Newbie trying to understand views for as-built existing and new conditions

[joseph-TVHD]

Hello All, I am a new to CA so go easy on me! I've tried researching my dilemma online, YouTube, CA tutorials but I can't quite seem to figure it out.

 

I am creating a simple plan set for a kitchen remodel (basic stuff, right?). Basically "before" and "after" 2D views. I would like to have an existing (as-built) plan view that indicates current "as-built existing conditions" (i.e. windows, doors, electrical, appliance locations, etc.). In turn have another plan view to show the proposed "new conditions". And have both 2D views on the same "layout file" to create one PDF or even just to print. This seems so basic, what am I missing?

 

Whenever I add electrical, cabinets, windows, etc. to a certain plan view in CA, those items carry to the next plan view in that file. With walls and such (windows/doors items) I've seen tutorials with hatch lines and changing floor reference with overlay views, but nothing with items such as cabinets, electrical symbols, appliances, notes, etc. Do I create two files and somehow merge the two CA files so they can be on one PDF set? I know this answer is staring me in the face... Am I making any sense? Thank you for any advice. 

[Rookie65]

Create 2 separate plans, one for the "existing" and one for the "new." You can put both on the layout sheet. Do your existing first. Then save it. Then open that plan again, and save it as the proposed (with a different name). Then on the proposed, change whatever you need to, and the existing stays as it was.

[SHCanada2]

53 minutes ago, joseph-TVHD said:

With walls and such (windows/doors items) I've seen tutorials with hatch lines and changing floor reference with overlay views, but nothing with items such as cabinets, electrical symbols, appliances, notes, etc. Do I create two files and somehow merge the two CA files so they can be on one PDF set?

not entirely sure what you want. There are generally two ways to do this. both have two .plan files as Rookie65 states. one as built, then one with the changes.

 

Then if you still just want the two to be on layout, either beside each other on a layout page or on two pages in the same layout. You send each of those to layout. Done

 

If you want to show the original, and/or you want to show the original superimposed on the proposed, then you need to use the reference display set. This is typically where hatched lines are shown as you can control which plan is "on top" via the XOR. In this case you have a different layerset for the original that you can use in which the walls are different fill or color, but once you use the reference display set for the proposed, you specify the original plan with the different layerset, along with the proposed.

 

Below the walls in white are to be removed. This is the advantage of the reference display way of doing it. You can see exactly what is being removed. I find this way is the way to do it when evaluating where the structural walls are and what needs to be done to accommodate new walls in different locations

 

 

The other way is you can assign walls different layers and create a different layer set, and then show the walls to be removed. but then you have to start breaking up walls if not entire walls are being removed. This doesnt work when walls are close together, and will just frustrate. I do not recommend it. I've tried

 

The other way is to use the wall hatching tool, and turn that layer on and off

 

The last way is you just create a polyline the width of the wall you are going to remove with a hatch fill and put them on their own layer. It's easy, and quick for just a wall or two

 

[joseph-TVHD]

1 hour ago, Rookie65 said:

Create 2 separate plans, one for the "existing" and one for the "new." You can put both on the layout sheet. Do your existing first. Then save it. Then open that plan again, and save it as the proposed (with a different name). Then on the proposed, change whatever you need to, and the existing stays as it was.

Another newbie question which I'm sure I can find online but since I've got you... is importing two different files to a layout is as simple as click and drag? I do see that in the "File" drop down tab that there is the option to Import/Export, I'll give that a try. I've only been creating layout plans with the current file I'm working on so far (simple stuff). I'm sure that I will be importing other files to a layout plans by doing the same thing as those plans become more complex. I just have little experience at this point. But we all have to start sometime. Thanks for your advice

[Rookie65]

There's no click and drag. Use "send to layout" with the same layout sheet open that you put the existing plan on. Spend some time reading the manual. There's a lot of information there. 

[Hoff_Design]

1 hour ago, joseph-TVHD said:

Another newbie question which I'm sure I can find online but since I've got you... is importing two different files to a layout is as simple as click and drag? I do see that in the "File" drop down tab that there is the option to Import/Export, I'll give that a try. I've only been creating layout plans with the current file I'm working on so far (simple stuff). I'm sure that I will be importing other files to a layout plans by doing the same thing as those plans become more complex. I just have little experience at this point. But we all have to start sometime. Thanks for your advice

Here is a good start. https://www.chiefarchitect.com/videos/#playlist-105  Layout, Construction Documents, and Printing.  This will get you to understanding the "Layout"