This article takes you through the steps of creating a simple dormer window:
| Before rendering: | After rendering: |
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Note: If you require a more complex structure, these can be created with a combination of sloping ceiling shapes and interior walls. If you need assistance with this please contact your local Support Team and provide them with photos or a diagram of what you wish to achieve.
Step 1 - Create the sloping ceiling with opening
In Room definition mode:
- Select the exterior wall that the dormer will be attached to.
- Right-click and select Add sloping ceiling object.
- In the Select object window, select the appropriate ceiling for the shape of your cut out and click OK.
Note: In our example we have used Sloping ceiling with square carving W005 009C. - Set your dimensions in the Object parameters window:
- Width - defaults to width of selected exterior wall but can be changed if required.
- Height - how far down the wall the slope comes.
- Depth - how far from the exterior wall the slope projects into the room (lateral displacement).
- Height opening - If you want the top of the opening flush with the ceiling (as in our example) set this the same as Height.
- Distance from wall, left and Distance from wall, right - The distances from the left and right ends of the wall, measured as if you were standing facing the selected wall. In our example we have made them equal as we wanted the opening to be central. However these settings could also be used to offset the window, if desired.
- Click OK
Step 2 - Create the pillars with interior walls
In Room definition mode:
- Click on the Draw interior wall icon:
- With the single pencil selected click once and release where you want to start drawing the interior wall, then drag the line out.
Note: To enable input of exact measurements right click on the drawn line and select Properties. You can input exact wall length here. - Right-click and select Close shape with indicated thickness.
- In the Complete: indicate thickness window, enter the second interior wall dimension to create the pillar and choose the direction to close the figure:
- Left = Anti-clockwise from the direction of the cursor arrow.
- Right = Clockwise from the direction of the cursor arrow.
Note: You will be able to see a shaded preview of the wall in the plan.
- In Interior wall properties the default Height value is the full height of the room. Do not alter this, as the pillar must meet the ceiling slope to form a seamless join. Instead, just click OK.
Repeat Step 2 - Create the pillars with interior walls to create a second pillar, if required.
Step 3 - Add a window
See Adding a Window to a Wall for instructions on how to add a window.
Note: After adding a window, you can drag and drop to reposition the window along the wall. You can also right-click and select Object properties to edit parameters, such as frame, moulding and depth.
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