Drafting with Rayon.Design the AutoCad alternative

This tutorial is designed to enhance your drafting skills using Rayon Design, a collaborative cloud-based space design software alternative to AutoCAD, FreeCAD, BricsCAD, and Planner5D, ideal for new interior designers, students, and even larger design teams.

In this lesson, we will explore how to create sections and elevations efficiently. Previously, we covered how to draw a floor plan, and now we will delve into the details of drawing sections and elevations. Your guide for this series is Salman, an experienced architect and illustrator.

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George Nicola

George is a seasoned interior designer and property marketing strategist with over 13 years of experience. He specializes in transforming properties into visually stunning spaces, helping clients recognize the potential and beauty in each property. With an impressive international client base of exciting projects throughout Europe and America.

Setting Up Your Rayon File

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of setting up your Rayon file. This is an essential step in drafting with Rayon, especially if you’re working on a project that involves creating detailed floor plans and sections.

Start with the Existing Rayon File

  • If you haven’t used Rayon yet, you can try it for free from the link in the description.
  • Begin with the same Rayon file that was used to create the floor plan.

Import and Place the Section Image

  • Import the section image by simply dragging and dropping it into the Rayon model.

Adjust Opacity and Lock the Image

  • Navigate to the ‘Fill’ option, select ‘Image’, and reduce the opacity of the section image.
  • Lock the section image from the layers to prevent accidental changes.

Scale the Image to Match Dimensions

  • Ensure the image is scaled correctly to match the dimensions of your project.

By following these steps, you’ll have your Rayon file set up and ready for further drafting. 

Drafting the Section

In this section, we will guide you through the process of drafting a section using various tools and techniques. Follow these steps to create a detailed and accurate section drawing.

Digital floor plan designs as an AutoCAD alternative
Digital floor plan designs as an AutoCAD alternative

1. Drawing the Vertical Line

  • Objective: Draw a vertical line representing the total height of the building.
  • Action: Use the command tab to type scale and open the scale tool.
  • Instructions: Take the base point on the vertical line as a reference and the second point as the top end of the reference image. Use these points to scale the image.

2. Wrapping the Section

  • Objective: Start wrapping the section using the polyline tool.
  • Action: Begin drawing around the section cut areas in the footing.
  • Note: Mistakes can be edited later, so focus on getting the general shape.

3. Drawing Section Cut Walls

  • Objective: Use the wall tool to draw section cut walls.
  • Action: Reduce the opacity to 15% and start drawing the section cuts.
  • Instructions: Toggle between left, center, or right alignment while drafting. Positions are customizable and can be edited later.

4. Creating Elevation Lines

  • Objective: Draw elevation lines using the line tool.
  • Action: Change the stroke to 0.4 and begin drawing.
  • Instructions: Ensure all snap-in tools are turned on for easier drafting and connecting points.

5. Adding Dotted Lines

  • Objective: Create and apply a style for dotted lines.
  • Action: Go to the styles tab, add a shape, and name it “dotted elevation lines.”
  • Instructions: Pick a color, add a dash of 0.5, and use this style for all dotted lines. Styles can be edited later to reflect changes in the drawing.

6. Drawing Doors and Windows

  • Objective: Draw doors and windows in elevation.
  • Action: Use the rectangular tool and offset tool to draw frames and glazing lines.
  • Instructions: Use the picker tool to match dotted lines and the polyline option with solid fill and reduced opacity to draw shadows on the frame.

By following these steps, you will be able to draft a detailed section with precision and style. Remember, each element can be adjusted and customized to fit your design needs.

Enhancing the Section with Details

In this section, we will explore how to enhance your design by adding furniture, decor elements, and other details using Rayon’s extensive library.

Floor plan with tile hatch styles in blue and purple, featuring Rayon Design's customization palette for colors and patterns in AutoCAD.
Floor plan with tile hatch styles in blue and purple, featuring Rayon Design's customization palette for colors and patterns in AutoCAD.

Adding Furniture and Decor Elements

  1. Copy and Position Elements: Start by copying existing elements and adjusting their positions as needed. For example, you can copy racks and change the position of the glazing.

  2. Use the Rectangular Tool: Utilize the rectangular tool to create new elements, such as racks. Hold the ‘alt’ key and drag to duplicate these elements, then group them for easier management.

Using the Library for Kitchen Components

  1. Access the Library: Navigate to the libraries section and search for kitchen components. You can add items like ovens in elevation view.

  2. Add Dotted Lines: Use dotted lines to represent kitchen cabinets and employ the line command to create tall units in elevation.

Populating the Scene with Plants and Decor

  1. Add Vegetation: The NA house design includes a lot of indoor plants. Populate your scene with various plants, arranging them in different positions and sizes to add interest.

  2. Create Ground Hatch: Use the polyline tool to create a ground hatch below the footing. Adjust the hatch to a solid fill and reduce opacity for a subtle effect.

  3. Layer Management: Draw a rectangle below your drawing and ensure it is layered beneath other elements. This helps in organizing your design.

Creating Shadows and Highlights

  1. Add White Fill: To highlight the section cut, add a white fill around it using the polyline tool with a solid fill. Arrange this fill below other drawings.

  2. Decorate with Books and More: Populate the scene with decor items like books, flower vases, and headphones. Rayon’s library offers a wide range of decor elements to bring your scene to life.

  3. Match Color Palette: Once decor elements are added, adjust them to match your color palette for a cohesive look.

  4. Include Human Figures: Search for human figures in the library and add them to your drawing. This adds liveliness and interest to your design.

Creating the Elevation

Creating an elevation drawing is a crucial step in architectural design, and it becomes more manageable after completing the section. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you through the process.

Floor plan design with furniture blocks labeled Door, Bed, and Chair. The “GAUDI” label is highlighted, demonstrating the elegance often seen in AutoCAD creations. This meticulous layout brings a touch of Rayon Design innovation without being cheaper on quality.

Step 1: Importing and Scaling the Elevation Base Image

  1. Import the Base Image: Begin by importing the elevation base image into your design software.
  2. Adjust Opacity: Reduce the opacity of the image to make it easier to trace over.
  3. Scale the Image: Use the scale command to resize the image according to the required dimensions.

Step 2: Drawing Outlines and Frames

  1. Use the Polyline Tool: With a stroke, draw the outlines of the elevation.
  2. Create Windows: Utilize the rectangle tool to draw windows, then use the offset command to create frames.
  3. Draw Glazing Lines: Use the picker tool to match glazing lines from the previously drawn section.

Step 3: Adding Shadows and Dotted Lines

  1. Create Shadows: Use the polyline tool with a solid fill to add shadows to the frames.
  2. Draw Dotted Lines: Draft the dotted lines separately and match them using the picker tool.

Step 4: Finalizing the Elevation Drawing

  1. Turn Off Base Image: Once the main elements are drafted, turn off the base image layer.
  2. Draw Remaining Lines: Complete the drawing by adding any remaining lines.
  3. Add Shadows: Use a solid fill with reduced opacity to create the impression of shadows, enhancing the depth and realism of the elevation.

By following these steps, you can efficiently create a detailed and accurate elevation drawing. 

Finalizing and Exporting Your Design

In this section, we will guide you through the final steps of completing and exporting your design using Rayon. Follow these detailed instructions to ensure your design is polished and ready for presentation.

Adding Final Touches and Unique Styles

Begin by enhancing your design with additional elements. You can drag and drop human figures from the Rayon library, similar to previous steps. Explore the variety of templates available, including those offered for free on Rayon’s Instagram page. This will provide you with a wide range of elements to incorporate into your design.

To add depth and style, consider including elements like birds, the sun, or other creative touches. For instance, you can add a solid white fill and position it beneath the existing drawings. Place the elevation drawing adjacent to the section and extend the rectangle as needed.

Copying Templates and Resizing

Once your drawing is complete, copy the template you previously created for the floor plan. Adjust the size of the template to fit your current drawing. This ensures consistency and alignment across your design elements.

Exporting the Drawing

Navigate to the page tab to begin the export process. You can change the format and scale of your drawing by selecting from the dropdown menu or entering a custom scale. Additionally, choose from various page sizes to best fit your needs. For this example, select “fit to paper” and proceed to plot your design.

To finalize, click on the dots menu to export your drawing. You have the option to save it as a PDF or a PNG image, depending on your requirements.

In this tutorial, we explored how to create sections and elevations using Rayon design software. This comprehensive guide walked you through the process, from setting up your Rayon file to finalizing and exporting your design.

Why someone should try Rayon.Design?

Rayon.Design CAD is an all-in-one architectural design software that streamlines every step of the floor plan drawing process. It is highly praised for its intuitive interface and efficient tools, enabling users to work faster and produce professional-grade floor plans. 

Rayon is designed to offer the fastest design experience without compromising on precision. It allows users to draw accurate and beautiful floor plans, technical drawings, and architectural drawings faster than ever before.

The software boasts a user-centric interface optimized for speed and ergonomics. The new V2 interface is crisper, denser, and faster, with a focus on speed, clarity, and precision. This makes it easier for users to locate and access features quickly.

Rayon V2 features a brand-new rendering engine designed to handle large projects efficiently. It includes sophisticated memory allocation, single draw calls, and high precision rendering, ensuring smooth performance even with complex models

A man with a hammer threatens a computer displaying an AutoCAD blueprint; a large red "X" overlays the screen, symbolizing Rayon Design's frustration over seeking cheaper solutions.
A man with a hammer threatens a computer displaying an AutoCAD blueprint; a large red "X" overlays the screen, symbolizing Rayon Design's frustration over seeking cheaper solutions.

Want to get 3D rendering for your interior design project?