Chief Architect Help Database - Article Number:  12

How to Duplicate a Floor Plan on Another Level

The information in this article applies to:
  • Chief Architect X5
  • Chief Architect X4
  • Chief Architect X3
  • Chief Architect X2
  • Chief Architect X1
QUESTION

I designed a floor plan, complete with fixtures, that must be duplicated on multiple levels of my project. What is the best way to do this?


ANSWER

In some situations, such as apartments, condominiums, or hotels, the floor plans on multiple floors will be nearly identical. While the Derive new floor plan from the 1st floor plan option will copy the layout of exterior walls, other objects like doors, windows, cabinets and fixtures, will not be duplicated.

It is possible, however, to duplicate all objects on a floor using the Edit Area tools.


To copy a floor plan to another level

  1. Create a new floor by selecting Build> Build New Floor from the menu.


  2. In the New Floor dialog, select Make new (blank) plan for the 2nd floor.


  3. After floor two has been created, return to floor one and select Edit> Edit Area to open the Edit Area submenu. There are four options:

    • Edit Area - selects all objects in the selection box, displayed or not, located on the current floor.

    • Edit Area Visible - selects all visible objects on the current floor but ignores those that are not displayed.

    • Edit Area (All Floors) - selects all objects in the selection box, displayed or not, located on all floors.

    • Edit Area (All Floors) Visible - selects all visible objects located on all floors but ignores those that are not displayed.


  4. Select Edit Area and click and drag in floor plan view to draw a selection box around the portion of the floor to be duplicated.


  5. Select Edit> Copy from the menu.


  6. Return to the floor where you want to create a copy (in this case the newly created second floor), and select Edit> Paste> Paste Hold Position from the menu.

    • Paste Hold Position will maintain the selected area's exact position when it is copied to another floor or to another file.


MORE INFORMATION

To better understand the Edit Area tools, refer to the Chief Architect Reference Manual.

Last updated on: Mar 28, 2013


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