Help Database

There are a number of ways to customize cabinets so that they meet the needs of individual clients.

To create base cabinets that accomodate wheelchairs

1. Open the plan file in which you would like to design barrier-free cabinetry.
   
   
   
2. Select Edit> Default Settings  from the menu. In the Default Settings dialog, click the [+] beside Cabinets, then select Base Cabinet and click the Edit button.
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. On the General tab of the Base Cabinet Defaults dialog:
   
   
   
   
   
   • Specify the desired Height of the countertop. In this example, 34" is used.
     
     
   • Specify the Toe Kick Height and Depth. In this example, 9" and 6", respectively, are used.
     
     
   • Click OK to close the dialog and apply your changes, then click Done to close the Default Settings dialog, as well.
     
     
     
4. Select Build> Cabinet> Base Cabinet  from the menu, then click in your plan to place a base cabinet with your modifications at that location.
   
   
   
5. Select 3D> Create Perspective View, Full Overview  from the menu to see the results.
   
   In Chief Architect X1 and prior, use 3D> Create Render View> Render Full Overview.
   
   
   

To create base cabinets with accessible storage

1. Select Edit> Default Settings  from the menu. In the Default Settings dialog, click the [+] beside Cabinets, then select Base Cabinet and click the Edit button.
   
   
   
2. On the Front tab of the Base Cabinet Defaults dialog, click on the drawer in the preview image, then click the Delete button.
   
   
   
3. Next, click on the door in the preview image, then click the Specify Shelves button.
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. In the Cabinet Shelf Specification dialog, which opens next, click the radio button beside Manual to enable the options below it.
   
   
   
5. Uncheck Equal Spacing, then specify the desired Number of Shelves. In this example, 2 is used.
   
   
   
6. Select 1 from the Shelf drop-down list, then:
   
   
   
   
   
   • Select Rollout from the Type drop-down list. 
     
     
   • Specify the Spacing From Previous as 1/2". In the case of Shelf 1, which is the bottom shelf, this value is the distance from the bottom of the shelf to the bottom inside surface of the cabinet box.
     
     
   • Press the Tab key on your keyboard to update the preview image on the right.
     
     
     
7. Select 2 from the Shelf drop-down list, then:
   
   
   
   
   
   • Select Rollout from the Type drop-down list. 
     
     
   • Specify the Spacing From Previous as needed. In this example, 9" is used.
     
     
   • Press the Tab key on your keyboard to update the preview image on the right.
     
     
     
8. When you are satisfied with your shelves, click OK to close the Cabinet Shelf Specification dialog, then click OK once more to close the Base Cabinet Defaults dialog.  Finally, click Done to close the Default Settings dialog, as well.
   
   
   
9. Select Build> Cabinet> Base Cabinet  from the menu, then click in your plan to place a base cabinet with these additional modifications in your plan.
   
   
   
10. Select 3D> Create Perspective View, Full Overview  from the menu to see the results. 
    
    In Chief Architect X1 and prior, use 3D> Create Render View> Render Full Overview. 
    
    
    
    
    To see the shelves inside the cabinet, select 3D> Delete Surface  from the menu, then click on the center panel of the cabinet door.
    
    Alternatively, you can create a single base cabinet with these customizations by making the changes described above in its specification dialog.

To create a barrier-free sink or cooktop base

1. Select a base cabinet that you would like to use as a sink base and click the Open Object  edit button.
   
   
   
2. On the General tab of the Base Cabinet Specification dialog:
   
   
   
   
   
   • Specify the Height of the cabinet, measured from the bottom to the top. In this example, 10" is used.
     
     
   • Specify a Width sufficient to hold the sink that you wish to use. In this example, 36" is used.
     
     
   • Specify the desired  Floor to Bottom distance, measured from the bottom of the cabinet down to the floor. This value should be enough to accomodate a wheelchair user's knees. In this example, 24" is used.
     
     
     
3. On the Front tab, click on the cabinet front in the preview image, then select False Drawer from the Face Items drop-down list. 
   
   
   
   
   
   • If the Face Item on your cabinet is the toe kick, click the Delete button, then click the Add New button and add a Panel to the cabinet front.
     
     
   • You may want to adjust its Height and position so that it fits nicely on the cabinet front.
     
     
     
4. On the Door/Drawer tab (or Hardware tab in X2 and prior), select None from the Drawer Handle drop-down list, then click OK.
   
   
   
   
   
5. Select Library> Library Browser  from the menu, then browse to Architectural> Fixtures> Sinks> Kitchen Sinks> Without Fixtures and click on a kitchen sink to select it.
   
   
   • In this example, the Flush Mount Offset 32" sink is used.
     
     
   • Alternatively, you can browse to Architectural> Appliances> Cooktops & Rangetops.
     
     
   • When you move your cursor into the drawing area, it displays a fixture icon .
     
     
     
6. Click on the sink base to place the selected sink or cooktop in this cabinet.
   
   
   
   
7. Next, browse to Architectural> Fixtures> Faucets> Kitchen Fixtures> Single Control and click on a faucet to select it. You can also find hot water taps in the Accessories subfolder.
   
   
   
   
     Note: Single control fixtures such as levers are recommended in barrier-free designs because they do not require strong grips to use then.
   
   
   
8. Move your cursor into the drawing area and click on the cabinet to place the faucet. Once placed, its position on the cabinet can be adjusted using its Move  edit handle.
   
   
   
9. To see the results, create a Perspective Full Camera  view of the cabinet.