Inserting Windows

VectorWorks Fundamentals and all VectorWorks Design Series products include a limited window object containing parameters similar to those described here. In VectorWorks Fundamentals, the window object is inserted through the Resource Browser. In the VectorWorks Design Series products, the window object is inserted with the Window tool.

VectorWorks Architect and Landmark include window symbols in standard sizes and various configurations, ready to install in walls.

Window objects can be saved as editable red symbols that become plug-in objects when inserted into a wall (see Creating a Window or Door Symbol). The window options can be customized in the Object Info palette. Customized windows can then be made into symbols and used in the file without having to reset the parameters. See Accessing Existing Resources

The Update Plug-in Objects command may need to be run on files containing windows that were created in an earlier version of VectorWorks Architect. This command converts the windows to the latest format; see Migrating from Previous Versions.

 

To insert a window:

1.	Select the Window tool from the Building Shell tool set.

 

2.	Click in the drawing file or wall to set the insertion point of the window, and click again to set the rotation.

If this is the first time a window is inserted into the drawing, the Window Settings dialog box opens. Otherwise, click Preferences from the Tool bar. Specify the default preferences which apply to all windows placed subsequently in this file.

3.	Specify the window parameters on each tab to define the window. As the parameters are defined, the preview dynamically displays the window appearance.

 

Parameter	Description
Top Shape	Select the shape of the top of the window
Transom	Select whether to add a transom above the window; the transom light is separated from the window
Rise	When applicable for the selected Top Shape, enter the distance between the start of the top shape to the top of the window
Spring	Enter the distance traveled above the bottom pane before the top shape starts; if Square is selected as the Top Shape, the spring is the total height
Sash Operation	Select the window type. To define a custom window sash, select Custom Sash Operation and click Custom Sash Options to open the Custom Sash Options dialog box; see Creating a Custom Window Sash Opening.
Use Symbol Geometry	Select Use Symbol Geometry and click Browse to select a window symbol from the current file’s resources. Select a symbol from the graphical list of Symbols and click OK. The symbol Name displays in the Window Settings dialog box and the preview is updated with the selected symbol. When a symbol is selected, all fields pertaining to the window’s geometry are disabled.
Overall Width	Enter the window width measured to the jamb exterior face
Overall Height	Enter the window height measured to the jamb exterior face
Elevation in Wall	Enter the window elevation
Elevation Reference	Select either the sill or the head of the window as the elevation reference point
Plan Wall Offset	Enter the distance to offset the window insertion point from the centerline of the wall

4.	Click the Parts tab to specify the configuration of the window component geometry.

Several features of the window are described as “interior” or “exterior.” These include trim, shutters, and wall-wrap components. These elements determine the internal and external face of the wall from the wall itself. The left side of the wall (as viewed along the wall direction) is always “exterior,” and the right side is “interior.” Flipping the window does not flip these elements.

 

Parameter	Description
Part	Select to edit the settings for various window parts (jamb and sash, transom, sill, trim, muntins, interior/exterior shutters, and lintel)
Jamb & Sash
Jamb Width	Enter the face width of the window jamb (parallel to the wall)
Jamb Depth	Enter the depth of the window jamb (perpendicular to the wall)
Use Wall Depth	Select to set the jamb depth to the overall wall depth
Sash Width	Enter the sash width
Sash Depth	Enter the sash depth
Shim Gap	Enter the distance between the jamb exterior face and the rough opening
Masonry Module	Enter the masonry module dimension
Transom
Sash Width	Enter the transom sash width
Sash Depth	Enter the transom sash depth
Mullion Width	Enter the transom mullion width
Mullion Depth	Enter the transom mullion depth
Sill
Include Sill	Select whether to include a sill and select the sill style type
Timber	Specify the sill lip thickness, amount of keep for the sill, sill height, total sill depth, sill extension width, stool lip thickness, and stool nose dimension
Masonry	Specify the sill lip thickness, amount of keep for the sill, rise dimension, sill height, total sill depth, and sill extension width
Brick	Specify the sill lip thickness, rise dimension, total sill depth, sill extension width, stool lip thickness, and stool nose dimension
Trim
Include Interior/Exterior Trim	Select whether to include interior/exterior trim
Width/Depth	Enter the interior/exterior trim width and depth
Trim Under Stool/Sill	Select whether to include interior/exterior trim along the window bottom
Muntins
Apply to	Select which sashes should have muntins applied
Pattern	Select the muntin pattern
Vertical/Horizontal bars	Enter the number of vertical/horizontal muntin bars
Bar Width/Depth	Enter the muntin bar depth/width
Bar Offset	Enter the muntin bar offset
Number of Rays	Enter the number of muntin rays
Interior/Exterior Shutters
Include Interior/Exterior Shutters	Select whether to include interior/exterior shutters
Frame Depth	Enter the depth for the interior/exterior shutters
Offset from Jamb	Enter the offset distance from the interior edge of the window jamb that shutters will be positioned when fully opened
Panel	Select to create paneled shutters
Divisions w/Sashes	Select to divide shutters at sash divisions
Equal Divisions	Select to divide panels equally by the number of Panels specified
Frame Width	Enter the rail and stile width of the paneled shutter
Custom	Click Choose Symbol to select a custom shutter symbol from default resources; see VectorWorks Design Series Default Resources Custom shutters must be 3D-only symbols made from generic solids, saved in the default content location.
Lintel
Include Lintel	Select to add a lintel above the window or transom
Int./Ext. Protrusion	Enter the interior and exterior lintel protrusion
(1)Thickness	Enter the lintel thickness
(2)Angle	Enter the lintel angle
(3)Drop	Enter the length of the lintel drop

5.	Click the Wall Detail tab to specify the interior and exterior wall component settings.

When wall components are wrapped with the window, the window enables control points that set the exact wrapping point.

 

Parameter	Description
Wall Components	Select to establish interior or exterior wall component settings
Number of Components	Specify the number of interior/exterior wall components to wrap
Splay Wall	Select whether to splay the interior/exterior wall
(1)Splay Angle	Enter the interior/exterior wall splay angle
(2)Diagonal	Enter the interior/exterior wall splay diagonal value
(3)Splay Width	Enter the interior/exterior wall splay width
(4)Splay Depth	Enter the interior/exterior wall splay depth

6.	Click the View tab to specify the 2D line attributes and assign style classes to parts for applying textures and 3D attributes.

 

Parameter	Description
Plan Detail	Select to display all the window details in a 2D view
Draw Wall Lines	Select whether to draw wall lines at all times; wall lines are drawn in the Ceiling-main class to easily create reflected ceiling plans
Show 3D Hinge Direction	Select to draw lines representing the 3D hinge direction
Show 3D Open	Select to draw 3D window sashes as open at the specified Open Angle
Clerestory	Enabling Clerestory draws the window as dashed if the sill is higher than the specified elevation and draws the window as non-breaking (solid) if the sill is below the specified height
Use Part Line Styles	Settings controlling 2D line styles and weights for the window part; if this group is selected, these settings override the line style and weight settings from the Attributes palette
Part	Choose the line style and weight to use for the selected part (jamb, sash, trim, sill, glazing, wall lines, or swing) or select Set Thickness to open the Set Thickness dialog box for creating a custom line thickness; see Pen Attributes
Special Classes	Settings controlling classes for application of 3D finishes and textures
Part	Select the style Class to assign to the selected Part (interior and exterior jamb and sash, trim, and shutter; stool, sill, and lintel), or select None; see Using Style Classes
Glazing	Select the glazing style or specify the desired glazing style class; see Using Style Classes

7.	Click the Data tab to specify the window record information to include on the window schedule.

 

Parameter	Description
On Schedule	Select whether to include this window’s information in the window schedule and also set the window ID label to visible
Prefix	Assigns alphanumeric information before the numerical label value; adding prefix information is optional
Label	Assigns a numerical value to the ID; this number increments automatically if the auto-increment option is chosen in the ID Settings dialog box
Suffix	Assigns alphanumeric information after the label value; adding suffix information is optional
Bubble Shape	Select the ID label bubble shape
Bubble Size	Enter the minimum ID label bubble size (this value represents the bubble size times the layer scale; the bubble shape is maintained relative to the text inside it for ID bubble uniformity throughout the drawing file)
Bubble Line Style	Select the bubble line style and weight, or select Set Thickness to open the Set Thickness dialog box for creating a custom line thickness; see Pen Attributes
Show Leader	Select to draw a leader from the ID label to the object; see Attribute Types
Line Style	Select the leader line style and weight, or select Set Thickness to open the Set Thickness dialog box for creating a custom line thickness; see Pen Attributes
Use Marker	Select whether to use a marker for the ID leader line and choose the desired style from the marker list, or select Custom to create a custom marker. Select Edit Marker List to open the Edit Marker List dialog box; see Setting Default Marker Types.
ID Class	Select the ID label class, or select None (which sets the ID to the same class as the window), the standard class for the ID, or any other class in the document
Keep ID Horizontal	When selected, automatically rotates the ID label so that it is horizontal
Name	Select the data field from the list and its Name displays beneath the list; select the user fields to include additional user-defined information with the window
Value	Enter the data field Value for use in the window schedule

8.	Click OK to set the window parameters and close the Window Settings dialog box.

9.	To edit parameters, double-click the window to open the Window Settings dialog box.

Window objects can also be edited in the Object Info palette. If the window has been inserted as a plug-in object, most settings from the Window Settings dialog box display. If the window is a black symbol made from a window object, fields pertaining to window geometry do not display.

Two additional Object Info palette parameters are available for windows inserted in a wall: click Flip to flip the window orientation, or click Position to open the Position Symbol in Wall dialog box to enter the distance from the symbol’s insertion point to the corner of the selected wall.

The Object Info palette display order can be changed by advanced users through the VectorScript Plug-in Editor; however, this is not recommended.

10.

The Window Schedule can be added to the drawing from the VA Create Schedule command (see Records and Schedules) or the Resource Browser. From the Resource Browser, open the Libraries\Defaults\Reports~Schedules\Architectural Reports.vwx file that is included with Architect. Drag the Window Schedule worksheet to the drawing. The worksheet is populated with information from the window objects in the current drawing. To edit the worksheet after it has been created, see Using Worksheets.