AutoCAD Architecture

What is AutoCAD Architecture?

AutoCAD architecture is an advanced form of AutoCAD where some special features are added related to architecture to make it more creative and user-friendly for civil engineers and interior designers. AutoCAD architecture is also known as a super time-saving tool. We can design and modify every single content of 3D walls, floors, buildings instead of usual lines curves and circles. With these intelligent features of AutoCAD, people can feel a mimic real-world image in front of them giving life to their imagination.

Architecture of AutoCAD

Here are some special features added which are related to architecture as stated below:

1) Organizing Your Workspace:

• According to your visuality, you can choose a white or black background.
• Click on customize icon near to command line.
• Select options, then move to the display tab.
• Click on the drawing windows color panel.
• Keep the context as active in the first tab, change the interface element in the second tab.
• Choose uniform background-color.
• Then apply and close.

The most used icons in drawing space:

View Cube: It is used to switch from standard to isometric view. It is draggable or clickable on the interface.

2) Floor Plans:

• Start a drawing using QNEW or choose + tab.
• In-home Ribbon menu, launch the content browser.
• Select-create a cataloging tool then browse it and choose the design.
• Then open it and click OK.
• Now the catalog is listed in a content browser.
• To add tools from the content palette.
• Launch the content browser, choose design tool palette.
• In that click on a new palette and rename it as walls.
• Now left-click on Design tool catalog– Imperial on a content browser to open.

• In those categories, select walls.
• Then search for stud-4 and click on Go.
• Now select common wall type Stud-4 Rigid-1.5 Air-1 Brick-4. Then click on the left mouse button and adjust it to fit the screen.
• Now the designed wall is added to the wall tool palette.
• To have three wall style search CMU-8.
• Then locate CMU-8 Stud-4 Rigid-1.5 Air-1 Brick-4.
• The floor which is the main part of the architecture is ready. Because with the help of floor measurements only it can depict the room size, furniture, wiring system, etc.

3) To Convert 2D to the 3D Floor Plan:

• Tap on QNEW or + Menu.
• Type UNITS then select Inches.
• Set the type to Architectural.
• Approximately set to ¼’’ precision.
• Click OK.
• In INSERT option select Attach.
• Locate the autocad_file_drawing file in exercise. Save the file type as .dwg
• Then click on OK.
• Use the view cube button to switch to the 3D view.
• Activate the 2D wall from the previous exercise by clicking on Design tool option from the Home ribbon.
• Right-click and select Import option on Stud-4 Rigid-1.5 Air-1 Brick-4.
• To load the wall style into the file, right-click and import wall style.
• Activate the component tab and add component tool required from construction.
• Make sure the floor and wall plan is aligned properly. To join the walls use fillet option.

Hence according to your designed measurements, the wall and floor are designed and use TRIM, FILLET and EXTEND option to make suitable changes.

4) To Add Doors:

• Right-click on command prompt and select options then activate the Profile tab.
• Then choose the door location.
• Open design tool palette, select Bi-Fold double door and right click on properties. Set the opening percentage as 50.
• For the entry door, repeat the previous step and choose Hinged – Single – Exterior door on the Doors tab of the Design Tools palette. Set swing angle as 30 – degree.

By clicking on left options, an arrow will appear to standard size fields. If it is 25% opening it will show 45 – degree angle, if it is 50% then it is 90 – degree angle. The value of opening percentage is decided upon arc swing

5) To Add Arched Opening:

• The opening can be in any size and elevations.
• Locate the Cased opening tool in the door palate.
• Right-click and copy-paste it on Doors tab.
• Right-click and highlight on the copied tool and select properties.
• Change the name and description to Arched opening door.
• Now select the Arched opening door and set properties as Offset or center to 6”
• Now use the view tool for 3D orbit.
• In the View ribbon, click on shades of grey, types of material and texture and shadows.
• Now select the Opening and press Enter.
• Tap the work tab to view the model.

6) To Add a Window:

• Set view style as a 2D wireframe and switch to top view.
• Select the window tab on tool palate, then choose Picture window.
• Select the location Position to Offset/Centre. Set the Automatic Offset to 6″

7) To Add the Roof:

• Draw a closed 2D polyline in shape of the roof and place it in the location.
• Open the tool palette and choose the roof option.
• Right-click on roof tool and select Apply Tool Properties to linework and walls.
• Set the parameter of the roof on the properties palette.

8) To Add a Staircase:

• Select the top to set the plan view on the view control option.
• In the Home tab, select build panel and click on stair tool.
• In the properties palette browse and select the type as required.
• Mention the flight start point and endpoint.
• Select the isometric view to view in 3D.

Tips to be Noted:-

To draw a wall and the materials required for composing the wall are on the wrong side, reverse the direction of the wall. select the wall, right-click on it and select the Reverse menu.

To move a door along a wall, use Door to Reposition to Along Wall. Use the OSNAP.

Apart from these basic drawings, AutoCAD helps to design all single entities like a building of chimneys, or design of the storeyed building, creating space for entry-level and exit level, creating multiple sections and elevations and also to build garages. As discussed earlier, AutoCAD is not only a time-saving tool but also a budget-saving tool which can create a miniature model before huge investment.

Recommended Articles

This is a guide to AutoCAD Architecture. Here we discuss how to organize your workspace with various plans with some special features added to Autocad architecture. You may also look at the following article to learn more –

1. Step by Step Process to Install AutoCAD
2. Importance of Using AutoCAD
3. AutoCAD Commands You Should Know
4. How to Add Snow Effect in Photoshop?