Cabinet Manufacturer Catalog creation

[allencab]

I'd like to begin creating a catalog of cabinets for my favorite brand, Plain & Fancy Cabinetry.  Is there a way to import cabinet data via a spreadsheet or something similar?  Is there a way more efficient than creating them one at a time?

 

Thanks much for any guidance.

John

[robdyck]

31 minutes ago, allencab said:

Plain & Fancy Cabinetry

Chief already has their catalog.  

https://www.chiefarchitect.com/3d-library/index.php?r=site/detail/1285

[allencab]

Yes, for sure.  This catalog is door styles and finishes but not boxes.

I was hoping to create the boxes and front frame configurations so I could have a library of base, wall, tall vanity cabinets I could drag and drop.

Am I approaching this the wrong way?

[MarkMc]

10 hours ago, allencab said:

create the boxes and front frame configurations

Retired KD here. You're on the right track but not quite. Here's how I approached it.

Assign hotkeys to all of the cabinets in the "Build" Menu

Not a bad idea to place appliances first even just as place holders.

Place you cabinets using the shortcut keys, resize the widths in plan view as you go to what you think they should end up being. (Note that you can resize a cabinet and then just click to add a new one of the same type as the tool remains active)

I usually do bases and talls leaving walls for later.

I used to keep libraries and used the "replace from library" tool to change the cabinet configuration and that still has it's place but nowadays you want to use Style Palettes.

To do that start a "warehouse plan" where you will keep the cabinets you need to make. You don't need to make them all at once. Better to do as you go and learn more about what you  need to get from them to place orders. I end up with about 30 cabinets though a functioning set can be half that. (note no need to make both a left and a right in most cases you can just flip the cabinet)

 

When creating the SP- first "Clear All", then select Copy Face Configuration, Component Code, Comment, and Custom Fields. DO NOT include any sizing or anything that can be handled by defaults. Those extra fields you will end up using for ordering information- modifications and such as text.

 

 

You will still end up configuring some cabinets as you go- this or that appliance combo, some other odd request. I keep a library for each job by name. I save any customized cabinets there since it's easier for me to remember them by the job and less clutter in the warehouse. If one is need on a job the the replace from library tool can be handy or of course you can drag and drop that from the library.

[allencab]

Thank you @MarkMc.  I followed your hot key advice.  This will be a great time saver.

I created a project named PNF Cabinet Warehouse (in X17beta plans go in projects).  In this project I created a plan and in this plan I placed a base cabinet.

I selected it and then right clicked and went to Add Object(s) to Style Palette, then Create New.  I Cleared All and clicked the Comment, Component... etc.

I named it Base, Standard (because I didn't change the face frame configuration).  (This is not a practical example because one can place a base cabinet and have what I created a Style Palette for - this I think I know.)

 

Help me sort through the concept here.  (I think of myself as a 'low level learner.'  Once I understand the concept the details come easy.)

 

So, what sort of tool do I have here now?  If I have, for example, a three drawer base and I want it to be a standard base I can now apply this Style Palette to it and I'll have a standard base - with the dimensions of the former three drawer base.  The Component Code will be my Plain & Fancy nomenclature.  Maybe I can use this in a "formula" along with the cabinet width to create the Label that will appear in the cabinet plan view as well as in the schedule?  The Custom Fields and the Comments will be similarly useful?

 

Thanks very much for your support here.  I'm often in Garrison.  May I buy you a coffee?