There follows a comparison of all the cadvilla versions which are currently available from us. Further information, with detailed descriptions of the various functions, can be displayed by clicking on title of the feature.
Legend for the following table:
- Function is included in this version
- Function is not included in this version
- A further explanation and details concerning a particular function are displayed if you click directly on the appropriate line.
| Comparison of the cadvilla versions with details |
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Compatibility and Language Options ... more 
All versions of cadvilla - cadvilla basic, cadvilla basic plus, cadvilla professional und cadvilla professional plus - are fully compatible to one another, so that data produced in one version can always be used in any other version.
Further, the user language displayed by the cadvilla architecture software can be configured by means of a setting in the menu. It is therefore possible to switch quickly between various languages. The languages currently provided are English and German. Walkthrough in the 3D View ... more 'Walkthrough' mode can be activated in an active 3D view.
In this mode direction and inclination are controlled by movements of the mouse. The mouse wheel can be used to alter the height of the viewing position.
Forward and sideways movement are controlled by default with the arrow keys. Other key combinations and further options can be specified in the 'walkthrough' dialog.
Movement can be accelerated by a specifiable factor by pressing the SHIFT key when moving.
Input Options and Construction Aids ... more 
The program allows you to create scaled floor plans of unlimited complexity. Grids, guidelines, and options for numerical input are provided to aid input.
Further, to simplify input a context menu contains entries for various construction aids. These are particularly helpful for construction with the help of a midpoint, an intersection point, a point at a distance of, a perpendicular, a parallel point, a point in line or coordinates.
These construction aids are provided for all input, for example for inserting walls, windows and doors, and make it possible to create very quickly a floor plan.
Different types of guidelines, and methods of creating them, are provided for 2D plan views and 2D elevations/cross-sections.
For lines there is a difference between a straight line and a straight length. Straight lines are 'infinite', whereas a straight length has a start and end point, which is reflected in the different methods for entering them.
All types of guidelines can be suppressed in any view using the visibility option for construction aids.
The properties for colour and style can be set for all types of guidelines. These properties can be changed later, and can also be specified when the guidelines are being created in the properties dialog, which is activated over the context menu opened with a right mouse click. The advantage of doing this when the guidelines are being created is that they then automatically have the right properties, and do not have to be modified later.
Input in 2D Plan Views and 3D Views ... more 
The software operates in principal on the basis of a 3D model, for which various views can be defined.
The following illustration shows a 3D perspective view and a 2D plan view. Several view windows, with varying content, can be displayed at the same time.
Since internally all views have equal rights, all user actions, e.g. selection, insertion, positioning etc., are, if applicable, performed in the same way in all views. Furthermore, all views are updated simultaneously so that the user can follow the effects of changes in 3D as well as in 2D.
The individual view windows can be presented vertically or horizontally tiled, cascaded, or in tabbed form.
Objects, textures and materials ... more Comprehensive catalogs for objects, texture and materials are a standard feature of cadvilla.
- Over 1400 high-quality objects
- Over 5000 high-quality textures
- Over 1000 high-quality materials
Furthermore, the standard catalogs can be upgraded with additional collections from various manufacturers.
The surface editor can be used to create 3D surfaces in any plane.
Once a plane or surface area (e.g. wall, roof, surface area of an item of furniture) has been selected, a parallel surface can be created in the shape of a polygon, rectangle or parallel plane.
In the subsequent dialog for the surface created you can specify the thickness of the surface and the distance from the selected plane.
Whenever a surface area is defined, first all openings such as windows, doors or wall recesses included in or under the surface are detected and shown in the dialog.
Examples for the use of the surface editor are
- façade cladding
- tiled backsplashes for kitchens and bathrooms
- window surrounds
- patios and other landscape features
- work tops
- additional roof elements
- and a lot more.
The software offers a large selection of different doors types and gates. These range from standard doors to glass doors and gates.
If you move the cursor over the floor plan, then in the vicinity of walls, a preview is shown of the door you have selected for insertion.
The positioning of the door is then performed with the help of guidelines or construction aids.
Construction aids are particularly useful for construction with the help of a midpoint, an intersection point, a point at a distance of, a perpendicular, a parallel point, a point in line or coordinates.
The width, height, direction of opening, and sill height of the selected door / gate can be specified in the properties dialog, together with a choice of representation for the plan view, opening, cross-sections and views.
The software offers a selection of various types of window. These range from windows with one or two casements, with or without bars, to windows with predefined materials, and standard windows.
If you move the cursor over the plan, then in the vicinity of walls a preview of the window you are inserting, including the direction of opening is shown.
The window can then be positioned using guidelines or the construction aids.
Construction aids are particularly useful for construction with the help of a midpoint, an intersection point, a point at a distance of, a perpendicular, a parallel point, a point in line or coordinates.
The width, height and sill height of the selected window can be specified in the properties dialog, together with a choice of representation for the plan view, opening, cross-sections and views.
Enhanced Window Construction - create own styles ... more 
This component of the software allows you to create your own window constructions for further use in your planning. In addition, ready-made window constructions can be loaded and modified.
When you create a new construction, you must first specify the type of construction, at the moment only 'New Window Construction' is available. In future the module will be expanded to include door and façade construction.
Once the construction grid has been automatically or manually defined, you can specify profiles within the grid. At the moment, three profiles are automatically created for each window construction - the frame, the casement (frame) and the lattice profile.
If you require more than the default profiles in your window construction, you can simply define new ones. For instance, you could define various casements with different casement frames or different lattice profiles.
Further details about this module can be found in the menu under \'Additional modules >> further additional modules'
Stairs - straight, winding, with landing ... more 
Once stairs have been inserted, the program automatically calculates the width and height of the staircase, and based on the step dimensions, a reasonable relationship between rise and tread depth. These values can then be modified in the subsequent input dialog.
All stairs can be constructed with a solid or a wooden staircase. Different input fields are provided depending on the type of construction. Common to all staircases is that the handrails on the right and left are modifiable. The changes not only apply to the dimensions of the handrail components, such as 'Handrail', 'Balusters' und 'Kick plates', but also the shape of a component can be selected from a number of predefined shapes.
On inserting a landing staircase, individual landings are created automatically at each corner of the polygon. A setting for the minimum distance between landings, defines at which point the software creates stairs between two landings.
For the representation of stairs in the 2D plan view you can choose between standard, lower part visible, upper part optionally visible, or a representation with separation lines.
Chimneys begin on the floor in which they are inserted and extend upwards through all upper floors and the roof.
The option for height can either be set as an absolute height in relation to the floor in which the chimney is located, or as a relative height above the highest ridge of the roof defined for the current building. An absolute height for the chimney can also be specified.
Under structure, you can specify the number and the dimensions of vents, as well as an option for ventilation.
By default, the 2D representation of the chimney in 2D plan views is dependent on the shape of its 3D model. Other representations can be allocated using 2D symbols from the catalog. A representation using a symbol is automatically scaled to match the absolute dimensions of the chimney.
Beams - lower / upper Beams ... more Beams above or below a ceiling behave on input in a similar manner to walls, i.e. they join up on input, and can be inserted as a polygon or individually between two points.
Beams below a ceiling are automatically placed on the underside of the ceiling, whereas beams above are placed on the ceiling structure and modify the floor of the room.
Apart from the width and height of the beams, the line style for display, the material for the upper, lower and exterior surfaces, and structural layers can be specified.
Supports can have a round or rectangular profile. Both forms can be positioned freely with a single mouse click. The dimensions of the support, the representation of its outline and the building material and its characteristics, can be specified in the 'Properties' dialog. By default, supports automatically assume the height of the floor of the building and the level of the layer in which they are being inserted. Ceilings - automatic Ceilings - manual Ceilings ... more For each floor of the building the software automatically creates a ceiling over the first exterior contour of connected rooms.
In some cases automatic ceilings are not necessary or desirable. Therefore they can be deactivated for a floor in the properties dialog of the particular floor. Additionally, the creation of an automatic ceiling can be suppressed when a floor is copied.
In addition to automatic ceilings, ceiling slabs can also be inserted using a rectangle or polygon.
As with all construction elements, structural layers can also be defined for ceilings.
Walls, ceilings, floors - multi-layer elements ... more 
Construction components, such as walls, roofs and floors, contain structural layers with their own properties. By default, for each of the components mentioned above, at least one layer is always defined.
Further layers can be created and their properties modified. For each layer you can specify a name, thickness, building material, a layer separator and the location of the layer within the structure. Multi-layered structures which are frequently used can be saved in the folders provided, for future use in other projects.
Once a wall has been defined, it is shown in the 2D view with the appropriate fill patterns, layer thicknesses, hatchings, colors, font sizes and line styles.
Roof Construction ... more 
The program allows for the automatic or manual construction of hipped, mansard, overhanging mansard, gabled, half-hipped with opening, single-ridged and shed roofs as well as a combination of these roof forms.
Furthermore, the roofing, timber framework, rafters and details of the gable ends and eaves are automatically constructed once the roof has been defined.
The program automatically makes recommendations for the roof structure, including roofing, timber framework, rafters and details of the gable ends and eaves.
The associated roof editor simplifies the definition of new, complex roof forms.
A profile type, e.g. gabled, shed, hipped or half-hipped, can be specified for each roof plane. For the particular profile selected, the required parameters are requested and explained immediately with the aid of 3D drawings.
The ability to define the attic wall sill and inferior purlin for each roof plane is a further feature of roof construction.
For visible purlin heads a particular shape can be selected from those defined under gable end details.
The function for dormers allows you to insert various types of dormers into existing roofs.
Possible types of dormer are gable dormer, shed dormer, hipped roof dormer, triangular dormer, trapezoidal dormer, barrel roof dormer, and bat dormer.
Dormers and their framing are fully integrated into the roof.
The dormer walls and roof are automatically created when the dormer is defined. Modifications to the timber framing of the roof are automatically taken into consideration. The rafters are removed in the area of the roof where the dormer is inserted, and the rafters for the dormer roof are also constructed.
If necessary, you can of course subsequently modify and add to the dormer with the aid of settings for various characteristics.
A large selection of skylights is provided, with various types and styles of skylight (an extract is shown in the illustration). Included are, of course, skylights from the manufacturer Velux.
Skylights can be inserted in both 2D and in 3D views. On switching roof planes, the skylight is, if necessary, automatically turned to face the outside of the roof. In 3D views the roof plane, in which the skylight is situated, appears transparent to allow a view of the rooms and the timber construction beneath.
When skylights are inserted, matching openings in the timber construction are created automatically. The dimensions of the timber for the openings are identical to the dimensions of the rafters specified in the 'Roof' dialog.
Skylights can be positioned freely within a roof plane using the mouse. The calculated position of the skylight can be numerically adjusted, with regard to the sill height and the opening height, in the properties dialog for the skylight. Solar Modules and Solar Collectors ... more 
Solar panels and solar collectors can be positioned on roof planes using the normal input functions.
Solar elements behave in a similar way to skylights, but in addition also have options in the properties dialog for on-roof mounting or roof integrated mounting.
For roof integrated mounting solar elements create openings in the roof cladding, but not in the roof lining.
In the case of on-roof mounting no openings are created in the roof cladding.
When solar elements are positioned with drag and drop from the catalog they behave like normal 3D objects.
Landscaping Functions ... more 
The software provides a range of predefined landscape forms, such as hills, depressions, plateaus, ridges, gullies and banks, to enable you to landscape the terrain. Appropriate dialogs are provided for entering the various landscape forms.
Additionally, further landscape features can be incorporated. The features available here are flower beds, paths, terraces and watercourses. The appropriate means for entering a feature are also provided, so that for instance a path can be inserted as a polygon or as a spline.
Landscape features automatically conform to the contours of the terrain and the landscape forms defined.
Dimensions in 2D / 3D ... more 
The software basically differentiates between single, multiple and height dimensions (for cross-sections and views).
The settings for a dimension, with respect to type, style and text, can be changed for an existing dimension, or for any dimensions which are entered subsequently, in the properties dialog for 'Dimensions'.
As a default, the representation of dimensions according to DIN 1356 is active. Somewhat simplified, the dimensions are then created as follows:
- Measurements greater than 1 meter are shown in meters with 2 decimal places. Values that follow in cm which must be rounded to 5 are denoted by a superscript 5.
- Measurements less than 1 meter are shown in cm. Values that follow in mm which must be rounded to 5 are denoted by a superscript 5.
The function 'Copy Properties' is provided to subsequently change the settings for several or all dimensions.
The 3D dimension types are available in all 3D previews shown in dialogs. However, here they serve more as a measuring device, since the dimensions are lost when the preview or the dialog is closed. Customizing Satellite Images to match the Terrain ... more 
Using this function, Satellite images, aerial photographs, and in fact any image can be customized to match the terrain with just a single mouse-click.
For instance, you can save detailed satellite views of your plot from the internet and then simply drag them onto the terrain. The image can then be tailored to match the plot using the properties dialog for the environment.
Tip: Particularly suitable as background images are, for example, a street view or a 3D view (Earth view) of the area. Scaling and Creating 'Blueprints' for 2D Floor Plans ... more 
Images and 2D Elements can be scaled very accurately. This allows images of floor plans to be inserted and used as a 'blueprint' over which the 3D model of the building can be constructed.
The procedure for creating a 3D model is quick and easy.
- Load the image of the 2D floor plan:
Load the image from a JPG, BMP, PNG or GIF file.
- Scale the image:
The image must be scaled to the correct dimensions, as undefined dimensions and incorrect proportions result on insertion.
This is achieved by entering a reference dimension, which is defined by specifying two endpoints in the image. A dialog box then appears in which the current measurement is shown and which allows numerical input of the actual value. After exiting the dialog the image is scaled to the new dimensions.
- Inputting the 3D model of the floor plan:
The floor plan can now be inserted/traced. Measurements for wall thickness, windows and doors can be taken directly from the inserted image using the measuring and dimensioning functions provided.
3D Constructions for Creating New Objects ... more 
Apart from providing further options for construction in addition to the predefined building components, 3D constructions allow the user to design his own 3D objects for the object catalog and thus extend the catalog as required.
The objects are formed by combining 3D elements, known as solids, of which there are four different types.
- Primitives: Basic predefined solids e.g. cube, cylinder, pyramid.
- Extrusion solids: Created from a closed 2D contour for which a height is specified.
- Rotation solids: Created from a closed 2D contour which is rotated about a specified axis.
- Sweep solids: Created from a closed 2D contour which follows a defined path.
Once solids have been created in this way they can be edited with further functions such as merge and union, or using Boolean operations, and then combined to form new 3D objects.
Examples of applications for the use of 3D constructions to create objects are carports, patio roofs, balconies, half-timbering, rose arches and planters, to name just a few.
Using Subtraction Solids ... more 
As the name implies, subtraction solids are intended for subtraction from other solids using Boolean operations (intersection algorithms). 'Cube' and 'Plane' are provided as standard subtraction solids, but it is also possible to use other subtraction solids. Other subtraction solids are the result of converting existing 3D constructions to subtraction solids.
Subtraction solids are not intended for use in modeling. For modeling, other mechanisms such a Boolean operations are provided.
An example using the 'Cube' subtraction solid in a building:
In the example shown the cube was subtracted from all layers of the building. In the view on the left the cube is still visible, while on the right it is set as invisible in the visibilities dialog. The cut-out representation, however, has no effect on the 2D representation in the plan view.
An example using the 'Plane' subtraction solid with a building:
In the example shown all constructions in front of the plane were subtracted from all layers of the building. The direction of input of the subtraction solid can defined over the context menu.
An example using a user-defined subtraction solid:
In this example the subtraction solid is equivalent to the excavated part of the terrain. Apart from the 3D representation, the result is also shown in elevations/cross sections and plan views. Further examples for the use of subtraction solids are access ramps, roof terraces and many more.
The scope of the subtraction can be set in the properties dialog for a subtraction solid. Here can be specified which types of construction element and which layers are to be affected by the subtraction solid.
Cross-sections - 2D Views ... more 
The illustration shows in the top half a 2D view and a cross-section. Various cross-sections and views, with different contents, can be displayed and edited simultaneously.
Using the mouse, first the cut line is defined, and then with a rectangle the direction and depth of the cross-section view. After the cross-section has been defined with the rectangle, the new view is generated and immediately displayed. A view is therefore a cross-section across the entire floor plan. Optionally, a cross-section with concealed lines can be generated.
A basic concept of the software is that a change to one view / cross-section is always performed simultaneously in the windows all other views.
Cross-sections and 2D views are not only important in planning, but also for inputting, for example, slots and detailed openings in walls.
Parallel Perspective ... more 
A parallel perspective can be easily created from an active 3D view by positioning the 3D view as required, and then opening it as a new parallel perspective view.
These views are still linked to the construction model and behave similar to cross-sections. You can thus modify visibility settings and, if required, affect the representation by activating hidden line processing.
On the top left of the following illustration a perspective is shown, which was created from the 3D view beneath it. To the right of it you can see a further perspective with activated hidden line processing.
2D Graphic Views ... more 
A 2D graphic view can be created from an active 2D view and its content. This view then no longer contains construction components. All content is converted into the 2D graphic elements, i.e. lines, polygons etc., with which the construction components were originally defined. These 2D elements are no longer linked to the current project.
The advantage of a 2D graphic view is that all 2D elements can be edited and, if required, deleted separately. This makes it possible to perform detailed editing on certain elements of your drawing and then save them as 2D Symbols for later use, or delete unwanted elements before printing the plan.
Furthermore, additional details such as lines, circles, ellipses, dimensions, text, further images (as shown in the example) and much more, can be added to 2D graphic views.
Ray tracing (calculating lighting and shadows) ... more Ray tracing (calculating lighting and shadows) in 3D views is an important feature of cadvilla. Ray tracing takes into account all visible elements and objects in the scene, and their current settings.
The available settings for ray tracing have a considerable effect on the quality of the representation. These settings include anti-aliasing, smooth shadows and ambient shadows, the intensity of which can be specified before ray tracing is activated.
3D Constructions using Extrusion Solids ... more 
Extrusion solids are created from a closed 2D contour, for which in addition a height is defined.
The are two ways to define a 2D contour.
- By manually inputting a closed polygon.
- By using an existing contour (e.g. of a 3D object or from the 2D symbol catalog).
Using manual input a 2D contour can be defined in the plan view, a cross-section view or in the 3D view.
Extrusion solids are true solids, with which Boolean operations can be performed, and which can be merged with other solids.
3D Constructions using Rotation Solids ... more 
Rotation solids are created by revolving a 2D contour about a specified axis. Surfaces are generated along the contour to form the solid.
This is illustrated by the following examples, which all show, from left to right, the 2D contour, the result after rotation in a cross-section view, and the resultant solid.
The rotation axis is defined by inputting two points.
Several different 3D objects can be generated from a single 2D contour by varying the segmentation and the angle of rotation.
Our example shows a planter - on the left the contour, in the middle after rotation with 24 segments, and on the right after rotation with 4 segments.
3D Constructions using Sweep Solids ... more 
Sweep solids result from 'sweeping' a contour along a predefined path. The 2D contour can be freely defined or selected from over 120 predefined contours and profiles.
The path can be defined in one of three ways.
- Polyline: A polyline produces a sweep solid which is 'open' at the start and end, and which can be used to create, for example, baseboards in a room which cannot form a closed solid since they start and end either side of a door frame.
- Polygon: A polygon produces a closed solid in which the end points meet and which can be used to create, for example, ceiling moldings at the junction of wall and ceiling.
- Contour / Path: This function produces a solid which follows a contour or path made up of 2D elements. Several individual 2D elements must first be combined to form a contour. This option is useful for producing, for example, a path consisting of lines and arcs, as would be required to create a drainpipe.
Typical applications for sweep solids are, as shown in our example, drainpipes, baseboards and ceiling moldings.
The Plan Layout module provides functions for the layout, design and presentation of plans and drawings to scale.
Plan Layout uses the current project data and construction details directly, and is not independent of the model of the building.
All modifications to the design are automatically updated in the plan layout, since all data is based on the project model. This guarantees that there are no discrepancies between project model and plans.
How to create an overall plan in three steps:
- Create one or more 2D views (for example a 2D plan view, elevations from the north, east, west and south, and a cross-section).in your project When you are creating the views you can modify their contents using the options for visible categories in the visibilities dialog.
- The second step is to position the 2D views which you have created anywhere in the overall plan
- The third step is to add 2D symbols, 2D graphic elements and images, which are provided or which you have created. Images can be not only photos but also the results of visualizations from 3D views of the project.
Creating overall plans can be that simple!
There are two possibilities for measuring lengths:
- User-defined by specifying measuring points
- Measurement perpendicular to a selected component e.g. the side of a wall.
During input, the current values such as angle and distance are continuously updated on the measurement line. A left mouse click terminates the measurement process and the result is shown in the plan, until another measurement is performed, or the measurement function is terminated with 'Esc' or over the context menu.
The software provides various types of 3D guidelines to aid input in 3D views:
- Guideline parallel to the x-, y- or z-axis, any straight length, any straight line and edge guideline
- Guideline parallel in a plane
- Guideline parallel in a plane at a given distance
- Any guideline (2 points) in a plane
- Perpendicular guideline in a plane
- Vertical or horizontal guideline in a plane
When creating 3D guidelines, the current position is shown by a 3D cursor, which snaps to surfaces, edges and corners. To help create guidelines relative to axes, and for all straight guidelines, the line itself is shown directly.
This function allows you to enter your own text in views, or to load and format text files. Further, an angle can be specified for the complete text block.
The autotext function provides placeholders for values which change from one project to another, such as project name, name of planner, etc. The autotext placeholders provided, are derived from the properties of the views, such as name and scale, and the project properties, for instance names, addresses and remarks for the planned building, the planner and the client.
Using the autotext feature and the save text function, you can create text blocks for use in future projects, without having to change project related values manually. Using 2D symbols and the standard graphic functions, other applications, such as titles and legends, are also possible. 
Item text can be used to label elements (for example, windows, 3D objects and walls) by positioning a text with a line connecting it to the selected element. If several elements overlap, a particular element can be selected over the context menu.
All properties of an item text, such as the content and style of the text, can be changed if necessary in the dialog, which is activated by a double-click on the item text or over the context menu available for a selected item text.
2D Graphics - Drafting Functions ... more 
With the help of these functions you can add additional details, such as lines, polygons, rectangles, circles and ellipses, to 2D views, i.e. plan views, cross-sections, views and parallel perspectives.
This enables you to add planning details to your drawings for the specification of, for example, sanitation and electrical installation.
The elements used in the 2D graphic editor, i.e. lines, polygons, rectangles, circles and ellipses, have various properties for their representation, which can be set in the corresponding dialogs and which include the thickness of lines and borders, as well as properties for edges and fill patterns. Exporting 3D formats such as 3DS, 3D DXF etc. ... more 
By means of visibilities and/or the visible categories of the 3D view which is to be exported, it is possible to define whether the complete view or only certain parts of it should be exported as a 3D object. Therefore, it is not only to possible to save individual results, e.g. a roof or a staircase, for further use in other programs, but also by exporting objects to add to your own catalogs.
Apart from settings for visibility, you are also offered, once the file name of the object to be saved has been specified, a range of options which affect, amongst other things, the way an object later behaves.
2D DXF and DWG Import ... more 
Once a file has been loaded, a preview appears in which you can select the contents to be imported. This is achieved by activating or deactivating the particular layer in the layer dialog.
After or during import you can modify the scale, and the representation of lines. The DXF / DWG file is first imported as an element, i.e. a 2D symbol.
The DXF / DWG import function can be used to migrate architectural plans or to import 2D symbol catalogs.
An imported symbol used in a plan can be disassembled into its constituent elements directly in the plan if necessary, and then edited and stored in the 2D catalog with the aid of standard functions.
Once floor plans have been transferred to cadvilla, the imported layers can be used as guidelines, to which, for example, walls will snap.
2D DXF and DWG Export ... more 
With 2D DXF/DWG Export you can decide which layers of the project are to be exported - in our example these are for instance the 2D view and the floor plan of the first upper floor.
This is achieved by activating or deactivating the particular layer in the layer dialog.
Furthermore, you can specify which software level of AutoCAD should be taken into consideration when a file is exported. The supported levels range from AutoCAD R09 to AutoCAD 2007.
Both DXF and DWG export are supported from AutoCAD R12 onwards.
Under options, you have the possibility to export RGB color values, to specify hatching scale and to define the line style factor. Import ArCon [planTEK] Projects ... more This function allows existing projects based on ArCon [planTEK] to be loaded and then further processed in cadvilla.
Ideally, the complete project including all walls, ceilings, windows, doors and roofs can be imported as a 3D model and subsequently edited, modified and further developed using cadvilla. Import ArCon [planTEK] Objects ... more Should you possess special add-on CDs with objects for your existing version based on ArCon [planTEK], these can be converted and stored in the cadvilla catalog for further use. Importing and editing 3D objects ... more 
With the help of the 3D converter you can convert 3D objects in other formats, and edit them for use in the object catalog or in other modules. The converter provides various functions for editing objects, which are partly dependant on the original format.
The basic functions available are amongst others:
- Set sub-objects to visible or invisible
- Edit material properties
- Change textures and edit texture coordinates
- Add or edit light sources
- Scale objects
- Store PDF files directly in the object and add internet links
Further details of this module can be found in the menu under 'Additional modules >> 3D Converter'
Creating your own light sources for objects ... more This function is particularly useful for adding light sources to existing and new objects.
The software differentiates between:
- ambient light sources
- directional light sources
- spot lighting and
- punctual lighting.
Ambient light sources illuminate all areas of a scene equally and therefore increase the overall brightness. However, they do not create shadows.
Directional light sources illuminate a scene from only one direction and are 'internally' infinitely distant from the location of the observer / building. The sun is an example of a directional light source.
Punctual light sources have a defined position within a given object and are therefore the closest representation of real lamps for interior decoration. The scene is illuminated in all directions around the light source.
As with punctual light sources, spots have a specific position within the given object and therefore also represent real lamps, however, in this case the light does not emanate in all directions as with a punctual light source, but as a light cone with a beam angle and an angle of spread. Creating new objects from sub-objects ... more 3D objects can consist of several sub-objects, which together form an item. A kitchen unit, for example, could consist of a cabinet, a draw and the draw-handle.
By deactivating the draw-handle and setting the draw as invisible, a new object can be created and then saved. Alternatively, the existing draw-handle could be deactivated and replaced with a different one.
Therefore, the possibilities for creating new objects are almost unlimited.
Monitoring quantities with colored representation ... more 
This function provides a colored representation of quantities in 2D and 3D views.
The following data and evaluations can be selected:
- Floors: Floor area and volume
- Walls: Footprint, skin-surface area and volume
- Ceilings: Ceiling area and volume
- Chimneys: Footprint, skin-surface area and volume
- Supports: Footprint, skin-surface area and volume
Monitoring living space with colored representation ... more 
This function provides a colored representation of living space in 2D and 3D views, which conforms to the living space ordinance and DIN 277.
The following data and evaluations are provided:
- Floor area
- Living space
- Net floor area < 1.5 m
- Net floor area > 1.5 m
- Total net floor area
- Room volume
- Net cubic capacity
The floor areas are shown of course at the appropriate height.
The floor plan can be represented in 2D or 3D and is a great help in documenting the calculation of living space according to DIN 277 or the living space ordinance.
Living space data in list form ... more The Quantities module also offers the possibility of creating room data sheets for the definition of living space according to the living space ordinance (WoFlV), and the calculation of room cubic capacity according to DIN 277.
The following formats are available for outputting living space data in list form:
- HTML
- XLS (Microsoft Excel Table)
- RTF (Rich Text Format)
- PDF (Portable Document Format) - is the standard format for documents and can be displayed with freeware programs such as the Adobe Acrobat Reader.
The learning software (tutorial) is a professional tool which enables you to quickly learn cadvilla.
The tutorial shows in detailed training videos on your computer, based on a typical project, the step by step realization of a professional project from the very start until final completion
