Tutorial: How to enter and define a dormer (Shed dormer & Flat dormer)

In this tutorial, you will learn how to construct different types of dormers in cadvilla. We will go through the process for a shed dormer and a flat dormer step by step, including the correct placement of windows and wall cutouts. However, a hipped dormer, pointed dormer, trapezoidal dormer, arched dormer, and a bat dormer can also be constructed in cadvilla.

1. Entering a shed dormer with a window

The process begins with precise preparation using guidelines to position the dormer exactly.

[00:48] Preparation with guidelines: To determine the width and position of the dormer, we use guidelines.

Deactivate the grid and the line width in the upper icon bar.

Go to 2D & Layout > 2D Guidelines > Guideline > Numeric parallel guideline.
Set the lines so that they mark the start and end point of the planned dormer (in the video, e.g., with a distance of 1.40 m and 3.60 m).

[02:05] Place dormer

Select Building > Dormer > Shed dormer.
Use the function Insert dormer with two points.
Catch the intersections of your guidelines with the cursor to place the dormer.
Tip: Alternatively, you can choose to place the dormer and enter the width directly numerically in the subsequent dialog box.

[02:34] Adjust dormer properties: After placing it, the dialog opens automatically. Here you define the details:

[02:34] 3D preview window: To activate a 3D preview of the dormer, maximize the 3D window in the dialog box.
[02:56] Width of the dormer & side distances: Check the width under “General” and define the Distance to roof side (in the video 0.00 m) and, if necessary, an eaves cut-out.
[05:52] Dormer walls: Under the item Dormer walls, you define the properties (thickness, material) for the front, left, and right wall. For the front wall, it is important that there are no overlaps with a wall already entered on the floor (e.g., external wall). To avoid intersections, it is best to select the option Wall position on roof construction. At the same time, you can also define the settings for the visibility of the dormer walls in a 2D view in this area.
[07:25] Front side / roof: Define the roof pitch, the eaves heights of the side walls, and the roof overhang under Front side, Left, and Right.
[09:13] Explanation of load sharing: Here we show you exactly what is meant by “Wall position on roof construction”.
[09:55] Check of entered heights / distances: The entered eaves height of the dormer and the length distance of the dormer are measured and checked.

[12:59] Add window to the dormer

Select Building > Window > Window construction > Free positioning.
Define the desired window in advance in the window properties (e.g., 3 sash window).
First, place the window roughly in the 3D view.

[14:54] Position window exactly: The fine adjustment is done in the 2D view:

Use the Move function and catch, for example, the Centre point (via Constructional support) of the dormer wall to center the window.
If necessary, change the opening direction via the context menu of the selected window (Right-click > Change opening direction).
[15:42] Background properties of the window. At the point Fill style we select monochrom and after it we select at the point Fill colour a white colour.

2. Entering a flat dormer with a floor-to-ceiling window

The procedure for the flat dormer is similar, but there are special features regarding the wall cutout if the window extends into the floor wall below.

[17:40] Select and place flat dormer

Select Building > Dormer > Flat dormer.
Place the dormer again using your guidelines.

[18:12] Define properties

optional: Activate a 3D preview of the dormer.
Adjust the roof pitch in the dialog under Front side (flat dormer roofs often have a lower pitch, in the video e.g., 5 degrees).
Set the height and the overhangs.

[21:30] Insert floor-to-ceiling window

Place a window construction (e.g., 3 sash window, floor-to-ceiling) in the front of the dormer. The positioning of the window is initially done roughly in the 3D view.
Important: With floor-to-ceiling windows that extend downwards beyond the dormer wall, the window is often technically located in the wall of the floor below (knee wall).
Position the window exactly in the 2D view.

[23:50] Create manual wall cutout: Since a window is always assigned to only one wall, it often does not automatically cut the hole in a second involved wall (e.g., the dormer front wall if the window is located in the knee wall). However, this can be solved manually.

Select the wall that does not yet have an opening in the 3D-view.
Right-click and choose Create wall section to generate a wall view (or work directly in the 2D view as shown).
Draw the required opening exactly over the window using Building > Cutout > Wall cutout > Rectangle.
Attention: Make sure that the cursor tip is inside the wall when catching the start and end point of the cutout. Zoom in if necessary (if the snap points are not defined) to catch the points exactly.
After entering the wall cutout, it is best to close the wall view again and delete the section symbol in the 2D view.