SolidWorks to frame a house
SolidWorks to frame a house
(OP)
I am new to SolidWorks and as a learning process would like to make a model of my house...
Can anyone point to a place where I could download a sample of such a project. Not knowing any better it seems to me I need a library full of dimensional lumber, plywood, drywall, etc then assemble parts... overly simplistic???
Years ago I thought there was a place on the SW site where folks shared thier work.. but now I can not find such a sampling.
Thanks for any advise or help on my project..
Can anyone point to a place where I could download a sample of such a project. Not knowing any better it seems to me I need a library full of dimensional lumber, plywood, drywall, etc then assemble parts... overly simplistic???
Years ago I thought there was a place on the SW site where folks shared thier work.. but now I can not find such a sampling.
Thanks for any advise or help on my project..






RE: SolidWorks to frame a house
Some thoughts would be to utilize design tables for your stock materials, patterened components in subassys. I am thinking along the lines of how trusses/walls can be built offsite and brought to the build site. It would be easy to manipulate and position things in subassys.
Good luck.
RE: SolidWorks to frame a house
When doing the wall coverings/roof coverings. Depending on the level of detail you need, you may find yourself creating custom parts to account for doors/windows/angles/turns etc. It is difficult to create say a 4x8 sheet of rock and then add it to your assy. For some areas of the the walls a full sheet will suffice, for most it won't, think real-life and it will make sense.
For decks/roofs you can use textures to give it a look. I have tried doing decks etc and making boms, but it is difficult due to the cuts that are made, etc.
RE: SolidWorks to frame a house
RE: SolidWorks to frame a house
Regards,
Scott Baugh, CSWP
3DVision Technologies
www.3dvisiontech.com
www.scottjbaugh.com
FAQ731-376
FAQ559-716 - SW Fora Users
RE: SolidWorks to frame a house
Chris
Sr. Mechanical Designer, CAD
SolidWorks 05 SP1.1 / PDMWorks 05
ctopher's home site
RE: SolidWorks to frame a house
Best Regards,
Heckler
Do you trust your intuition or go with the flow?
RE: SolidWorks to frame a house
Seem like that'd be a real simple way to do walls. May even work well for trusses.
If you don't need that level of detail, then drawing walls as solid blocks is a good idea.
RE: SolidWorks to frame a house
Ralph
RE: SolidWorks to frame a house
Ralph
RE: SolidWorks to frame a house
I would start a project like this by focusing on the parameters that are most important to you:
Detail (Do you really need all the framing Detail)
Will you be using components of the design in other assemblies as well.
File Size (are you limited, is your computer top notch or will large file size bog you down)
Is this for show and tell (will you be applying photoworks and textures with lighting to the file).
Is this a learning project for you (are you doing this to learn more about solidworks).
Is this a business project (if so you may want to consider a more architecture based program 3d Home Architect is good for this).
The answere to those questions and other questions you can better define will help you decide how to go about the project. You can get as detailed as your computer will allow you, but it stinks like a sewer once you put hours into a project and max out the computer capablities before finishing.
RE: SolidWorks to frame a house
The purpose of this project like most things is multifold. I am about to purchase a new (used) home and there are some modifications I would like to make. To build it on the computer (with SW) would be one way while I wait for posession. So, I am "only" going to build portions of the house and essentially only the frame work. The main project is a new stairway from the garage with a branch to the main floor. In 3D I could view it from various angles and see how it fits within the space allowed.
At the same time... the company I work for has just purchased SW 2005 and I would like to have at least a rudimentary understanding of the program.
So... an excuse exists to learn (some)SW and show my wife what I "hope" to build in the next few months. In any of the instruction books I have all the samples tend to be "mechanical". I was hoping for some samples of "building with wood".
Ralph
RE: SolidWorks to frame a house
I did some similar projects to yours years ago, I don't have the files anymore but here is reference chart of lubmer acutal sizes: Lumber Actual Size Chart
A good starting point would probably be to create each of the lumbers in a purchased length, like a 2"x4"x8'. Then I would create a configuration with each cut piece to use in the assembly. If you were to use a 2x4 cut down to 36" with a 45 degree cut on one end, I would create this as a configuration in the 2x4x8 model and name the config so you can identify it easily in the assy (ex: Left Side Hand Rail). You may find it a good opportunity to familiarize yourself with Design tables. Good luck with your project, keep us up to date as you cross milestones.
RE: SolidWorks to frame a house
www.DigitalCanal.com
www.plan3d.com
www.artifice.com
You can also find architectural blocks for AutoCAD and bring them into DWGEditor, then export DXF to SolidWorks.
Chris
Sr. Mechanical Designer, CAD
SolidWorks 05 SP1.1 / PDMWorks 05
ctopher's home site
RE: SolidWorks to frame a house
The Links section will lead you to many downloadable parts & assemblies which you should be able to study & learn from. Also, there is a lot of good tips in the FAQ section. Speaking of tips, read through those supplied with SW under the Tip of the day.
Good Luck with your quest.
Making the best use of this Forum. FAQ559-716
How to get answers to your SW questions. FAQ559-1091
Helpful SW websites every user should be aware of. FAQ559-520
RE: SolidWorks to frame a house
Making the best use of this Forum. FAQ559-716
How to get answers to your SW questions. FAQ559-1091
Helpful SW websites every user should be aware of. FAQ559-520
RE: SolidWorks to frame a house
Ralph, your idea of using SW to both design your stairway and learn the software is a good one. You might consider designing the stairway as finish sizes instead of framing details--you'll work with simpler shapes, and still get a feel for the program. You can use the end result to visualize your stairway project and make adjustments if necessary, and use the final dimensions to work out your framing details.
Good luck!
RE: SolidWorks to frame a house
RE: SolidWorks to frame a house