Arch Window

Description
The Window is a base object for all kinds of "embeddable" objects, such as windows and doors. It is designed to be either independent, or "hosted" inside another component such as an Arch Wall, Arch Structure, or Arch Roof. It has its own geometry, that can be made of several solid components (commonly a frame and inner panels), and also defines a volume to be subtracted from the host objects, in order to create an opening.

Window objects are based on closed 2D objects, such as Draft Rectangles or Sketcher Sketches, that are used to define their inner components. The base 2D object must therefore contain several closed wires, that can be combined to form filled panels (one wire) or frames (several wires).

The Window tool features several presets; this allows the user to create common types of windows and doors with certain editable parameters, without the need for the user to create the base 2D objects and components manually.



''In the above image, a window is constructed on top of a Draft Rectangle, then inserted into an Arch Wall. Using the Arch Add operation automatically cuts a correct opening in the host wall.''



''The above image shows a more complex window being constructed on top of a Sketcher Sketch. When entering the window's edit mode, you can create different components, set their thickness, and select and assign wires from the sketch to them.''

All information applicable to an Arch Window also applies to an Arch Door, as it's the same underlying object. The main difference between a Window and a Door is that the Door has an internal panel that is shown opaque (the door itself), while the Window has a panel that is partially transparent (the glass).

Using a preset

 * 1) Optionally, select an Arch object. If no object is selected, the window will be inserted in the object under the mouse when placing the window.
 * 2) Press the  button, or press  then  keys.
 * 3) Select one of the presets in the list.
 * 4) Fill out the desired parameters.
 * 5) Press the  button.

Creating from scratch

 * 1) Optionally, select a face on the Arch object where you want the window to be incuded.
 * 2) Switch to the Sketcher Workbench.
 * 3) Create a new sketch.
 * 4) Draw one or more closed wires.
 * 5) Close the sketch.
 * 6) Switch back to the Arch Workbench.
 * 7) Press the  button, or press  then  keys.
 * 8) Enter Edit mode by double-clicking the window in the tree view, to adjust the window components.

Presets
The following presets are available:

Building components
Windows can include 3 types of components: panels, frames and louvres. Panels and louvres are made from one closed wire, which gets extruded, while frames are made from 2 or more closed wire, where each one is extruded, then the smaller ones are subtracted from the biggest one. You can access, create, modify and delete components of a window in edit mode (double-click the window in the Tree view). The components have the following properties:


 * Name: A name for the component
 * Type: The type of component. Can be "Frame", "Glass panel", "Solid panel" or "Louvres"
 * Wires: A comma-separated list of wires the component is based on
 * Thickness: The extrusion thickness of the component
 * Z Offset: The distance between the component and its base 2D wire(s)
 * Hinge: This allows you to select an edge from the base 2D object, then set that edge as a hinge for this component and the next ones in the list
 * Opening mode: If you defined a hinge in this component or any other earlier in the list, setting the opening mode will allow the window to appear open or to display 2D opening symbols in plan or elevation.



Options

 * Windows share the common properties and behaviours of all Arch Components
 * If the Auto-includecheckbox on the Window creation task panel is unchecked, the window won't be inserted into any host object on creation.
 * Add a selected window to a wall by selecting both, then pressing the button.
 * Remove a selected window from a wall by selecting the window, then pressing the button.
 * When using presets, it is often convenient to turn the "Near" Draft Snap on, so you can snap your window to an existing face.
 * The hole created by a window in its host object is determined by two properties: and  . The Hole Wire number can be picked in the 3D view from the window's task panel available when double-clicking the window in the tree view
 * Windows can make use of Multi-Materials. The window will search in the attached Multi-Material for material layers with a same name for each of its window component, and use it if any is found. For example, a component named "OuterFrame" will search in the attached Multi-Material, for a material layer named "OuterFrame". If such material layer is found, its material will be attributed to the OuterFrame component. The thickness value of the material layer is disregarded.

Doors
Doors can be made easily with the window tool, you only need to draw the base of the inner wire touching the exterior wire like in the image below.



Openings
Tutorial for open windows

Doors and windows can appear partially or fully open in the 3D model, or can display opening symbols both in plan and/or elevation. Consequently, these will also appear in extracted 2D views generated by Draft Shape2DView or TechDraw Workbench or Drawing Workbench. To obtain this, at least one of the window components must have a hinge and an opening mode defined (see the above). Then, using the, or  properties, you can configure the appearance of the window:



Properties

 * : The height of this window
 * : The width of this window
 * : The depth of the hole created by this window in its host object
 * : The number of the wire from the base object that is used to create a hole in the host object of this window. This value can be set graphically when double-clicking the window in the tree view. Setting a value of 0 will make the window automatically pick its biggest wire for the hole.
 * : A list of strings (5 strings per component, setting the component options above)
 * : If any of the components is set to "Louvres", this property defines the size of the louvre elements
 * : If any of the components is set to "Louvres", this property defines the spacing between the louvre elements
 * : All components that have their opening mode set, and provided a hinge is defined in them or in an earlier component in the list, will appear open by a percentage defined by this value
 * : Shows 2D opening symbol in plan
 * : Shows 2D opening symbol in elevation

Scripting
Arch API and FreeCAD Scripting Basics.

The Window tool can be used in macros and from the Python console by using the following function:


 * All arguments are optional
 * Creates a based on, which should be a well formed, closed Draft Wire or Sketcher Sketch.
 * If available, sets the, , and (label) of the Window.
 * If the is not a closed shape, the tool may not create a proper solid figure.

Example: