Creating and Editing Molding Profiles

Reference Number: KB-00166

Last Modified: June 25, 2026

QUESTION

I want to draw a custom molding profile and add it to my library. Alternatively, I found a molding profile in the library that is similar to what I need, but I would like to make some minor changes to it. How would I go about this?

ANSWER

Custom molding profiles can be drawn in either floor plan view or in a CAD detail window and should be drawn at their actual size.

You can easily make changes to an existing molding profile by adding it to your User Catalog and making further changes to it. In older versions you can place the molding profile into your view, make necessary changes, and then adding it back to your User Catalog.

To create a molding profile

Select CAD> Lines> Draw Line from the menu.
Draw a vertical line to form the back of the molding profile.

For window casing, base or crown molding, or a chair rail, the back of the molding (the part that is against the wall) should be drawn vertically so that it forms the left side of the polyline.
Using the various CAD tools, draw your desired molding profile at its actual, unscaled size. The back of most profiles, or the side facing the wall, must be drawn as a vertical edge on the left side of the polyline.
With the profile created, select it to highlight it, and then click on the Add to Library edit button.

The molding will now be added to your Library Browser to be used in your designs.

To edit an existing molding profile in X18 and newer

In floor plan view or in a CAD Detail window, select View> Library Browser from the menu to open the Library Browser window.
In the library browser, browse to a molding profile that you would like to customize, right-click on the molding, and then select the Copy to User Catalog option to add an editable version of it to your User Catalog.

Note: A collection of molding profiles can be found by navigating to Core Catalogs Architectural> Moldings, Profiles, Extrusions.
Select and right-click on the molding in your User Catalog, then select the Edit Molding Profile option from the menu to open the Molding Polyline edit window.

If you right-click on a molding profile that is in the User Catalog, selecting the Open Object option will open a Molding Specification dialog where the Molding Height, Molding Width, Profile Rotation, and a variety of other properties can be modified.
Once you're finished with your changes, go to File> Close View.
Click Save to save the changes you've made to the molding profile in your User Catalog.

To edit an existing molding profile in X17 and prior

In floor plan view or in a CAD Detail window, select View> Library Browser from the menu to open the Library Browser window.
In the library browser, browse to a molding profile that you would like to customize, right-click on the molding, and then select the Place Molding Profile option from the menu.

Note: A collection of molding profiles can be found by navigating to Core Catalogs Architectural> Moldings, Profiles, Extrusions.

If you right-click on a molding profile that is in the User Catalog, selecting the Open Object option will open a Molding Specification dialog where the Molding Height, Molding Width, Profile Rotation, and a variety of other properties can be modified.
Move your cursor into the drawing area and click in an empty space to place a polyline representing the molding profile.
Using the Select Objects tool, click on the molding profile polyline to select it.
Using the edit handles, edit toolbar buttons, and/or settings in the profile's Polyline Specification dialog, edit the profile as desired.
When you are satisfied with the appearance of the edited molding profile, select it and click the Add to Library edit button to add the modified molding profile to the User Catalog in the Library Browser.

To learn more about molding profiles, refer to your programs Help documentation, as well as the Related Articles section below.