Creating a Custom Sink Hole or Cutout


Reference Number: KB-01203
Last Modified: March 7, 2023

The information in this article applies to:

Chief Architect Premier or Chief Architect Interiors



QUESTION

When I insert a sink into a cabinet, the countertop hole doesn't look correct. How can I customize this cutout to my liking?

Kohler sink with a custom countertop cutout


ANSWER

When a sink fixture is placed into a cabinet, a hole will typically be cut out of the countertop automatically. In some instances though, such as when you're using a third party sink symbol that was imported, this cutout may not generate as you would expect.

3D camera view of a sink with a cutout that does not conform to the sink.

If this occurs, you can adjust the CAD block associated with a sink fixture so that the cutout better suits your needs.


To customize a sink's cutout

  1. In a New Plan , locate and select the sink fixture that you would like to create a custom sink hole for from the Library Browser , then place it an empty area of the plan.

    A Question dialog may appear stating that "The symbol you are trying to place was designed to be placed onto the top of a base cabinet but you did not select an appropriate cabinet. Would you like to place the symbol as a free standing object?" Click Yes.


  2. Navigate to CAD> CAD Block Management from the menu.


  3. In the CAD Block Management dialog that opens, locate the custom sink, select it, then click Insert.

    CAD Block Management dialog with the Kohler CAD block selected.


  4. Click in an empty area of the plan to place the CAD block.

    CAD block placed in the plan.



  5. Using the Select Objects Select Objects tool icon tool, click on the newly placed CAD block to select it, then click the Explode CAD Block  edit tool.


  6. With the block exploded, select the outermost polyline that pertains to the sink, then click the Convert Polyline  edit tool.

    • The Convert Polyline dialog will appear. Select the Countertop option and click OK.

      Convert Polyline dialog with the Countertop option selected.


    • The Custom Countertop dialog will then appear. Check the Hole in Countertop box and click OK.

      Hole in Countertop box checked in the Custom Countertop Specification dialog.


  7. Group select all of the CAD components and select the Make CAD Block  edit tool to block all of the CAD components back together.

    This is a good time to open the newly formed CAD block up to specification and provide an appropriate name. If a name is not specified for the block, it will simply be titled "block".


  8. Locate the sink fixture within the Library Browser once again, right-click on it, and choose Open Object  .

    In X14 and prior versions, select Open Symbol  from the contextual menu instead.

    Note: 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.

  9. On the 2D Block panel of the Specification dialog that opens, select the CAD block that was customized in the steps above, then click OK.

    Custom CAD block selected in the Specification dialog.

You can now insert the sink fixture from the Library Browser into a cabinet, and the cabinet's countertop will conform around the sink.