Windows in the library of Architecture 2009

[Polstar]

I am looking at some windows on an existing house. The style is not available in the library of windows within Architecture 2009, what is my next step in finding out how to get the relevent window style into my drawing? Do i have to make a new block, modify and existing one or are these the sort of thing you can download...somewhere???

Any help much appreciated.

Eddy

[Noahma]

use one that closely matches the condition you have, and modify it with a new style name. The items in the program are very generic, made to be modified to fit the conditions you need. What kind of window is it that you need?

[Galingula]

http://www.archidigm.com/classroom/adt_3_ekits/aca_10_window_styles_eparts.htm

These guys make decent and cheap libraries

[Polstar]

Noahma,

I cannot work out how to modify the window style in the way that i want to!

I am starting with a vertical pivot window, i then (on the 'edit window style' menu) change the window type to 'uneven single hung style. This makes the bottom section the hinged part but it is smaller than the top part, how do i change the size of the hinged section and change it to the top part of the window??? I hope i make sense with this question?

Eddy

[Noahma]

Noahma,

I cannot work out how to modify the window style in the way that i want to!

I am starting with a vertical pivot window, i then (on the 'edit window style' menu) change the window type to 'uneven single hung style. This makes the bottom section the hinged part but it is smaller than the top part, how do i change the size of the hinged section and change it to the top part of the window??? I hope i make sense with this question?

Eddy

I know the question has been asked before. Although I am not sure what the answer is :( I will keep my eyes open on other forums and things posted around. In the mean time you might be able to create a door/window assembly to essentially build the window the way it would look in elevation.

[Polstar]

i thought it would be something fairly easy given the vast array of window styles available and the limited amount of window styls in ACA??? I like the way that the design rules in the curtain walling allow you to create the specific design you want in that area but why can i not change the height of the transoms in a normal window?

[Noahma]

i thought it would be something fairly easy given the vast array of window styles available and the limited amount of window styls in ACA??? I like the way that the design rules in the curtain walling allow you to create the specific design you want in that area but why can i not change the height of the transoms in a normal window?

Got me, there are things like this that make you know exactly that some computer programmers designed the software and not someone in the Architectural field. There are things like this within Revit too lol. Curtain walls and Door/Window Assemb. styles have to be the most versatile objects in the program. I use them for solving just about any problem. I even use it to create standing seam metal roofs lol.

[Polstar]

would this work for adjustin the position of mullions and transoms? Can you create parts of curtain wall to open? Or should i investigate using the door/window assembley?

[Noahma]

would this work for adjustin the position of mullions and transoms? Can you create parts of curtain wall to open? Or should i investigate using the door/window assembley?

I would look into the door window assemb. styles, since they can be hosted inside of a wall. What you will do is set up the assemb. to have the frame of the window, then use two window styles as infill within the frame. Modify the window styles to remove its native frame. You can use any of the provided window styles for this, so making different types of windows become more easy. IE a hinged transom above a fixed glass. I hope that was a decent enough desc. lol I might be able to throw one together for you here soon as a demonstration.

[Polstar]

i will try and have play this weekend. What have people been doing about windows? does no one need to modify window styles???

[Polstar]

I have struggled with the window/door assemblies! i cannot work out how to do it at all :x sooo frustrating! What have people been doing when they come to inserting windows into their drawing? I cannot understand how to customise th assemblies to reflect the type of window i need to show! I cannot even see a standard style that closely resembles the styles i want to show! I need help!

[Noahma]

I have struggled with the window/door assemblies! i cannot work out how to do it at all :x sooo frustrating! What have people been doing when they come to inserting windows into their drawing? I cannot understand how to customise th assemblies to reflect the type of window i need to show! I cannot even see a standard style that closely resembles the styles i want to show! I need help!

Door Window Assembly styles are the most usefull item in the program.... which makes them the most difficult to master. I highly recommend looking for the Paul Aubin book Mastering Autocad Architecture. He goes through the process for creating door window assembly styles and curtain walls which are very similar. Give me a few min. and I will pop one together for you to take a look at.

[Noahma]

This is an example, not a well thought out window style lol. Describing in a forum how the door/window assemb. and curtain wall styles work is like trying to explain the processes involved in creating a microchip. It is a very involved process.

[Polstar]

Thanks for that Noah, so how would i go about splitting that into four quarters and to have a different type of window in each (say top left = awning, top right = side hung casement, btm left = window and btm right = window)?

How do i set up a *nested grid*?

Eddy

PS

is this book any good anyone??? -
Accessing AutoCAD Architecture 2009 - William G. Wyatt (http://www.ribabookshops.com/search/William+G.+Wyatt/)

[Noahma]

Thanks for that Noah, so how would i go about splitting that into four quarters and to have a different type of window in each (say top left = awning, top right = side hung casement, btm left = window and btm right = window)?

How do i set up a *nested grid*?

Eddy

PS

is this book any good anyone??? -
Accessing AutoCAD Architecture 2009 - William G. Wyatt (http://www.ribabookshops.com/search/William+G.+Wyatt/)

Wow, the second question is a loaded one. Nested grids are part of subdividing down your assembly style. It will take more than a few posts to explain how to construct them. For putting different window types within the grids as infills, you will need to create a new infill (remember to use very descriptive words for these) set it to style, and choose the window style you created as the infill. After you are done creating the infills you want, click ok and go back to your drawing. Select the assembly style and right click, under infills choose show markers, then select the assembly again and choose under the right click menus override assignment. It will ask you to select an infill, choose the one you wish to override. Under your infill definition choose one of the infill styles you created earlier, and chose ok. This will set that infill to your window style. For dividing the assembly style provided, you will need to modify the divisions that are within it. Play around in there, you can do just about everything. Do not forget though that the dimensions for the divisions are calculated to the mid point of the mullion, so you may need to add or subtract width and height for your windows to schedule properly.

I have not read that particular book, so I do not know how good it is. I have used the Paul Aubin books for both Revit and ACA when I was learning. He is a very good teacher in regards to these programs.

The door/window and curtain wall styles are incredibly complex, Teaching how to create them through a forum such as this would be incredibly difficult.

[Polstar]

Thanks Noahma,

I am using ACA 2009 and it seems that Paul Aubin did not do a book for this programme, if i got the ACA 2008 would everything still apply (mpre or less)?

[Noahma]

Thanks Noahma,

I am using ACA 2009 and it seems that Paul Aubin did not do a book for this programme, if i got the ACA 2008 would everything still apply (mpre or less)?

Yep, there were very few changes from 08-09 that would effect the book. The changes were wall cleanups.... and well that was about it lol. The 2008 book should be less expensive as well. And very well worth the cost involved.

[Polstar]

Thanks Noahma, i'll look into buying one of those. I guess it covers the aspect of window assemblies quite fully?