1. The General Setup video shows how to:

• Split panels along a wall
• Define noggings and bracings placement
• Rotate a panel to place it as a roof

2. The Bracing Placement video shows how to place the bracings. 

3. The Simple Roof Truss video shows how to create a simple roof truss. 

4. The Openings in the Panels video shows how to:

• Place the openings in the panels
• Copy an opening
• Modify an opening through the DM feature

5. The Access Opening Properties video shows how to acces the opening properties. 

6. The Direct Modification in the Model video shows how to:

• Modify in the model: panels, studs, openings and walls geometry
• Change the panel position: Left to Right or Right to Left. This option helps you to flip the starting point of the horizontal members for a correct fabrication and assembling

7. The Framing Tools - New Features for Cladding and Insulation  video shows how to:

• Define and modify insulation plates along the panel
• Define and modify cladding boards for one or both sides of the panel

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This tool sets extra tool names for some of the light steel roll-forming machine. You can define special tool name for service holes (dimples, bolt holes) and cuts (notches, lip cuts, swages).

User Inputs

1. In the Applications & components catalog search for 

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   Extra tool UDA and double-click on it.

2. After the dialog window opens type the desired tool name in the Tool name box.
3. In the model select the bolt holes you want the tool name to apply to.
4. After you select the bolt holes click Modify.

If you want a non standard tool to punch a member at a specific location you simply need to follow these steps:

1. In the model create a standard bolt hole at a specific location.

2. Open the 

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   Extra tool UDA and set the tool name for the bolt hole. The centre point of the bolt hole is important as it is the location written into the export file for the tool along with the tool name.

Note: You will need to know the name the control software uses for the tool so it can be written to the export file. If you do not know the required name you will need to contact your local Howick office for more information.

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This tool creates fully framed panels into the model by picking the points you want the panels to go through. You can copy the panels and you can set each panel properties.
You can create multiple panels in one go and all the panels will connect to each other.

User Inputs

Framing Panel Creation:

1. In the Applications & Components catalog search for 

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   Framing Panel and click on it.

2. In the model pick the first panel insertion point. As the selected points will be 3D points, the outside face of the panel will be to the right of the definition line.

3. Hover the mouse on the panel 

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   contextual toolbar and select the desired creation option:

   1. Create an open line of wall layouts 

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   2. Create a closed line of wall layouts 

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4. Pick the points you want the panels go through.
5. After you pick the last panel insertion point, click the middle mouse button to finish the Framing Panel creation.

Framing Panel Settings:

1. In the model double-click on the panel using 

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   Select components switch button to open the Framing Panel dialog window.

2. In the Framing Panel dialog window set the desired panel properties.
3. After you set the Framing Panel properties click Modify and then click OK to close the dialog window.

User Controls

Before creating a panel, the options below are either set for the individual panel or load it from a standard attribute file containing predefined settings. You can create wall panels in one go and all panels will connect to each other.
You can change the settings for more than one wall panel at the same time by following these steps:

1. Double-click on the 

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   Framing Panel tool from the Applications & components catalog to open its dialog window.

2. Select in the model the panels you want to change their properties.
3. In the Framing Panel dialog window set the desired panel properties.
4. After you set the Framing Panel properties click Modify and then click OK to close the dialog window.

General tab

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Parts tab

Use the Parts tab to defne Prefix, Start No and Name for Panel assembly and general properties for the panel members: Studs, Top track, Bottom track, Horizontal brace and Bracing and  Flat bracing.

Insulation tab

Use the Insulation tab to define insulation plates along the panel.

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Cladding tab

Use the Cladding tab to define and edit cladding boards for both sides of the panel.

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Dynamic Cladding Functionalities

Having multiple rows on one of the panel side, the user can delete and modify the position of any cladding boards.

• Delete a cladding board

To delete one of the multiple cladding boards follow the next steps:

1. Select the cladding row you want to delete. 

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2. To delete the cladding row select the  

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   Delete button.

• Modify the position of a cladding board

To modify the position in the list for a cladding board follow the next steps:

1. Hoover or select the cladding row you want to modify its position. 

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2. To move up and down in the list the cladding board select and drag the  

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   Drag button.

Flat Bracing tab

Use the Flat Brcaing tab to create bracings from the corners of the panels inside the wall.

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Service Holes tab

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Connections tab

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Limitation:
To use custom component connection instead plugin connection you need to go through having no connection.
Example:

1. Having a plugin connection set, clear the connection box content.
2. Click Modify button.
3. Browse the custom component connection from the Applications & components catalog and double-click on it.
4. Click Modify to apply the changes.

Framing Panel - Direct Manipulation

To resize or reshape the panel boundary in the model use the Framing Panel direct modification handles.

To modify in the model the studs spacing, panels length, gap between panels or to add openings use the Framing Panel contextual toolbar.

Framing Panel Direct Modification Handles

1. Ensure that 

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   Direct modification is switched on.

2. Select the panel using 

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   Select components switch button.

3. To reshape or resize the panel, drag the point and line handles.

For example:

• To change the shape of the panel drag the top track point handles (corner points and hinge points): 

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• To change the vertical position of the bottom track drag its line handle.
• To change the height of the panel drag the top track line handle.
• To change the length of the panel drag the side studs line handles or the blue line handles.

Framing Panel Contextual Toolbar

1. Ensure that 

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   Direct modification is switched on.

2. Select the panel using 

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   Select components switch button

3. Hover the mouse on the  

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   contextual toolbar and you will see the additional direct modification options of the Framing Panel: ​​​ 

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Modify stud spacing button selection:

By selecting in the panel contextual toolbar the Modify stud spacing button you can:

• modify the stud spacing by selecting in the model the stud line handle:
  1. Select in the contextual toolbar the Modify stud spacing button.
  2. Select in the model the stud line handle.

  3. Drag the stud line handle to the desired position. 

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• modify the stud type and add braces by selecting in the model the stud line handle and then select desired option in the contextual toolbar

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Modify panel length and gap button selection:

By selecting in the panel contextual toolbar the Modify panel length and gap button you can:

• modify the panel length by selecting in the model the panel line handle:
  1. Select in the contextual toolbar the Modify panel length and gap button.
  2. Select in the model the panel line handle.
  3. Drag the panel line handle to the desired position.
• add gap between panels by selecting the value next to the panel line handle:
  1. Select in the contextual toolbar the Modify panel length and gap button.
  2. Select in the model the value next to the panel line handle.
  3. Input the desired gap panel and then press Enter.
• add braces and hide the panel by selecting in the model the panel line handle and then select desired option in the contextual toolbar

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The Framing Connection tool creates brackets between studs and noggings. Use this tool by loading it in the Connection tab from the Framing panel tool.

User Inputs

Framing Connection on Framing Panel:

1. In the model open the panel dialog window.
2. On the Connection tab set the connection between the noggings and studs to Framing Connection.
3. Load the propper Framing Connection attribute file.

Framing Connection Creation:

1. In the Applications & components catalog search for 

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   Framing Connection and click on it.

2. In the model select the first part to connect using 

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   Select components switch.

3. Select the second part to finish the creation.

Framing Connection Settings:

1. Double-click on the Framing Connection component using 

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   Select components switch.

2. Framing Connection dialog window opens and you can set the desired connection properties.
3. Save the connection attribute and close the dialog window.

Picture tab

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The Framing Detail plugin applies the dimple, notch, lip cut and swage tools to a single member.

User Inputs

Framing Detail Creation:

1. In the Applications & Components catalog search for 

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   Framing Detail and click on it.

2. In the model select the part.
3. Pick the position on the part to finish the Framing Detail creation.

Framing Detail Settings:

1. In the model double-click on the Framing Detail component using 

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   Select objects in components switch button.

2. The Framing Detail dialog window opens.
3. In the Framing Detail dialog window set the detail properties.
4. To apply the Framing Detail settings click Modify.

Parameters tab

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ToolSizes tab

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This tool allows you to define any number of window/ door openings within a wall panel. All the studs, tracks, horizontal braces and connections will automatically update to accommodate the opening.
For door openings the tool will place local punches to the bottom track and to the door jambs, to aid removal of track below door onsite.

User Inputs

Panel Opening Creation:

1. Ensure that 

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   Direct modification switch is enabled.

2. In the model use the 

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   Select components switch to select the panel to which you want to add the openings.

3. Hover the mouse on the panel 

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   contextual toolbar to open the panel floating toolbar and select one of the three options to create the desired opening: 

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   1. Click on the Add opening with two points button: 

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      Field	Description	Default
      (1)	Opening dimensions input alternative - Allows you to define the opening vertical position and the opening height. Click Opening dimensions input alternative button to cycle through the five different opening input options:  Image   Image   Image   Image   Image	-
      (2)	Opening bottom edge height - Defines the vertical distance from the bottom edge of the panel to the top edge of the sill.	900.00
      (3)	Opening height - Defines the vertical distance from the bottom edge of the panel to the top edge of the sill.	1200.00

   2. Click on the Add rectangle opening button: 

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   3. Click on the Add opening by picking one point button: 

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4. Pick the insertion points of the opening within the panel. 

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5. Right-click and select Interrupt to finish the opening creation.

Panel Opening Settings:

1. Ensure that the 

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   Direct modification switch is enabled.

2. In the model select the panel that contains the opening using 

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   Select components switch to select the panel that contains the opening.

3. Select the opening.
4. Right-click and select Properties to open the Opening dialog window.
5. In the Opening dialog window set the desired opening properties.
6. After you set the desired Opening properties click Modify and then click OK to close the dialog window.

General tab

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Lintel tab

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Sill tab

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Jambs tab

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Cripple tab

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Panel Opening  - Direct manipulation

Panel Opening Direct Modification Handles:

1. Ensure that 

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   Direct modification switch is enabled.

2. In the model select the panel that contains the opening using 

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   Select components switch.

3. Select the opening.

4. To reposition drag the opening. To resize the opening, select a construction line of the opening and then drag the line handles. The tool provides a graphical representation showing the changes to the physical location of the opening.
   For example:
   - You can drag the opening to change its position within the panel:
     

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   - You can drag the line handles to change the opening size: 

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Panel Opening Contextual Toolbar:

1. Ensure that 

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   Direct modification switch is enabled.

2. In the model select the panel that contains the opening using 

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   Select components switch.

3. Select the opening.

4. Hover the mouse on the 

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   contextual toolbar to open the floating toolbar and you will see the contextual toolbar options:

    

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   Field	Description	Default
   (1)	Add opening with two points - Button to add openings by choosing two horizontal points.	Disabled
   (2)	Add rectangle opening - Button to add openings by choosing two diagonal points.	Disabled
   (3)	Add opening by picking one point - Button to add openings by picking one point. The picking point is the middle point of the sill top edge.	Disabled
   (4)	Brace type - Creates braces in the spacing next to the opening. Options are: - None - Creates no brace to the opening. - Left - Creates brace B type in the spacing before the opening. - Right - Creates brace A type in the spacing after the opening. - Both - Creates one brace B type in the spacing before the opening and one brace A type in the spacing after the opening.	None
   (5)	Opening sill type - Defines the type of the sill. Options are: - Standard - Creates a single sill profile. - Medium - Creates two identical sill profiles one above the other.	Standard
   (6)	Opening lintel type - Defines the type of the lintel. Options are: - Standard - Creates a single lintel profile. - Medium - Creates two identical lintel profiles one above the other. - Heavy Duty - Creates a lintel composed of two identical profiles and another profile between them.	Standard
   (7)	Opening jamb type - Defines the type of the jambs. Options are: - Standard - Creates one jamb profile on each side of the opening. - Double - Creates two jamb profiles on each side of the opening. - Triple- Creates three jamb profiles on each side of the opening. - Quadruple - Creates four jamb profiles on each side of the opening.	Standard

5. To modify the opening properties select in the contextual toolbar the desired options.

 Note:

The Panel Opening tool will automatically recognise the opening type and will display its properties:

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This tool connects one wall panel to another. All the studs, tracks, horizontal braces and connections inside the panel will automatically update to accommodate the opening if valid.

User Inputs

Panel to Panel Connection Creation:

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1. In the Applications & components catalog search for 

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   Panel to Panel Connection and click on it.

2. In the model select the first panel to connect using 

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   Select components switch.

3. Select the second panel to connect to and the connection is done.

Panel to Panel Connection Settings:

1. In the model double-click on the 

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   Panel to Panel Connection using 

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   Select components switch.

2. Panel to Panel Connection dialog window opens and you can set the desired connection properties.

Parameters tab

Field	Description	Default
(1)	Connection Type - Defines the wall panel connection types. Options are: - Standard - Connects the first selected panel to the second selected panel:    Image - Reversed - Connects the second selected panel to the first selected panel:  Image	Standard