The next step is to insert room areas into the project. Several icons (boxed in red) are available for this.

 

Insert Rectangular Room: Click on the first icon to insert a room by typing in width and length of the room. One may select the room label from the pull down list, or simply type in a desired name in that field. Drop and move the shape to desired location.

 

 

 For Faster Size Entry:  Decimal numbers are accepted. For instance, number 11.5 is treated as 11’6”. Formats like 15, 15.5, 15’4 (i.e. without inch symbol) are acceptable.

 

 

Insert Stairway:  Click on the second icon icons to add stairway. Enter stairway width, tread and riser sizes, and the number of steps as graphically illustrated, drop the shape to the desired location.

 

 

 

 

Insert Free-drawing Shape: to model irregular shaped room with any angles and any number of wall segments. The steps are

1.      Click left mouse button on any point to start;

2.      Move cursor and click to the next corner point with desired direction and length, OR enter the length with keyboard in the size field at lower right bottom with Enter key to take effect (as shown in red box)

3.      Move around the perimeter of the area, and click back to the starting point to close the loop.

 

 

 

 Other Freedraw Shortcut Tips:

 

·        Press and hold Shift key to allow cursor to move in any angle or lock to 45/90 degree angle at any point.

·        Press Ctrl-z to backup one step to re-enter the size, use it multiple times to backup multiple steps.

·        Double left-clicks OR Space key to close the loop.

·        Hit Esc key to quit the freedraw before closing the loop. Right-click or Esc key quits continuous freedraw mode.

 

 

Insert Doorway and Window:

Attach a doorway to a room by clicking on Insert Doorway icon, enter the parameters, and then select on a wall to place the doorway (attaching it to the selected wall). Similarly, for inserting windows.