You have now successfully created a new project. Click on the plus sign and a Project [P] level object will appear with the title "Test Building 1".

Defining the Building / Assembly Structure

To define an assembly, a user right-clicks-on the Project [P] level object and selects "Add Assembly" from the drop down menu at which point a listing of assembly types appears. In this case, the user selected Walls and then "Wood studs wall" from the list.

The "Add a wood stud wall" dialogue box displays a schematic describing key geometry parameters for the wall. The flashing cursor automatically appears in the "Assembly Name" box. Each assembly must be given a name, otherwise no data input is possible. After entering an assembly name (e.g., North wall), tab to each of the data input boxes or place the cursor in each box using the mouse.

In the example above, the user has indicated the wall's geometry and type (interior or exterior). The software assumes openings in exterior walls are windows and openings in interior walls are doors. The user has entered 6m² of openings in the wall and 4 window units.

The software now assumes that each window unit is 1.5 m² in size. You would then select "Stud Type" (i.e. thickness), "Stud Spacing", "Sheathing" and whether the walls are built with "Green" or "Kiln-dried" lumber by choosing from the radio button alternatives indicated.

Once these selections have been made, either click the "Okay, Done Adding" button, which returns you to the "Add a wall assembly" dialogue box, or select "Okay, Add Another" to enter another wood stud wall.

The Add Assembly menu can also be used to define foundations, additional walls, floors/roofs and column and beam assemblies to complete a three-dimensional building space. "Extra Basic Materials" may also be added to augment any particular assembly selection or to simulate a new assembly.

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