Creating & Editing Elevations

Learn how to create and edit elevations using the 18 drawing tabs.

Layout Tab

In the Layout tab you are able to:

  • Create new elevations
  • Navigate through all of your elevations within a job
  • Edit each elevation’s framing system
  • Add & edit caulk joints
  • Add & edit center lines
Creating a New Elevation A new elevation can be created in two ways: Clicking the small “Elev” button above the Layout tab and selecting “New Elevation” Or Clicking the “Next Elev >>” button at the top of the Layout tab. You will then be asked to name your new elevation. Once your elevation is named, and a framing system is selected, you will need to specify the number of panels your elevation will have, as well as it’s width and height. While entering your dimensions, you can hit the "Tab" key to get to the next box. Hitting tab after your last entry will draw your elevation in the drawing window. Adding Caulk Joints To add caulk joints, input their thickness in inches in each of the four fields labeled L (Left), T (Top), R (Right), B (Bottom). Once entered you will be able to see the caulk joints on your elevation in the drawing window. Note that adding caulk joints changes the height and width of the actual frame. For example if your elevation width before adding caulk joints is 200" and height is 100", adding 1" caulk joints on all sides will make the actual frame width 198" and actual frame height 98" Another thing that caulk joints will affect is the height at which horizontals are added. When specifying "Height from Bottom" at which your horizontal will be added, this is the distance from the bottom of the caulk joint, NOT the bottom of the frame itself. The drawing however, will display the horizontal height from the bottom of the frame itself. For example with a 1" caulk joint, adding a horizontal at 36" height from bottom, the actual drawing will show 35". Framing System Configuration By clicking the "Edit Elev Frame Sys" button you can make changes to any aspect of the framing system of the current elevation. In the "Frame Profile" tab, you can edit the system's name, it's profiles, depth, glass thickness, add to D.L.O., etc. In the "Stock Length Material" tab, you can edit, add, or remove stock length parts, and view assembly details. You can adjust the quantity of any part and add length adjustments by clicking the blue arrow next to the part number The "Gaskets, Caulking", and "Clips, Screws, Misc" tabs behave in the same way as the "Stock Length Material" tab, so you can also adjust quantities and add length adjustments. For more detailed explanation of configuring framing systems, click here to watch our framing system training videos. Adding a Center Line Adding a center line allows you to specify the distance of a selected vertical from the left jamb. In WinBidPro, verticals are numbered 0,1,2,3...etc., (left jamb being vertical zero). To add a centerline:
  1. Click “Add/Edit Center Lines”.
  2. Select the vertical that you want to be a specific distance from the left wall.
  3. Input the distance in inches that the vertical will be from the left wall. Click “Add”, then click “Done”. Your elevation is now updated with the new center line.
(Note: adding a center line does not change the overall width of your elevation. All panels will be equalized to accommodate the new center line) (Note: If you lock your verticals at a certain position using centerlines, keep in mind you won’t be able to adjust your panel widths later using the “Uneql” tab. If you are trying to change panel widths, consider using the “Uneql” tab instead. )



Splice Tab

The splice tab is a useful tool when estimating elevations that are taller than the stock lengths of your verticals and jambs. WinBidPro allows you to enter up to 10 splices in your verticals. Adding a splice location will be applied to all verticals in the elevation. Add a Splice:

  1. Enter the height (in inches) for each splice location. All points are measured from the ground (0 inches).
  2. Click “Redraw”. You will now be able to see your new splice in the drawing window
(Note: No gap is calculated for the specified splices)



Doors Tab

In the doors tab you can:

  • Add a complete entrance (frame and leaf). These are pre-configured shortcuts to selected door frames and door leafs.
  • Separately add a door frame and door leaf
Adding a Complete Entrance
  1. Click “Add Entrance” on the left side of the doors tab.
  2. Specify the panel where you want to place your door.
  3. Click “Add Entrance” on the right side of the doors tab.
  4. Choose the entrance you want to use from the pop-up window (in this window you can also edit or change the frame or leaf used in the entrance shortcut).
  5. Click the “Select” button at the bottom right of the pop-up window. Now your drawing will be updated with the new entrance.
Adding a Door Frame To add a door frame without a door leaf:
  1. Click “Add Entrance” on the left side of the doors tab.
  2. Specify the panel where you want to place your door frame.
  3. Click “Add Door Frame”.
  4. Select the door frame you will use from the pop-up window.
  5. Click “Select” at the bottom right of the pop-up window. Now your drawing will be updated with the new door frame.
(Note: make sure to select a door frame that matches the profile of your elevation frame.) Adding a Door Leaf To add a door leaf after you’ve added a door frame
  1. Input the panel number containing the door frame, then click “Add Door Leaf”.
  2. Select a door leaf from the pop-up window.
  3. Click “Select” at the bottom right of the pop-up window. Now your drawing will be updated with the new door leaf.



Unequal Tab

The Unequal Panels tab allows you to change the width of a single or multiple panels (not affecting the overall width of the elevation. The overall frame width will only be affected if the width of every panel is changed). In this example, panels 3 & 4 were changed to have a width of 40 inches each. The remaining panels will be equalized to keep the overall width of the elevation the same. Adding Unequal Panels

  1. Click the “Add” button at the top left of the Unequal tab
  2. Click “Select Panels”
  3. Choose which panels that you want to have a specified width
  4. Input the width of your unequal panels (in inches)
  5. Click “Add to Drawing”. Now your drawing will be updated with the new unequal panels
(Note: you do not need to set the width of a panel where a door will be placed, adding the door frame will adjust that panel automatically.)



W-Merge Tab (window-merge)

The w-merge tab allows you to merge multiple lites to create a single opening at the desired height. Adding a Window or Transom across multiple lites

  1. Click the “Add” button at the top left of the w-merge tab
  2. Input the panel numbers in which your window will be (In this example we added a window from panel 1 to panel 2).
  3. Input the height at which the window will begin (bottom of window)
  4. Input the height at which the window will end (top of window)
  5. Click “Add to Drawing”. Now your drawing will be updated with the new window or transom
(Note: The W-Merge tab does not place operable windows in the specified locations.)



Step Tab

The Step tab allows you to add a step or cascade top from one panel to another. The height of each panel will be adjusted evenly based on the height of the first and last panel selected. If you want to adjust the height of one panel only, use the “Height” tab instead. Adding a Step Up

  1. Click the “Add” button at the top left of the step tab
  2. Input the panel numbers in which your step up will be (In this example we added a step up from panel 1 to panel 3).
  3. Input the height at which your step will start (top of lowest step)
  4. Input the height at which your step will end (top of highest step)
  5. Click “Add to Drawing”. Now your drawing will be updated with the cascaded top



Rake Tab

The Rake tab allows you to add a rake top (slope up or down) from one panel to another. Adding a Rake Top

  1. Click the “Add” button at the top left of the rake tab
  2. Input the panel numbers in which your rake top will be (note: to add a rake top to only one panel, input “from panel 1 to panel 1”. In this example we added a rake top from panel 5 to panel 6)
  3. Input the height at which your rake top will begin
  4. Input the height at which your rake top will end
  5. Click “Add to Drawing”. Now your drawing will be updated with the new rake top.
(Note: Always add your raked top from left to right.)



Arch Tab

The arch tab allows you to add an arched top from one panel to another. The option is available to stop the verticals at the original head, or extend them up to the arched top. Adding an Arched Top

  1. Click the “Add” button at the top left of the arch tab
  2. Input the panel numbers in which your arched top will be placed (note: to add an arched top to only one panel, input “from panel 1 to panel 1”. In this example we added an arched top across the whole elevation, from panel 1 to panel 6)
  3. Specify the size of the arched top either by inputting its a. Outer radius (in inches) b. Or its height (in inches) above the top of the original head
  4. Check the box to the right to have the verticals stop at the original head, or leave it unchecked to extend the verticals up to the arched top.
  5. Click “Add to Drawing”. Now your drawing will be updated with the new arched top
(Note: You will need to change your Opening Height in the “Layout” tab to be at the starting height, lowest point of the arch, then add the height for the top of the arch.) For example, if your overall elevation height is 100 inches, and you need an arch top 20 inches above the original header, you will need to change your opening height to 80 inches, then add an arch 20 inches above that for an overall height of 100 inches.



Bulk Tab

The Bulk tab allows you to raise the selected panel or panels to a desired height to accommodate a bulkhead or knee wall. Adding a Bulkhead

  1. Click the “Add” button at the top left of the bulk tab
  2. Input the height (in inches) that your bulkhead will be
  3. Select “All Panels” to apply the bulkhead to all panels, or select “Selected Panels” to choose which panels to apply the bulkhead to.
  4. In the pop-up window, choose which panels to apply the bulkhead to
  5. Click “Add to Drawing”. Now your drawing will be updated with the new bulkhead



Height Tab

The height tab allows you to specify a new height of the tops of one or multiple panels. Changing the Height of a Panel (or Panels)

  1. Click the “Add” button at the top left of the height tab
  2. Click “Selected Panels” and choose the panels you will change the height of
  3. Input the new height (in inches) of the panel tops
  4. Click “Add to Drawing”. Now your drawing will be updated with the new panel heights
(Note: If you are looking to place equal cascading heights to multiple panels, use the “Step” tab instead.)



Horz Tab

The Horz tab allows you to add individual horizontals to one or multiple panels. Adding a Horizontal

  1. Click “Add” at the top left of the horz tab
  2. Select “Add a horizontal at a height of”
  3. Input the height (in inches) at which your horizontal will be
  4. Choose whether to add the horizontal to all panels or certain panels.
  5. Click “Add to Drawing”. Now your drawing will be updated with the new horizontal
Adding a Horizontal above an existing Horizontal
  1. Click “Add” at the top left of the horz tab
  2. Select “Add a horizontal above the highest (previous) horizontal”
  3. Input the height (in inches) above the previous horizontal that your new horizontal will be
  4. Choose whether to add the horizontal to all panels or certain panels.
  5. Click “Add to Drawing”. Now your drawing will be updated with the new horizontal



EqHoz Tab

The EqHoz tab allows you to add a number of equally spaced horizontals to your elevation to one or multiple panels. Adding Equally Spaced Horizontals

  1. Click “Add” at the top left of the EqHoz tab
  2. Input the quantity of horizontals that you will add
  3. Choose whether to add the horizontals to all panels or certain panels.
  4. Click “Add to Drawing”. Now your drawing will be updated with the new horizontals



Split Tab

The Split tab allows you to split a window or transom by adding one or more equally spaced vertical mullions within the window. Adding Splits to a Window

  1. Click “Add” at the top left of the split tab
  2. Input the quantity of splits to be added
  3. Input the number of the panels containing the window or transom
  4. Input the height of the bottom of the window
  5. Input the height of the top of the window
  6. Click “Add to Drawing”. Now your drawing will be updated with the new window splits



Miter Tab

The Miter tab allows you to add mitered corners to where your wall jambs meet your head and sill. Adding Miters

  1. Click “Add” at the top left of the miter tab
  2. Input the vertical number of your jamb (left jamb is vertical #0). Miter can only be added to one vertical at a time.
  3. Choose whether to add a miter to the top or bottom of the vertical (or both)
  4. Click “Add to Drawing”. Now your drawing will be updated with your new miters.



Stop Tab

The Stop tab allows you to add glass stops to any glass opening. In this example we add glass stops to the windows in panels 3 & 4. Before adding a glass stop, a part number and profile must be specified in the “Edit Elevation Frame System” window. Adding Glass Stop Part Numbers

  1. Head over to the Layout tab and click “Edit Elev Frame Sys”
  2. At the top of the pop-up window, click the “Stock Length Material” tab
  3. In the section titled “Glazing Adapter and Glass Stop Part Numbers”, Click the field under the label “Horizontal Stops” or “Vertical Stops”.
  4. Right click the area with red text saying “Right Click this Area to Open Parts List”
  5. In the Parts List, search for the glass stop part number you will be using
  6. Click “Insert Part”. (In this example we copied and pasted the same part number for the horizontal stop into the “Vertical Stop” field.
Adding Glass Stop Profiles Before glass stops are visible in the drawing, we must specify the profile width of the glass stops.
  1. At the top of the “Edit Elev Frame Sys” window, click the “Frame Profile” tab
  2. In the Section titled “Glass Stops”, input the profiles (in inches) of the left, right, top, and bottom glass stops
  3. Click “OK” at the bottom right of the window.
Adding Glass Stops to the Drawing
  1. Now that we have chosen which part numbers to use for the glass stops, and specified their profiles, we can add the glass stops to the drawing.
  2. Click “Add” at the top right of the stop tabInput the panels in which your glass stops will be
  3. Input the height at which your glass stops will begin (in this example they will start at the bottom of the window we added to panels 3 & 4)
  4. Input the height at which your glass stops will end (top of the window in this example)
  5. In this example we chose to add glass stops on all sides of the windows (left, right, top and bottom)
  6. Click “Add to Drawing”. Now your drawing will be updated with the new glass stops. They will be visible as purple lines.



AltVert Tab

The Alternate Vertical tab allows you to replace an individual jamb or vertical mullion with another one such as a corner mullion. Using the AltVert tab is the first step in creating a corner which connects two elevations. Selecting the Jamb/Vertical to Replace

  1. Click “Add” at the top left of the AltVert tab
  2. Click “Select Verticals”
  3. In the pop-up window, choose which vertical to replace. (In this example will be replacing the right jamb)
  4. Input the width (in inches) of the corner mullion you will be using
Selecting the Part Number of Your New Mullion & Adding it to the Drawing Before adding the new corner mullion to the drawing, a part number must be specified.
  1. Click “Add to Drawing”
  2. In the pop-up window, right click the area that says “Right Click in this Area to Open Parts List”
  3. From the parts list, select the corner mullion that you will be using, then click “Insert Part”. (note: you can filter the parts list by typing ‘corner’ into the description field)
  4. Click “OK”. Now your drawing will be updated with the new corner mullion



Exclude Tab

The Exclude tab allows you to exclude a jamb/vertical from an elevation. Doing this is the second step in creating a corner joining two elevations. Since the corner mullion was added to the previous elevation, you won’t need to add the same corner mullion to this elevation. Excluding a Jamb/Vertical

  1. Create the elevation that will be joined to the previous elevation with the corner mullion you just added.
  2. Click “Add” at the top left of the exclude tab
  3. On the drawing, click on the jamb/vertical you will be excluding
  4. Click “Update Drawing”. You will notice the jamb/vertical you excluded is now shown by with dashed line.
Changing the Profile of the Excluded Jamb/Vertical To get the most accurate estimate of the new corner, the profile of the excluded jamb/vertical should match the profile of the corner mullion selected in the previous elevation.
  1. Click the Layout tab
  2. Click “Edit Elev Frame Sys”
  3. Under the section titled “Profile Dimensions”, input the profile of the corner mullion into the field corresponding to the jamb/vertical you just excluded. (Left jamb in this case)
  4. Click “OK”. Now your drawing will show the updated profile of the excluded jamb/vertical.



Glass Tab

The Glass tab allows you to change the type of glass used in each panel. You can change the type of glass cdeither by row, by lite, or by elevation. In this example we add tempered glass to several panels. Changing the Glass Type

  1. In the glass tab, under the section at the far left titled “Action”, we selected “Add” to add a new type of glass
  2. In the next section over, titled “Apply Glass”, we selected “by Lite”, to change the glass type of specific lites.
  3. Select the glass you would like to use in the menu. a. You are able to filter results by using the “Description”, “Color”, “Type” fields, etc… b. The “Show Label” Column allows you to customize the glass label shown on each lite in the drawing window. For the glass we selected, we changed the label to say “Tempered”.
  4. Click on the lites/rows you would like to apply the new glass to.