Move Wall Types between Drawings

[PitMan71]

How can custom wall types be moved from on drawing to another? I have a couple custom wall types that I made that I want to use in another drawing.

 

Thanks

Shane

[JKEdmo]

3 minutes ago, PitMan71 said:

I have a couple custom wall types that I made that I want to use in another drawing.

I think you can Copy and Paste them over.  Give it a try.

 

 

[PitMan71]

I will try that. I did find where the wall types can be exported and then imported to the other drawing.

 

Thanks

[rgardner]

1 hour ago, PitMan71 said:

How can custom wall types be moved from on drawing to another? I have a couple custom wall types that I made that I want to use in another drawing.

 

Thanks

Shane

Use the export wall types tool and import wall types tool into the new plan. That will copy all of your wall types.  You can also save wall types to your user library.

[PitMan71]

 

4 minutes ago, rgardner said:

You can also save wall types to your user library.

Oooh. I like the library idea. I need to learn how to do that.

[CFaasDFCo]

On 2/14/2025 at 4:27 PM, rgardner said:

Use the export wall types tool and import wall types tool into the new plan. That will copy all of your wall types.  You can also save wall types to your user library.

This is awesome! but now how do I use them (feel like this should be self explanatory but I'm failing.

[PitMan71]

You mean from the library?

 

[CFaasDFCo]

5 hours ago, PitMan71 said:

You mean from the library?

 

Yes, in my mind it should be simple but it’s not working for me.

[DBCooper]

If you have a wall in the library, all you need to do is to click on it and then draw it in your plan.  It should automatically import the wall type.

 

[PitMan71]

9 hours ago, CFaasDFCo said:

Yes, in my mind it should be simple but it’s not working for me.

I have never used this before. BUT I'm gonna try it out. Thanks DB for reminding me of this.

 

[CFaasDFCo]

9 hours ago, DBCooper said:

If you have a wall in the library, all you need to do is to click on it and then draw it in your plan.  It should automatically import the wall type.

 

 

10 hours ago, CFaasDFCo said:

Yes, in my mind it should be simple but it’s not working for me.

 

I'm an idiot, I kept trying to "paint" it on to a wall vs just click and drag...............I was that simple.

[PitMan71]

1 hour ago, CFaasDFCo said:

I'm an idiot,

You are no idiot. You are a genius adapting to something unfamiliar. I get the sentiment tho. I have used auto cad for 35 years.... Im still hitting F8 for ortho.

[mtldesigns]

11 hours ago, PitMan71 said:

Im still hitting F8 for ortho

Ha..  I'm still using AutoCAD during the day, and then come home and switch gears to Chief.  I take a 20 minute power nap so brain can re-adjust.

 

In RE: to wall types and libraries.  There are so many types that I have created over the years.  ICF, wooden frames (2x, 4x, 6x, 8x...), steel framed, CMU, the list goes on an on.  So instead of having a long library, I have a model that has a 12' long wall of each one I have created along the way (and I can keep the same naming method).  I just copy and paste the wall I need once I start a new plan.  Another benefit is this file in on my OneDrive folder, so I can use easily on my laptop too.

 

The image is an over view

[Gr8trim4u]

Another thing is to assign the wall to a layer. All of my as build walls are assigned to an existing wall layer.  My SP views keep them greyed out. I allow my walls to be controlled by the layers.  As you save them tonthe library assign them to whatever layers that works best. 

[ValleyGuy]

On 2/14/2025 at 4:29 PM, PitMan71 said:

How can custom wall types be moved from on drawing to another? I have a couple custom wall types that I made that I want to use in another drawing.

 

Thanks

Shane

 

I used to import all of my freshly made wall types into my template, and just like Michael stated above... there becomes a lot of them. The interior walls are pretty consistent, it's the exterior walls that really seem to add up for me. The problem that occurred was I had a really long list to scroll through when in the wall specifications choosing a 'wall type'. I like to be able to control the plan view wall layers look and maintain control on all of the many different layer sets for all of the different walls created. I also like to have an accurate and dynamic wall schedule (exterior 6" wasn't quite cutting it). The same house may have many 'exterior' walls; walk-out basement walls, main floor walls, garage walls, garage to house through walls, second floor walls, dormer 'ghost' walls, attic to living space walls, attic to exterior walls. A lot of these you may want different wall component for, or different plan view looks, all for the same house. Some even take advantage of the new 'display layer' under the wall type for even finer control.  Add this to the many different houses and the list gets exhausting. So I started putting them into my library under specific 'Wall Sets'. My library is always current and always on every plan... no need to chase after old plans to find the walls to import / copy.

To get each of the specific library saved walls into the plan, just select the library saved wall and use it like the regular wall tool. I don't think that I really go into the 'wall type specification' list any more and it stays as a short list for each new template that I open. If I make a new wall (or set), I can immediately save them to the library and do not need to update my template plan but keep on working.

 

 I really like having specific house type walls grouped and in the library. Once that group is opened, all of that house's walls are on display just like a drop down list of wall tools. Another bonus is specific wall data is saved for each specific wall; whatever info you want to save only has to be created once. If I want a specific wall to be framed with a specific material so it stands out in a camera view, have horizontal girts of a specific size, specific macros attached, or I want the specific wall layer description in my dynamic wall schedule to be accurate, it's all there. Just remember that if you want to change a wall already drawn, don't just open up the existing wall and change the wall type as that will be the only data that you are changing. The description, layer, etc will stay the same. Draw over top with the new wall.

I'm sure there are many ways and systems to accomplish this task, this one seems to work well for me.