Help using Curtain Wall in AutoCAD Architecture 2023

[BrockHarris1888]

I'm new to AutoCAD Architecture.  I work in the glass industry and have been using AutoCAD the past 20 years producing shop drawings for windows, storefront and curtain wall.  I'm in a slow period and thought I'd see if Architecture 2023 had any tools that would be helpful.

Is there a simple way to use the curtain wall design tool to create an elevation with dimensions and perhaps show glass tags and frame type?  See attached file.   All I'm really after is seeing if there's a quicker way to draw elevation with dimensions.

I would certainly appreciate any links to an in-depth video or some other tutorial.  So far most of what I've found is just a generic overview.

[dbroad · Accepted solution]

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@BrockHarris1888 wrote:

Is there a simple way to use the curtain wall design tool to create an elevation with dimensions and perhaps show glass tags and frame type?  See attached file.   All I'm really after is seeing if there's a quicker way to draw elevation with dimensions.

Nothing is simple in AutoCAD architecture.  What you show could be probably more easily accomplished with AutoCAD.  If, however, you need plan, elevation, section, and rendered views, then the AutoCAD Architecture Curtainwall is helpful.  You need to play with them. Explort the ones in the style library. Place them in the drawing, right click, and examine the curtainwall style. 

Do a google search for "autocad architecture curtain wall" or use the built in help in  ACA.  To create an elevation, use the elevation tools.  Dimensioning isn't automatic but if you use AEC dimensions, then you might get some associativity with the elevation object if you need to resize the curtainwall.

[BrockHarris1888]

That answers my question and probably every other question I'll have.  Every google search I've done ends the same - me scratching head thinking it can't be this complicated.  I'll stick to what I have been doing.   It works well enough.

[dbroad]

Before you give up before trying, use the content browser or style manager and load several of the curtainwalls similar to the ones you want.  Then place them, right click and edit the style.  But if you're just doing elevations, you've probably made the right decision.

[David_W_Koch · Accepted solution]

@BrockHarris1888 

Everything @dbroad said is true.  But if you are working with curtain walls all of the time, I would argue that it may be worth the effort to learn how they work and to develop one or more Curtain Wall Styles that have the kit of parts that you need predefined.  You should then be able to generate "standard" Curtain Wall layouts pretty quickly.

The attached DWG has a Curtain Wall object that, when viewed from the Front view direction, shows an elevation similar to the PDF you attached (without the rough openings).  I quickly bombed in some dimensions, without taking the time to make them look pretty.

[BrockHarris1888]

I'm not going to completely abandon Architecture.  Over the years I've been able to get AutoCAD set up to work very well producing shop drawings.  But I'm always looking for ways to improve.  Architecture may very well have some features that will come in handy.  Thanks for all the information!