Importing and Using a Custom Bathtub Symbol

The information in this article applies to:

QUESTION

I found a 3D bathtub symbol online and would like to use it in a tub deck for my plan. How can I do this?

ANSWER 

In Home Designer Pro, Architectural, Suite and Interiors, you can easily import 3D symbols in the .obj, .3ds, .dae and .skp* file formats, save them in the library, and use them in your plans.

A selection of additional bonus catalogs for the current version of Home Designer can be located on our website in the 3D Library.

Home Designer Pro can also import 3D .dxf symbols.

In this example, a Kohler® undermount tub symbol will be imported from the Trimble 3D Warehouse  and then demonstrated how it can be used in a plan.

To import a custom 3D symbol

1. Begin by downloading an .obj, .3ds, .skp or .dae file that you would like to use in your plans.
   
   
   
   
   
2. When you download the file, make sure that you select an easy to find location on your hard drive, for example, your Documents folder or the Desktop.
   
   
   
   

• Make a note of the file's name, as well.
  
  
  

• Open the plan file in which you want to import a custom 3D symbol, or select File> New Plan to open a new, blank plan.
  
  
  
• Select File> Import> 3D Symbol from the menu, and in the Import 3D Symbol dialog:
  
  
  
  
• • Browse to the location where you saved your downloaded file in step 1.
    
    
  • Select it so that its name appears in the File name field.
    
    
  • Click Open.
    
    
    
• Your mouse pointer will now display the fixtures icon and a preview outline of the imported symbol.
  
  
• • Click to place the symbol in your plan.
    
    
    
    
• If you would like to add the symbol to the library for future use, click on the object to select it and click the Add to Library edit button.
  
  
• • The symbol will be added to the User Catalog section of the Library Browser, where you can create folders and sub-folders to organize it to suit your needs.
    
    In version 10 programs, it will be added to the My Library folder.
    
    
  • You may find it helpful to right-click on the item in the tree list and choose Rename from the menu, then type a short, descriptive name that will help you easily find the symbol in the future.
    
    
    

  To create an enclosure for an imported tub symbol

  Many 3D symbols are ready to use as stand-alone objects; however, some fixtures like tubs are meant to be built in to enclosures. A custom enclosure can be created using base cabinets.

  1. Begin by clicking the Select Objects button and then clicking on the imported symbol to select it. Then, click the Open Object edit button to open the Fixture Specification dialog.
     
     
     
  2. On the General panel:
     
     
     
     
  • Make a note of the symbol's Height, Width, and Depth values.
    
    In this example, these values are 20 1/2", 60", and 32" respectively.
    
    
    
• On the Materials panel select an appropriate color by clicking the component and then clicking Select Material.
  
  
  
  in this example the material "Porcelain" is used.
  
  
  
• Select Build> Cabinet> Base Cabinet from the menu, then click to place a single base cabinet in the plan.
  
  
  
• Click the Select Objects button, then click on the cabinet to select it and click the Open Object edit button.
  
  
  
• On the General panel of the Base Cabinet Specification dialog:
  
  
  
  
• • Specify the cabinet's Height as equal to or slightly higher than the bathtub symbol's. In this example, the height is 21", or 1/2" taller than the bathtub.
    
    
  • Specify the cabinet's Width. In this example, the Width is equal to the bathtub's: 60".
    
    
  • Specify the cabinet's Depth, which also determines how wide the horizontal surround on this side of the tub is. In this example 6" is used.
    
    
  • Specify the Countertop Thickness.
    
    
  • Put a checkmark on Flat Back.
    
    
  • If the bathtub and surround will be positioned against a wall, you may want to define the Backsplash Height and Thickness, as well.
    
    
    
• On the Front panel:
  
  
  
  
• • Click on the toe kick at the bottom of the preview diagram on the right side of the dialog box and click the Delete button.
    
    
    
    
  • Click on the drawer in the preview diagram and Delete this item, as well.
    
    
  • Click on the Doors in the preview diagram and change its Item Type to "Door Panel".
    
    
    
    
  • Verify the panel's Item Height. In this example, an Item Height of 18" is used.
    
    
  • Click OK to close the dialog and apply your changes.
    
    
    
• With the cabinet selected, use its Move edit handle to position it alongside the bathtub symbol.
  
  
  
• With the cabinet still selected, make three more copies of it that you can use to form the other sides of the tub enclosure:
  
  
• • Click the Copy/Paste edit button,
    
    
  • Click the Sticky Mode edit button,
    
    
  • Click three times in an empty space near the tub to place copies of the cabinet.
    
    
  • When you are finished, click the Select Objects button.
    
    
    
• The new copies of the base cabinet can now be selected individually, resized, rotated, and moved into position beside the bathtub symbol.
  
  
  
  
  
• You can see the results in a Camera view:
  
  
  
  
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  To block the tub and enclosure together

  Note: The steps in this section apply to Home Designer Pro and Architectural only.
  1. Select File> Close View to return to floor plan view, then click the Select Objects button.
     
     
     
  2. Hold down the Shift key on your keyboard and then click and drag to draw a rectangular selection marquee around the bathtub symbol and base cabinet enclosure pieces to select them as a group.
     
     
     
  3. With all of the objects selected, click the Make Architectural Block edit button.
     
     
     
  4. If you want, you can click the Add to Library edit button to add this architectural block to the library for future use in other plan files.