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SoftPlan 2012 home design software

 

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Roof and Ceiling Hole Cutting Tools Added

   

 
There can often be a need to cut holes in both your roof and ceiling. In Roof mode you may have dormers, or want a cathedral ceiling where two roofs intersect. This would require you to cut away a section of the roof, creating a hole. Version 10 offered a method to trace the pattern of the hole to cut it out. Since the majority of roof holes where located under an existing roof, such as a dormer, the hole pattern that is required can be obvious. Version 11 has introduced a hole cutting feature called Auto Hole that will cut a hole following any walls and roof intersections on a lower roof. An example of its use would be on a dormer. 

If you wish to cut a hole in the main underlying roof so the dormer is accessible, Auto Hole will cut the underlying roof away when you click on the dormer roof. This will save you the time it would have taken to trace the hole around the dormer.  

Ceiling mode has introduced the Trace Hole feature to cut a hole in your ceiling.  Trace Hole will cut a hole in the ceiling, based on the trace pattern you follow.  An example of a requirement for a ceiling hole would be an attic access.

There is also a situation where cutting a hole in both the ceiling and the roof is required, such as a skylight. Version 11 has introduced skylight symbols that can be placed on your plan, and display in SoftView. In the case of a skylight, you can cut a hole in both the ceiling, and the roof. This will offer very realistic 3-D's, and allow light sources to enter into the interior room, adding a natural effect.

Steps for Trace Hole (Roof and Ceiling):

  1. Once a ceiling or roof is applied, go to the Draw pull down menu and select Trace Hole.
  2. Click on the desired ceiling or roof to be cut, and the selection will highlight.
  3. Starting with a From click, trace a polygon of the required hole by clicking the To button at every change of direction.
  4. The trace will have to end at the same point you started to create the polygon, and the hole will be formed.

Steps for Auto Hole (Roof Only):

This command can only cut a hole in a roof that is below, or under another roof.  this will cut away the lower roof, leaving a hole in the shape of the roof outline and supporting walls above.

  1. Create a roof plan that consists of one roof intersecting with another roof.  We want to cut away the underlying portion of the roof intersection.

  2. From the Draw pull down menu, select Auto Hole and click once on the intersection.

  3. A hole should automatically be formed, cutting the lower portion away in the shape of the intersect.

Roof on Opening for Combined Units

 
SoftPlan's Roof on Opening feature has been improved to accommodate our new combined unit openings.  When you draw a combined unit opening, the roof will use the total length of the unit to determine the size of the roof.
  1. Draw a combined unit opening.
  2. Switch to Roof mode and select Roof on Opening.
  3. Select the combined unit opening with the To mouse button.

Erasing a Roof Also Removes the Roof Framing

   

Click here to see enlarged images

SoftPlan Version 11 has improved the Roof Mode by including the roof framing as part of the roof during an Erase.  Previously, if a roof was erased the roof framing would be left behind.  In such an event then, where framing encroached upon another roof such as in a multiple floor roof case, the erasing of the framing could make for a somewhat tedious project as extreme accuracy would be needed in order ensure that the proper framing members were being removed. 

Now, within SoftPlan Version 11, the roof-framing members are automatically grouped with the roof shell.   When the roof is removed, the corresponding framing members, whether they be rafters, or trusses or a combination, will be removed at the same time making for less Cleanup time, and more design time.
  1. Select Erase>Item Erase.
  2. Select Misc>Locate Type>Roof Polygon.
  3. Select the Roof to remove, and all of the framing associated with that roof polygon should be removed as well.

Truss Sets Rotate Properly

   

 
One of the improvements in SoftPlan Version 11 is the ability to Rotate a Truss Set properly. In previous versions the Truss Set orientation was not changed when the Rotate command was used to Rotate a floor plan. Using the Rotate command in Version 11 will change the orientation automatically for any Truss Sets that are part of the floor plan.

 
  1. Select Draw>Framing>Truss Sets. 
  2. Using the From and To buttons, draw an expanding box to show the position of the Truss Set. 
  3. Select Edit>Rotate.
  4. Surround the drawing with an expanding box. The Rotate Direction menu will open and shows an Angle field, so users can enter the rotation angle. Select one of the Direction arrows to rotate the drawing in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. 
  5. The Truss Set rotates automatically with the floor plan. 

Library Dialog Remains Open When Saving New Library Items 

 
SoftPlan Version 11 has improved upon the saving of new Library items in that the dialog will now remain open to facilitate the adding of multiple library items.  This includes multiple items to the same library or even to different libraries.   This change includes saving library items to Electrical, Posts, Openings, Cabinets, Shutters, Speed Notes, Elevation Openings, and Symbols Libraries.   

For the purpose of this lesson, it will be assumed that you wish to save multiple symbols:

  1. To begin adding multiple symbols to your symbol library go to File>System Library and the Configure Library menu will open.

  2. Select the Library  type Symbols.

  3. Choose a Symbol library to add the new symbol to, such as Details.

  4. Click the Add button and form an expanding box around your desired symbol.

  5. From the Add symbol menu, give the new symbol a name and modify other properties such as 3D links.

  6. Press the OK button, and the new symbol will be added to your Symbol library.

  7. To add another symbol, simply position you cursor on the drawing screen and sketch an expanding box around your other desired symbol.  Repeat the process of naming the symbol.

  8. When complete, simply Ok  to close the Configure Library menu.

Counter Top Automatically Added to Cabinets

 

 
During the drawing of both base cabinets and vanities, counter tops will now be automatically drawn at the same time.   At the time of definition of a Cabinet Library, should the Cabinet Type be equal to either Base or Vanity, a counter top will automatically be applied and will be viewable in the plan preview.     This further automation should continue to enhance the amount of time which can be devoted to design, rather than slowing the process to unnecessarily adding the obvious of counters.

To define a cabinet:

  1. Go to File > System Library.

  2. From the Configure Library menu select Library Type of Cabinet.

  3. Pick the Library of choice to add a cabinet to.

  4. From the Symbol Status section select Add for the appropriate library.

  5. Select the Type to equal either Base or Vanity and a counter top will be added as part of the definition automatically.

  6. When the dimensions and name have been assigned select OK. 

  7. This cabinet will now be available to draw in plan, at which time the counter top will also be placed.

To draw a cabinet:

  1. Draw > Cabinet > Plan View > appropriate Base Cabinet Library.

  2. Select the cabinet to draw.  Note that both the plan and elevation preview display the counter top.

  3. Position the cursor against the wall to draw and press From.

  4.  Move the cursor away from the wall in the direction you wish to have the cabinet face and press To.

  5. The cabinet should now be drawn.  

Note: As the counter top is now part of the library definition, the field for Counter Top Offset has been removed.

Angle Lock is Automatically Enabled When Pointers are Drawn

   

 
Another improvement to SoftPlan Version 11 is the ability to draw Pointers with Angle Lock automatically enabled. To draw a Pointer it is necessary to begin on a note or dimension number. In previous versions, Pointers were unlocked by default. To draw a Pointer with Angle Lock required F12 or CTRL-A to be selected. 

The new feature will draw Pointers with Angle Lock automatically enabled and speed up the drawing process. Users can change the Pointer lock status to unlocked (using CRTL+A or F 12) if required.
  1. Add a note or a dimension number to drawing.
  2. Select Notes>Pointer>Pointer. 
  3. Place the cursor on the note and press From. 
  4. The pointer appears with Angle Lock automatically enabled on the drawing. Move the cursor to the area to be annotated, and press To. The pointer is drawn. The Pointers can be drawn on any angle by pressing CTRL +A or F12.

Curved Fillet of Walls and Lines

   

 

SoftPlan Version 11 allows you to Fillet walls and lines to a radius.  In previous versions, doing this was  complicated and time consuming.  Now it can be done in a single step.
  1. Go to the Tools menu and select Curved Fillet.
  2. The Curved Fillet dialog box will open once you have selected the two lines or walls you wish to Fillet.
  3. Enter the radius that you wish the curve to have and hit OK.

Segmented Pointer Added

 

 
Among the many new features introduced in SoftPlan version 11 is the Segmented Pointer command. Users will use the Segmented Pointer command to reference a note to another location or object. Once selected, this command allows the user to draw line segments joined together with an arrow at the end of the second segment. The new feature will draw the Segmented Pointer with Angle Lock automatically enabled, and if required, users can change the Segmented Pointer lock status (using CRTL+ A or F12).
  1. Add a note to a drawing.
  2. From the Notes pull down menu, select Pointer and the Segmented Pointer command.
  3. Position your cursor on a note, and press From.
  4. Move the cursor to mark the length of the first line segment, and press To. The Segmented Pointer appears with Angle Lock automatically enable on the drawing.
  5. Move the cursor to show the length of the second segment, and press To. The Segmented Pointer is drawn.

Walls can be Shown and Printed as Solids

      

 
This new feature allows the user to select from the visible items dialog so that the walls be shown and printed as solids.  In previous versions the user was required to Edit the texture in the wall definition of each wall type on the plan to Show/Print walls as Solid.  Version 11 overrides the wall definitions to show walls as solid when selected under the Visible Items. 

This greatly improves the time it takes to switch between presentation and construction drawings.

  1. Select the Show/Print Walls Solid from the Visible Items Dialog under the Options menu.

  2. All walls are now shown and will be printed as solid.

Roof Framing: Rafter Type Maintained on an Edit

    
Editing a rafter in roof mode, will now maintain the rafter type. If your rafter roof framing was applied with Framing Member or Auto Stick Frame, the rafter types will be named accordingly to their location. Rafters along the ridge will be Ridge Rafters, rafters in a valley will be Valley Rafters, etc. The type of rafter is useful when creating a SoftList Material Report, and identifying the different types. In Version 10, it was noted that if a rafter was Edited, the type of rafter would be converted to a common type, once the Edit menu was closed. Version 11 will retain the rafter type based on where the rafter was applied.
  1. In Roof mode, if no rafters are present, select Draw>Framing>Auto Stick Frame.
  2. Go to the Edit pull down menu and select Edit Item.
  3. Click on a Rafter in the Rafter Edit menu.
  4. In the properties section, you can read the Rafter Type.

Ring Joist Number can be Specified

 
SoftPlan Version 11 has added a new feature to the Ring Joist dialog which allows you to specify the number of Ring Joists to be used in laying out the floor system.  This feature was previously unavailable.  This option is useful to double the Ring Joists, required in some coastal areas.  The Ring Joist Number option can be used to include up to 7 layers of Ring Joist while automatically generating proper cross sectional views and accurate material counts.

  1. Select Floor System mode from the mode selector on an existing floor plan.  

  2. From the Draw pull down menu, select Ring Joist and trace the perimeter of the house where the Ring Joist is to be located.  

  3. Select Edit>Edit Item and then select one of the Ring Joists for edit.  

  4. Choose the desired number of Ring Joists required from the Number field, using the scroll bar to select any number from 1 to 7.  

  5. You can edit another Ring Joist and specify the same number or use the Repeat Edit command to repeat the change to another Ring Joist. 

Openings Display as Boxes in Floor System, Interior, Area, and Ceiling Modes

  

 

Another improvement to SoftPlan Version 11 is the ability to display Openings as box outlines in Floor System, Interior, Area and Ceiling modes. Displaying the Openings as boxes in these modes allows you to determine where they are located in the walls. 

An example of a benefit of this feature would be tracing the slab in the Floor System mode. Since you can now see where the garage door cutout is in the wall, you can trace into the space where the garage door is located.
  1. Click the Mode menu on the Status bar to open the list of available modes.
  2. Select Floor System.
  3. The floor plan redraws in Floor System mode. The walls on the floor plan are shown in dashed-line form. The beams, stairs and Openings (display as boxes) are also displayed by default. The Openings will be displaying as a solid outline.

Soldiers can Display Bricks in 6 Different Orientations

   
SoftPlan Version 11 now allows you to select from 6 different brick trim styles for above your openings.  These types are Header, Soldier, Shiner, Rowlock, Stretcher and Sailor. Previous versions only allowed the use of a Soldier course trim.
  1. Edit an Opening and select the Trim tab.
  2. Check Exterior Trim on, then select Custom in the Material option.
  3. Under Custom Exterior Trim select the Above-Material and change it to one of the following styles:  Header, Soldier, Shiner, Rowlock, Stretcher, or Sailor.

Default Pen Widths Updated

     

 
Version 11 will be shipped with some variation on certain pen widths. The width of items when printing from SoftPlan are based on a selected pen assignment. Each item can have a different pen assignment, that can be modified to print at a determined thickness. As line width can play an important role in the presentation of your drawings, setting up your pens is a must. 

Previous versions of SoftPlan had set defaults of all the same pen width for each item, so if you had not setup your pens, your drawings would print with all the same pen width. Version 11 will allow your prints have some line width variation, with default settings. To save you time in defining your pens, pen 1 is set to a .30 width, and the wall outline material is set to use pen 1. Pen 2 is set to a .20 width, and the remaining wall lines have been assigned pen 2. Pen 3 is set to .10, and any wall texture (such as brick lines) are set to pen 3 to allow them not print lighter. All other items in SoftPlan have been defaulted to pen 2 (.20) as this will present a sufficient line width for most printing applications. Our previous Version 10 shipped with a default of all items set to .10; and if you did not define your pens before printing, the pen width would present a lighter print. 

Version 11 will give you a great line weight on a print, by default, and a good starting point to modify your pens further for even more line width variation.

  1. Go to the File pull down menu and select System Options>Pen Setup.

  2. The Pen Assignments menu will display  a list of all the different items in SoftPlan that have pen variations.  By clicking on the Pen Style box next to each item, you can select which pen number you would like that item to print with.

  3. To define the pen width and color, click the button Configure Print Styles.

  4. There will be 16 different pen selections that allow you to determine the width of each pen.

  5. You will also have control of the color of that pen.  By default, all pens are black.  If a color is set up, that pen will print in that color when color printing is used on your printer.

Note: If color is defined on a pen, but you are not printing in color (Black and White) then the color will be used as shading.  This means, the lighter the color, the lighter the pen will print in Black and White.  It will still be the set width, but the ink used will be shaded in gray scale.

Repeat Edit Added to Beams

 

 
Another improvement to SoftPlan Version 11 is the ability to use the Repeat Edit command for Beams. Repeat Edit is a feature that allows you to repeat your editing changes made from one object onto other objects of the same type. 

Using the Repeat Edit command on the Beam will save editing time by allowing you to apply the changes made on one beam to other beams that require the same changes.
  1. From the Draw pull down menu, select Beam, choose a beam type, and place more than one on a drawing. 
  2. From the Edit pull down menu, select Edit Item and click on the Beam to change the parameters in the Beam menu. Press OK to close the menu. 
  3. From the Edit pull down menu select Repeat Edit. 
  4. Click on the remaining Beams, and the changes that were made on the previous Beam will be repeated on the remaining Beams.

Truss Sets Improved

 

 

Truss Sets now cleanup to other trusses when a Cleanup is performed.  This would be helpful when Jack Trusses are drawn off a Girder or Hip Truss.

  1. Draw the Truss Set butting up to or crossing over the Girder Truss.

  2. Do a Cleanup of the drawing.  The Truss Set will adjust to the other Truss.

Copy Defaults to Previous Number

    

 
When using the Copy Block or the Copy Item command, the number of copies is automatically given the same number as was previously enter the last time the Copy command was used.  Previous versions of SoftPlan always reset the number of copies back to 1 each time the Copy command was used.  

Now, in Version 11 multiple copies of the same item can be drawn quicker as the program will remember the number of copied specified previously with the Copy command.

  1. Select Move>Copy or Move>Copy Block.

  2. Select the item(s) on the drawing that you want to copy.

  3. Place the copy of the item(s) to their desired location.

  4. When the Copy menu opens specify more than 1 copy in the Number field.

  5. Select other item(s) on the drawing to Copy.

  6. Place the copy of the item(s) to their desired location

  7. When the Copy menu open the Number field will default to the same number as specified previously.

Arch and Dashed Arch Combined into Single Opening Library

     

 
The opening types Arch and Dashed Arch have been merged into a single opening library called Arch. With the introduction of Dashed toggle on the Version 11 Opening Edit menu, there was no need to have the same opening type distributed into different libraries based on plan display. Any opening in Version 11 can be edited to display as dashed lines if required. Since in earlier versions there was no ability to Edit an opening to be dashed, we had to have a separate library for Dashed Arches. 

The dashed edit feature in the Opening Edit menu allows SoftPlan to avoid any confusion by eliminating the need for 2 libraries of the same openings.
  1. From the Draw pull down menu, select Opening>Arch.
  2. Select an Arch opening and place it in a wall in your drawing.
  3. Edit the Arch and click on the Display tab.
  4. Check the Dashed check box if a Dashed Arch is required, or uncheck the check box if a solid Arch is required.

Cabinets Auto-Bind as They are Drawn

      

 
The process of having to Draw cabinets, followed by using the Bind Cabinets command to bind them together has been condensed into a one step process.  As Plan View cabinets are drawn, they will now automatically Bind together when they are drawn side by side.  

This addition will speed up the process of cabinet layout by eliminating keystrokes and menu selections. 

  1. Select Draw > Cabinets > Plan View.

  2. Select the Cabinet library and scroll through the list of available cabinets for that library. A preview of the cabinet in plan and elevation view appears in the Preview windows to assist in making the correct selection.

  3. Position your cursor against the wall which would set the back position of the cabinet, click from.

  4. Move the cursor to indicate the direction the cabinet is to be drawn, and then click to.

  5. Continue with this process to layout the cabinet design.  As cabinets are drawn note that they will Snap to one another and automatically bind giving the appearance of one long run of cabinets.

In the event that you wish to view what and where cabinets are drawn for placement of say a dishwasher or sink:

  1. Select Edit> Edit Item and select the Cabinets run. 

  2. Select the tab titled Cabinet Run /Counter Top.

  3. Place a checkmark next to Show Individual Cabinets.

  4. When it is time to have cabinets redisplayed as a continuous run simply remove the checkmark from Show Individual Cabinets.

In the event that you wish to make changes to an existing set of bound cabinets, such at the removal of a cabinet:

  1. Select Misc > Explode. 

  2. Position you cursor over the cabinets in plan and click from. 

  3. The cabinets will now be displayed as individual units. 

  4. Perform function as needed (ie. erase or movement of cabinet). 

  5. When function completed, simply perform a Cleanup to have cabinets redisplayed in bound format. 

Openings Require Single Click to Draw

 
A new method of drawing openings has been included in SoftPlan Version 11.  Any opening that does not have a hinge side can now be placed on a wall with a single From click of the mouse.  Version 11 draws all openings with a preset size, therefore it is not necessary to sketch in the width of the opening.  Rather, you only need to indicate the center of the opening and the opening will then draw.  This greatly increases the drafting time, as only a single click is necessary to insert the opening.  This includes all windows, garage doors, archways and any other openings that do not have a hinge.

  1. Select Draw > Opening> Casement

  2. Choose a window size from the list of available casement windows.

  3. Locate the center position of the window on an existing wall and select the From button on the mouse.

  4. The window will draw at the defined size centered on the cursor.

Dimension Tails can be Added to Dimensions

   

 

Included in the many new additions to SoftPlan Version 11 is the ability to add Dimension Tails to Dimensions.  This feature is located in the Dimension Options and can be toggled on or off as required.

This feature can be enabled or disabled at the drawing level after the drawing has been created.  It can also be set at the System Options level, which will affect all new drawings created. 

  1. Draw and Dimension a floor plan. 

  2.   Select File> Drawing Options> Dimension Options> Show Tails. 

  3. Toggle the option on or off. 

Multiple Ring Joists can be Placed in Floor System Mode

   
SoftPlan Version 11 has added the ability to place multiple R ing Joist in the Floor System mode.  Once in Floor System mode, the ring joist can be Edited to have as many as five R ing Joists on any one particular edge.

This new feature allows you to be much more accurate on generated floor framing diagrams.  This feature also allows for a correct count of the R ing Joist material that is required when generating a SoftList report.

  1. Draw a floor plan as required. 

  2. In Floor System mode, Draw the necessary components including the R ing Joist. 

  3. Edit the R ing Joist using Locate Type (Control “L”). 

  4. Select the number of R ing Joist s required for a particular edge. 

  5. Repeat Edit the number of R ing Joists required for the remaining edges.

Extraction Options: All Selection Added

 

 

The Extraction Options menu has introduced an Extract All check box. Extraction Options is a feature that allows you to select certain items and properties that will or will not be extracted into your SoftView model. You may want to see a 3-D model or elevation of your drawing and are not concerned about the details, such as opening properties or deck railings. By removing these items from being included in your model, your model can generate faster, as the computer has fewer items to process. Rather than checking off all the items in the Extraction Options, The Extract All selection will either remove all the selectable items, or add all the selectable items. 

Since the focus of the Extraction Options is to make your generation faster when less detail is required, the Extract All selection will speed you up even more.
  1. Open a drawing that you will generate a 3-D with.
  2. From the Build menu, select Assemble Floors and add the drawing to the current assembly.
  3. From the Build menu, click on 3-Dimension and select a SoftView mode (other than Previous) such as Visible Line.
  4. The Extraction Options menu will appear.  Check Extract All and press OK.
  5. Your SoftView model will generate with the selected Extraction Options.

Extraction Options: Cabinet Selection Added

 

 

The Extraction Options menu has introduced a Cabinet check box. The Extraction Options is a feature that allows you to select certain items and properties that will or will not be extracted into your SoftView model. As cabinets are present on your floor plan, they are not seen in exterior views. By removing cabinets from being included in your model, it allows your model to generate faster because the computer has fewer items to process. 

Since the focus of the extraction options is to make your generation faster when less detail is required, removing the cabinets when producing views that would not include them anyway will speed you up even more.
  1. Open a drawing that you will generate a 3-D with.
  2. From the Build menu, select Assemble Floors and add the drawing to the current assembly.
  3. From the Build menu, click on 3-Dimension and select a SoftView mode (other than Previous) such as Visible Line.
  4. The Extraction Options menu will appear.  Check the Cabinet box and press OK.
  5. Your SoftView model will generate with Cabinets if they were left checked or without Cabinets if you unchecked them in the Extraction Options.

Ovals Draw on Angles

   

 
Drawing Ovals on an angle has been improved.  Previously in SoftPlan, you had to turn off the Cursor Lock before you selected the Oval command.  In SoftPlan Version 11 you can select the oval command and then decide whether or not to turn off the Cursor Lock or turn it on before the command. 

  1. Turn off Cursor Lock by hitting F12 before or after Step #2.

  2. Go to Draw>Shape>Circle>Oval>Center/Diameter.

  3. Now Draw the circle on the angle desired.

Opening Extension Placement

In Version 11 there are 3 opening text options that can be displayed, including the Opening Size, Rough Opening Size and the Product Code name.   These text options can be displayed individually or all at once.   When adding extensions to openings, the extension line will distance itself according to which opening text is displayed, and will never draw through the opening text.   Furthermore, if for any reason the opening text was manually moved further from the opening, the extension will also accommodate for the new location of the opening text.   

Previous versions of SoftPlan ignored the position of the opening text if it was moved, always starting the extension at the same distance from every opening.   This new feature allows for much cleaner looking dimensioning automatically, which helps greatly to speed up the dimensioning process.

  1. From an existing drawing select Edit>Edit Item and select an existing opening on the drawing. 

  2. Select the Display tab and check the Opening Text options you want to display.  

  3. If necessary, select Move>Move and move the opening text to a new location.

  4. Select Dimension>Single Extension.

  5. Pick the opening to add the extension to with the From button.  Drag the cursor the distance away from the opening to indicate the end of the extension and select To.

  6. The opening extension will start away from any opening text that is currently being displayed. 

Small Cursor Eliminates Grid Snapping

   

In Version 11, using the Small Cursor feature will disable the grid snapping. SoftPlan is set up on a 1/8" grid, that your cursor snaps to while drawing. For most drawing applications, this is acceptable; however, there can be instances where you would want your cursor completely free from any snap. An example would be anything in a very close Zoom state such as creating details. As you toggle the cursor to Small Cursor, you can position the cursor anywhere within the 1/8" grid and move about freely. This will greatly increase your ease of use when working in small spaces.
  1. When the Small Cursor is required, open the Tools pull down menu.
  2. Click on Small Cursor.
  3. You will be returned to the drawing screen with a Small Cursor that is not Snapping to the 1/8" grid.

Ring Joist and Sill Plate will Repeat Edit and Duplicate

     

 
SoftPlan Version 11 has improved upon the modifying of Ring Joists and Sill Plates by giving them capability of using the Repeat Edit and Duplicate commands. Using the Repeat Edit command on the Ring Joist and Sill Plate, will save editing time by allowing you to apply previous changes from one item to another item (for example: last changes from the one Sill plate to another Sill Plate).

In Version 11, using the Duplicate command will also save editing time by duplicating all settings (for example: all settings from a Ring Joist edit menu) from one item to another item.

Repeat Edit Command:

  1. Select Floor System from the Mode menu. The walls of the floor plan appear as dashed lines. 
  2. From the Draw pull down menu, select Ring Joist (or Sill Plate) and trace the perimeter where it is to be located. 
  3. From the Edit pull down menu, select Edit Item and click on the Ring Joist to change one of parameters in the Ring Joist dialog.
  4. Press OK to close the menu. 
  5. From the Edit pull down menu, select Repeat Edit. 
  6. Click on the remaining Ring Joists, and the changes that were made on the previous Ring Joist will be repeated on the remaining Ring Joists. 

Duplicate Command:

  1. Select Floor System from the Mode menu. The walls of the floor plan appear as dashed lines.
  2. From the Draw pull down menu, select Ring Joist (or Sill Plate) and trace the perimeter where it is to be located. 
  3. From the Edit pull down menu select Duplicate.
  4. Click on the Ring Joist (or the Sill Plate) that has the desired settings. The Edit menu will appear displaying the settings.
  5. Select OK to close the menu. 
  6. Select another Ring Joist,  and all settings for the original Ring Joist will be applied to the selected Ring Joist.

Generating a Drawing From Site Mode Doubles Workspace Size

Before

After

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Generating a drawing from Site mode now automatically doubles the size of the workspace.  By doubling the workspace, we are giving you a workable area that will fit most site plans saving you the time of having to do it yourself.
  1. In site mode go to Draw>Building Outline>Generate Building Outline.
  2. The new drawing now has a workspace that is double your original.

Solids Follow Shape Dimension

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Another improvement to SoftPlan Version 11 is the ability to control dimensions going to solids.  In previous versions, if a dimension line was drawn through a solid, it would have dimensioned to the solid.  If the dimension to the solid was not required, the solid would need to have been moved or adjusted out of the way until the dimension line was drawn.  Now, you have the option of telling the dimension line to ignore all solids that are on the drawing.  In Version 11, solids follow the Shape Dimension flag that is activated in the Status Bar when the Dimension command is selected.  This gives you much greater flexibility when dimensioning your drawings and speeds up the dimensioning process.

  1. Select Dimension> Dimension from the pull down menu.  When the Dimension command has been selected, the Status bar will include the Shape Dimension flag.

  2. If you want any solids that are on the drawing to be dimensioned, leave the flag checked.  Any solids that the dimension line passes through will be dimensioned.

  3. If you do not want any solids that are on the drawing to be dimensioned, uncheck the Shape Dimension flag in the Status Bar.  SoftPlan will then ignore all solids on the drawing that a dimension line passes through.

Framed Opening Poly Can Straddle Multiple Joist Sections

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In SoftPlan Version 11 Floor System mode, the command Framed Opening Poly  has been expanded in its functionality to allow for the opening to straddle over multiple joist sections.

In previous versions, this command restricted the opening to reside in one joist poly.  This meant that you would then need to Explode the joists and adjust each joist member to accommodate the opening or to trace around the desired opening and then manually place the joists which would be used to enclose the opening in the floor system.  

Now, all you simply have to do is select the command and trace around the area where you would like to make the addition. The hole will be cut through the floor system, with the double joists automatically added.  This should save time by being able to achieve desired result with minimum amount of effort.  As joists sets are also considered a joist poly in Version 11 both methods of placing a framed opening have been outlined in the following.

To sketch a rectangular type opening:

  1. Select Floor System from the Mode menu. The walls of the floor plan above will appear as dashed lines.

  2. Draw the joists if not already drawn.

  3. Select Draw>Framed Opening 

  4. Place your cursor at a corner where you want to begin the framed opening.

  5. Draw an expanding box to show the size of the opening needed.

  6. When completed, double joists are placed around the opening.

To sketch an irregular type opening:

  1. Select Floor System from the Mode menu. The walls of the floor plan above will appear as dashed lines.

  2. Draw the joists if not already drawn.

  3. Select Draw>Framed Opening.

  4. Select Draw > Framed Opening Poly.

  5. Trace the complete perimeter of the opening starting at one point and closing the loop back at the start point. 

In either case, the opening will be framed with double joists and headers from each of the joist polys.

Note :  in the event of that the framed opening is to contain angled sections, remove the cursor lock by selecting the F12 or lock icon on the toolbar.

Openings Do Not Draw Overlapping Other Openings

 

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In the new release of SoftPlan Version 11 openings will no longer draw overlapping other openings.  If an opening is placed on top of another opening, the program will draw that opening adjacent to the existing opening.  The second opening will be placed a specific distance from the edge of the first opening.  This distance is specified by the “frame clearance” setting, which is located under File>Drawing Options>Dimension Options.  This eliminates the need to move the openings next to each other. If you want two openings placed on top of each other, you will need to place them beside each other first and assign each opening the correct offset.  Finally, you would need to Dimension the openings into place.

 This new feature will prevent you from drawing multiple openings on top of each other inadvertently, as well as allow openings to be placed a specified distance apart when placed next to another opening.  Also, if you have multiple units that you want joined together, you can define these openings in the system library.  Therefore, the only time where it will be necessary to place openings this way is when a space is going to exist between two openings vertically. 

  1. Draw the first Opening in the desired wall. 

  2. Draw the second Opening adjacent or on top of the existing  Opening. SoftPlan will automatically place it adjacent to the first one. 

  3. Edit the offset of each opening to be correct. 

  4.  Pull Extensions from the opening to a common wall. 

  5. Dimension these openings to be on top of each other.

Cabinets Stored as Individual .spy Files

 

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One of many new features introduced in SoftPlan Version 11, is that cabinets are now stored as individual files.  The main benefit of this new feature is that file management of specific library items can be achieved much easier.  If you create a new cabinet, it will be a file with its own name and the .spy extension.  Another benefit of this file extension is that individual cabinets can be removed or restored on an individual basis.

This new file management system for cabinets provides an easier method of moving cabinet files around from install to install.  It also provides an easy way to replace files, or rename cabinet files to suit specific requirements. 

  1. Select File>System Library>Library Type>Cabinets.  

  2. Select Cabinet Type Library  and then Select Add.  

  3. Assign the cabinet a Name, Shape, and Type.  Assign the cabinet a cabinet face and then select OK. 

  4. Through Windows Explorer, this file can be copied to other SoftPlan installations. 

Steel Beams Use Dash-Dot Texture

 

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One of the improvements in SoftPlan Version 11 is the ability to graphically represent a Steel Beam with a dash dot texture on a drawing. In previous versions, a Steel Beam was shown with a dashed line texture. Version 11 not only allows Steel Beams to be drawn with a dash-dot line texture, but will automatically assign the line style when defining a beam and selecting the Steel Beam material. Along with the enhanced ability to define the beam's line texture is the added ability to change the color of the Beam texture.
  1. Select Draw>Beam. 
  2. Select a Beam type.
  3. Position the cursor where you want to begin the beam and press From.
  4. Move the cursor to the end point of the beam and press To. The Steel Beam appears with dash dot texture between two points on the drawing. 
  5. To add a new beam definition or modify an existing beam definition, select File>Drawing/System Options> Define Beam.

Pen Settings Increased from 8 to 16

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SoftPlan Version 11 allows the user to choose from16 pens to define what an object or shape is to be drawn with. In previous versions, you had only 8 pens. You can have the shapes print in up to 16 different pens giving you increased design flexibility. The pen number will show up as the default of 2 initially.

Note: Pen defaults for shapes and solids, respectively, can be set in the Pen Assignments dialog.
  1. Go to Draw>Shape/Solid.
  2. Select the type of Shape or Solid you wish to draw.
  3. Now, on the status bar that displays your current command, you will see the option to select the Pen it will be drawn with. Choose one of the 16 possible pens.

Save Revision Command Added

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Another new feature added to SoftPlan Version 11 is the ability to save revisions of a drawing within a special REVISION folder.  As you proceed to design your house you often try alternative ideas to the layout of the floor plan.  Because these ideas may not actually be incorporated into the final design, it is useful to save copies of the floor plan prior to the design change so you can quickly return back to the original drawing.  This process has now been automatically done for you by simply selecting the Save Revision command prior to the design change.  SoftPlan then makes a copy of the current drawing and saves it into a special REVISION folder, allowing you to try alternate layouts on the current drawing.  If you then decide the design change is not necessary, you can retrieve the original from the REVISION folder.  

As you are unlimited to the number of revisions you can make, you can use the Save Revision command at all stages of your design process.  This feature can also be useful when designing Elevations, landscaping layouts, or any other aspects of the design phase.

  1. With a recently started floor plan opened, select File>Save Revision.  A copy of the current drawing is saved into a special REVISION folder.  The current drawing remains open allowing you to modify the design without altering the original floor plan layout.  

  2. To return to a previous revision of the drawing, go to File>Open and open the REVISION folder. Use the Drawing Preview option to help you find which revision you wish to return to.  

  3. Once the correct drawing is found select the Open button.  

  4. Once opened, if you want the selected revision to be the final design, select File>Save As, then select the Up One Level icon to return back to the Plan folder.

  5. Select the name of the original drawing, and then select the Save button.  Answer Yes to replace the existing drawing. 

Extensions from Angled Openings Update Correctly

Version 10

Version 11

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Editing the width of an opening in an angled wall will now update the Extensions that display the opening width to match the new width. If an opening has Extensions referencing its edges, a Dimension will display the same as the opening width. In Version 10, if you were to Edit the opening in an angled wall and change the width, the Extension lines would remain where they were initially drawn and not reflect the new width. This meant you had to Erase the Extension lines, and re-draw new ones in their place. 

Version 11, will now update the Extensions to match the opening's width, even if the width changes. This will allow you to make changes to your opening Dimensions without having to be concerned about re-placing any Extensions that would have been no longer valid.

  1. Place an opening on an angled wall.

  2. Set the Extension format for openings to Edge and pull Extensions from the edge of the opening.

  3. Edit the openings and modify the width.

  4. Once you OK out of the Openings Edit menu, the Extensions will adjust their position to retain their reference to the opening's edge.

Locking Cursor Does Not Change Status

 

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Changing the lock state of your cursor in SoftPlan Version 11 will now retain the current command name in the Status Bar. In Version 10, if you had selected a Draw command, that command would read in the Status Bar. If  you changed the lock state of the cursor using the Cursor lock icon during the drawing process, the Status Bar would no longer display the current command, but rather return to reading "Select a Function". Seeing these words in the Status Bar indicates that you lost the command and would have to re-select the command, even though this was not the case. This would cause confusion and, therefore, increase time spent on a drawing reselecting a command that you already have. 

Version 11 has corrected this problem and will continue to display the current command in the Status Bar regardless of the cursor lock change.
  1. Select a Draw command such as Line or Wall.
  2. As the command is selected, you will be on a 90 degree cursor lock, and the Cursor lock icon (picture of a padlock) will be closed.  Your Status Bar  will read the command name such as Draw Line or Draw Wall.
  3. Click the Cursor lock icon to change the lock state, and the status bar will retain the command name it held before the cursor lock state was changed.

Preview Added to Assist in Positioning Cabinets

   

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One of the improvements in SoftPlan Version 11 is the ability to see a cabinet previewed in Plan view before adding it to a drawing. In previous versions, the Draw>Cabinets command only displayed an elevation preview for the cabinet selected. This assisted in making the proper style selection for the cabinet, but it did not help in the positioning of the item on the drawing. The new feature shows the cabinets with the Plan Preview in addition to the Elevation Preview to assist in positioning cabinets on the drawing.
  1. Select Draw>Cabinet>Plan View. A menu of Cabinet Libraries opens.
  2. Select the library that contains the cabinet symbol you want to use. The Symbol menu for the Cabinet Library opens.
  3. Make a selection from the list of available cabinets by highlighting it. A Preview of the cabinet in Plan view and Elevation view appears in the Preview windows. 
  4. As with other symbols, the bottom of the Plan Preview indicates the back of the cabinet. Cabinets are drawn from back to front (the same as symbols) with From>To . 
  5. To set the back position of the base cabinet, click From. 
  6. Move the cursor to indicate the front of the cabinet and click To. To place a cabinet on an angle, simply unlock the cursor to an Angle Lock state with the F12 key.

Circles are Selectable as the Trim Edge

SoftPlan has several Tools available to help you draw more efficiently and accurately.   The items that are now considered for the use of the several tools has expanded.   When using the Trim command you can now select a Circle as the 'knife edge'.   Lines will now trim themselves to the edge of a circle when the circle is selected as the source item with the Trim command.

  1. From the Tools pull down menu, select Trim.

  2. Select a circle with the From button.

  3. Select a line that passes through the circle with the To button.

  4. The line will Trim itself to the closest edge of the circle. 

Copy/Paste to the SoftPlan Clipboard Added

   

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Among the many new features added to SoftPlan Version 11 is the ability to copy part of a drawing and paste it into another drawing.   Previous versions of SoftPlan did not have this feature.  So, in order to achieve the same results, you needed to use the Merge command and merge the two drawings together.   This was a tedious procedure as you needed to erase items from one drawing that you did not want to include in the second drawing.   Now, you can easily and efficiently copy items from one drawing and paste them into another with very little effort.

  1. From an existing drawing, select the Edit pull down menu and select the option Copy to SoftPlan Clipboard. 

  2. Use the expandable box feature to form a box around the items you want to copy to the SoftPlan clipboard.   The selected items are then stored in memory for later use.

  3. Open another existing drawing where you wish to add the items previously copied.

  4. From the Edit pull down menu select Paste from SoftPlan Clipboard.

  5. The drawing is zoomed to the workspace limits and the contents of the SoftPlan clipboard are attached to the cursor.

  6. Position the items attached to the cursor on the drawing and select the To button to place the items. 

@Plan Prints Current Folder Name

 

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SoftPlan has added the ability to print the current folder name by typing @plan.  This is useful if you would like to stamp your printed or plotted drawing with important information such as the current folder name where the drawing is stored.
  1. Select the type of note you want to use from the Notes menu.
  2. Select the note location using the From and To buttons to type @ plan.
  3. The current folder of the drawing will now appear when this drawing is printed/plotted.

Symbols can Include Pointers

Version 10

Version 11

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With the many improvements of the Version 11 Symbol library, you can now create symbols with notes and include the pointer as well. A pointer is a line arrow that is drawn from notes.  A pointer will snap to either the start or end of the note, as a single pointer, segmented pointer, or arc pointer. It is used to allow the note to be graphically directed on the drawing.  Notes can be used in symbols such as details, to be placed on multiple drawings. As you add notes to your Symbol library, if it has a pointer attached, the pointer will now become part of the symbol as well.  

This new feature will greatly enhance the use of notes in your symbols, as they often refer to items by means of a pointer.

  1. Type a note on a drawing and apply a pointer from the note.

  2. To add the note/pointer combo to your symbol library go to File>System Library and the Configure Library menu will open.

  3. Select the Library type Symbols.

  4. Choose a Symbol library to add the new symbol to, such as Details.

  5. Click the Add button and form an expanding box around your note and pointer.

  6. From the Add symbol menu, give the new symbol a name.

  7. Press the OK button, and the new symbol will be added to your Symbol library.

Ability to Symbolize Decks Added

 

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Among the many new features of SoftPlan Version 11 is the ability to symbolize decks.  This allows you to create a deck that can be easily introduced to many different plans by inserting it as a symbol.  Whether they be simple or complex, decks complete with stairs can be added to the Symbol library for easy access.  

 This new feature allows you to place commonly used decks on many different plans very quickly, and also allows you to keep all decks in a stocked library for future use on other projects. 

  1. Draw the deck and stairs as required using SoftPlan’s deck features.

  2. Select File>System Library>Symbol>Add, and encompass the deck.

  3. Give this deck a name in the library.  (Suggest creating a library called Deck Symbols, and save here)

  4. On future plans you can Select Draw>Symbol>Deck Symbols and insert the deck.

Repeat Edit Only Selects Items of the Same Type as the Original Item

 

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The Repeat Edit command has been greatly improved in SoftPlan Version 11.  Among these improvements is that Repeat Edit now only selects items of the same type as the original item.  This allows you to Repeat Edit the same type of objects continually without having to use the Locate Type command.

This new feature allows you to quickly and accurately Repeat Edit objects that are top of each other or are in the same proximity without choosing the wrong object. 

  1. Edit a Symbol using the Edit command. 

  2. Select Repeat Edit, and select items to be Repeat Edited.  SoftPlan will now only select the same type of item as that which was previously edited. 

  3. You no longer need to select Locate Type after the Repeat Edit command has been selected. 

Visible Items Menu Separates Deck and Stair Rails

 

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SoftPlan Version 11 will have stair and deck railings as separate selection in the Visible Items menu. This will allow you to separately determine the visibility of each railing type. The Visible Items menu allows you to toggle which items are going to display on screen for each of the SoftPlan drawing modes. The visibility will also control what is on a print. If your railings have the visibility turned off, they do not display on screen and do not print.  

In previous versions, both deck and stair railings were considered the same under the Visible Items menu and could not be separated. Now, you can control the visibility of each railing type, as you require.
  1. Create a drawing that has both deck railings and stair railings.
  2. From the Options pull down menu, select Visible Items.
  3. Check Railings under Deck for deck railings and check Railings under Drawing for stair railings.

Auto Roof Generates on Walls That are Coplanar

 

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The Auto Roof feature will look for any bearing walls and select them to receive a roof edge. This action created a problem in earlier versions. If you had coplanar walls, the Auto Roof would not work; and another roof application would have to be used. Coplanar walls are 2 walls that butt end to end. In plan, you can have 2 walls butt at the ends, so they appear as one continuous wall but are actually separate walls. This is useful if each wall segment requires different heights and/or offsets. Version 11's Auto Roof will apply in this case by assuming a continuous wall and applying one roof edge. The reference point of that edge will be placed at the midpoint of the roof plane, just as it does on any other roof application.
  1. Open a drawing that has coplanar walls on it (2 or more walls butting end to end forming a continuous wall of wall sections).  
  2. From the mode selector, select Roof mode.
  3. Select the Draw pull down menu and click on Auto Roof.

Hidden Openings Automatically Turn Off Size Display

 

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One of the improvements in SoftPlan Version 11 is the ability to have the display of opening text automatically turned off for Hidden openings. Setting an opening to be Hidden will show the opening dashed in plan view on the screen, but the opening will not print. Previous versions required that the Display Size option be turned off separately in the opening edit dialog.  The new feature will automatically turn off the opening Size, Rough Opening Size and Product Code for the opening when the Hidden option is selected from the Display tab of the opening Edit dialog. 
  1. Select Edit>Edit Item.
  2. Select the opening, which needs to be set to Hidden. The Opening Edit menu is displayed.
  3. Select the Display tab.
  4. Check the Hidden check box at the bottom of the dialog. Any check boxes placed within the Opening Text section will be automatically turned Off. 
  5. Select OK. 
  6. The opening will appear dashed on the floor plan without any opening text. This Hidden opening will be displayed on elevations, cross sections and in 3D but will not be shown when printed or plotted.

Ability to Move Items Along Their Axis

 

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Among the many new features included in Version 11 is the ability to Move items along their axis.   If you need to move an item that has been placed on an angle, the item will move along he same angle that is was drawn in.   Previous version of SoftPlan always moved items parallel to the screen, regardless of the item's direction. Now, an item placed on an angle will move along the same angle.   

This greatly helps when you are moving items on house plans that have been designed with some 45 degree walls.   For example, if a run of stairs is placed on an angled wall, moving the stairs will follow the angle of the wall, assuring that it remains parallel to the wall it rests against.

  1. Select Move>Move.

  2. Pick an item that has been drawn on an angle.

  3. When moving the item, it will move along the same angle as indicated by the direction or angle of that item. 

Color Assignment for Symbols

   

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When placing symbol within a drawing, you now have the option of using the default Symbol Color that is set in the Assign Colors menu or to display the symbols in the color or colors that were used to create the symbols.  Previously, the only way to color-code symbols on a drawing would be to have exploded them to lines and then edit the individual lines to suit.   

Much like electrical has always had the ability to be easily identifiable on a floor plan drawing, this greater flexibility allows for better visual depictions of items such as furnishings, fixtures and landscaping for onscreen presentation.

  1. Select File>Drawing Options>Assign Color.

  2. Locate the Symbol Flag located under the Item Heading.

  3. Remove the checkmark to have symbols display their shape color that was used when they were created.

  4. Select OK.

  5. Symbols will now display using their shape colors in both the symbol preview box as well as on the drawing.

Edited Cabinets Properly Locate Floor System

   

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As a cabinet is edited, it checks for a floor system and will vertically position its offset from the floor system. The offset of a cabinet can be reflected by both a floor system and the zero line of a drawing. As you proceed to create you floor plan, the cabinets can be drawn at anytime. If they are drawn before a floor system is drawn, their offset will read as 0" based on the zero line of the drawing. Once a floor system is applied, any cabinets that are against a wall, will automatically offset up with the wall to sit on top of the floor system. Cabinets that are not against a wall, such as a island, only need to be edited, and without making any changes press OK. The simple act of Editing the cabinet forces it to look for the floor system, and adjusts the offset accordingly. 

This addition can be very useful should the floor system's offset change as well. For example, in a sunken room. Rather than Editing the cabinet, and figuring a new offset, simply press the OK button, and the offset will be set.

  1. Create a floor plan without a floor system.

  2. Place some cabinets within the floor plan.  Their offset will read 0" based on the zero line of the drawing.

  3. Now add a floor system in Floor System mode.

  4. In Drawing mode, simply Edit the cabinet and press OK.  The offset will still read 0", but it is now based from the floor system, not the zero line of the drawing.  This way, should you require to modify the offset (a wall cabinet for example), you are basing it from the top of the floor.

Snap Improved for Overlapping Items

 

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In SoftPlan you can Snap your cursor to defined locations on objects. In previous versions, if more than one object is in the area of the object your are attempting to Snap to, it was difficult to Snap to the desired object. Version 11 has a solution. With the Snap enabled, your cursor will snap to the nearest Snap point located on the nearest object. If you are trying to Snap to a line endpoint for example, and there are other Snap points from other objects in the same vicinity, if you click nearest to that line's Snap endpoint, that is what you will get. 

Snapping to symbols has also been improved. SoftPlan will hold the very same Snap rule for the shapes that make up the symbol. If you click near a Snap point on a shape in that symbol, that that is where the Snap will locate. To further improve upon this, Version 11 has introduced the ability to have construction points save with your symbol, to act as Snap points. If a symbol has a construction point, that will be where all items Snap to within that symbol. 

This feature is of great value in the electrical symbol library. All SoftPlan version 11 electrical symbols have been created with one or more construction point located within them. Drawing items such as electrical connects will Snap perfectly to the construction points.
  1. Select a command that you require Snap to be used, such as drawing a line.
  2. To toggle the Snap on, click the Snap icon or go to the Tools pull down menu and click on Snap.
  3. Position your cursor nearest to the Snap point of the object you wish to Snap from and click From.
  4. Move your cursor to the location you wish to Snap to and press To.

Note: If your cursor position is not near a snapping point, then you will not Snap to anything.  The Snap Tolerance is set with the Locate Tolerance.

Handrails can Dimension and Extension

   

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One of the improvements in the release of the SoftPlan Version 11 is the ability to Dimension and Extension Handrails. In previous SoftPlan versions, dimensions and extensions could only be applied to a handrail once it was exploded into shapes. This resulted in lines that appeared like a handrail, but could not be generated into 3-D, and where not accounted for in SoftList. This new feature will apply for both railings and deck railings. 

The ability to dimension your railings, will allow accurate placement, and allow you to position the railings easily by editing the dimension, and assigning a distance.

Dimension

  1. Railings can be drawn by selecting Draw>Stair>Railing. You can also produce a railing by Editing a stair set and checking the Railing option.
  2. To Dimension to a railing select the pull down menu Dimension and select Dimension. Make sure the Shape Dimension is checked in the status bar. Pull the dimension through the railing and the object you are dimensioning to. 

Extension

  1. From the Dimension pull down menu, select Item Extension.
  2. Position the cursor over the railing, click the From button, and move the cursor in the direction the extensions will be positioned. 
  3. Click the To button, and extensions will now appear. You can now add a dimension line (as described above) through the extensions, and Edit the dimension as required.

Adjusting a Railing Includes the Post in the Highlight

   

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The Adjust command in SoftPlan Version 11 has been improved its ability to Adjust the end of a Railing. Adjusting a railing will now include the post in the highlight when adjusting the end of a railing segment that does not show a post. In previous versions using the Adjust command did not include the post when adjusting the length of a railing, making it difficult to judge where to end the railing.

In Version 11, adjusting a railing to meet a post from another railing segment is easier and more accurate, therefore your drawing time is improved.
  1. Select Move>Adjust Item.
  2. Place the cursor on the end of a railing segment, and press From.
  3. Move the cursor to decrease or increase the length of the Railing and select To.
  4. Select the end of the Railing that does not display a post with From. Notice how the cursor moves from the end of the railing to where the center of an adjoining post would be.
  5. Move the cursor to the center of the post to adjoin to and select To.
  6. Do a Cleanup (CTRL+C) to adjust and move this item to correct position.

Selecting From>From Properly Cancels and Resumes Adjust

 

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In Version 11 the Adjust command has the added ability to be cancelled and resume by selecting From>From. In previous versions, canceling the Adjust command required selecting the From button twice after the initial From. Another From selection was then required to resume the Adjust command again. 

In Version 11 the Adjust command can be canceled with one From selection and resumed with the next From selection, taking out unnecessary and time consuming steps.
  1. Select Move>Adjust Item.
  2. Place the cursor on the item to adjust and press From. 
  3. To cancel the command select From.
  4. Selecting the next item to adjust with From will resume the Adjust command.

Show Triangle Border Option Added 

   

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The Edit of the Shape, Triangle now has the ability to toggle the display of the border of the triangle. Since the triangle is a SoftPlan Shape, You can Edit the triangle to have a texture pattern fill the triangle. Similar to the Line and Box shapes, Editing a triangle that has a texture pattern will now allow you to select is the border will be visible or not. If you uncheck the Show Border box, then the outline of the triangle will be removed; and you will see the texture pattern you defined in the shape of the drawn triangle.
  1. From the Draw pull down menu, select Shapes>Triangle.
  2. Draw a Triangle.
  3. From the Edit pull down menu, select Edit Item and click on the triangle to Edit it.
  4. Select a texture for the triangle that allows you to set a Fill Increment.
  5. Assign a desired Fill Increment.
  6. The Show Border check box will now be active.  If you uncheck it and press OK, the border will not display.

Railing Posts Can Be Edited to Different Heights

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A further enhancement to the railing and its flexibility is the ability to be able to Edit each railings post to a different height on each end of a rail.  In previous versions, the railings adhered to a common height and if a taller post was needed, would need to be drawn in using another library item.

This new editing capability will speed up your drawing time and more readily allow for the creation of 3D images of both Stair and Deck Railings. 

  1. Select Edit>Edit Item.

  2. Select the railing for editing.

  3. Depending which orientation the railing is placed,  the posts will be label