Placing Existing Home in Architectural 2014

[rockymountainhi]

Hello,
Just getting started with Architectural 2014. I want to get my current home "placed" into Architectural 2014 and wanted to know the best way or tips to do this, just start with the lot and perimeter of the house and go from there?
I have done it to some extent using SketchUp and believe using Architectural 2014 will be a lot easier.

[Kbird]

This is from a post I copied from here on the Forums 4-5 yrs ago , not sure who to credit ( but THX) but it's a good start.......

Home Designer Drawing Order.

1. Open proper template plan

2. Finish setting defaults for this specific structure
....A. Ceiling height
....B. Foundation specifics
....C. Framing specifications
....D. Roof materials

3. Build 1st floor perimeter & bearing walls to final design

4. Build 2nd floor perimeter & bearing walls to final design

5. Build all subsequent floors to final

6. Label 1st floor rooms properly (i.e. garage, porch, bathroom, etc.)

7. Set platform thickness on structure tab of room specification dialogue for floors, starting with floor one & more

8. Set 1st floor ceiling heights

9. Set subsequent floor ceiling heights working from 1st floor up

10. Build foundation

11. Build interior walls in any color

12. Detail the plan (i.e. doors & windows, interior)

13. Build roofs

14. Build framing (walls, sub-floor, ceiling, roof/truss, etc)

15. Terrain & Landscaping

16. Create CAD details, elevations, plot plans & layout


the short version:

Simple way :
1. build floor 1 exterior walls and get it "right"

2. build upper floor(s) exterior walls and get it "right"

3. create roof and get it "right"

4. place interior walls and create rooms

5. place stairs

6. set room types and adjust room labels as needed
this includes the garage

7. build foundation based on floor 1 and then adjust as needed

8. build terrain and adjust to fit house as needed

[Katalyst777]

Go through the User Guide as well (under your Help menu) to get familiar with the tools to create a plan before launching in to your own design. It can save a lot of frustration. Also check out the online tutorial training videos and Help Database articles.

[Kbird]

Dan Bauman ,DJP and others also have free Videos on Youtube ( some have pay tuition/classes too if desired/needed)

Dan has a series #1-10 Called Mistakes in CA .... he is referring on how to setup and draw plans , No#1 is here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuIPzVulvG8

and David's Channel is here : https://www.youtube.com/user/c16467

M

[rockymountainhi]

Thank you for the tips Kbird and Katalyst777. I have started going through the online tutorials. I will check out the Youtube videos too.