Home Design Software by SoftPlan

Quoin and Trim Size Appearance Changes Immediately in SoftView

In Version 12, when changing the settings for either Quoins or Trim in the Trim Options, the changes will automatically be applied to these items if they already shown in SoftView.
For this example, assume that the plan has been drawn and the SoftView window has already been generated to show these items:

Go to File> Drawing options> Material Dimensions> Trim Options. Image 1
Input the dimensions for any of the items listed (i.e. Quoins) that have already been drawn and generated. Image 2
Click OK.
Then open the SoftView window and press the GO button. Images 3,4
The items (i.e. Quoins) will automatically be updated based on the changes made to the Trim options under Drawing options.

Fit Top of Wall to Ceiling Command Added

SoftPlan Version 12 has automated the ability to rake an interior wall to a ceiling. Previously this was a manual calculation that the designer would have to input. In order to execute the command “Fit Top of Wall to Ceiling” the ceiling must first be added to the plan through Ceiling Mode. Then through Drawing mode, the following will be available:

Select Edit > Edit Item.
Select the wall to rake which will open the Wall Edit menu.
Under the Fit Top of Wall heading, selecting Ceiling will cause the wall adjust its height in accordance with the ceilings location, including multiple plate heights.

This enhancement will not only help expedite the drawing process, but will also correctly calculating the necessary material for SoftList in addition to accurately portraying the design in SoftView.

Footing Key is Accurately Placed in Wall Compositions

Version 12 has the ability to automatically center the footing key to the concrete material within the wall composition whereas in previous versions the key would be centered based on the overall wall thickness.

For example, take the situation where the wall definition is composed of concrete wall with footing at the bottom with a height of 4’-0” and there is a framed 2x6 siding wall above another 4’-0”. In this case the concrete needs to begin at a different horizontal start than 0” because the framed wall will be overhanging the concrete section by 1.5”. In Version 12 the footing key will move along with the concrete section. Notice the section preview as these changes are made. This will also relate to the generated cross section of this wall in SoftPlan.

Concrete Wall Texture Improved

SoftPlan Version 12 has improved the appearance of the Concrete texture that can be specified in a wall’s definition. The concrete pattern now appears more random than in previous versions. This improves the presentation of the drawings. This improvement has also been implemented to any shapes that may have the Concrete texture applied.

Curved Walls Display in Overlay

SoftPlan Version 12 has added the ability to now see curved (radius) walls in an overlaid drawing. In order to demonstrate this feature, you will need to have a drawing open, as well as a second drawing to overlay, which contains a curved or radius wall.

With a drawing open select File > Overlay.
From the Overlay Drawing menu select the file you wish to overlay into the current drawing and select OK.
The selected drawing will be overlaid onto the current drawing, showing not only all linear walls, bull all curved and/or radius walls as well.

Curved Wall End Treatments

Version 12 has the capability of adding End treatments to curved walls. To display quoins or corner boards on either end of a curved wall:

Select Edit > Edit Item.
Click the From button on the Curved wall.
In the End treatment section of the dialog, select the pull-down for the left/right/up/down direction to add the treatment to.
Choose from Quoin, Corner Board or None and Press OK.
Perform a cleanup (CTRL+C) to snap the treatment to the appropriate edge.
End treatments will be visible in Softview 3D and Elevation.

Log Wall Projections Repeat Edit

After using Edit > Edit Item to modify a log wall projection, Repeat Edit can be used to apply that change to other Log walls.

Select Edit > Edit Item.
Select the log wall to modify.
Input the new projection length and select OK to close the menu.
Select Edit > Repeat Edit.
Proceed to select other Log Walls which are to have the same change applied.

Wall Joins on the Wall Edit Can Not Be Set to Zero

SoftPlan Version 12 will no longer allow for the Wall Joins option to be set a measurement of 0” in any of the following: System or Drawing Options > Dimension Options, as well as on a edit of individual wall edit.

Double Hatch Texture Added

SoftPlan Version 12 has added the ability to assign a Double Hatch texture pattern in your wall definitions.

Select File > System / Drawing Options > Define Wall > Edit.
In the Wall Definitions menu select the 2x4/Brick wall from the Wall Selection List.
Using the horizontal scroll bar located at the bottom of the window, scroll to the right until the various texture patterns are visible.
Double click on the Angled Texture pattern box assigned to the material Brick A.
From the available texture drop down list, select the Double Hatch (XXXX) pattern. Select OK.
The next time the 2x4/Brick wall is used, the texture used for the Brick material will be the newly assigned Double Hatch pattern.

As an example, this pattern can be used to designate an area of Solid Fill Masonry within your plans. This pattern can be used in conjunction with any material selected in the wall definitions.

Horizontal Blocking (Bucks) can be Added

Version 12 has added a Horizontal Blocking (bucks) option to the wall definitions. This option can be set at either the Drawing level or the System level.

Load a drawing in SoftPlan.
Go to File > Drawing Options\System Options > Define Wall > Edit.
Select a wall that is on the drawing.
In the Framing section, place a checkmark in ‘Blocking’. Set the spacing required and if the blocking should be staggered, place a checkmark in the ‘Staggered’ box.
Click the ‘OK’ button at the bottom of the wall edit menu.
Take the drawing into ‘Framing’ mode and generate a framing drawing. The wall that has been defined to have blocking will show the horizontal framing pieces.

Hidden Walls Have Closed Ends

SoftPlan Version 12 has improved the Hidden wall display. Hidden walls are used when the wall is not required to be visible on a printout of the floor plan, but may be necessary to view in SoftView Elevation, Section or 3-Dimensions. This is often the case with a False Dormer added to a floor plan. When a wall is edited to be Hidden, the wall is redraw with a dashed line style. Previous versions of SoftPlan left any butt-ends of hidden walls open. Version 12 now draws the wall with closed ends.

Select > Edit > Edit Item.
Click on an existing wall that does not join with any other wall on one end.
Check the option Hidden and then click OK.
The wall will redraw in a dashed line style and maintain the display of the ends of the wall as closed.

Change Wall Improved

Version 12 has expanded upon the change wall feature. This feature allows the user to select a current wall type and change to a new wall type based on the materials within that wall. For example, the selections for alignment include the outside of wall, the outside of wall’s outermost bearing material and the center of wall. The center wall option was not available in previous versions. When a symmetrical wall has been selected to change the program will assume a default alignment of center of current wall with center of new wall. If a non-symmetrical wall is being changed, the default alignment will be selected as outside of current wall with outside of new wall. This feature can be used to change walls and maintain the accuracy of existing dimensions.

A single wall can be selected by going to Edit > Edit item and choosing the wall and selecting a different wall type from the pull-down list.
Another option is to change all walls of a certain wall type at the same time using Edit > Change wall.

· Once a wall type is selected the Wall alignment menu will display. This gives the ability to align the outside of wall, outside of wall’s outermost bearing material or center of wall of the current wall type with any of the same selections for the new wall type.

Part Erase of Walls in Profile Mode

SoftPlan Version 12 has modified the Part Erase feature of Walls in Profile Mode. Performing a Part Erase updates the changes in Profile mode. To demonstrate this feature you must have a drawing open. If you do not have a drawing, simply use one of the sample drawings provided with the program.

From the Drawing Mode drop down selection list select Profile.
When in Profile Mode select Erase > Part Erase.
Select a point on a wall to begin the Part Erase and click.
Move your cursor along the wall to define the extent of the section to be erased and click.
The section you have defined with your cursor will be erased from the drawing. This will not only be visible in plan view, but you will also witness the change occur to the walls displaying in Profile as well.

Draw Wall Plan Preview Added

Version 12 had added a new feature to the Draw Wall command. A plan preview now displays for the selected wall in the list.

Select Draw> Wall.
Choose a wall from the list.
The preview of the selected wall will display at the bottom of the dialog box in the Plan Preview section. It displays what the wall will look like in plan view.

Part Erase of Walls in Profile Mode

From the Drawing Mode drop down selection list select Profile.
When in Profile Mode select Erase > Part Erase.
Select a point on a wall to begin the Part Erase and click.
Move your cursor along the wall to define the extent of the section to be erased and click.
The section you have defined with your cursor will be erased from the drawing. This will not only be visible in plan view, but you will also witness the change occur to the walls displaying in Profile as well.

Part Erase of Walls in Profile Mode

From the Drawing Mode drop down selection list select Profile.
When in Profile Mode select Erase > Part Erase.
Select a point on a wall to begin the Part Erase and click.
Move your cursor along the wall to define the extent of the section to be erased and click.
The section you have defined with your cursor will be erased from the drawing. This will not only be visible in plan view, but you will also witness the change occur to the walls displaying in Profile as well.

Walls (and Beams) Allow the Definition of a Trace Line

SoftPlan Version 12 allows for the definition of the Trace line to be defined within the wall definition. Previous versions have always used the centerline of walls. The trace line can now be set to any of the following: Center, Outer Most Bearing, Outer Most Visible, or Custom, which allows for a dimension measure from the outside to the wall to the desired trace line.
The ability to define this will allow for the accurate placement of walls in accordance with how the dimension options are setup. For example, a 2x6/Siding wall by default, is setup to extension all exterior dimensions from the outside of the stud. Therefore, if the trace line were setup to be the “outer most bearing” which is the stud, drawing could be done using exact dimensions, thereby cutting down on the amount of editing needing done later.
To set the Trace Line Position Select File > System Options > Define Wall > Edit. Select wall to edit. Enable Trace Line Position. Select the tracer line from the pull down list of options. Select OK.
This setting will also be used when using the function, Covert Shapes to Walls. After importing a DXF or Dwg file to SoftPlan, a line can converted to a wall. When this conversion takes place, SoftPlan uses the tracer line as it point of reference when converting.
To convert a Shape to a wall using the Trace Line Position, this example will use the outer most visible setting for a 2x4/Brick wall.
Select Tools > Convert Shape to Wall. Make a selection from the Wall Type menu. Pick the line to convert. SoftPlan will align the Trace Line Position from the wall definition with this line. If the wall has an exterior surface, click the side of the line the exterior surface is be place. SoftPlan will place a 2x4/Brick wall aligning the brick surface with the line selected.

Radius Walls Display Concrete Texture

SoftPlan Version 12 has improved the display of an assigned concrete texture in curved / radius walls. The texture will display in these walls as it does in other walls.

Select Edit > Edit Item.
Click on a linear concrete wall to open the Wall Properties menu.
In the menu, assign a new Radius and Deflection value to the wall.
Select OK.
The wall will change its properties and display with the new curved value assigned. Along with this, the concrete texture will display continuous through the curved wall, as in the other walls.

Footing Cleanup Improved

SoftPlan Version 12 has improved the cleanup of footing lines when the wall join tolerance has been decreased for smaller wall jogs. When there is a need to specify a small jog in a wall join, you can specify a smaller wall join tolerance to allow the walls to form proper joins. The footing lines for any walls that are configured to include a footing now also conform to the join tolerance.
Edit each wall that participates in the join and select the Wall Joins button. Remove the Default by unchecking the checkbox in the direction of the join and set the join value to approximately 1”. Once all walls have been edited, cleanup the drawing. All footing lines should now join accordingly.