******************************************************************************** FloorPlan 3D Version 6.0 January, 2001 ******************************************************************************** Please review this document which contains last-minute product information and updates to FloorPlan documentation. It is recommended that you print this document for future reference. ================================================================================ Contents ================================================================================ 1.0 System Requirements 2.0 What's New In FloorPlan 3D Version 6.0? 2.1 New Objects and Textures 2.2 New Viewing Capabilities 2.3 Customizable Room Properties 2.4 Improved Window and Door Customization 2.5 Improved Automatic Roof Editor 2.6 Collision Detection 2.7 Automatic Lot Layout 2.8 HomeStyles 1,001 Fully-editable FloorPlan Files 3.0 Internet Functionality 4.0 Internet Support 5.0 Upgrade Information for FloorPlan 3D Version 4.0/5.0 Users 6.0 Known Issues 7.0 Technical Support ================================================================================ 1.0 System Requirements ================================================================================ Pentium -133 or better CPU 64 MB (96 MB recommended) 80 MB minimum free hard disk space (140 MB Recommended) Super VGA graphics card/display card 800x600 (1024x768 recommended) Color Display 16-bit or Higher Double speed CD-ROM drive Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT 4 or Windows 2000 Internet Explorer 5.0 Mouse ================================================================================ 2.0 What's New In FloorPlan 3D Version 6.0? ================================================================================ This version of FloorPlan 3D provides the following improvements and new features: ================================================================================ 2.1. New Objects and Textures ================================================================================ Extensive new content database including over 130 brand new 3D Symbols from Accessories to Windows. The texture library has also been completely updated to include over 50 new, high quality textures and patterns. ================================================================================ 2.2 New Viewing Capabilities ================================================================================ Create and Open multiple views of the same drawing at the same time. Work in 2D and see the results in 3D at the same time! ================================================================================ 2.3 Customizable Room Properties ================================================================================ Edit and view properties on a per-room basis. Set room allowances for budgeting the total amounts for each room based on the materials used. Room properties and allowances are now incorporated into the materials list by room. ================================================================================ 2.4 Improved Window and Door Customization ================================================================================ Choose how many panes of glass are in your window or how many panels are in your door and save them as new objects ================================================================================ 2.5 Improved Automatic Roof Editor ================================================================================ Now includes shed roofs, cathedral ceilings, more soffitt and fascia choices and much more! ================================================================================ 2.6 Collision Detection ================================================================================ Helps avoid costly mistakes. For example: the program will not allow you to place a refrigerator on top of a sink or a chair inside of a wall. ================================================================================ 2.7 Automatic Lot Layout ================================================================================ Choose from six lot shapes in the FloorPlan 3D database: rectangular, square, L-shaped, and pie-shaped lots. You can also add a new site boundary to the database to suit your particular project. ================================================================================ 2.8 HomeStyles 1,001 Fully-editable FloorPlan Files ================================================================================ Find the home of your dreams and customize it to suit your personal style. Then, send your FloorPlan file to HomeStyles where their Home Design Services will provide a free, no obligation, cost estimate for blueprints. ================================================================================ 3.0 Internet Functionality ================================================================================ FloorPlan 3D capitalizes on the convenience of the Internet by using Internet Explorer 5.0. The first page (Front End) that you see when you launch FloorPlan allows you to start new drawings, register the program, get program updates and much more. The Internet palette gives you access to a searchable knowledge base, documentation, support and other useful online resources. To disable this feature please see the View menu. WARNING: If you choose to uninstall Internet Explorer, none of the Internet features in FloorPlan 3D will be available. ================================================================================ 4.0 Internet Support ================================================================================ FloorPlan provides an automatic update feature on the opening screen. This feature allows you to update to the current working version of FloorPlan 3D over the Internet. Simply click the button. ================================================================================ 5.0 Upgrade Information for FloorPlan 3D Version 4.0/5.0 Users ================================================================================ Please note that when you install FloorPlan 3D Version 6.0, it does not remove or update your copy of FloorPlan 3D v4 or v5. FloorPlan 3D v4 and/or v5 remains on your system. You can continue to use both programs. ================================================================================ 6.0 Known Issues ================================================================================ 1. Incorrect placement of roofs. The defect appears when the drawing contains non-closed rooms, walls of different height, etc. For the roof tool to work correctly, all walls for the active location must be connected to form an enclosed polygon. 2. Rooms with complicated configurations. When a floor plan contains a complex layout, roofs are not always correctly displayed. However, if the user slightly nudges the wall, the roofs will display correctly. 3. Representation of Materials for internal walls when Invisible walls are used. Users often use invisible walls to create balconies, etc., failing to take into account the fact that other walls have internal surface relative the invisible wall. To apply materials to the internal surface of one wall, select this wall in 3D View and change the Material of the internal wall in Properties. 4. Creation of multi-storied buildings, or drawings overloaded with symbols (especially Custom symbols). This produces very large files that may run very slowly in FloorPlan - some objects may cease to be displayed (roofs, for instance), etc. 5. Working with the Metric coordinate system. Since FloorPlan does not provide the feature to set the precision demensions for objects while working in Metric system (e.g. with Unit = M), excess precision appears. If this causes a problem for the user, it is necessary to switch to another coordinate system. 6. Import/Export DXF. DXF Import/Export can only be used as a "base" for saving contours of elements. 7. VRML files. Quality of VRML image is highly dependent on the color palette set in Display Settings of the monitor. For best results, set your monitor to 16 bit color or higher. 8. VRML Output: It takes a few seconds to generate the VRML file. Please be patient. Use the arrow keys on your keyboard and the right mouse button to navigate. Do not attempt to close your working file while it is generating the Radiosity VRML file. 9. Lightworks Photorealistic Output: Please note that if you do not have lights present in your floorplan and attempt to render the image, its output will be black. When producing a photo-realistic rendering, create a low-quality, small image first to check lighting and other settings. Once you achieve the rendering results you want, raise the quality and size settings. ================================================================================ 7.0 Technical Support ================================================================================ Whether you are just getting started, want to learn how to best use FloorPlan for a particular project, or want to push the limits of this powerful and efficient software, we've got the resources for you. To get up-to-date technical support policy information, please visit the FloorPlan web site at: http://www.floorplan.com/support/