Basics

In the 2D layouts and the 3D views you can operate with several major types of objects:

• Walls
• Ceilings and Floors
• Windows, Doors and Openings
• Niches and Wall Panels
• Columns
• Furniture
• Staircases
• Light Sources
• Cameras

Special objects:

• Dimension Lines
• Text Annotation Boxes
• Images

Objects have two types of representation: one for the 2D layout, and another one for the 3D view.

Adding and Removing Objects

There are two different ways to add objects. For adding walls, ceilings, floors and cameras, use the tools from the 2D view toolbar. All other objects will be taken from the object library or imported to the project.

To remove an object, select it and press the Delete or Backspace key.

Selecting Objects

To perform most of the operations on the object, you have to select it.

To select an object, click it in the 2D or 3D view.

An object selected in the 2D layout remains selected when you switch to the 3D view, and vice versa.

Objects in 2D

• All selected objects show a light-blue frame, or outline.
  
  
• The selected walls, floors, ceilings, text boxes and dimension lines have handles (green dots). They are used for resizing the object. Camera handles let you move the camera with or without turning it.
  
  
• For walls, doors and windows, you can select one of their two sides, and it will be highlighted with the green color. Both sides of the object can be selected at the same time. To select a specific side, click on it in the 2D or 3D view.
  
  
• Side selection helps to perform side-specific operations such as changing materials and modifying mouldings.

Objects in 3D

• In the 3D view, the selected object is highlighted by a white boundary frame around it. You can often select an object in the 3D view by clicking on it with the mouse.

An alternative (and sometimes the only) way to select an object is to use the Project Tree (see below).

To prevent the occasional movement or modification of an object, you can lock it in the Project Tree or in the context menu. A locked object cannot be selected by clicking it with the mouse. You should unlock it first.

Using the Project Tree to Select Objects

All objects added to your project are listed in the Project Tree section of the Library panel. This gives you two ways to access an object: it can be selected in the currently open view or in the Project Tree.

To open the Project Tree, choose Window > Project Tree from the menu.

The Project Tree will help you do the following:

• Select several objects, especially if they are of the same type.
• Select locked objects (this is the only way to select them).
• Select an invisible object.
• Select an object that is too close or hidden by other objects making it difficult to click on.

For more information about the Project Tree, see the Project Tree section.

Moving Objects

To move a selected object, use the arrow keys, or simply drag it with the mouse.

Locked objects cannot be moved. An object can be locked or unlocked in the Project Tree.

Modifying the Objects

Most object properties are available in the Inspector window. The Inspector window presents an object-dependent set of controls. It shows the tools and settings that can be applied to the selected object.

In the Type and Representation dialog box, you can flip the object, change its orientation and dimensions.

For more information, see the sections describing various types of objects: Walls, Ceilings and Floors, Windows, Doors and Openings, Niches and Wall Panels, Columns, Furniture, Light Sources, Cameras.

Materials

When you add an object to the project, it comes with default materials. You can apply new materials.

The library of materials is found in the Materials tab of the Inspector window.

Applying a new material is described in the Applying Materials section.