Tutorial for open windows

In progress

This tutorial shows how to have Arch Windows and Doors open in the 3D model, and to indicate this in a plan and elevation projection. It uses the Arch Workbench and the TechDraw Workbench.

Place a wall
Build a simple building with closed walls, two doors and two windows.

1. Open FreeCAD, create a new empty document, switch to the Arch Workbench.

2. Make sure you use Draft ToggleGrid to show a grid with enough resolution, You can change the grid properties if needed,. For example, lines at every 50 mm, with major lines every 20 lines, and 1000 lines in total.

3. Zoom out of the 3D view if you are too close to the grid.

4. Use the Draft Wire tool to create a closed wire. Go counterclockwise.
 * 4.1. First point in (0, 0, 0); in the dialog enter ,   ,
 * 4.2. Second point in (3, 0, 0). Press to constrain the movement to the X axis; enter the value
 * 4.3. Third point in (3, 4, 0). Press to constrain the movement to the Y axis; enter the value
 * 4.4. Fourth point in (0, 4, 0). Press to constrain the movement to the X axis; enter the value
 * 4.5. Press to close the Wire, and close the tool
 * 4.6. In the number pad press to get an axonometric view of the model
 * 4.7. The points can also be input with the mouse, selecting points in the grid, with the help of the Draft Snap toolbar, with the Draft Grid method.

5. Select the  and change the property  to

6. Select the  and click the Arch Wall tool; the Wall is immediately created with a width (thickness) of 0.2 m, and height of 3 m

Place the doors and windows
7. Click the Arch Window tool, as preset select simple door, and change the height to 2 m
 * 7.1. Change the snapping to Draft Midpoint, and try selecting the lower edge of the frontal wall; when the midpoint is active, click to place the door
 * 7.2. Click the Arch Window tool again, and place another door, but this time in the midpoint of the back wall; rotate the view if necessary

8. Click the Arch Window tool, as preset select Open 1-pane, and change the still height to 1 m
 * 8.1. Keep the snapping to Draft Midpoint, and try selecting the lower edge of the left side wall; when the midpoint is active, click to place the window


 * Note: the still height is the distance from the floor to the lower edge of the element; for doors the still height is usually 0 m as doors are normally touching the floor; on the other hand, windows have a usual separation of 0.5 m to 1.5 m from the floor.


 * 8.2. Click the Arch Window tool again, and place another window, but this time in the midpoint of the right wall; rotate the view if necessary. This time make the window's width (length) 1.5 m, and the still height 1 m


 * Note: when placing a windows or a door hover the element over the Arch Wall, and wait for the element to rotate so that it is parallel to that wall. Use the Draft Near method from the Draft Snap toolbar to easily select a face of the wall; aim for the lower edge of the Wall, and use the still height to adjust the distance from the floor. Having many snapping options active may cause some issues with placing the element, so try with only one option at the time.


 * Note 2: if the window or door was placed parallel to the Arch Wall, but not exactly in the position that you want it, you can adjust the position of the underlying Sketcher Sketch from the Property view. For example, if you want to move the  a bit higher, select the underlying , and change its position to  . The entire   should move up.

Open the windows and doors
9. Select  underlying , and press , or change the property  to.

10. Double click  in the tree view, to start editing


 * 10.1. Inside the  frame there are two panes,   and.


 * Note: with a simple door preset there are two wires,  and , and two components,   and  . With a custom door, there may be more wires and components.


 * 10.2. Click on, and click the   button. This shows the properties of the   component like  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  , and.


 * 10.3. In the 3D view, select only one vertical edge in the visible Sketch of the Door, then click on ' button. The button should change to an edge name, for example, '.


 * 10.4. Change the  to , or any other option.


 * 10.5. Click the ' button, and then the ' button to finish editing the Door. The Sketch may become hidden again.

11. Select, and give the property  a value of 45. The solid panel of the door should open to the inside of the building.

12. Select, and change the property  to ; a triangular wire should indicate where the door opens, if the door is viewed from the front; change the property  to ; a circular arc should indicate how the door opens, if the door is viewed from the top.

Make a floor drawing of your building

 * Change to TechDraw Workbench and insert a Page.

FreeCad_Arch_door_open_01.png