HouseLayout Elf

After the plugin is launched, the main panel will be displayed, which includes the following main modules:
• Draw walls: used to create straight walls, rectangular walls, and curved walls.
Insert doors and windows: Provide parameter settings for doors, windows, and openings.
View control: The "2D mode" switch in the bottom right corner of the interface can switch between 2D and 3D views.

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Core function: Draw walls

Basic Operations

1. Selection mode: Select "Continuous Wall" (default), "Rectangular Wall", or "Arc Wall" in the panel.
2. Set parameters:
     Wall thickness/wall height: Enter the value directly on the panel (default wall thickness is 240mm, 3000mm).
     Wall type: Select load-bearing wall or non load-bearing wall (affecting 2D fill style).
     Axis control: Select center, left or right.
3. Drawing: Click on the starting point in the view, move the mouse to determine the direction, enter the length value and press enter, or directly click on the endpoint.
4. Closing and Ending:
     When drawing back to the starting point, it can automatically close to form a closed space.
     Press the Esc key to end the current wall segment drawing (you can start another point to continue drawing); Press Esc again to fully exit the tool.

Intelligent Connection
• Automatic fusion: When a newly drawn wall intersects with an existing wall (T-shaped, L-shaped, cross shaped), the plugin will automatically process the connection to achieve seamless fusion.
• Automatic repair: After deleting a certain section of the wall, the connection ends of the remaining walls will attempt to be automatically repaired.

Wall drawing shortcut key
Tab: Switch axis line: Cycle between center/left/right.
Shift: Lock Direction: Long press to lock the current inferred direction (such as parallel/perpendicular).
Ctrl (Mac: Option): Angle Lock: Switch whether to forcibly lock the 90 degree orthogonal mode.
Alt (Mac: Command): Pick wall thickness: Click on two points on the model to automatically set the distance between these two points as the wall thickness.
Enter: Confirm the length or angle value entered.

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Core Function: Doors, Windows, and Openings

Insert doors and windows

1. Select components: Under the "Insert Doors and Windows" tab, select the "Door", "Window", or "Opening" category, and click Insert.
2. Set parameters:
     Size: Set width, height, and ground clearance (window sill height/threshold height).
     Door and window frames: Set the width of the door and window frames.
3. Placement and positioning:
     Move the mouse over the wall, and the components will automatically attach.
     Intelligent reading: The screen displays in real-time the distance between the component and both ends of the wall.
     ◦ Precise input: Press the Tab key to switch between the "left margin", "component width", and "right margin" input boxes, and input numerical values to accurately locate.

Interaction Control
Opening direction: When the mouse moves inside or outside the wall or left or right, the opening direction of doors and windows will be previewed in real time (left inside/left outside/right inside/right outside).
Automatic Hole Opening: After placing the components, the wall will automatically open a hole; After deleting the component, the opening will automatically heal.

Shortcut keys for drawing doors and windows
Tab: Switch input focus: Cycle between left margin, width, and right margin input boxes.
Shift: Flip Direction: Quickly flip doors and windows left and right.
Alt (Mac: Command): Switch placement mode: Switch between default, two-point drawing, and diagonal drawing modes.
Esc: Return to the selected state (can be edited again), press Esc again to exit the command.

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View and auxiliary functions

2D/3D mode switching
Click the "2D Mode" button on the panel, and the view will switch to the top view, with the wall displayed in a CAD like plan block style.
• Note: It is recommended to adjust the view before entering the 2D mode, and click again to restore the 3D perspective. The plugin will remember the angle before switching.

Bottom elevation setting
When drawing multi story buildings, the "bottom elevation" can be set in the panel (such as 3000mm), and newly drawn walls will automatically suspend at the specified height, making it convenient to draw multiple floors.