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For information on obtaining SolidBuilder for your own use, click on the logo at the left to visit the Digital Canal web site. |
Construction Info | Project Info | Options and Costs | framed model | sample plans | production drawings
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- 3D Solid Modeling: We make sure that the design "works" by building it in 3D. SolidBuilder is based on the SilverScreen solid modeling graphics engine. Solid modeling makes things possible that can't be done with 3D wire frame programs.
- Object oriented database: The building model is organized in a hierarchy of objects, not in restrictive 2D layers. Each object has a unique name such as roof3, or floor1, etc.
- User controls the sequence: Convenience determines the modeling sequence. For instance, one can begin modeling down from the floor or up from the footer.
- Modeling language: The language of SolidBuilder's menus and dialog boxes comes from the building industry, not from CAD industry jargon.
- Speed and Ease of use: SolidBuilder has been continually reshaped by modeling real buildings. Each step has been honed to minimize the time required.
- Solid Sculpting commands: The modeling of complex shapes is simplified by solid sculpting commands such as Project, Trim, Split and Join.
- Fine editing: A model of a large and complex house is a combination of many simple objects. One can delete and replace objects without affecting the surrounding objects. SolidBuilder's editing tool set applies to all objects.
- Whole house editing: Editing tools for the complete building include Mirror, Stretch and Collapse commands.
- Roof generator: SolidBuilder's automatic roof generator is unsurpassed in its versatility, speed and ease of use.
- Complex roof generation: To aid in modeling a complex roof, the software asks for roof information that is known such as "rafter depth", eave overhang, etc. It does all the calculations.
- Walls raised to roof or dropped to footer: Complex walls may be created simply by raising them to a roof or dropping them down to a footer, regardless of the complexity of roof or foundation. No calculations are needed.
- Wall opening shapes: Window and door openings may be arched, raked or arc topped. Pocket doors are handled in a special manner.
- Wall openings list: The list of available openings is fully customizable and can be organized by manufacturer.
- Curved walls: Curved walls are framed as several short segments of wall successively stepping around a circle.
- Stairs: Stairs can be straight or curved. The number of risers is automatically calculated.
- 3D graphic verification: 3D graphics allows us to verify your specifications. Any of the user assigned details of the model, from wall type to number of trimmers in an opening, can be exhibited by highlighting the corresponding part of the model.
- Automatic model checking: The modeler automatically checks for error conditions which can happen by accident and cause difficulties, such as making a right angle wall corner not quite square.
- Viewing: The model may be viewed from any direction or from inside. It may be viewed from different directions simultaneously by dividing the screen into multiple view windows.
- Selective visibility: Any combination of objects may be made visible or invisible. For example, the view may show only roofs or only walls. Visibility choices may be assigned a name and saved for later use.
- Patterns: Patterns can be applied to the surfaces of the building. New patterns can be easily created.
- Rendering: Rendering options include plain wire frame, hidden-line, uniformly painted, or light source shaded with shadows. Photo-realistic rendering is available with 3D Studio or other rendering software.
- 3D symbols: Pre-modeled 3D furnishings, fittings, windows, doors and trim may be inserted into the model from symbol libraries. SolidBuilder comes with symbol libraries including appliances, kitchen cabinets, and basic 3D windows and doors. Other symbols are available and the user can modify or create symbols in SilverScreen.
- Model export and import: 3D and 2D images can be exported or imported in DXF format.
- Additional functions: The user is always a keystroke away from SilverScreen, a powerful general-purpose 3D solid modeling program. Additional modeling and CAD features are available in SilverScreen.
- 3D framing generation: A 3D model of all building framing is created automatically. The framer has been enhanced to accommodate any building method which is standard in North America.
- Each stick is a solid: Each piece of wood is modeled as a true solid. This allows the use of the same modeling commands as used on other parts of the building.
- Wall Framer: Walls may be flat, raked, flat and raked, stepped, and have sloping bottoms. Wall tops or bottoms may also be beveled. Options provide for changing the number and thickness of plates, openings, and other framing pieces. Plate breaks are automatically staggered. Stud, joist and rafter spacing as well as layout points are under user control.
- Wall openings: Most types of wall openings are handled automatically. The user can select the number of trimmers (jacks), floating trimmers (cut to the sill), headers, kings, and sills. Each end of an opening can be framed differently. A single header can be used for multiple openings.
- Other wall components: Posts-in-walls, ledgers, and several different corner conditions are provided.
- Floor and ceiling framer: The program frames floors and ceilings of any shape with joist breaks lapped or butted. It provides optional types of channel and opening framing. Joists are regularly spaced with user specified layout points and joist direction. Options include multiple layout points, doubling alternate joists, and midspan blocking. Ceilings may be sloped.
- Roof framer: SolidBuilder frames any stick built roof. It automatically cuts birdsmouths and other rafter profile cuts. Eave and gable overhangs are framed in several styles.
- Framing editor: The automatically generated framing may be edited by the user. Using commands such as Insert, Split, Project and Move, the framing may be altered in any way.
- Framing production drawings: Easy to read drawings of each and every framed component are generated automatically, complete with dimensions and member labels. Wall drawings also include a bottom plate view.
- Rafter drawings: Clear and simple drawings of rafter profiles are automatically generated.
- Cutting list: The cutting list can be printed as part of the framing drawing or printed separately.
- Layout table: Stud and joist layouts on plates, rims, headers and other rim members are automatically generated as part of the framing drawing or printed separately.
- Lumber take-off: Once framed, the total umber requirement is calculated by the software. The lumber optimizer determines the lumber required for minimum waste.
- Species and grade options: The species and grade to use for each type of framing (stud, block, sill, etc.) is set by the user. It allows for more than one choice for a single board type, such as both "stud" or "#2" for studs depending upon size.
- Sheathing layout and cutting: Sheathing layouts may be applied to floors and roofs. SolidBuilder determines the number of full sheets needed and creates pictures of how to cut them.
- Steel framing: Framing take-off of steel is possible with a different setup of standards and an additional database of materials.
- Cutting detail: An optional report describes how to cut the stock lumber to assure that the material is used efficiently.
Item Database
- Three-level database: The unlimited-capacity database is organized into three levels - Division, Subdivision and Item. The program comes complete with over one thousand items.
- Spreadsheet view: The database is displayed in a spreadsheet format. The user can move the sheet right or left to see all fields rather than reviewing items one-by-one in a separate items screen.
- Multi-item update: Any field change may be applied to a single item, multiple items or all items by using the "Mark" feature.
- Conversion formula: Each item has a formula for conversion of take-off quantity to order quantity, such as square feet to rolls.
- Cost updating conveniences: Costs may be updated by percentages, either individually or by groups.
- Mark-ups: Mark-ups are set by the user, with one or two cumulative percentages.
- Import and export: The Item, Subdivision and Division records may all be imported and exported. This allows for easily importing data from other databases into SolidBuilder. SolidBuilder data can be exported to spreadsheets and word processors. Such data can be re-imported into SolidBuilder.
Assemblies
- Assemblies: Automatic take-offs are done by using assemblies attached to the model. Each assembly consists of a collection of database items. A simple point and click adds an item from the database to the assembly.
- Search: Any item in the database can be found by using the Search command.
- Connection to model: Assemblies are attached to the model during modeling. They can easily be altered after they are attached.
- Connection to plan symbols: Assembles can be attached to working drawing plan symbols and may be altered afterward.
- Graphic verification: The assembly assignment can be graphically verified by highlighting the model objects to which a particular assembly is attached.
- Automatic take-off: At any time in the modeling process, a take-off can be automatically performed on the whole model. The result is an estimate and a grand total.
- Geometry-determined take-off: Each line of the database has a geometry-determined take-off method such as "gross area" or "length."
- Geometry cross reference: An optional cross reference lists all geometry that contributes to a line total.
Estimate
- 3D take-off tools: The 3D model provides instant calculations of dimension, area and volume.
- Continuous on-screen totaling: The automatically-generated "estimate" is a changeable spreadsheet, not a fixed report.
- Adding or changing items: The estimate line items may be modified, other items added from the database or items can be typed into the spreadsheet.
- Subtotals: Subtotal lines are automatically inserted after every division. They show continuously-updated subtotals. The user may delete these or insert other sub-totals.
- Sorting: The estimate can be sorted by a single field or by multiple fields.
- Reports: Any combination of database columns can be selected to be included in a report. These combinations can be saved for subsequent use.
- Editable cutting schedule: The complete list of cut pieces of lumber is displayed in a table which the user can modify on the screen like a spreadsheet. Each cut piece is identified by its grade, its framing member type, the building part containing it, etc. This schedule can be sorted by any of these field types and then printed. After modification, the table of cut pieces can be reoptimized to use less lumber.
- Editable openings schedule: The complete list of openings is displayed in a table which the user can modify on the screen like a spreadsheet. It can be sorted and printed. It can also be inserted as a table on a working drawing.
- Export files: Export files allow easy interfacing to scheduling, purchase order and spreadsheet programs.
- Plan linework automatically generated: Plan linework is generated automatically from the model. One command produces a floor plan with double-line walls, openings, floor edges, dashed roof edges, overhead beams, etc.
- Opening symbols automatically placed: One command causes all opening symbols to be automatically placed on the plan. The symbol type is remembered from the time the opening was modeled.
- Section linework automatically generated: The building's sections are generated automatically by slicing the solid model along a line drawn by the user.
- Elevation linework automatically generated: SolidBuilder automatically generates elevations by making a flat 2D image of any selected view of the 3D model.
- Details automatically generated: Portions of 3D views may be captured as detail drawings.
- Framing erection drawings: Framing and building information may be automatically added to plan drawings. Labeling choices include opening framing, post location, header information and shear wall and rake wall designations.
- Inserting tables: Any comma separated text file, such as the openings schedule produced by the estimator, may be inserted as a graphic table on a working drawing.
- Auto-dimension feature: Rows of parallel dimensions may be rapidly inserted with a minimum of keystrokes.
- Layers: The 2D information in the working drawings is organized into layers like those of other CAD programs.
- Patterns: A library of patterns includes many that are specific to residential buildings.
- Linestyles: Many linestyles are supported. Others are easily made.
- Parametric opening symbols: Plan-view opening symbols are automatically generated to the appropriate size of the opening.
- Symbol libraries: Many other symbols can be added to plan, section or elevation drawings from libraries of symbols furnished with the program.
- Automatic regeneration: Any drawing can be partially or totally regenerated from the model, without loss of notes, dimensions or symbols. This allows changes to the model to be replicated easily in the 2D drawings.
- Multiple drawings arrangement: Multiple drawings can be arranged and printed or plotted on a single sheet of paper.
- Border drawing: Any graphic output can be automatically framed in a pre-drawn border.
- Symbol generator: Plan and elevation symbols can be created with the same tools used to make drawings.
- Saving snapshots: Any image on the screen may be saved for later display in Pix, Tiff or Bmp format or in slide shows.
- Output devices supported: Output devices include laser, inkjet and dot matrix printers, as well as pen and electrostatic plotters. Paper sizes include all those supported by the output devices.
- Graphics board: All available PC graphic boards are supported, at the users choice of colors and resolution.
- Microsoft Windows: SolidBuilder can be run under Windows 98 and Windows ME as a DOS task. A modern Windows version has been available since February of 1998.
- Metric Units: Metric units may be used in modeling and on plans. Lumber stock sizes are in North American units.
For information on obtaining SolidBuilder for your own use, click on the logo at the left to visit the Digital Canal web site.
© 2019 Michael Dooley