ILX Drawings
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Manual

Getting started with ILX Drawings

The workflow in six steps, from a new project to the issued set. The training videos show the same steps in the app.

1. Start a project

  • Sign in, then New layout… and answer the questionnaire: building type, stories, bedrooms, baths, garage, porch, size targets and rooms.
  • Or Start blank to draw it yourself, or File, Import plan from PDF / image to recognize an existing plan.
  • Project setup holds the title block, design criteria (code, wind, seismic, snow, soil, frost), structure, energy and MEP inputs. Save as my defaults keeps them for the next project.

2. Layout

  • Drag rooms and their 8 handles; type exact sizes in the inspector.
  • Layout palette, Walls: wall, rectangle, room from walls, and More wall tools for polygons, arcs and the edit commands.
  • Status bar under the plan: OSNAP, POLAR, OTRACK, ORTHO, GRID, DYN. Type 12'6", 10'<45 or @10',5' while drawing; Tab locks the angle.
  • Cabinets, Furniture library, Dwelling units and Import plan… are in the same palette.

3. Self-design

  • Self-design places openings, framing, girders and posts, the roof, lateral, MEP, furniture, sections and details.
  • It then runs the checks and lists what still needs your decision.

4. Checks

  • Right panel, Checks: IRC code checks per story. Click a line to select the item; Fix applies a suggested fix.
  • Select a room and Show path to exits to see the egress path; Fix access repairs missing doors.
  • Project setup, Code checks: inputs, per-check on and off, amendment notes. Project setup, Energy: the IECC result.

5. Structure, MEP and solar

  • Structure mode: framing, the roof plan (styles, planes, chimneys, the Solar PV panel) and ceilings.
  • MEP mode: Electrical, Plumbing and HVAC tabs; Auto places a starting layout per trade.

6. Sheets and export

  • Sheets mode shows the whole set. Click any text to edit it; Import detail… brings in your own PDF details.
  • File: print or export the set as PDF and DXF, the calculation packages, Materials & estimate…, Export 3D model… (IFC, GLB, OBJ, USDZ and more) and Export REScheck entry.

Keyboard

  • 1–8 modes · Ctrl+S save · Ctrl+Z / Ctrl+Y undo, redo · Ctrl+D duplicate · Del delete · Esc cancel
  • Arrows nudge (Shift = 1") · F fit · R rotate · Space-drag pan · PgUp / PgDn sheets · double-click the wheel to fit
  • While drawing walls: F3 osnap, F8 ortho, F9 grid, F10 polar, F11 tracking, F12 dynamic input

Training videos

  • 5:33

    Quick start

    The whole workflow in a few minutes: a new project, the layout, self-design, the checks, project setup, the sheets and export.

  • 15:15

    A full design with the automatic features

    From the questionnaire to a full permit set: layout, self-design, checks, roof, solar, energy, 3D, sheets, calc packages, estimate and export.

  • 14:55

    Start blank: a full design by hand

    From a truly empty project to a drawing set: setup, walls with typed lengths and snaps, rooms, openings, stairs, a second story, wall types, roofs, structure, MEP, egress, furniture, 3D, sheets and export.

ILX Drawings prepares drawings and calculations for a licensed design professional. The engineer or architect of record reviews, completes and seals every set before it is submitted for a permit.

Questions? Write to services@ilxstudio.com.