{"id":15476,"date":"2026-03-26T11:38:03","date_gmt":"2026-03-26T09:38:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cadvilla.com\/?p=15476"},"modified":"2026-04-21T16:44:45","modified_gmt":"2026-04-21T14:44:45","slug":"how-to-enter-and-define-a-dormer-shed-flat-dormer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cadvilla.com\/en\/support\/how-to-enter-and-define-a-dormer-shed-flat-dormer\/","title":{"rendered":"Tutorial: How to enter and define a dormer (Shed dormer & Flat dormer)"},"content":{"rendered":"
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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<\/strong> and a flat dormer<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n

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1. Entering a shed dormer with a window<\/h4>\n

The process begins with precise preparation using guidelines to position the dormer exactly.<\/p>\n

[00:48] Preparation with guidelines:<\/strong> To determine the width and position of the dormer, we use guidelines.<\/p>\n

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  • Deactivate the grid and the line width in the upper icon bar.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n

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    • Go to 2D & Layout<\/code> > 2D Guidelines<\/code> > Guideline<\/code> > Numeric parallel guideline<\/code>.<\/li>\n
    • 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).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      [02:05] Place dormer<\/strong><\/p>\n

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

        [02:34] Adjust dormer properties:<\/strong> After placing it, the dialog opens automatically. Here you define the details:<\/p>\n

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        • [02:34] 3D preview window:<\/strong> To activate a 3D preview of the dormer, maximize the 3D window in the dialog box.<\/li>\n
        • [02:56] Width of the dormer & side distances:<\/strong> Check the width under “General” and define the Distance to roof side<\/code> (in the video 0.00 m) and, if necessary, an eaves cut-out.<\/li>\n
        • [05:52] Dormer walls:<\/strong> Under the item Dormer walls<\/code>, 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<\/code>. At the same time, you can also define the settings for the visibility of the dormer walls in a 2D view in this area.<\/li>\n
        • [07:25] Front side \/ roof:<\/strong> Define the roof pitch, the eaves heights of the side walls, and the roof overhang under Front side<\/code>, Left<\/code>, and Right<\/code>.<\/li>\n
        • [09:13] Explanation of load sharing:<\/strong> Here we show you exactly what is meant by “Wall position on roof construction”.<\/li>\n
        • [09:55] Check of entered heights \/ distances:<\/strong> The entered eaves height of the dormer and the length distance of the dormer are measured and checked.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          [12:59] Add window to the dormer<\/strong><\/p>\n

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          • Select Building<\/code> > Window<\/code> > Window construction<\/code> > Free positioning<\/code>.<\/li>\n
          • Define the desired window in advance in the window properties (e.g., 3 sash window).<\/li>\n
          • First, place the window roughly in the 3D view<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            [14:54] Position window exactly:<\/strong> The fine adjustment is done in the 2D view<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

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            • Use the Move<\/code> function and catch, for example, the Centre point<\/code> (via Constructional support<\/code>) of the dormer wall to center the window.<\/li>\n
            • If necessary, change the opening direction via the context menu of the selected window (Right-click > Change opening direction<\/code>).<\/li>\n
            • [15:42] Background properties of the window. At the point Fill style<\/code> we select monochrom<\/code> and after it we select at the point Fill colour<\/code> a white<\/code> colour.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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              2. Entering a flat dormer with a floor-to-ceiling window<\/h4>\n

              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.<\/p>\n

              [17:40] Select and place flat dormer<\/strong><\/p>\n

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              • Select Building<\/code> > Dormer<\/code> > Flat dormer<\/code>.<\/li>\n
              • Place the dormer again using your guidelines.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                [18:12] Define properties<\/strong><\/p>\n

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

                  [21:30] Insert floor-to-ceiling window<\/strong><\/p>\n

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                  • 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<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
                  • Important:<\/em> 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).<\/li>\n
                  • Position the window exactly in the 2D view.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

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

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                    • Select the wall that does not yet have an opening in the 3D-view.<\/li>\n
                    • Right-click and choose Create wall section<\/code> to generate a wall view (or work directly in the 2D view as shown).<\/li>\n
                    • Draw the required opening exactly over the window using Building<\/code> > Cutout<\/code> > Wall cutout<\/code> > Rectangle<\/code>.<\/li>\n
                    • Attention:<\/em> Make sure that the cursor tip<\/strong> is inside the wall<\/strong> 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.<\/li>\n
                    • After entering the wall cutout, it is best to close the wall view again and delete the section symbol in the 2D view.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n