Lets you add a note to the element properties, or view
an existing note. Properties Dialog
An element's property pages let you define all aspects of the element, including its size and appearance. Property pages are different for every element. The most common property pages are Basic, Appearance and Quantity. Some elements have additional pages, such as a Behavior page, to help you precisely define them. The name, notes and hyperlinks properties are common to all property pages.
A preview of the element is shown in the preview window. By default, the image is displayed in a 3D rendered view. You can switch between different 3D and 2D plan views by right-clicking in the preview window and making a selection from the shortcut menu. When the image is in a 3D view, you can rotate it around by clicking and dragging with your mouse.
Common Dialog Components
Name. The name of the element as it appears in the catalog.
Auto Name. If enabled, this indicates that the element was named using a pre-defined formula. If you add or edit an element, and select Auto Name, the element's name updates automatically in the catalog. For example, if you create a concrete wall, and define a width of 10", the name automatically becomes 10" Concrete Wall. If you disable Auto Name, you can type any name you want in the Name edit box.
Options. If Auto Name is enabled, you can click this button to access a dialog where you can edit the automatic name generation formula.
Lets you add a note to the element properties, or view
an existing note.
Lets you create a link to an external file (e.g. Word
document) or Web address.
Basic Page
Common to most elements, this page lets you define the overall dimensions of the element. Parameters vary per element. Check the online help for element-specific parameter definitions.
Many single-click elements like furniture and appliances have an Orientation area on the Basic property page where you can edit the orientation of the element.
Appearance Page
The Appearance properties page is common to most elements. It provides control over the materials applied to elements, which come into play when you view your model in Rendered or Patterned mode.
The contents of the Components window varies depending on the element. It contains a listing of the individual components that make up the element, so you can apply a different material to each component.
To apply a different material to the currently selected component, click the Select button, then make a selection from the Materials dialog.
If you want to rotate the material on the element, enter an angle in the Rotation edit box, or use the arrows to scroll through a list of angles. This rotates the material in a clockwise direction.
To shift the material on the element (left, right, up or down), use the Position arrows.
Override tile size: Lets you specify a custom tile size for this instance only. Tile height refers to the height of one bitmap tile. The program uses tiled rendering to display images, meaning images are generated in pieces (tiles) vertically and horizontally. Changing the tile height of a brick material, for example, would make the bricks look taller. Changing the tile width would make the bricks look wider.
Height. The height of one bitmap tile if overriding the default tile size.
Width. The width of one bitmap tile if overriding the default tile size.
Quantity Page
The Quantity properties page is common to most elements. It contains information that helps identify the element as a material, such as the manufacturer and price. Some of the information on this page is used in the project estimate.
Manuf: The Manufacturer of the product. Click the browse button to access the manufacturers library where you can add, edit and select manufacturers.
Supplier: The company or store who will be supplying the product.
Price: The unit price of the product.
Division: A construction division identification. In North America, CSI divisions are used.
Part No.: Part Number. A series of numbers that identifies the product.
Alt Code: Alternate Code. An extra identification code that is used to link an element in the program’s catalog to the databases of other applications, such as Timberline.
Include Element in Quantities. If disabled, prevents the element from being reported in the project estimate.
Behavior Page
The Behavior property page is available for many single-click elements like cabinets, furniture and lights. It lets you control the insertion behavior of the element. Note that options will vary per element.
Distance above current location or terrain. For building elements, the value entered is the distance from the floor to the insertion point of the element. (For most elements except windows and wall openings, the insertion point is at the bottom of the element.) For landscape elements, the value entered is the distance from the terrain to the insertion point of the element.
Insertion Point. The point on the element that is attached to the cursor when you are inserting the element. To edit an element’s insertion point, edit the values in the X Axis, Y Axis and Z Axis edit boxes, or use the sliders beside these edit boxes.
An X value moves the insertion point left or right. A Y value moves the insertion point forwards or backwards. A Z value moves the insertion point up or down on the element.
Snap Edge. Determines which edge of the element will snap to the wall if you position it near a wall.
(lights) Snap Light to. If Ceiling is selected, the light fixture will automatically snap to the ceiling when inserted in the model. If Wall is selected, the light will automatically snap to the wall when positioned on a wall. If None is selected, the light will not snap to anything when inserted.