Are you looking for an efficient way to perfectly align windows and doors in your architectural floor plans? In this comprehensive tutorial, we will show you exactly how to position windows and patio doors quickly and precisely using cadvilla. Furthermore, we will guide you through customizing opening dimensions, editing window bars, and applying realistic 3D materials. As a result, you will be able to dramatically speed up your workflow and achieve highly professional CAD models.

Additionally, please note our related article on positioning windows accurately using construction aids.

Note: The highly recommended method shown here for entering windows can, of course, also be used for entering doors.

Introduction

• The video logically begins with a brief introduction to the topic: the fast and simple placement of windows and window constructions.
• Moreover, please also check out our video on defining predefined window constructions.

1. Window Positioning in the Floor Plan

[01:15] Selecting the Window Function

• First of all, the function for inserting windows is selected via the menu Building > Window > Window construction > Free positioning.

[01:26] Defining Window Properties

• Press the right mouse button on the workspace and select Properties to seamlessly open the dialog for the window.
• Under the Opening dimensions section, successfully set required measurements such as width, height, and sill height (e.g., 0.875 m width, 1.10 m height, 1.00 m sill height).
• Note: The sill height fundamentally refers to the top edge of the rough floor/ceiling.

[02:10] Adding Bars (Mullions)

• Click with the left mouse button directly into the window sketch and select the point Edit bars via the right mouse button.
• Next, use the New bar button (plus symbol) to effortlessly add horizontal and vertical bars. The position of the bars is usually set to 50% (centered). Finally, confirm your configuration with OK.

[03:10] Placing the Window

• Move the cursor to the desired position precisely on the wall. Consequently, the arrow on the window dynamically indicates the opening direction.
• Optional: The opening direction of the window is inwards by default. However, you can subsequently adjust this via the properties dialog (select window → right-click → Properties).
• Insert the window with a simple click of the left mouse button. Afterwards, press the ESC key several times to properly end the input mode.

[04:04] Exact Positioning

• Select the successfully placed window with the left mouse button (the corresponding measure lines are now visually displayed).
• Click directly on the symbol next to the measure line for the wall distance. Inside the newly opened Move opening dialog, enter the exact distance (e.g., 2.125 m) and confirm with OK.

[04:36] Copying and Centering the Window

• By utilizing the keyboard shortcuts CTRL + C (Copy) and CTRL + V (Paste), the selected window is instantly duplicated.
• In order to position the new window exactly in the middle of a wall, press the shortcut M (or right mouse button > Constructional support > Center point). Subsequently, click successively on the two inner corner points of the targeted wall.

2. Floor-to-Ceiling Windows and Patio Doors

When it comes to the positioning of floor-to-ceiling windows and patio doors, the overall process behaves quite similarly to the placement of other standard windows. In our specific case, instead of using the exterior and interior doors included in cadvilla, we utilized an existing window, appropriately adjusted it, and subsequently designated it as a door.

[10:02] Inserting Patio Doors

• Basically, patio doors are placed exactly like windows, but usually feature a sill height of 0.00 m.
• Select Building > Window > Window construction > Free positioning, press the right mouse button in the 2D view, click Properties, and choose, for example, Window, 2 casements from the dropdown menu.
• Define your required dimensions (e.g., 2.00 m width, 2.10 m height). For floor-to-ceiling windows and patio doors, the sill height must be set to 0.00 m.

[10:46] Bar Arrangements from the Catalog

• For the floor-to-ceiling window casements, you can select standard patterns from the catalog directly after clicking into the window sketch via right mouse button > Edit bars. Choose a Bar arrangement catalog template (e.g., 1-1 or 2-1).
• Additionally, adjust the profile values (e.g., width: 0.02 m, thickness: 0.012 m) to perfectly match your desired aesthetic.

[15:04] Adjusting the Window Sill

• If necessary, deactivate the internal window sill under the Window sill tab by simply selecting None.
• Afterwards, patio doors are securely placed like normal windows and can be positioned exactly in the middle of the wall by using the Center point construction aid (shortcut M).

[16:32] Copying and Positioning

• Already placed patio doors can easily be copied using CTRL + C and pasted at completely different locations using CTRL + V.
• With the shortcut CTRL + W, the insertion reference point of the element can be toggled to drop it perfectly into place.

3. 3D View and Texturing

[17:57] Opening the 3D View and Adjusting Colors

• Click on 3D in the top icon bar to quickly open a new 3D view.
• Alternatively, to directly apply a uniform color (e.g., White) to all windows and doors, select 3D Functions > Edit material and define the color clearly in the dialog.
• Using the standard catalog structure (Catalog > Textures > Colors), you can adapt windows visually by dragging the desired color directly onto the 3D window while holding the left mouse button.

[19:38] Transferring Material

• Utilize the 3D Functions >  Transfer material function to streamline your work. First, click on the white window (as your source) and subsequently click on all other windows and doors to directly apply the color.

[20:08] Adjusting Light Sources

• In order to strongly optimize the representation within the 3D view, right-click on the 3D Functions > Internal light sources option.
• Adjust the lighting intensities accurately (e.g., 40.0 % for the sun, 70.0 % for the ambient light) and successfully confirm with OK.

4. Adding Door Radii – Only Necessary for French Doors

When using the doors already included in cadvilla, the door radius is automatically displayed in the 2D top view (please also refer to the video regarding entering doors with construction aids). However, because the patio doors we used here are structurally floor-to-ceiling windows, the program understandably does not show the door radius automatically. Therefore, you must add it manually.

[21:02] Creating Guidelines

• Switch directly back into the 2D view and select 2D & Layout > 2D Guidelines > Guideline.
• Effectively use the Vertical guideline (shortcut G) and Numeric parallel guideline (shortcut P) to draw a highly precise grid for the door radii (e.g., exactly at a 1.00 m distance).

[22:12] Inserting Radii

• Select the function 2D & Layout > Arch > Center radius one point.
• First, click exactly on the center point (the intersection of your guidelines). Next, click on the starting point, and finally on the end point of the arch to cleanly create the door radius. Repeat this straightforward process for any additional doors.

[23:42] Copying the Radii (Optional)

• To quickly transfer an already created door radius, select it, press the key combination CTRL + C to safely copy it, and then paste it at the desired location using the key combination CTRL + V.