Learn Calq: a building from A to Z / Part 1 Set up the project

The structural grid

Lay the grid the building is set out on, add a grid line by hand and dimension every bay in one click.

Lesson 1.3
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You will lay the course's grid, four bays of 6 m by two bays of 7.5 m, add a line, and dimension the grid.

01Lay the grid

Open the Datums toolset on the tool palette and choose Grid setup (or type GS). For the columns (the vertical lines, across X), type 4 bays at 6 m; for the rows (the horizontal lines, up Y), 2 bays at 7.5 m. The line under the fields says what will be laid; click Lay grid. The grid is laid from the project origin up and to the right: roll the wheel to zoom out round it.

Columns are numbered 1, 2, 3 and rows lettered A, B, C. Tick "letters on columns" for the other way round.

Grid setup: four bays of 6 m by two bays of 7.5 m, laid, then the view zoomed out round it.

02The grid on the plan

Each grid line ends in its bubble. The grid is a datum of the whole model: it is drawn on every plan and cut by every section, and it is written to the IFC as the building's IfcGrid.

The laid grid: columns 1 to 5 and rows A to C.

03Add a grid line by hand

Type GR (or choose Grid line in Datums), click where the line starts and where it ends. It takes the next label. Curved draws an arc of grid and Radial lines from a centre; Ref line draws a reference plane to set out from.

Drawing a grid line with GR: two clicks.

04Dimension the grid

Choose Dim grid in Datums: the grid is dimensioned in one click, a string of its bays along the columns and another along the rows, the line drawn by hand included. Grid edit, in the same toolset, renames and moves the lines.

Dim grid: every bay dimensioned in one click.

You should now haveA grid of five columns and three rows, 6 m by 7.5 m bays, with its dimensions.

Do it in CalqCalq opens in your browser. Drawing needs no account; saving asks you to sign in.