Visual Part Builder

The Visual Part Builder is a powerful visual editor for defining panel, door, cabinet, and box layouts directly on order line items. It provides real-time 2D and 3D previews with automatic part dimension calculations for production documents and cut sheets.

Overview

The Visual Part Builder enables woodworkers and manufacturers to:

• Visualize product construction — See exactly how doors, panels, and cabinets break down into parts
• Auto-calculate dimensions — Stile widths, rail lengths, panel sizes computed automatically
• Configure mullions and divisions — Add horizontal and vertical dividers with precise positioning
• Map product fields — Connect line item dimensions to the visual layout
• Export to 3D — Download STL, OBJ, or GLTF files for CNC or visualization

Layout Types

The Visual Part Builder supports multiple layout types organized into three categories:

2D Door Types

Various door construction styles including traditional frame-and-panel, mitered corners, and face frames for cabinet doors and windows.

2D Panel Types

Simple panel layouts for shelves, drawer bottoms, backs, and dimensional lumber.

3D Box Types

Cabinet and box constructions including base cabinets, wall cabinets, drawers, bookshelves, and storage boxes.

Getting Started

Enabling Visual Part Builder on Products

1. Navigate to your product in Catalog
2. Open the Parts & Build Sheet section
3. Select "Use Visual Templates" path
4. Choose your layout type (Door, Cabinet, etc.)
5. Map dimension fields from your product
6. Save the configuration

Opening the Builder on Orders

Once enabled on a product:

1. Create or edit an order with that product
2. Click the "Visual Builder" button on any line item
3. The builder opens with dimensions from the line item
4. View/edit the configuration
5. Save changes back to the line item

Interface Overview

The Visual Part Builder has three main areas:

Configuration Panel

Layout Type Selector

Choose the type of construction. Each layout type has different dimension requirements and part outputs.

Dimension Fields

Map product fields to layout dimensions:

Field Mapping Modes

Each dimension supports two modes:

• Map to Field — Value comes from line item or product option
• Static Value — Fixed value that doesn't change

2D Preview

The center panel shows a real-time 2D representation:

• Parts are color-coded — Stiles, rails, panels each have distinct colors
• Dimensions display — Hover or click parts to see calculated dimensions
• Mullions visible — Horizontal and vertical dividers shown with widths
• Panel styles — Glass, raised, flat panels render differently

3D Preview

Toggle to 3D view for cabinet and box layouts:

• Rotate and zoom — Click and drag to view from any angle
• Exploded view — See how parts fit together
• Material preview — Wood grain direction indicated
• Export options — Download STL, OBJ, or GLTF files

Door & Window Configuration

For framed door types (Door/Window, Miter, M&T):

Frame Members

Panel Configuration

Panel Styles

Adding Mullions

Mullions divide the frame into multiple panels or glass lites.

Horizontal Mullions

Split the frame into horizontal sections:

1. Click "+ Add Horizontal" in the configuration panel
2. Set the position (distance from top in inches or percentage)
3. Set the width (mullion material width)
4. Preview updates in real-time

Vertical Mullions

Split the frame into vertical sections:

1. Click "+ Add Vertical" in the configuration panel
2. Set the position (distance from left)
3. Set the width (mullion material width)

Targeted Mullion Placement

For complex layouts:

1. Click a panel in the preview to select it
2. Add a mullion — it only divides that panel
3. Create grid patterns within specific sections

Example: French Door

Frame: 30" × 80"
Stiles: 2.25"
Rails: Top 2.25", Bottom 5"

Mullions:
- 3 Vertical at equal spacing (4 columns)
- 5 Horizontal at equal spacing (6 rows)

Result: 24-lite french door

Glass Lite Patterns

When using Glass panel style, select from preset lite patterns:

• Standard Patterns: Single pane, 2-lite, 4-lite, 6-lite, 9-lite, and other grid configurations
• Special Patterns: Marginal, Prairie, and other decorative styles

Select the pattern that matches your door design requirements.

Cabinet Box Configuration

For 3D cabinet types:

Dimensions

Components

Joinery Options

Drawer Box Configuration

For drawer construction:

Dimensions

Parts Generated

The drawer box configuration automatically calculates dimensions for:

• Front and back panels
• Left and right sides
• Bottom panel

Dimensions are calculated based on your inputs and joinery settings.

Field Mappings

Field mappings connect product configuration to the visual builder.

Automatic Mapping

When you enable the Visual Part Builder, it automatically maps common field names:

Manual Mapping

Configure custom mappings for your product's specific fields:

1. Click the field dropdown
2. Select from available line item fields or product options
3. Or enter a static value

Accessing Option Values

Reference attribute part values using dot notation:

Parts Output

The Visual Part Builder generates a parts list used for:

• Build sheets — Production documents
• Cut lists — Material cutting optimization
• Shipping calculations — Package weight/dimensions
• Inventory deductions — Material usage

Generated Part Data

Each part includes:

Accessing Parts in Build Sheets

In the Build Sheet Builder:

1. Set Row Source to "Visual Parts"
2. Drag part fields into columns
3. Each part becomes a row in your build sheet

Available fields:

3D Export

Export visual configurations as 3D files:

Supported Formats

Exporting

1. Open the Visual Part Builder on a line item
2. Toggle to 3D view
3. Click the Download dropdown
4. Select your preferred format
5. File downloads with part geometry

Export Contents

The 3D file includes:

• All individual parts as separate meshes
• Proper dimensions matching your configuration
• Part names for identification in CAD software
• Assembled positioning

Using with Build Sheets

The Visual Part Builder integrates directly with production documents.

Setting Up Visual Parts Row Source

1. Open Build Sheet Builder
2. Create or edit a table
3. Set Row Source to "Visual Parts"
4. Add columns for part data

Available Row Sources

Summary Fields

For aggregate data, use summary fields (work with any row source):

Customer Storefront View

When Visual Part Builder is enabled, customers can view (but not edit) the visual representation in the Embeddable Storefront:

• Order detail page shows Visual Builder button
• Read-only mode — Customers see parts but can't modify
• 3D preview — Interactive 3D view of their order
• Builds customer confidence in custom products

Best Practices

Product Configuration

1. Use consistent field names — Match stile_width, rail_width conventions
2. Set default values — Provide sensible defaults for all fields
3. Enable on appropriate products — Doors, cabinets, custom millwork

Order Entry

1. Verify mappings — Ensure line item values populate correctly
2. Check the preview — Visual confirmation before saving
3. Use read-only for customers — Let them see, not modify

Build Sheet Integration

1. Choose correct row source — Visual Parts for part-level detail
2. Include summary data — Board feet, square feet for material planning
3. Test with sample orders — Verify calculations match expectations

Troubleshooting

Visual Builder Button Not Appearing

• Verify product has Enable Visual Templates turned on
• Check that a Layout Type is selected
• Ensure product is saved after enabling

Dimensions Not Populating

• Verify field mappings are configured
• Check that line item has values entered
• Confirm field names match exactly (case-sensitive)

Parts List Empty

• Ensure frame dimensions are greater than 0
• Check that stile/rail widths don't exceed frame size
• Verify thickness values are positive

3D View Not Loading

• Only available for 3D layout types (Cabinet, Drawer, etc.)
• Ensure all dimensions have values
• Try refreshing the builder

Mullions Not Dividing Correctly

• Check mullion position is within frame bounds
• Verify mullion width doesn't exceed available space
• For targeted placement, select the specific panel first

Related Documentation

• Build Sheet Builder — Create production documents
• Formula Builder — Calculate dimensions
• Parts — Manual parts configuration
• Embeddable Storefront — Customer-facing views
• Exports — Export parts data