This tutorial will teach you how to design or remodel a kitchen. Specifically, you can learn about:

Creating a Kitchen with the Kitchen Builder Wizard
Creating a Kitchen from Scratch
Adding Cabinets to your Kitchen
Customizing Cabinets
Adding Plumbing Fixtures to your Kitchen
Adding Appliances to your Kitchen
Adding Furniture to your Kitchen
Adding Lighting Fixtures to your Kitchen
Moving Elements
Next Steps: Materials and Customization

Getting Started

Before starting your kitchen plan, it's a good idea to think about the scope of your project. If you're remodeling a kitchen, you might re-create just the space you intend to remodel -- a simple room with four walls, for example -- or you can create a rough approximation of your entire house and design your kitchen within that floor plan. Either way, you can use the House Builder Wizard to provide you a basic structure in which to work.

To get started by using the House Builder Wizard:
1. In the Startup Dialog, select Start a New Project. The House Builder will automatically appear.
2. Make choices on each page of the wizard and click Finish.

To draw additional walls, or learn how to manipulate your walls further, watch the Walls video tutorial. For more information on the basics of inserting elements such as doors and windows, see the Getting to Know 3D Home tutorial.

You may also want to consider the real-world limitations of your design. For example, you should find out where your gas lines and plumbing are located. If you don't want to incur additional expenses to re-route these lines, you shoud keep sinks and gas stoves in close proximity to their original position.

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Using the Kitchen Builder Wizard

Now that you have a basic structure in which to work, there are two ways to start your kitchen design. You can either design a kitchen from scratch, or you can use the Kitchen Builder Wizard to quickly create a basic kitchen. The wizard offers three basic layouts: L-shape, Galley (two rows of cabinets, side-by-side), and U-Shape. Try the wizard first to see if it meets your needs. If not, you can build a kitchen from scratch. Also, keep in mind that a kitchen created by the Kitchen Builder Wizard can be edited and customized just as if you had created it from scratch.

To create a kitchen using the Kitchen Builder Wizard: 1. Click on the Tools menu and point to Design Wizards, then select Kitchen Builder. 2. The Kitchen Builder Wizard will appear on your screen. 3. Follow the on-screen instructions, clicking Next each time you complete a screen. 4. Use the Back button if you need to make changes to a previous screen. 5. Click the Finish button when done. 6. An object representing the kitchen you created will be attached to your cursor. Simply move the cursor and click to anchor the kitchen layout in a corner or along the wall of the room where it will be placed. 7.After inserting the object, drag your mouse away from the corner to extend the layout. Click when you've reached the desired dimensions. 8. You'll be asked if you're satisfied with the layout. If you are, click Yes. If not, click No and re-position the kitchen object.

Deleting a Kitchen Created by the Kitchen Builder Wizard
After placing the layout, the kitchen can no longer be moved as a single unit. If you've made a mistake or are unhappy with the layout, use the Undo command to remove the kitchen and then create a new layout with the Kitchen Builder Wizard.

To undo the kitchen layout:
1. Click on the Edit menu and select Undo or hit Ctrl-Z on your keyboard .
2. Continue to undo until the kitchen disappears.

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Creating a Kitchen From Scratch

If you find the Kitchen Builder Wizard too limiting, you can create a kitchen from scratch. The first step, after creating the space where the kitchen will be designed, is to add cabinets.

Adding Cabinets

Video Tutorial

Cabinets can be inserted in 2D or 3D view, but precisely placing cabinets in 2D view is much easier. If you position cabinets near walls, they automatically attach themselves to the walls. A cabinet will also automatically attach itself to another cabinet when you are inserting a series of cabinets of the same height.

Reminder: when adding 3D elements be sure that you have selected the proper Building Location.

To add cabinets: 1. Click on the Interiors tab and then select the Cabinets tool.
2. Select the type and size of cabinet you want to insert from the Catalog. 3. Move the cursor to the place in your plan where you'd like to insert the cabinet. You'll know when the cabinet is snapped into place when you see the Snap cursor. Click in the drawing area to insert the cabinet. 4. Continue to select other cabinets and place them in your project. When you're done adding cabinets, right-click and select Finish.

Tip: When inserting multiple cabinets, you'll know that they are properly placed when the row of cabinets appears as one single unit.

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Customizing Cabinets
Once you've added a cabinet, you can make changes to its size, door/drawer, appearance, behavior, or any customizable element. You can make these edits in 2D or 3D view, but you might find it easier to select the cabinet in 3D view if your design is crowded with lots of elements. Also, it's more fun to work in 3D because you can instantly see the changes you're making.

You may want to edit a number of cabinets at the same time. This can be achieved by holding down the Shift key while clicking on each cabinet you want to select.

To edit cabinets:
1. Select a cabinet by clicking on it, or select multiple cabinets by holding down the shift key and clicking on the cabinets you want to edit.
2. Right-click and select Properties.
3. The cabinet Properties dialog will appear. From this dialog you can change any customizable aspect of the cabinet. For example, click on the Leaf tab to change the style of the cabinet's front panel.
4. Any changes you make to the cabinet are displayed in the preview area.
5. Click OK when finished.

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Plumbing Fixtures

Video Tutorial

To add sinks: 1. Click on the Interiors tab and then select the Plumbing Fixtures tool.
2. Select the fixture type, and specific element from the catalog on the right. 3. Move the cursor to the place in your plan where you'd like to insert the fixture. If inserting a sink, you'll need to place it on top of a cabinet. You'll know when the sink is snapped into place when you see the Snap cursor. 4. Click to insert the fixture.

Adding Kitchen Appliances

Video Tutorial

To adjust the height of an element: 1. Insert the element anywhere into your drawing area. 2. Select the element you want to work with by clicking on it. 3. Right-click and select Elevate from the right-click menu.
4. The Elevate screen will appear. 5. Enter the number of inches above the current location you'd like the item to be placed. For example, if you want to place a picture frame on a 30-inch countertop, enter 30" and click OK. 6. You should now be able to place the picture on the countertop.

Tip: If you're having trouble getting objects to share the same space, turn off Collision Control briefly . This will allow you to position one object on top of another and adjust the height. It's a good idea to turn Collision Control back on, because it will help you place other elements in your plan correctly.

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Adding Furniture

Video Tutorial

You many want to add a table and chairs or other furniture to your kitchen design. This can be easily accomplished by using the furniture tool. Once inserted, furniture can be moved or edited like any other 3D element.

To add furniture: 1. Select the Interiors tab 2. Select the Furniture tool.
3. Pick the kind of furniture you want from the catalog on the right. 4. Click in the drawing area to add the piece of furniture to your drawing.

Lighting Fixtures

Video Tutorial

The program contains a selection of lighting fixtures. Interior fixtures include wall lights, lamps, and ceiling lights. These fixtures can be inserted into your plan like any other 3D element. Each lighting fixture has a light source (i.e., an incandescent 100 Watt bulb) that provides illumination for a 3DTrueView rendering of your design. You can edit any customizable aspect of the lighting fixture, including turning it's light source on and off for rendering, by accessing its Properties.

To edit lighting fixtures:
1. Double-click on an inserted lighting fixture to bring up its Properties dialog.
2. You may edit the fixture's size, light source, appearance, and behavior by selecting the appropriate tab.
3. Click OK when done.

For information on adding electrical outlets and wiring, see the tutorial on Customizing Your Interior.

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Moving 3D Elements

Fixtures, cabinets, accessories or any 3D element in your plan can be easily moved or rotated after you've placed them in your plan.

To move an element: 1. Click on the element to select it. It should become highlighted. 2. Move your cursor over the grip handle in the center of the element. The Move cursor appears.
3. Click and drag the element to move it to its new position.

To rotate an element: 1. Click on the element to select it. It should become highlighted. 2. Move your cursor over the triangular shaped grip handle on one side of the element. The Rotate cursor appears. 3. Click and drag your mouse in a circular motion until the element is rotated correctly.

Tip: When working in tight spaces, it's a good idea to zoom in as close as possible. To do this use the scroll mouse to zoom in or out or, if your mouse does not have a scroll wheel, use the Zoom Window Tool to highlight the area you want to zoom in on.

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Next Steps: Materials and Customizing

With everything now in place, you may want to start applying different materials to your walls, floor, and ceiling, adding trim, or customizing the fixtures you've inserted. You can find more information on these finishing touches on the tutorial on Customizing Your Interiors.

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