Hi Tiejun,

CAD is an entirely separate skillset ?Cif you haven??t touched it before I can see it being daunting.

I also typically define my simplified zone layout in CAD prior to importing to eQuest.

Here is a brief list of keystrokes to write down specific to tracing out simple outlines for eQuest. Play with these until their function/purpose is intuitive:
L ?C LINE
REC ?C RECTANGLE
TR ?C TRIM
EX - EXTEND
CHA ?C CHAMFER (extends two lines to the point they??d intersect if extended ?C combines a multistep process into one)

OSNAP ?C lets you choose what to snap to, or not (your preference... I personally select everything.)
F3 ?C toggles those chosen snap settings on/off in one keypress

F8 - toggles ortho mode ?C note snapped points will override

LAYISO ?C select one or more things before/after this command to ??lock?? all other layers ?C handy to ensure your work is isolated to the layer(s) you want to work on
LAYUNISO ?C undoes the previous locking

One thing I didn??t realize early on is that the eQuest interface does let you isolate layers while defining zones ?C so an extensive amount of CAD file cleanup isn??t necessary provided you do your zone tracing on a fresh layer, as Bruce is saying. I also agree and emphasize to not get too hung up on ??where in your walls?? you draw your partition lines ?C ??exactly right?? for internal partitions is normally in the dimensional center, but this is normally not critical. The general rule for exterior walls is to follow the outermost surface.

~Nick

[cid:489575314 at 22072009-0ABB]

NICK CATON, P.E.