Quick Start
Pro100 is a Windows-based application, therefore make sure you are running Windows 10 version. Please see more information about system requirements. Learn more if you are a macOS X user.
This software has been developed based on end users’ experience, feedback and testimonials from different industries. It is highly customizable and includes frequent new development, maintenance, publication and distribution.
Before you begin using Pro100, you should have basic computing skills in order to comfortably experience the full functionality of the program.
Here is a short list of basic computer skills one must have:
- Opening and closing files
- Accessing a CD-ROM/USB Port
- Locating a saved file
- Copy and paste texts or files
- Surf the internet and download files
Do I need Internet Connection to run Pro100?
You do not need internet connection to use Pro100 unless you want to watch our tutorial videos, visit Pro100 YouTube channel or download software updates
We put together some helpful tools depending on what industry you are in. If you create your own closet layouts or you own a cabinet shop, attention to details and accuracy is critical to ensure safe and proper construction. Take a moment to play around with the demo and contact us if you need help.
Every User Needs To Know:
Basic Steps:
- Double click the Pro100 icon to start the program. Next, enter the dimension of the room into the room property display window.
- If this is the first time opening the program, learn how to dock your menus on the left and right side, bottom or top of your screen. Note that you also have an option to use the auto-hide feature or pin it whenever you need it.
- Click ok and a virtual room defined by a grid is displayed in 3D. You may now begin to create your first design. Please note that the grid is usually 12"x 12" but this can be changed by visiting Tools, Preferences then click on Edit. Set it to whatever measurement you like.
- If you are closet maker or have a cabinet shop, begin your first design by clicking on new element button.Familiarize yourself with the element/material thickness as you drop it on the floor or wall.
- Using the positioning feature, you can determine how far any object is from any wall or other objects. We recommend always to be on position 0,0,0. That is zero distance from the left corner of your north wall. This will ensure easy alignments, grouping, resizing, distribution, importing objects and naming.
Tutorial Videos on...
Alignment & Grouping: It beats the purpose when you don't learn how to align or group objects in Pro100. In reality, aligning cabinets or closet shelves ,all of which are grouped objects on the wall requires precise measurements in order to achieve desired results. Pro100 makes this process much easier.
{modal youtube=TlOixbVF_2o?rel=0|width=853|height=480|title=Pro100 Software}Watch this video {/modal} on how to align objects. If you are a custom cabinet maker or build from scratch, please see more details here.
Angled Walls & Cabinets: If you design your projects from scratch, see how to work with angled walls or/and angled cabinets calculations.
Click – point the cursor to a given object (e.g. click a button) quickly press and release the mouse button. You can left-click or right-click. If we just say “click”, click the left button.
Double-click – click the left button twice in quick succession. The mouse shouldn’t be moved while clicking.
Dragging – point the cursor to an object, press a suitable button and keep it pressed. Now you can, without releasing the button, move the mouse. You can drag with the right or the left button. Dragging with Shift, means dragging while pressing the Shift key at the same time.
The terms “Element” and “Object” are used interchangeably. The terms
“Materials” and “Textures” are also used interchangeably and they mean the same.
You can undo any operation you are not happy with by using “Undo”
from the “Edit” menu or CTL+Z. If you reverse too far, you can use
“Redo”. The program lets you undo all the commands since the beginning of your work with a project.
When you select a command from the menu, try to find it on the toolbar; most commands have their equivalents there. It will probably have an icon representing the command. Using the buttons from the toolbar will speed up your work up to three times.
Menu icon has short command to make the program perform some action.
ALT + D will help align one object to another
CTR+I Color picker
ALT+C While dragging the measuring tool, these two keys will give you the center axis of the selected object.
Structure
This feature exists in all Pro100 software versions and is a must-learn feature for all cabinet makers, closets or if you build from scratch. It is a strong and powerful tool that will give you the ability to define each object by simply giving them names. Structre feature gives you the power to name, rename parts, groups and much more and make your data more meaningful. If you will need reports like part lists, cut list etc, this is a must learn feature.
SHIFT + RIGHT CLICK - This action will auto focus your 3D rendering display. It is important set it right depending on the room size to ensure realistic panorama.
How To Generate a Cut List:
Here is a step by step screenshots on how to generate{modal gallery="images/cabinet-cutlist"}cabinet cut list using Pro100 software{/modal}
Learn how to generate a cut list by watching {modal youtube=el816NkwyBE?rel=0|width=853|height=480|title=Pro100 Software}this video{/modal}.
Pro100 Menus and Features in depth.
There are 6 menus on the top left corner of the program window. From left to right is File, Edit, View, Element, Tools and Help. Each menu has a list of sub-menus and commands that you can click on to perform a particular task or to display specific information. We are going to discuss each in depth.
File
Like any other Windows-based application, the File menu should be familiar. This is where you will find common commands Open, New, Save, Save As, Print, Print Preview, Page Setup and Exit.
Pro100 has additional menus namely: - New from Template, Import, Export, Project Properties and Room Properties under this same menu. Notice the names are descriptive of their functions.
New from Template: - Start a new project using existing template in your library. Learn how to create your template before you can use it.
Import: Enables you to import 3D object type files into Pro100. You can then adjust texture, color, size and add to catalog for later use.
Export: - Hover your cursor and find a list of functions under Export menu. Cut list, Image, Panorama and OBJ. Please note that, currently, importing or exporting other file types such as DXF or DWG is not available. However, we can help you internally to convert any 3D CAD files to the appropriate Pro100 files. Inquire within for help.
Project Properties: - Displays project information including order number, date, customer, designer and comments section filled out. You can also navigate to Room Properties from this window.
Please note that you don’t have to fill out any field, however, it really helps to have some type of a tracking system for all your projects and clients. It ensures easy and efficient workflow of your business.
Room Properties: - Add, adjust, edit the dimension of your room. You should see Length, Width and Height in that order going vertically. This can be done at the beginning or at any time necessary.
Between Print and Exit menus, you will always see your project history listed in chronological order. It’s a quick shortcut to open existing projects.
Edit
Click this in order to use the traditional Undo, Redo, Cut, Copy, Paste and Delete icons or command shortcut alongside. In addition, notice the other menus: -
Hide- This action will hide the selected object(s)
Hide Other – Select part of a group or one object, the rest everything in the room will be hidden hence “hide other”
Unhide- This will undo the action of hiding specific item or group that was previously hidden.
Unhide all- This will make all the hidden items appear in the virtual room
Add to Catalog Add new or edited items into your existing or new library.
Insert from Catalog
Group Combine individual objects in the room and make it a group with a name.
Ungroup Breakdown grouped objects into other groups or individual pieces or elements.
Duplicate Make exact copy of an object or a group.
Select all – The act of selecting everything in a room or highlighted objects
Please watch the following video to see how you can use Edit menu.
[video]
View
Think of this section of the program as an ON/OFF switch. There are 22 items listed on this menu that will greatly enhance your work.
Depending on your design stage or customer’s demand, you can adjust or change project appearance. For example, you may not need colors turned on if all you care about is a shop drawing.
The sole purpose is to use the appropriate command to setup desired display output on your screen. The list includes: -
Wireframe
Sketch Adjust screen display into black and white, no color.
Colors Show or display color schemes
Textures Show or display original object textures or colors
Contours Enable outline feature or contours on objects to define the actual appearance and shape. Helpful in shop drawing.
Semitransparency – Turn this feature on to see through opaque objects
Shading Add shade to an object
Photorealism Adjust color scheme to dress up your project
Reflections Display or show light reflections
Antialiasing Removes jagged edge appearance and adds well-defined display attributes to enhance your final production.
Labels Display labelled parts or groups
Dimensions Display object measurements in units based on elevation drawings.
Grid Red lines forming virtual room that make up dimensions and the ability to display symmetric objects
Hidden
Background
Axes Displays guide on x-axis in red, y-axis in green and z-axis in blue.
Camera Create different camera elevations for presentation
Projection
Center
Zoom in -
Zoom out
Toolbars Display or hide icon menus on the top bar
Element
An element is any new object with a default size that you can bring into the virtual room by clicking the new element icon along the left side of your window or within this menu. Clicking on this icon also gives you the opportunity to adjust the thickness of your element. The default depth or thickness of the material (new element) is ¾ of an inch.
Think of it as finished sheet of wood material that hasn’t been cut to desired size(s). You can do pretty much anything with it.
New top bar
Shape Manipulate an element into desired irregular or regular shape.
Countertop Shortcut to display countertop
Rotate 90 Counterclockwise Rotate object on specific angle direction described
Rotate 90 Clockwise Rotate object on specific angle direction described
Rotate - Rotate object to any angle direction described
Move – Move object on X, Y or Z axes to specific defined distance.
Flip Change or mirror displayed object to opposite direction
Explode Display exploded parts of group object
Move to Move object all the way on X, Y or Z axes
Align to Align object(s) with another on any of the 3 axes
Distance Distribute distance between the end points of elements within any of the axes.
Distribute Ensures equal distance between the center points of elements within X, Y or Z axes
Properties A window will pop up when you click on this menu. Choose from the tabs listed below.
- General - Add object(s) name. Avoid special characters such as , to avoid errors
- Position- Assign and determine object position with respect to the room. Always work on a new object at position 0,0,0
- Dimensions - Add, show, check or lock object dimension(s). Locking object’s dimensions restricts which side of the element can be resized. It also enables parametric resizing.
- Materials- Check Flip, Transparent, Mirror or Light to add these functions on a selected object(s).
- Orientation – Change wood grain direction to 90, 180 and 270 degrees. The default is zero (0) This function is essential in price setup.
- PriceID - Add price ID or change texture to customize and integrate object pricing.
Tools
No matter how small it is, a basic woodworking shop should carry specific tools based on industry. Here is a sample list not necessarily in any order.
- Table Saw
- Miter Saw
- Circular Saw
- Dust Collector
- Tape measure
In other words, there are tools every woodworker needs in order to perform and successfully complete variety of projects. Just like a cabinet shop, Pro100 has crucial and essential set of tools that any professional would appreciate. Ease of use and versatility is the key here.
What are these Pro100 Tools?
Under the Tools menu, find a list of sub-menus to choose from. Dock the ones you frequently use based on your business industry. Please check the video on how to dock menu tools. We are going to discuss each in depth for the purpose of learning.
- Catalog
- Find
- Structure
- Dimensions
- Lights
- Pricelist
- Cabinet Properties – Optional CNC feature
- Render Kray – Optional Photorealism feature
- Info
- Mesh
- Lathe
- Text
- Replace
- Notification
- Attributes
- Reports and Calculation
- Preferences
All the task menu list above can be docked apart from the last two 16 and 17. Cabinet Properties and Kray are optional and can be added to your standard purchase.
GLOSSARY
3D
3D is the same as Perspective in Pro100.
Align
Alignment tool is used to align two or more objects.
Apply
When you click on the Apply button in any dialog box you will see the immediate result of your changes. You only need to click on Apply if you want to check your changes before saving your work. Otherwise just click on the OK button to save whatever you are doing.
Axonometry, Axonometric
Axonometric projection is a type of parallel projection, more specifically a type of orthographic projection, used to create a pictorial drawing of an object, where the object is rotated along one or more of its axes relative to the plane of projection.
Catalog
Catalog and Library are used interchangeably by Pro100 Users. A catalog is a group of products. An example would be a catalog of cabinets. American Frame cabinets is a catalog/library of frame cabinets.
Countertop
The top of a cabinet. Can be Granite, Corian, High Pressure Laminate, Slate etc. Also called a Work Top.
Dado Joint
A Dado joint is a groove in a board to hold another board. Pro100 cutlist makes allowances for Dados and will show them in wireframe mode.
Element
Elements are used to create group objects like cabinets, closets, furniture etc. In the Properties Dialog Box, Report tab an element is the same as the Piece List
Elevation
View of the room you see when you click on one of the tabs. Dimensioning only works in these views and Plan.
Floor Plan
Plan and Floor Plan are interchangeable. Dimensions work in Plan View.
Group Object
Several elements grouped together to create objects like cabinets, closets, furniture etc.
Job Properties
Job Properties and Project Properties are the same thing.
Library
Library and Catalog are used interchangeably by Pro100 Users. A catalog is a group of products. An Example would be a catalog of cabinets. American Frame cabinets is a catalog/library of frame cabinets.
Materials
The terms "Materials" and "Textures" are also used interchangeably. These are jpg's used to texture an element. Drag and drop, and texture on an element will change an object to the selected texture.
Object
Short name for group object, also sometimes the element is referred to as a single object.
Piece List
Piece List in the Element/Object dialog box Report Tab is an element. Example would be the side of a cabinet.
Perspective
Perspective is the same as 3D.
Rabbet
A rabbet is an L-shaped groove cut across the edge or end of a board. Fitting another board into it makes the joint. Pro100 cutlist makes allowances for Rabbets and will show them in wireframe mode.
Shape Editor
The Shape Editor is a small CAD program that you can use to shape an element. Example: Shaped cabinet leg, Valances, clipped or radius counter tops, furniture parts, etc.
Textures
The terms "Materials" and "Textures" are used interchangeably. Pro100 uses jpg's to texture an element. Drag and drop, and texture on an element will change an object to the selected texture. For more information on Texture/Material
Upper Cabinets
Upper Cabinets and Wall Cabinets are the same thing.
Wall Cabinets
Wall Cabinets and Upper Cabinets are the same thing.
Work Top
The top of a cabinet. Can be Granit, Corian, High Pressure Laminate, Slate etc. Called a Counter Top in this program.
Contact Support
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