Electrical Plan Tab
Adding electrical components to your home design is a simple matter of selecting the component you want to place and clicking on your drawing plan. You can even turn the lights on and off! Punch! Home Design Software provides handy placement features, such as associative dimensioning and wall tracking. Using associative dimensioning, you can place components a specific distance from a neighboring wall or other electrical components. Automatic wall tracking makes sure you place components, such as outlets and switches, without error.
The Electrical Tools are available in the left sidebar. For information on accessing the left sidebar, and controlling the display of the tools that appear, see “Left Sidebar”
Placing Receptacles
Punch! Home Design Software makes it simple to add electrical components to your home plan. Using the convenient tabbed utility tools, simply select the components you want to place and click. Dimension lines automatically appear, making it easy to place components a specific distance from a neighboring electrical component or wall segment. You’ll notice that when placing certain outlets and switches, the object is automatically “tracked” to the wall segment, making accurate placement simple. Floor and ceiling outlets are not tracked to walls. While a receptacle tool is active, or a receptacle is selected in your drawing, you can choose a receptacle style on the Properties pane in the right sidebar. From the pop-up menu, choose a Custom or Standard library and then select the style you want on the Preview Bar. The receptacle in your drawing is updated, and you can see the style in the 3D view. The Wall Receptacle library is shown here, however, the Floor Receptacle and Ceiling Receptacle libraries are organized similarly. As you hover over each preview, its description is displayed.
Wall Receptacle
Wall receptacles are tracked along walls. Dimensions are displayed as you drag the receptacle along the wall, indicating the distance from the center of the receptacle to the nearest wall or other electrical components. You can choose the style you want on the Properties pane when the Receptacle Tool is active or a receptacle is selected in your drawing.
To place wall receptacles
1 Choose Receptacle button from the Electrical Tools group.
2 Use the Drag Along Wall drawing method to position the receptacle on the side of a wall where you want it and release it to place.
Floor Receptacle
Floor receptacles are placed on the floor surface. Dimensions are displayed as you move the cursor around the design window, indicating the distance from the center of the receptacle to the nearest wall or other electrical components. If an auto-floor is detected, the receptacle is placed at an elevation that considers the auto-floor depth. If changes are made to the auto-floor depth after a floor receptacle is placed, the receptacle’s elevation also needs to be adjusted. You can choose the style you want on the Properties pane in the right sidebar when the Receptacle Tool is active or a receptacle is selected in your drawing.
To place a floor receptacle
1 Choose the Floor Receptacle button from the Electrical Tools group.
2 Use the Click Once to Place drawing method to place the receptacle in your design.
Ceiling Receptacle
Ceiling receptacles are placed on the ceiling surface. Dimensions are displayed as you move the cursor around the design window, indicating the distance from the center of the receptacle to the nearest wall or other electrical components. Ceiling receptacles are placed at the auto-ceiling elevation. If the ceiling for a room is disabled, it is placed at 0 by default. You can then adjust the receptacle elevation as needed. You can choose the style you want on the Properties pane in the right sidebar when the Receptacle Tool is active or a receptacle is selected in your drawing.
To place a ceiling receptacle
1 Choose the Ceiling Receptacle button from the Electrical Tools group.
2 Use the Click Once to Place drawing method to place the receptacle in your design.
Wall Switch
Switches are tracked along walls. Dimensions are displayed as you drag the switch along the wall, indicating the distance from the center of the receptacle to the nearest wall or other electrical components. You can choose the style you want on the Properties tab in the right sidebar when the Switch Tool is active or a switch is selected in your drawing.
To place a switch
1 Choose the Switch button from the Electrical Tools group.
2 Use the Drag Along Wall drawing method to position the switch on the side of a wall where you want it and release it to place.
Switch Connectors
It’s easy to add connector switches to your home design. Using the Connector Switch Tool, just drag to define the connection. Once placed you can move a switch connector by dragging the entire segment or one of the endpoints. Connectors are only visible in the 2D view
To place connector switches
1 Choose the Switch Connector button from the Electrical Tools group.
2 Use the Drag-to-Size drawing method to draw from a switch or electrical component to another electrical component and release to place the connector.
Note: Hold down the Shift key while drawing to constrain to a perfect arc.
Adding Lighting
You can add interior and exterior lighting to your design with just a couple of mouse clicks. Each light has its own properties so you can control settings individually. The following lighting options are available:
■ Fixture Lights
■ Flood Lights
Fixture Lights
Adding fixture lighting to your design is very similar to adding other electrical components; however, they do not track directly to walls or automatically display dimensioning. Punch! Home Design Software provides many light styles to choose from, including recessed canned lights, heat/vent lights, directional lights, even landscape lights. In addition, you can control the type and intensity of illumination that each fixture generates. Before placing a light fixture in your drawing, choose a light style on the Properties pane. Once the light is in place, its style cannot be changed.
To add light fixtures
1 Choose the Fixture Lights button from the Electrical Tools group.
2 Click the Properties tab and choose the light style you want.
3 Use the Click Once to Place drawing method to place the light in your design.
Flood Lights
Flood lights are added just like outlets and switches; they attach to and track along walls. The flood light appearance is controlled on the Properties pane, and you can adjust this before or after the light is placed. You can change the flood light’s elevation or position after it has been placed.
To add a flood light
1 Choose the Flood Light button from the Electrical Tools group.
2 Use the Drag Along Wall drawing method to position the light on the side of a wall where you want it and release it to place.
Light Properties
Lights are defined by their beam and glow. You can edit the properties before you draw or after the component has been added to your design by selecting it and clicking the Properties tab. Changes to light settings are visible in the 3D view.
Light On checkbox controls the visibility of the beam dispersed by the light fixture. When selected, the beam displayed in the 3D view; when deselected the beam is not visible.
Displays Glow Effect checkbox controls the glow at the light source. When selected, the glow is visible at the light source; when deselected the glow is not visible. When the glow is enabled, you can edit the Dimmer, Radius, and Falloff settings.
Emits Ambient Light checkbox controls the visibility of ambient light in the room. When selected, ambient light is displayed in the 3D view; when deselected ambient light is not visible.
Dimmer slider controls the brightness of the beam. Drag the slider to decrease or increase the brightness.
Radius slider controls the size of the beam. Drag the slider to decrease or increase the radius size.
Falloff slider controls how diffused the edges of the beam are displayed. Drag the slider to decrease or increase the amount of diffusion. The lower the falloff the sharper the edges; the higher the falloff the more diffused the edges.
Adding a Ceiling Fan
Placing ceiling fans is as simple as one mouse click. Once you place a ceiling fan, you can move it by dragging or by specifying exact coordinates. The available ceiling fan styles are displayed on the Properties pane when the Ceiling Fan Tool is active or when a ceiling fan is selected in your drawing. You can change the ceiling fan style by selecting the style you want in the Preview Bar.
To place a ceiling fan
1 Choose the Ceiling Fan button from the Electrical Tools group.
2 Use the Click Once to Place drawing method to place the ceiling fan in your design.
Placing Phone and Cable Outlets
Placing phone and cable jacks is exactly like placing wall outlets and switches. You’ll notice that when placing jacks, the object is automatically “tracked” to the wall segment, making accurate placement simple. The phone or cable jack is displayed with dimensions as you drag it to position it along the wall, which indicates the distance from the center of the jack to the nearest wall or other electrical components.
To place phone or cable outlet
1 Choose the jack type you want from the Electrical Tools group.
Phone Outlet
Cable Outlet
CAT5 Jack
CAT6 Jack
2 Use the Drag Along Wall drawing method to position the jack on the side of a wall where you want it and release it to place.
Adding Smoke Detectors
Smoke detectors can be placed either along a wall or on a ceiling. The smoke detector is displayed with dimensions, as you drag along a wall or move the cursor around the design window, which indicates the distance from the center of the component to the nearest wall or other electrical components.
To place a smoke detector on a wall
1 Choose the Smoke Detector button from the Electrical Tools group.
2 Use the Drag Along Wall drawing method to position the smoke detector on the side of a wall where you want it and release it to place.
To place a smoke detector on a ceiling
1 Choose the Smoke Detector button from the Electrical Tools group.
2 Use the Click Once to Place drawing method to place the smoke detector in your design.
Adding Thermostats
Placing thermostats is exactly like placing wall outlets and switches. You’ll notice that, when placing, the component is automatically “tracked” to the wall segment, making accurate placement simple.
To place a thermostat
1 Choose the Thermostat button from the Electrical Tools group.
2 Use the Drag Along Wall drawing method to position the thermostat on the side of a wall where you want it and release it to place.
Adding Home Theater Components
Creating and customizing your home theater couldn’t be easier. There is an entire set of tools available to add audio and video components to your design, with just a couple of mouse clicks. These components have default elevations and orientations. For example, the Video Projector button attaches the video projector to the ceiling. The home theater components are displayed with dimensions, as you drag along a wall or move the cursor around the design window, which indicates the distance from the center of the component to the nearest wall or other components in the design. You can reposition any of the home theater components using basic editing techniques.
To add a flat-screen television
1 Choose the Flat Screen Television button from the Electrical Tools group.
2 Use the Click Once to Place drawing method to place the component in your design. By default, the television is placed on the floor.
To add a video projector
1 Choose the Video Projector button from the Electrical Tools group.
2 Use the Click Once to Place drawing method to place the component in your design. By default, the projector is placed on the floor. By default, the video projector is attached to the ceiling, based on the default ceiling height.
To add a satellite dish
1 Choose the Satellite Dish button from the Electrical Tools group.
2 Use the Click Once to Place drawing method to place the component in your design. By default, the satellite dish is placed at ground level.
To add a satellite receiver
1 Choose the Satellite Receiver button from the Electrical Tools group.
2 Use the Click Once to Place drawing method to place the component in your design. By default, the receiver is placed on the floor.
To add wall speakers
1 Choose the Wall Speaker button from the Electrical Tools group.
2 Use the Drag Along Wall drawing method to position the wall speaker on the side of a wall where you want it and release it to place.
To add ceiling speakers
1 Choose the Ceiling Speaker button from the Electrical Tools group.
2 Use the Click Once to Place drawing method to place the component in your design. The ceiling speaker is placed based on the auto ceiling elevation.
To add floor speakers
1 Choose the Floor Speaker button from the Electrical Tools group.
2 Use the Click Once to Place drawing method to place the component in your design.
Adding Home Security Components
Home security components are available to suit all levels of security, from light and heat detection to cameras and control panels. These components have default elevations and orientations. For example, the Dome Camera button attaches a camera to the ceiling. The home security components are displayed with dimensions as you drag along a wall or move the cursor around the design window, which indicates the distance from the center of the component to the nearest wall or other components in the design. You can reposition any of the home security components using basic editing techniques.
To add a security camera to a wall
1 Choose the Security Camera button from the Electrical Tools group.
2 Use the Drag Along Wall drawing method to position the component on the side of a wall where you want it and release it to place.
To add a dome camera to a ceiling
1 Choose the Dome Camera button from the Electrical Tools group.
2 Use the Click Once to Place drawing method to place the component in your design. By default, the dome camera is attached to the ceiling, based on the auto ceiling elevation.
To add a security contact
1 Choose the Security Contact button from the Electrical Tools group.
2 Use the Drag Along Wall drawing method to position the component on the side of a wall where you want it and release it to place.
To add a motion detector
1 Choose the Motion Detector button from the Electrical Tools group.
2 Use the Drag Along Wall drawing method to position the component on the side of a wall where you want it and release it to place. The motion detector is placed at a default elevation near the ceiling.
To add a wall-mounted glass break detector
1 Choose the Wall Mount Glass Break Detector button from the Electrical Tools group.
2 Use the Drag Along Wall drawing method to position the component on the side of a wall where you want it and release it to place. The glass break detector is placed at a default elevation on the wall.
To add a ceiling-mounted glass break detector
1 Choose the Ceiling Mount Glass Break Detector button from the Electrical Tools group.
2 Use the Click Once to Place drawing method to place the component in your design. By default, the glass break detector is attached to the ceiling, based on the auto ceiling elevation.
To add a photo beam
1 Choose the Photo Beam button from the Electrical Tools group.
2 Use the Click Once to Place drawing method to place the component in your design. In the example below, the photo beam has been rotated to fit into a corner.
To add a security keypad
1 Choose the Security Keypad button from the Electrical Tools group.
2 Use the Drag Along Wall drawing method to position the component on the side of a wall where you want it and release to place.
To add a security control panel
1 Choose the Security Control Panel button from the Electrical Tools group.
2 Use the Drag Along Wall drawing method to position the component on the side of a wall where you want it and release to place.
To add a heat detector
1 Choose the Heat Detector button from the Electrical Tools group.
2 Use the Click Once to Place drawing method to place the component in your design. By default, the heat detector is attached to the ceiling, based on the auto ceiling elevation
To add a wall-mounted security keypad
1 Choose the Security Keypad Wall Mount button from the Electrical Tools group.
2 Use the Drag Along Wall drawing method to position the component on the side of a wall where you want it and release it to place.
To add a pedestal-mounted access keypad
1 Choose the Security Keypad (Pedestal Mount) button from the Electrical Tools group.
2 Use the Click Once to Place drawing method to place the component in your design.
Adding a Home Automation Touch-Panel
Automated components can help to make your home simpler and more efficient. There are a number of automation components available in Punch! from network routers to intercoms, and more. These components have default elevations and orientations. For example, the Backup Generator is placed on the ground, however, the Backup Generator Panel attaches to a wall at a default elevation. The home automation components are displayed with dimensions as you drag along a wall or move the cursor around the design window, which indicates the distance from the center of the component to the nearest wall or other components in the design. You can reposition any of the home automation components using basic editing techniques.
To place a home automation touch-panel
1 Choose the Home Automation Touch-Panel button from the Electrical Tools group.
2 Use the Drag Along Wall drawing method to position the component on the side of a wall where you want it and release it to place.
To place a network router
1 Choose the Network Router button from the Electrical Tools group.
2 Use the Click Once to Place drawing method to place the component in your design.
To place a photo cell
1 Choose the Photo Cell button from the Electrical Tools group.
2 Use the Click Once to Place drawing method to place the component in your design.
To place a backup generator
1 Choose the Backup Generator button from the Electrical Tools group.
2 Use the Click Once to Place drawing method to place the component in your design.
To place a backup generator panel
1 Choose the Backup Generator Panel button from the Electrical Tools group.
2 Use the Drag Along Wall drawing method to position the component on the side of a wall where you want it and release it to place.
To place a circuit panel
1 Choose the Circuit Panel button from the Electrical Tools group.
2 Use the Drag Along Wall drawing method to position the component on the side of a wall where you want it and release it to place.
To place a conduit
1 Choose the Conduit button from the Electrical Tools group.
2 Use the Drag-to-Size drawing method to set the angle and length for the component. Conduit is a visual representation that is displayed in 2D, but not in 3D.
To place a freeze detector
1 Choose the Freeze Detector button from the Electrical Tools group.
2 Use the Click Once to Place drawing method to place the component in your design.
To place an intercom
1 Choose the Intercom button from the Electrical Tools group.
2 Use the Drag Along Wall drawing method to position the component on the side of a wall where you want it and release it to place. The intercom is placed at a default elevation on the wall.
To place a battery power supply
1 Choose the Battery Power Supply button from the Electrical Tools group.
2 Use the Click Once to Place drawing method to place the component in your design.