# Setting up your file

## The Basics

.DWG and .DXF are both CAD file formats which can be exported to and imported by all popular CAD & BIM software. A-Space is designed to read geometry from various layers within a .DWG or .DXF file in order to understand your floor-plan. There are 2 categories of layer:\
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[**Required Layers**](#1.-required-layers): These are the bare minimum required for A-Space to work.

[**Optional Layers**](#2.-optional-layers): These are additional layers to provide more information to you and the software.\
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Once your layers are ready, please follow the [**Export**](#3.-export) guidance at the bottom of this page. Make sure that your file is to scale in the CAD file, as <mark style="color:orange;">A-Space will not work on plans under 37sqm or over 200sqm.</mark>

## Tutorial Video

The following video is a walkthrough of how to setup your file. Everything covered in the video is also covered in this document.

{% embed url="<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLEv-8ORAJE>" %}

### Layer Template

{% file src="<https://130699985-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FpdjR7ctovIKHdU1d15az%2Fuploads%2FG4nT3O8YbUILoZSG5e9V%2Fdxf_template.dxf?alt=media&token=e21639fd-009b-4caa-998c-f451c110c386>" %}

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## 1. Required Layers

For successful generation, it's crucial to have all the required layers. The model won't recognize the floor plan unless the following four layers are present. Double-check that the layer names are spelled correctly and that all geometries in the required layers are closed polygons.

[<mark style="color:red;">**`internal_polygon`**</mark>](#internal_polygon)

[<mark style="color:red;">**`door_external`**</mark>](#door_external)

[<mark style="color:red;">**`window_external`**</mark>](#window_external)

[<mark style="color:red;">**`entrance_primary`**</mark>](#entrance_primary)

After successfully creating the 4 required layers, you can proceed to [<mark style="color:blue;">**Export**</mark>](#export) the file and run it through A-Space. If you want to enhance the generation process and provide additional visual context, explore the [<mark style="color:blue;">**Optional Layers**</mark>](#2.-optional-layers)**.**

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### <mark style="color:red;">internal\_polygon</mark>

This layer outlines the usable floorspace for generating the layout and should have only one geometry. The Ai model will assume the by default that the internal polygon is surrounded by walls - wherever you have not placed a window (in the [<mark style="color:red;">**window\_external**</mark>](#window_external) layer) or door (in the [<mark style="color:red;">**door\_external**</mark>](#door_external) layer).

<figure><img src="https://130699985-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FpdjR7ctovIKHdU1d15az%2Fuploads%2FUb9K2KxCQC1CW9ryop7r%2Fnew_internal_polygon.gif?alt=media&#x26;token=2ba33c6e-5262-489b-8cca-995065ea3229" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

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### <mark style="color:red;">door\_external</mark>

This layer comprises all external doors providing entry or exit from the property, encompassing front doors and garden/balcony doors. Ensure that each of these polygons connects with the [<mark style="color:red;">**internal\_polygon**</mark>](#internal_polygon) for the entire length of each [<mark style="color:red;">**door\_external**</mark>](#door_external); the box can be of any depth.

<figure><img src="https://130699985-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FpdjR7ctovIKHdU1d15az%2Fuploads%2FErbKb9UUYMzZCs4Y7P9E%2Fnew_door_external.gif?alt=media&#x26;token=427bf3e1-a97b-41ae-8feb-1a48100e52b3" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

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### <mark style="color:red;">window\_external</mark>

In this layer you will put all of the external windows. All geometry inside this layer works exactly the same as [<mark style="color:red;">**door\_external**</mark>](#door_external), except of course they are windows instead of doors.

<figure><img src="https://130699985-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FpdjR7ctovIKHdU1d15az%2Fuploads%2FqQ49ntLLGhHqrU4ofaDI%2Fwindows.gif?alt=media&#x26;token=b0c6d2f8-51a0-42ea-a0bc-10a720da89cb" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

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### <mark style="color:red;">entrance\_primary</mark>

In order to tell the Ai model which door is the Front-Door, draw a circle inside a layer called <mark style="color:red;">**entrance\_primary**</mark>**.** Place this circle so that it touch the front door, (a polygon in the [<mark style="color:red;">**door\_external**</mark>](#door_external) layer). The size of the circle is flexible; but make sure it only touches one door

<figure><img src="https://130699985-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FpdjR7ctovIKHdU1d15az%2Fuploads%2Fh8TgozNQqqH61x5hBEiN%2Fentrance_primary.gif?alt=media&#x26;token=21b13399-ac1a-4dec-8aa2-4e14026b2420" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

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## 2. Optional Layers

Optional layers offer additional information but are not mandatory. They will also allow you to see more building and its surroundings on the A-Space app as you design. The optional layers that A-Space can recognize are as follows:

[<mark style="color:green;">**`window_skylight`**</mark>](#window_skylight)

[<mark style="color:green;">**`wall_external_structural`**</mark>](#wall_external_structural)

[<mark style="color:green;">**`wall_internal_structural`**</mark>](#wall_internal_structural)

[<mark style="color:green;">**`door_outdoor`**</mark>](#door_outdoor)

[<mark style="color:green;">**`door_swing`**</mark>](#door_swing)

[<mark style="color:green;">**`decorative`**</mark>](#decorative)

With the exception of decorative, all geometries inside these layers also need to be closed polygons.

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### <mark style="color:green;">window\_skylight</mark>

Skylights differ from [<mark style="color:red;">**windows\_external**</mark> ](#window_external)in that they should be entirely contained within the [<mark style="color:red;">**internal\_polygon**</mark> ](#internal_polygon)without touching it. Simply draw a box or closed loop around the area where the skylights are located. In the bellow reference you can see regardless of how the skylights are drawn, all you need is a simple box around each one.

<figure><img src="https://130699985-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FpdjR7ctovIKHdU1d15az%2Fuploads%2FjL8mXMlfrBL26PQv8TDh%2Fskylights.gif?alt=media&#x26;token=dbe63809-282a-4421-8390-dd6aaf64d5f6" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

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### <mark style="color:green;">wall\_external\_structural</mark>

While this layer does not affect the generation process, it provides a clearer view of the bounding walls within the application. To add walls to your file, trace around the existing external walls of the property. Ensure that they all touch the [<mark style="color:red;">**inner\_polygon**</mark> ](#internal_polygon)and do not overlap with it. Also, make sure they do not overlap with each other.

<figure><img src="https://130699985-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FpdjR7ctovIKHdU1d15az%2Fuploads%2Fj0T7xqsJs4RjwhxwRxFu%2Fwalls.gif?alt=media&#x26;token=27f3affd-6ee3-4197-9ae0-3d5ca7094c1b" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

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### <mark style="color:green;">wall\_internal\_structural</mark>

Similar to [<mark style="color:green;">**window\_skylight**</mark>](#window_skylight), the geometry in the [<mark style="color:green;">**wall\_internal\_structural**</mark> ](#wall_internal_structural)layer should be entirely contained within the [<mark style="color:red;">**inner\_polygon**</mark>](#internal_polygon). These walls will remain unchanged throughout the generation process.

<figure><img src="https://130699985-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FpdjR7ctovIKHdU1d15az%2Fuploads%2FWlNhpGx2KXVVUWzyKCHn%2Finternal_structural.gif?alt=media&#x26;token=bc32d345-3a03-49a4-8a0f-712bc7e619b6" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

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### <mark style="color:green;">door\_outdoor</mark>

To help the model recognize which doors (within the [<mark style="color:red;">**door\_external**</mark> ](#door_external)layer) lead to usable outdoor spaces, such as terraces, gardens, and rooftops, annotate them with a circle in the [<mark style="color:green;">**door\_outdoor**</mark> ](#door_outdoor)layer.

<figure><img src="https://130699985-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FpdjR7ctovIKHdU1d15az%2Fuploads%2FRZSkVJt4C1NIComv5vNe%2Fdoor_outdoor.gif?alt=media&#x26;token=30a8f30e-0ea7-43cb-ab51-ad9a14961bd5" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

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### <mark style="color:green;">door\_swing</mark>

This layer is exclusively used to control which way the front-door swings. Like the [<mark style="color:red;">**entrance\_primary**</mark> ](#entrance_primary)and [<mark style="color:green;">**door\_outdoor**</mark>](#door_outdoor) layers this layer is a circle that touches a [<mark style="color:red;">**door\_external**</mark>](#door_external). Simply create a circle on the corner of the door where the door hinges as shown below. The size of the circle does no matter.

<figure><img src="https://130699985-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FpdjR7ctovIKHdU1d15az%2Fuploads%2FIlBqB5GBWKSd0wpkvhds%2FRhino_qXUtlDA7no.png?alt=media&#x26;token=6a5e8d67-7dbb-436f-a755-e331b01e33d1" alt=""><figcaption><p>Create a circle on the corner of the door from which is swings.</p></figcaption></figure>

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### <mark style="color:green;">decorative</mark>

All other elements in the file that are useful for design context, including window details and outdoor areas, should be placed in the <mark style="color:green;">**decorative**</mark> layer. Geometry in this layer is purely cosmetic and does not impact the generation of layouts.

Note: While garden doors and windows may have swing geometry, ensure that the front door does not. A-Space automatically generates a front door.

<figure><img src="https://130699985-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FpdjR7ctovIKHdU1d15az%2Fuploads%2F6fUDfvv6rRqdXqwINIbV%2Fdecorative.gif?alt=media&#x26;token=e3235431-1fb9-44a3-94f6-eb871e1bcf2e" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

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## 3. Export

The final step is to export the file from your CAD/BIM software to .DWG or .DXF. Make sure your plan is to Scale and within the 37-200sqm range. If you are using Rhino, follow these steps: select the geometry you want to export, go to <mark style="color:purple;">**File > Export Selected, name the file, and save it as .DWG.**</mark>

<figure><img src="https://130699985-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FpdjR7ctovIKHdU1d15az%2Fuploads%2FZ69ytWCFVH4Kyv3ZRZ3f%2Fexport.gif?alt=media&#x26;token=c36c708f-2471-4ede-bdc9-2ac17fd5b7b8" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>