Tutorial for open windows

From FreeCAD Documentation

In progress

This tutorial shows how to have Arch Windows and Doors open in the 3D model, and to indicate this in 2D drawing (plan and elevation projection). It uses the Arch Workbench and the TechDraw Workbench.

Setup

Create 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, Edit → Preferences ... → Draft → Grid and snapping → Grid. 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.

Place a wall

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 0 m ENTER, 0 m ENTER, 0 m ENTER
4.2. Second point in (3, 0, 0). Press x to constrain the movement to the X axis; enter the value 3 m ENTER
4.3. Third point in (3, 4, 0). Press y to constrain the movement to the Y axis; enter the value 4 m ENTER
4.4. Fourth point in (0, 4, 0). Press x to constrain the movement to the X axis; enter the value - 3 m ENTER
4.5. Press o to close the Wire, and close the tool.
4.6. In the number pad press 0 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 DWire and change the property DataMake Face to false

6. Select the DWire 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 Window001 a bit higher, select the underlying Sketch004, and change its position to [3.1 m, 2.0 m, 1.8 m]. The entire Window001 should move up.

Open the doors

9. Select Sketch underlying Door, and press SPACE, or change the property ViewVisibility to true.

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

10.1. Inside the Window elements frame there are two panes, Wires and Components.
Note: with a simple door preset there are two wires, Wire0 and Wire1, and two components, OuterFrame and Door. With a custom designed Arch Door, there may be more wires and components.
10.2. Click on Door, and click the Edit button. This shows the properties of the Door component like Name, Type, Wires, Thickness, Offset, Hinge, and Opening mode.
10.3. In the 3D view, select only one vertical edge in the visible Sketch of the Door, then click the Get selected edge button. The button should change to an edge name, for example, Edge8.
10.4. Change the Opening mode to Arc 90, or any other option.
10.5. Click the +Create/update component button, and then the Close button to finish editing the Door. The Sketch may become hidden again.

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

12. Select Door, and change the property DataSymbol Elevation to true; a wire starting from the door frame should indicate where the door opens, if the door is viewed from the front; change the property DataSymbol Plan to true; a circular arc should indicate how the door opens, if the door is viewed from the top.

13. Repeat the steps with Door001 and the underlying Sketch002 to make it open 75 degrees. Also show the elevation and plan symbols.

Open the windows

14. Double click the Window in the tree view to start editing

14.1. Click on InnerFrame, and click the Edit button.
14.2. In the 3D view, select only one vertical edge in the visible Sketch of the Window, then click the Get selected edge button. The button should change to an edge name, for example, Edge12.
14.3. Change the Opening mode to Arc 90 inv, or any other option.
14.4. Select Window, and give the property DataOpening a value of 45. The inner frame containing the transparent glass should open to the inside of the building.
14.5. Select Window, and change the property DataSymbol Elevation to true; a wire starting from the window frame should indicate where the inner frame opens, if the window is viewed from the front; change the property DataSymbol Plan to true; a circular arc should indicate how the inner frame opens, if the window is viewed from the top.

Make a floor drawing of your building

FreeCad_Arch_door_open_01.png

Create drawing