How to Add and Customize Cabinets

This How-To focuses on the cabinet as a unit. KCD Software lets you customize units, like cabinets (and also appliances, room doors, and windows), by size, color, placement, finish, and other options. This How-To shows you how to use the individual unit menu and some of the selections under Change to:

After you finish this How-To, you may want to look at How to Customize Cabinet Doors and How to Change Colors and Textures.

 

Adding a Cabinet to a Wall

  • NOTE: Unit numbers are assigned by the software in the order in which the units are added to the design.  In the screenshot, unit #2 is circled.
  1. Click on the wall where you want to add a cabinet to make the wall active.
  2. Click on the category of cabinet on the Unit Menu (for example, Base Cabinets).
  3. Click on the type of cabinet you want (for example, Base 4 Drawer).

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  1. Click on the active wall and drag the outline of the cabinet to the desired size.
  2. Release the mouse. The Add Unit menu appears. From here you can customize sizes and other specifications, including color.

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  1. When your changes are complete, click OK. The cabinet appears in the floor plan view.

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  1. To see the cabinet in elevation, view, double click on any unused space on the grid.

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Understanding the Unit Menu

Let’s assume you’ve created a wall that has two base units on the right, as show below, with another top unit on the left.

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Double click on one of the unit numbers to access the individual unit menu. In this case, let’s click on 1 to bring up the Unit #1 Menu.

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The sections of the individual unit menu are:

Name — Name of the unit as listed under the Units Menu on the main screen.

Code — Underlying code (in the case of Base Cabinets, the code is B followed by digits).

Locate From — The placement of the unit relative to the left or right wall.

  • L to L measures from the left side of the wall to the left side of unit (31 1/4 inches).
  • L to C measures from the left side of the wall to the center of the unit.
  • L to R measures from the left side of the wall to the right side of the unit.
  • R to R, R to C, and R to L measure from the right side of the wall to the right, center, or left of the unit.

Next to — Location of the unit relative to another unit. You may change the location of the unit to the left, center, or right of the other unit, as explained later in this How-To.

Width — Width of the unit (in this case 36 inches).

Location — Location of the unit relative to the wall (in this case 31 1/4 inches from the left wall to the left side of the cabinet).

List of Measurement — All the relevant measurements and parameters for the cabinet.

  • NOTE: Items with “!!” can be toggled between 0 and the shop standard by double clicking on the “!!”.

Openings — Number of openings (doors, drawers) in the unit (in this case, two doors with two drawers above).

Doors — If doors are “single,” then each door in the unit opens from a single set of hinges; if the doors are “pair,” then each door has hinges on the left and right and opens in the middle.

OK — Accepts all changes.

Cancel — Cancels all changes.

More — Changes the quantity of units and the wall they are on.

Erase — Erases the unit. (You may also erase a unit by dragging it to the trash in the lower left corner.)

Copy — Copies the unit exactly to a new location, as explained later in this How-To.

Color Group — Selects a standard color group for the countertop and the cabinet as described later in this How-To. To change a cabinet’s color groups or textures, refer to How To Change Colors and Texture.

 

Switching the Locations of Cabinets (Next to)

We’re working with a design that has two base units on the right, as show below, with another top unit on the left.

  • NOTE: The following procedure works with any unit, including windows and appliances.

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Let’s say you want to move Unit 2 to the left of Unit 1. Two methods are available.

  1. Method 1: Click on Unit 2, hold down the mouse, and drag Unit 2 to the location you want.
  2. Method 2: Use the Next to item on the individual unit menu.

a. Double click on the unit number 2 to access the Unit #2 menu.

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b. Change the Next to number to the number of the other unit (in this case 1).

c. Click on Left of.

d. Click on OK. Unit 2 moves as shown:

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Now let’s say you want to move Unit 3 so that it is centered over Unit 2.

  1. Method 1: Click on Unit 3, hold down the mouse, and drag Unit 3 to the location you want.
  2. Method 2: Use the Next to item on the individual unit menu.
  3. Double click on the unit number 3 to access the Unit #3
  4. Change the Next to number to the number of the other unit (in this case 2).
  5. Click on Center on.
  6. Click on OK. Unit 3 moves as shown:

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Copying a Cabinet (Using the Menu Bar)

Let’s assume that Unit 2 (the one-door cabinet) is to the right of Unit 1 (the two-door cabinet). We would like to copy Unit 2 and place the new unit to the left of Unit 1, so that Unit 1 is in the middle of two one-door cabinets. There are two methods, using Edit on the Menu Bar or using Copy on the individual unit menu. Let’s go through the steps using Edit.

  • NOTE: The following procedure works with any unit, including windows and appliances.
  1. Right click on the cabinet you want to copy (in this case Unit 2). The number will be highlighted.

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  1. Click on Edit on the Menu Bar.
  2. Click on Copy Units.
  3. Click on Paste Units.
  4. Click on the wall approximately where you want to place the copied cabinet. An outline of the copied cabinet appears along with the Add Custom Unit menu.

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  1. Either adjust the position of the cabinet using the Add Custom Unit menu or click on OK, then drag the copied cabinet to where you want it (see Unit 4 below).

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Copying a Cabinet (Using the Unit Menu)

Let’s assume that Unit 2 (the one-door cabinet) is to the right of Unit 1 (the two-door cabinet). We would like to copy Unit 2 and place the new unit to the left of Unit 1, so that Unit 1 is in the middle of two one-door cabinets. There are two methods, using Edit on the Menu Bar or using Copy on the individual unit method. Let’s go through the steps using Copy.

  • NOTE: The following procedure works with any unit, including windows and appliances.
  1. Double click on the number of the cabinet you want to copy (in this case, 2) to access the individual unit menu (Unit #2).
  2. We’re aiming to copy Unit 2 and place it to the left of Unit 1: Change Next to 1 and click on Left of, as shown below.

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  1. You can adjust the location on the Unit #2 menu or wait until the copy is complete to move the copied unit exactly where you want it.
  2. Click on Copy.

Spacing a Cabinet from Another Unit

Let’s say you have a wall with a window. You’d like to place a cabinet on the left side of the window but leave a little space between.

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To Create Space on the Left

  1. On the Unit Menu, click on Top Cabinets, then Top Cabinet.

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  1. Drag the cabinet outline to the size you want next to the window.

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  1. Click on width (in this case, 21½).
  2. Type the size of the space you want to leave on the left (a dash followed by the number), in this case -3 inches.

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  1. Click OK and the cabinet becomes 3 inches smaller, leaving a gap next to the window.

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  • NOTE: If you want to change the width of the cabinet (for example, to return the width to 21½ inches), double click on the cabinet number (3) and make the change on the individual unit menu (Unit #3).

To Create Space on the Right

The first three steps below are identical to steps 1-3 above.

  1. On the Unit Menu, click on Top Cabinets, then Top Cabinet…
  2. Drag the cabinet outline to the size you want next to the window.
  3. Click on width (in this case, 21½).
  4. Click on Next To and change the number, in this case to 5.
  5. Click on Right of. The menu will change to show Space.
  6. Type in the space you want to leave on the right (just the number), in this case 3.

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  1. Click OK and the cabinet moves 3 inches to the right — without changing size.

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  • NOTE: If you want to change the width of the cabinet, double click on the cabinet number (6) and make the change on the individual unit menu (Unit #6).

 

Using the Change Menu

Click on Change on the Menu Bar. Among other options, you’ll see:

  • Move a unit
  • Change a unit (calls up the individual unit menu)
  • Erase a unit
  • Mirror a unit (moves the position of hinges and handles from left to right or from right to left).

For information on hinges and handles, see How to Customize Cabinet Doors.

We hope this How-To has been helpful. At KCD Software, we always welcome comments and suggestions for making our Cabinet Suite, Closet Suite, and Doors Plus better — and easier — than ever.