Objectives:

In this post, I will show you how to create windows with frames using AutoCAD and put them in correct places in the drawing.

Downloads

You can download the AutoCAD model from the Downloads section.

Layers

When modelling windows and doors, or any other furniture it is very important to use different layers. You should be using different layers for parts, that will have different textures. For example, WINDOWS layer will have “sub-layers”: WINDOWS – HANDLE, WINDOWS – FRAME, WINDOWS – GLASS. This allows to easily apply different materials on the object, when you have multiple copies of an object.

Windows

Let’s start by creating a couple of windows for the house.

Firstly, you need to create 3 new layers:

• WINDOWS – FRAME
• WINDOWS – GLASS
• WINDOWS – HANDLE

To do that, enter LAYER and press Enter. Then, click New Layer (Alt+N), and you’re done. When you have your layers ready, let’s create the window frames. They will have a thickness of 5 cm and width of 5 cm too. For this step, use the the OFFSET command and offset the frame by 5 cm.

Then using the PRESSPULL command extrude the frame by 5 cm.

Now select the WINDOWS – GLASS layer. And again, using the PRESSPULL command we’ll extrude the glass pane by 0.5 cm. After that, bring the glass pane into the middle of the frame (2.25 cm up) using the 3DMOVE command.

Now let’s create a handle. I won’t be showing how I created the handle, I’ll leave that to your own imagination. But here’s something that you could be aiming for:

Next, before moving on, you should group the window frame, glass pane and handles (if you used any) into groups, so that they’re easier to manipulate. Lift them up using the 3DROTATE command.

When you have your windows ready, place them where they belong using the 3DMOVE command. Windows should be 20 cm from the outside edge of the wall.

Repeat these steps with the rest of your windows. The upper floor angled windows might be a little trickier to place, but have a go at it. (When you have your angled windows in place, before pushing them in by 20 cm, change the coordinate system with the UCS command, so that it corresponds to your angled wall.)

Results

And here’s the result you’re looking for:

Next time I’ll show you how to put doors into your house model.