Commercial Windows

[johnnyprc]

Hey Everyone - If you guys can help it would be appriciated.

I am having a hard time placing windows that would work for commercial metal window grids. I have a attached a pic of what I am trying to duplicate. I know CA is more setup for Residential, but I would have thought they would have had a basic metal window option for light commercial.

Maybe you guys know something I cannot figure out on my own (i am sure).

Thanks again. JP

[David J. Potter]

By using the settings and check boxes in the Window Dialog you can alter the frame and muntin dimensions and other settings to emulate any kind of fixed or other kind of window system. In Window defaults you would also set "Minimum Distance" (spacing between window objects) to "0" Zero Inches.

DJP

[johnnyprc]

Are you saying I need to make each window seperate and then "mull" together? I guess, but WOW - that seems like a lot of work and messing around. This is where Revit is clearly better then - since this would be a snap. I just love CA's quick rendering capabilities which keeps me using this app.

I guess you would know of any alternitive, so I guess unless someone has another idea that will be how I do it.

Thanks!

[dshall]

Make 1 big window and add CUSTOM MUTINS, relatively easy.....

[dshall]

Or you can auto add lights/MUTINS via window DBx.

[Glenn Woodward]

Jeez...it would take about 30 seconds to copy a window vertically and then multicopy sideways and then block.
But...I guess you could always use Revit.

[johnnyprc]

lights/mutins are grey'd out since my window would be the shape of the roof - so one window approach does not work. I guess the multiple window route is only thing I can see working, but for Glen: keep in mind that the independent windows won't resize themselves, so i have to calc it all out from the start both directions with a top angle - not that easy. (doable, but not 30 seconds)

[dshall]

lights/mutins are grey'd out since my window would be the shape of the roof - so one window approach does not work. I guess the multiple window route is only thing I can see working, but for Glen: keep in mind that the independent windows won't resize themselves, so i have to calc it all out from the start both directions with a top angle - not that easy. (doable, but not 30 seconds)

Lights should not be greyed out, confirm it is fixed glass. Both of my suggested methods will work, been there done that.

[Glenn Woodward]

OK, try this use a full glass wall like Glass Shower which is just a thin sheet of glass.
Use a Framing member, slab, polyline solis (whatever) to make 1 vertical and 1 horizontal framing member at the side and bottom.
Ctrl drag them so that they are centred on your window wall.
You can use the Multiple Copy tool with Evenly Distribute Copies When Dragging option to drag copies accross and up your window wall.
Do the sloping heat manually and drag the verticals up to meet it.

Maybe not 30 seconds, but probably 2 minutes.

D. Scott,
You can't use lights if the head is raking.

[johnnyprc]

Yep, I just verified. The lites are optioned when I leave the window square, but when i select "match roof" in the shape tab the option for lites is grey'd out.

[johnnyprc]

Glenn: that is not a bad idea, i will try that. thanks

[dshall]

Yep, I just verified. The lites are optioned when I leave the window square, but when i select "match roof" in the shape tab the option for lites is grey'd out.

Hmm, I wonder if you did not use the MATCH ROOF OPTION and instead made the Window match roof via the SHAPE TAB in window box if you can then select lites.

If you change fixed lglass to an arch, flat arch, etc, you can modify lites. I wonder why yours does not work. Will review in AM.

[dshall]

OK, try this use a full glass wall like Glass Shower which is just a thin sheet of glass.
Use a Framing member, slab, polyline solis (whatever) to make 1 vertical and 1 horizontal framing member at the side and bottom.
Ctrl drag them so that they are centred on your window wall.
You can use the Multiple Copy tool with Evenly Distribute Copies When Dragging option to drag copies accross and up your window wall.
Do the sloping heat manually and drag the verticals up to meet it.

Maybe not 30 seconds, but probably 2 minutes.

D. Scott,
You can't use lights if the head is raking.

So why wouldn't you use custom loaded MUTINS in lieu of framing members?

[David J. Potter]

Once you get a "wall" done or an entire floor, you then use the "Shift-Select, Copy - Paste, Paste-Hold Position command, floor to floor.

You are right in that getting the first group done is the most time consuming but after that it can go quite fast, especially for multi-floor buildings.

As has been pointed out the shaped windows will be a little more trouble than the rectoid ones.

Anything worth doing takes a bit of time to learn and get down the procedures that work for you and that you are comfortable with.

DJP

[johnnyprc]

since i have a good group here looking at this - maybe you can help with this. i set the lower walls to balloon wall and now the upper section won't take windows correctly.