Welcome to our guide on editing walls in cadvilla. In this tutorial, we will show you how to adjust your floor plans by utilizing essential modification tools. Furthermore, we will focus on the three main functions: trimming, extending, and moving walls. Consequently, mastering these techniques will improve your drawing speed. Ultimately, you will learn how to fix fragmented wall segments and place guidelines efficiently.

1. Extending / Shortening Walls

With this function, you can extend or shorten a wall along its central axis up to any chosen point.

[01:10] Calling the Function

• To initiate this process, navigate to the top menu and select Edit > Edit wall > Extend / shorten wall. Alternatively, you can press the shortcut key V.
• Procedure:
  • First, move your mouse cursor over the targeted wall near the end that you want to modify. Subsequently, a red arrow indicates the active direction.
  • Click with the left mouse button to select the wall.
  • Next, pull the wall to your desired target point (e.g., another wall axis or a parallel guideline).
  • Click the left mouse button once again to confirm the new length.
  • Finally, finish the active function by pressing ESC.

[03:33] Important Note on Windows & Doors

• In older software versions (up to version 7), whenever you extend a wall, the inserted windows and doors unfortunately shift alongside it.
• However, if you want the original position of the openings to remain unchanged, you must use the Trim wall function instead.
• Note: Starting from version 8, the original positions of windows and doors naturally remain fixed when extending or shortening walls.

2. Trimming Walls

“Trimming” means connecting two individual walls so that they meet exactly at their central axes. Consequently, both walls are automatically extended or shortened to form a clean architectural corner.

[01:49] Calling the Function

• To trigger this tool, navigate to Edit > Edit wall > Trim wall. Alternatively, you can press the shortcut key B.
• Procedure:
  • Initially, select the axis of your first wall.
  • Next, trim this axis directly with the axis of your second wall.
  • Afterward, repeat this procedure for any other remaining walls.
  • Lastly, press ESC to complete the trimming action.

3. Dealing with Wall Segments (Fragmented Walls)

[05:32] The Problem with Segmented Walls

• Generally, you should avoid continuously running walls that are made out of several short segments with the identical wall thickness.
• The reason therefore: Windows can only be inserted in walls or wall segments which are longer than the absolute width of the respective window. Typically, a window has to be smaller than the total length of the wall or segment. Otherwise, placement errors will occur.

[06:14] The Correct Solution

• First, highlight the fragmented wall segments and delete them by pressing the DEL key.
• Next, draw a brand-new, continuous wall or extend one remaining wall piece.
• Ultimately, connect the new wall with the adjoining walls using the Trim wall function.

4. Precise Working with Guidelines

To extend walls to an exact measurement, placing parallel guidelines operates as a reliable visual stop.

[08:24] Setting a Numeric Parallel Guideline

• Start by navigating to 2D & Layout > 2D guidelines > Guideline > Numeric parallel guideline. Moreover, you can also press the respective shortcut key P.
• Procedure:
  • Initially, click perfectly on a reference line (e.g., an existing outer wall edge).
  • Next, place the new guideline with a left-click on your desired side.
  • Afterward, type the required distance into the pop-up dialogue box (for example, entering “2.50” for 2.50 meters).
  • Ultimately, use the Extend / shorten wall tool to drag your wall exactly up to this guideline.

5. Moving Walls

[10:48] Calling the Function

• To move an entire wall, manually select the target wall first. Then, navigate to Edit and select Move with reference point. Additionally, you can simply press the standard shortcut key R.
• Procedure:
  • First, click clearly on a reference point on the wall (like a corner point).
  • Subsequently, physically move the entire wall to its new position.
  • Next, click the left mouse button again to safely set it down.
  • Conclusively, press ESC to logically end the active selection.

6. Summary and Important Tips

[11:24] Summary Screen Highlights

• Fragmented walls: Please avoid continuously running walls comprised of multiple short segments. As mentioned clearly, windows only fit into walls that are specifically longer than the exact window width.
• Reference points of doors and windows:
  • Up to version 7: When manually extending walls, included windows and doors are displaced.
  • Starting from version 8: When properly extending walls, these elements permanently hold their initial position.
  • When trimming, the reference points of specific windows and doors continually remain preserved.
• Keyboard Shortcuts: We recommend utilizing shortcut keys (V for Extend / shorten, B for Trim wall, and P for Numeric parallel guideline) to work significantly faster and more efficiently.