Footprint Creator

Footprint Creator is a command that allows for the creation of a library and placement of building footprints. The command is run from the Area/Layout menu and found in the Layout Utilities sub menu. The command inserts footprint drawings and uses the layering scheme in them to place the footprints with options. Footprint Creator allows the person producing plans to include optional aspects of designs such as; locating the garage left and right and including details such as driveways. Labeling tools are provided should it be desired that elements of the footprints are called out in the plans.

Command Operation



The command starts with a dialog that allows for the selection of a footprint by a number of characteristics. These are region, model and elevation. Placement of the garage is able to be left or right. Labeling of model and elevation can be enabled or disabled. There is also a message board function that allows for team members to share information with each other about use and updates to footprints. For operation of the command select Next.



Footprint drawings may contain optional elements to be included upon placement. In this case an option is a master suite. This is read from the source drawings layering convention, layers containing "-OPT" display as options. To place an option select it by single clicking and choose the Add button. To remove it select it from the Selected Options pane and then select the Remove button. The Remove All button does just that and allows you to restart the selection of options.

Additionally, Iterate All Options if toggled along with the final creation method of Place on Building Pads will place and all options and combinations of all options. This option only has an effect if Place on Building pads is chosen.

The list options toggles will annotate the options either by leader, create table or both.

Use the back button should you realize a different footprint is needed.

Select the next button to select further options.




Porches and Bay Windows

The source drawing's layering scheme is used to allow for the placement of porches and bay windows. The command reads the drawing and displays any porches or bay windows available. The layer schemes for porches and bay windows are any of the following; "##-OPT-000-COVERED LANAI", "##-OPT-000-PORCH" "##-OPT-155" or "##-OPT-156". If none are included this pull down will be blank.

Excavation Lines

Excavation lines are also read from the source drawing. The layer scheme for excavation lines is "##-EXC". If none are included this pull down will be blank.

Driveways and Sidewalks

The source drawing can also include driveways. The layer scheme for driveways is "##-DW" and for sidewalks is "##-SW". Again, if none are present in the drawing this pull down will be blank.

Add Special, Remove Special, Remove All

The Add Special, Remove Special and Remove All buttons will add the option selected for the corresponding list. Remove them individually or remove them all.

Create Footprint

When ready to place the footprint select Create Footprint. You will be prompted to select the method for creation.




Create

Choose the option for placement. The footprint will include an enclosure line "Plot Plan" or simply place the footprint as drawn in the source drawing "Site Plan". The Group Footprint if selected will group the Footprint entities together.


Save to File

Enter Output Drawing Name


Screen Pick Insertion Point

Pick an insertion point and the rotation for the footprint. The command will continue to prompt for insertion points until canceled allowing for multiple placements of the same model, elevation and options within the same command execution.



Place on Building Pads

For the Place on Building Pads to work properly, the footprint source drawing must be laid out properly. The insertion point of the footprint should be the front most point of the footprint with the garage on the left side.This option will prompt for the selection of  Building Pads, these should be closed polylines. After selecting the building pads, the selection of Centerlines or Targets for Building Alignment will be prompted. Multiple targets may be selected and the tool will use these targets for determining the footprint front orientation .


Footprints will be placed in each building pad selected and rotated toward the selected alignment option. The footprints will be placed by edge (driveway side) or centered on the building pad. When the alignment is by centerline, the footprint will be placed perpendicular to the centerline. When alignment is by building pad it will rotated the footprint along the edge of the building pad.

Placement Center
Align to Centerline
Placement Edge
Align to Building Pad
Placement Center
Align to Building Pad
Placement Edge
Align to Centerline

Optional Toggles

If no option is selected, all Models and Elevations selected on the initial Select Region, Model, Elevation and Garage page will be placed within every Building Pad.

Best Fit Models

This option will adjust the footprint forward and back as well as side to side until the footprint fits within the building pad. If multiple models are selected on the initial Select Region, Model, Elevation and Garage page this will attempt to fit he highest priority model/elevation on each Building Pad. Once a footprint has placed on a building pad the building pad will no longer be processed. This is used to place the highest priority models in the selected building pads.

Place on Building Pads that fit

Like the Best Fit Models, this only places footprints that fit within each building pads. This option will continue to process building pads that footprint have been placed in resulting with multiple footprints within any building pad that the footprint fits within.

Extend Driveways

This option will prompt for Edge of Pavements for Driveway Extensions. Multiple targets may be selected and the tool will use these targets while extending closed polylines representing the driveway. The layer scheme for the driveway extension must contain "DRIVEWAY". This is different than the Special Optional Selections of driveways and sidewalks these will be on footprint layers "##-Elevation-Driveway" and placed without using the optional selection.

Configure

To configure Footprint Creator select the Configure button on the first dialog. This must be coordinated with the drawings and directory structure for them in order for the command to work properly.

Footprint Configuration Manager



The Footprint Folder is the folder where all of the sub folders for footprints will be located. The Model Data and Elevation Data Files by default will be located in your Settings folder. Each footprint is stored in a folder with a name that corresponds to elements of the footprint. A footprint is included with the Carlson installation. It is 0999-Edgemont KY.dwg and is located in a folder named 0999-Edgemont KY under the settings folder.

Layers are included that are read by the command to determine which elements of the drawing are place when the command is run.



Other layers that can be used are those related to excavation. Layers with OPT are standard Options, they must be preceded by 00- as shown "##-OPT". Layers that include the Elevation name can be selected during command operation.

Model Data

To create or edit Models select the Model Data button.



The Model Code is a four digit code that will be the first four characters of the folder and drawing file name. This is followed by a dash and then the Model Name which is followed by a space and then the Region Code. The command matches the Region Code to the Region Name for display in the dialog box for Region. The Notes are purely descriptive.

Add Model Data

To add a model select the Add button.



The Model Code is four numeric characters. The Model name can be alpha or numeric. The Region Code is a two character designation. The Region Name matches up with the Region Code and can be alpha or numeric.  The notes are descriptive and are there purely to help understand information about the Model.  To edit an existing Model select the Model and then select the Edit button. To save a Model for modification, select the Model and then select the Save As button.  Should the list of models become extensive, use the Search button to locate the model desired.

Elevation Data Manager

To create or edit Elevation Data select the Elevation Data button.



The operation of this dialog is nearly identical to the Model Data Manager dialog. The Code and Name relate to layers in the source drawing.

Pulldown Menu Location : Area/Layout - Layout Utilities
Keyboard Command : createfp
Prerequisite: Footprint drawings in properly named folders with layering convention matching the command configuration.