Building a Garage in ArchiCAD
Part III - Adding Doors and Windows
 

Part 3 Adding Doors and Windows

Open your XXGarage2 drawing and save it as XXGarage3. At this point you should have the foundation and walls drawn and dimensioned. You will now insert two 36 inch windows, a 30 inch door and two 8 ft garage doors.

Installing Windows

Place two 36 inch windows in the back of the garage by following these steps.

  1. Click on the Window Tool and then click on the Tool Settings Dialog button in the Info Box. This will pull up the window settings dialog box. In the left hand window is a directory of the ArchiCAD libraries which contain pre-made objects such as windows. Click on a few of the different window folders. What shows up in the upper window on the right as you select different folders?
  2. Select the Casement Wndows and then the W2 Casement 12 window. What four dimensions are provided for this window? List the four dimensions and write down the current values for each.

  3. Change the dimension values so the window is 36" wide but 48" tall.

  4. The rule for all windows is that the top of the window and sill (the frame around the window) must match the top of the door and sill. In most cases that value will be 6’8”. Change the value of the floor to the top of the window to 6’8” so it will be a standard window.

  5. Look at the bottom of this window. What are the two anchor methods for windows? Choose the corner method and Click OK to return to the drawing.

Inserting the Window

  1. Since you have already selected the window tool you can begin the insertion process by simply clicking on the wall. Before you do this change your grid to 4’ and be sure snap and grid are on. Place the two windows on the back wall four feet from the outer walls. To insert the window simply click on the grid point that is 4’ from the end of the wall.

  2. Move this cursor to the left of the insertion point and then to the right of the insertion point. What happens and what does this indicate?

  3. Be sure the cursor is closer to the center of the wall and then click once. What happens to the cursor point this time?___________________________ Be sure your cursor is on the outside of the building and click the mouse once to finish installing your window.

Installing a Door

  1. Click on the door tool and browse the directory, open the Wood Entrance Doors and select the D1 Entrance door.

  2. Copy down the four values here:
                 Inside Width = _______________           Inside Height =  ______________
    Bottom of Door = _______________
    Leave these values as they are.
  3. Move down to the Parameters section of the door properties window. Click on the Door Panel options and choose the Standard 6 Panel door. Also add a handle to the inside and outside of the door. Include a Dead bolt for safety.
     
  4. Click OK to return to your drawing.
  5. Insert the door in the left hand wall four feet from the back wall. When you install the door be sure that it opens outward and that it opens to the outside and swings to the left.

Installing Garage Doors

  1. Return to the Door tool and browse the library until you find the Garage door folder in the Specialty Doors folder. Select the D1 Garage door.

  2. Copy down the four values here:
                 Inside Width = _______________           Inside Height =  ______________
    Bottom of Door = _______________
    Leave these values as they are.
  3. Place two garage doors at the front of the garage four feet from the side walls. Now insert another garage door on the same wall but center it.
    Congratulations, you now have a three car garage.

Adding more windows

  1. The upstairs needs some windows so add three windows to the back and front walls. Evenly space these three windows being sure the middle window is in the center of the wall. Add two windows on each side wall 5ft from the outside edge of the wall.
  2. Completely dimension your garage, this means all doors and windows.

Printing Your Garage

  1. To be sure your garage is to scale print up a copy and use a scale to check it. Center your 2D garage in your screen and zoom in so your drawing fills the full window. Go to file and print (NOT plot). Select Current Zoom and where is says scale select 1/8” = 1’-0” in the pull down menu. This will print your drawing at a 1/8” scale. The white square shown in the lower right hand corner is your preview window. Be SURE that this shows only ONE page before you print. Also select Black and White since you will be printing on the laser printer.
  2. At the top of the printer window be sure you have selected the laser printer. Click on the page properties and choose landscape.
  3. Check the scale on your printout and if it is correct turn in your garage printout with the answers to the questions.