Iconic CAD Workflow Example
Iconic CAD Workflow for Wall Modules
- Author wall family schema. Start with human language for a ChatGPT prompt. This prompt, initially, includes geometry parameters. Then it includes ports (interfaces). Then it includes build procedure information. Then it includes materials information. Materials information includes sourcing via web links. Tolerance requirements. Quality Control points.
- Run syntactic validator
- Run semantic validator
- Compile batch of wall modules
- Publish module CAD + icon library
- Arrange icons in graphics tool
- Export to SVG
- Normalize SVG
- Parse icon positions, IDs, rotations, adjacency
- Run assembly syntax validator
- Run assembly semantic validator
- Compile full CAD assembly
- Run post-processing
- Export BOM, cut list, and reports
Authoring a Wall Family Schema
Desing schema: Ok, let's do wall modules, 4'x9' (wide x height) using 2x6 lumber or 2x4 lumber, which is selectable. In fact, and dimension lumber is selectable from 2x2 to 2x12 lumber. Schema allows me to do 16" or 24" on center. These have 7/16" OSB on one side - the outside. Orientation is given so that 'house faces south' - ie, if you generate the module, the exterior is south, and therefore . This schema allows me to choose module width, and module height as well. Sheets of OSB come in 8 foot lengths, but 9 foot and 10 foot lengths can also be used as standards - from which partial OSB heights and widths can be cut. Module width is 4' nominal, but can be selected to be lower or larger up to 8'. For a height of 9' or less it uses a single sheet of 9' osb. For 10' or less but more than 9 it uses a 10' sheet of OSB. For anything over 10', we use 8' OBS + whatever more we need - because 8' is easies to source. In this schema, allow me to choose a window module - where any window module has a haeder made of 2 pieces of 2x12 lumber nailed together as a flush-built header biased to one face of the wall. Here I can select the window rough opening size (height and width). The schema fills in the correct jack studs, cripples. For doors, i select the right rough in opening size, and height, and it gives me the correct header, cripples, spacers if needed. For doors, modules are 4' wide only (unless it is double doors such as french doors) - and the door is centered in the module.
Fabrication Schema: