Model Setup

The Model Setup command creates the appropriate number of floors or levels and their corresponding design layers (Mod-Floor, Mod-Foundation, and Mod-Roof layers), as well as setting the Z and delta Z of each model design layer. It is required for running the Create Standard Viewports command.

For Landmark users, if there is no floorplan geometry in the drawing, click OK in both Model Setup dialog boxes to accept the default settings.

To set up the model:

1.	Select File > Document Settings > Model Setup.

The Model Setup - Initialize dialog box opens if the drawing is new, contains unrecognized layer/class names, or was created with VectorWorks Architect 9’s Setup Assistant.

If the file was previously set up using the Model Setup command, the main Model Setup dialog box opens (go to step 3).

 

Parameter	Description
This is an existing drawing	Select this option if this is an existing drawing. The Model Setup command searches the drawing for model layers and uses the attributes of those layers to set up the model.
This is a new document	Select the option if this is a new drawing
Number of floors	Enter how many floors are in the building
Number of basements	Specify the number of basement(s) in the building (zero, one, or two)

2.

Click OK.

The main Model Setup dialog box opens.

3.

In the Model Setup dialog box, select a level from the Level Settings list, and then specify its parameters and click OK. The selected level is indicated in the graphic with a red bullet. A maximum of three floor levels are displayed. For buildings with more than three floors above ground, the middle floor indicator is highlighted for all intermediate floors.

 

Parameter	Description
Level Settings
Add/Remove (Normally, Architect only)	Click to add levels (floors) to or remove levels from the model setup; see Adding and Removing Levels
No. of Levels	Displays the number of levels in the building, including the foundation and roof
Elevation (F)	Enter the elevation of the selected floor; this sets the Z value for the design layer
Ceiling Height AFF (C)	Enter the ceiling height of the selected floor
Slab Thickness	Enter the slab thickness of the selected floor; this value sets the delta Z of the associated slab layer
Default Wall Height	Sets the delta Z of the design layer
Floor to floor	Uses the height between the selected floor and the top of the slab of the floor above as the default wall height
Bottom of overhead slab	Uses the distance between the floor and the bottom of the slab above as the default wall height
Fixed at	Fixes the wall height to a specific dimension regardless of the floor-to-floor elevation; this is useful for special cases such as split-level homes
Options
Create Slab Layers	Select this checkbox to create slab design layers
Use zero for ground floor	When selected, floor layer numbering begins with 0 instead of 1 (for example, Mod-Floor-1 and Mod-Floor-2 would instead be Mod-Floor-0 and Mod-Floor-1, respectively)
Basement prefix	Enter the prefix to append to layer names that represent basement levels; the default is B

Create Slab Layers, Use Zero for Ground Floor, and Basement Prefix can only be specified for new setups.

To set up a model for split-level homes, select the Fixed at option and enter a height greater than the distance to the next level.

Adding and Removing Levels

Levels (floors) can be added to or removed from the model.

To add or remove a level:

1.	Select File > Document Settings > Model Setup.

2.	In the main Model Setup dialog box, click Add/Remove.

The Model Setup - Add/Remove Levels dialog box opens.

 

Parameter	Description
Add a floor above the selected level	Click to add a floor above the selected level from the list. This option appears dimmed if the selected level cannot have a floor added above it.
Add a basement above the selected level	Click to add a basement above the selected level from the list. A maximum of two basements are permitted in a drawing.
Remove the selected level	Click to delete the selected level from the list; all objects on the level are deleted. This button appears dimmed if the selected level cannot be deleted.
Adjust elevations automatically	Recalculates the elevation (Z value) of the remaining levels

3.	Click OK to return to the Model Setup dialog box.

4.	Click OK accept changes and return to the drawing.

An alert dialog box opens, recommending the re-running of the Create Standard Viewports command to apply model setup changes to the viewport setup.

5.

Click OK.

When using the Model Setup command for the first time, floors are automatically numbered as they are added. When run again, the floors are not renumbered until after step 4.