circular or elliptical window by using two semi-circles or semi-ellipses, and then group the elements.

Example:

Window Sketch from Splines

If you wish to use a spline to create a contour for an unusual window design, you must use two, grouped splines. Alternatively, you can use a single spline, then cut it into two parts and group them.

Example:

Empty Wall Openings

If you select Empty Wall Opening, only an empty wall aperture will be created. If your window sketch contains transom lines, these will be ignored. Remember that the contour must be grouped before creating the structure.

Example:

Corner Glass Structures from Window Sketches

If you add a hotspot to a vertical transom line in your window sketch, ArchiGlazing will interpret the marked line as a corner post.

Select the window sketch (including hotspot) and both walls in which you want to have a corner window. Choose ArchiGlazing and click the Sketch Window tool. In the appearing dialog box, specify the remaining parameters for the window in the usual way and confirm your entries with OK.

The corner glass structure will automatically be positioned at the corner of the wall.

Example: Mirrored line drawing as initial sketch

Frame Additions Connected to Grooves

If you wish to position the window in the floor plan with reveals, you can increase the size of the window frame at the side by the width of the reveal. With this you ensure that the overall size of the aperture of the window created corresponds to the line contour specified by you.

In the Reveal Setup dialog box you can define whether the reveal should increase the window frame width or should reduce the aperture of the window.

Note: Side frame additions are only possible with rectangular windows.

Subsequent Changes to Sketch Windows

Select the glass structure in your project and open ArchiGlazing from the Design > Design Extras menu. Change the material settings for the profiles and glass surfaces and then click OK. The window will be updated automatically.

If you pass your project as an archive document to another ARCHICAD user without an ArchiGlazing, the window can be opened and modified using ARCHICAD’s Window tool.

Note: The contour and transom layout cannot be subsequently modified in this dialog box. If you need to change them, you will have to create a new sketch window.

Saving a Sketch Window as a Door

If you selected the Door object type in the Sketch Window Settings dialog box when saving your new structure, you will need to activate ARCHICAD's Door tool before positioning the door.

ArchiGlazing will not automatically show a door leaf in the floor plan.You can, however, select the glass structure created in the floor plan and choose the Open object command from the File > Libraries and Objects menu. The Door Settings dialog box will then appear and you will be able to edit the 2D Symbol.

See also: the relevant section of the ARCHICAD Reference Guide.

Saving a Sketch Window as an Object

If you selected the Object type in the Sketch Window Settings dialog box when saving your new structure, you will need to activate ARCHICAD's Object tool before positioning the window.

When a corner glass structure is saved as an object, the glass structure is not automatically positioned in the floor plan: ArchiGlazing creates two objects that you can position one after the other using ARCHICAD's Object tool.

Select the Object tool and position the first half of the glass structure in the floor plan. Then open the Object Settings dialog box, select the second half of the glass structure and position this likewise in the floor plan.