QUESTION
How can I create a custom molding profile and apply it as casing for my doors or windows?
ANSWER
Custom molding profiles can be created using the CAD tools, and then added to your User Catalog. These custom profiles can then be applied as casing for doors or windows by accessing the Door/Window Defaults or Door/Window Specification dialog.
To create a custom molding profile
- Select CAD> Lines> Draw Line
from the menu:
- Draw a vertical line to form the back of the molding profile. The back of the molding must be drawn vertically so that it forms the left side of the polyline.
- In nearly all cases, this line's length should match the height of the profile you are creating for the casing.
- Continue to create your desired molding profile using the CAD tools, making sure that the result is a closed polyline shape, and that it's drawn at the actual size.
In this example, we will be using the shape shown in the image below.
For more information on molding profiles, please see the "Creating and Editing Molding Profiles" resource in the Related Articles section.
- Using the Select Objects
tool, select the closed polyline shape that was just created and click on the Add to Library 
edit button to add it to your User Catalog.
- Your molding profile can now be found underneath the User Catalog with the name "Molding". Right-click on your molding and select Rename to give it an appropriate name.
On a Mac, hold down the Control key while clicking to initiate a right-click command. More information about right-click commands on Apple input devices can be found in the following Apple resource: Right-click on Mac.
If you would like to be able to have this molding applied to your doors or windows every time one is placed, you may want to consider adding it to your Default Settings 
.
To apply the molding to your defaults
- Select Edit> Default Settings from the menu.
- Expand the Doors category, select the door tool that you would like to modify, then click Edit.
Alternatively, select the Window option and click Edit to edit your Window Defaults.
In this example, we have selected the Exterior Door option.
- On the Casing panel of the Door/Window Defaults dialog that displays:
- Ensure that Use Exterior/Interior Casing is checked.
- Click the Library button next to Casing Profile, browse to your User Catalog, select the molding profile that was created, then click OK.
In this example, we have applied the custom molding profile to the exterior casing only.
- Adjust the Width, Depth, and Reveal to your liking.
For this example we have set the Width to 3" and Depth to 1.25".
- Make any other desired changes, such as to the Materials, then click OK and Done to close the dialogs.
If you would like to use this custom casing on every new project consider creating a custom template. For more information on templates, please see the Related Articles section.
To apply the molding to a single door/window
- Using the Select Objects tool, select a door/window in the plan and click on the Open Object
edit button.
- On the Casing panel of the Door/Window Specification dialog that displays:
- Ensure that Use Exterior/Interior Casing is checked.
- Click the Library button next to Casing Profile, browse to your User Catalog, select the molding profile that was created, then click OK.
In this example, we have applied the custom molding profile to the exterior casing only.
- Adjust the Width, Depth, and Reveal to your liking.
For this example, the Width is set to 3" and the Depth is set to 1.25".
- Make any other desired changes to the door/window, then click OK.
- Take a Camera
view to see the results.
