Adding Fixtures and Details

In this tutorial, we will explore how to use the feature tool to enhance your floorplan by adding fixtures and additional details. We'll cover everything from placing furniture to customizing your library and adding unique details.

Fixture Mode

In the Sub toolbar, you can find the Fixture mode, which allows you to access your Fixtures library and place various furniture and fixed objects on your floorplan. Fixtures can be commonly placed furniture items, Machinery, Air conditioning component or anything else you might need to add to your plan to increase readability or add additional information not possible with other tools.

Determine Your Fixture Needs

Before adding fixtures, decide how many you want to include. You can choose to leave them all off, only draw major features like elevators and toilets or obstructions affecting evacuation paths, or fully furnish an office space. The choice is yours.

Adding Fixtures from the Default Library

To add fixtures, scroll through the default library and select the items you need. For example, you can find a toilet for your bathrooms. Once selected, the fixture will appear on your floorplan, and you can rotate, resize, and move it into position. You can also copy and paste fixtures to save time.

Using the Features Tool Libraries

Inside the Features tool, you have access to two libraries: a partner library shared across all jobs and a client-specific library that you can customize for each client. You can manually draw in fixtures and details that you don't plan to reuse by selecting the Detailing tool from the Sub toolbar.

Manually Drawing Unique Fixtures

Detail mode allows you to draw unique fixtures as lines. For example, you can draw a custom shelf. Objects drawn with the detailing tool can later be converted into fixtures if you decide to add them to your library. The Detail mode can also be useful to add additional detail to other objects in PlanStudio, such as Custom Stair cases, edges of foot paths or any other line work that is not specific to another tool

Converting Lines to Fixtures

To convert lines into fixtures, select all the lines you want to use and press the "Convert to Fixtures" button. Fill out the relevant details and choose whether the fixture should be available for the entire partnership or just a specific client.

Adjusting Detailing Tool Settings

Within the Detailing tool settings, you can adjust line color, opacity, dash styles, and thickness. The thickness mode has three settings depending on your needs: Hairline, this will always show your lines at the thinnest setting, both on screen and when printing, Print scale, which lets you set the thickness of the lines when printing/publishing in 'pp' or Plan Scale, which will set the thickness of the line on the plan in 'pt'.

Adding Detail to Stairs and Landings

The detailing tool is also useful for adding extra detail around stairs and landings, especially for nonstandard staircases that can't be drawn with the stairs tool.

Using Label Mode for Text

The last option in the Sub toolbar is Label mode, which allows you to add text that follows a line along the plan. This is ideal for curving text, such as street names on winding roads. Start by drawing a line, adjust it with nodes, and then customize the text in the Inspector panel. Note that this text remains fixed to the line and cannot be rotated later.

By following these steps, you can enhance your floorplan with fixtures and details, making it more informative and visually appealing.