A Guide to Wood Framing Software

Wood framing software saves production time and resources without sacrificing the end product. You can produce and apply precise drawings and models in a fraction of the time, increasing efficiency and output.

Plus, timber framing software allows you to create structural elements offsite, saving even more money on construction.

Keep reading to learn the ropes behind simple wood framing software, and discover more benefits of automated BIM-powered tools.

The Basics of Wood Framing Design Software

Home construction projects require accurate framing for floors, walls, and roofing. The wrong measurements can throw your entire project timetable off track.

Wood framing is the process of designing, assembling, and fastening wood (natural and engineered) for framing construction. You can visualize the entire process, down to the last nail, with the latest building software like StrucSoft’s MWF modules.

There are two main types of wood framing: platform and balloon framing. However, framing design software also supports semi-balloon, post and beam, expedient, and western framing renderings.

Assemblies are fastened together by joinery work, pegs, and nails. Lumber ends are specially cut, enabling easy interlocking between panels, just like a puzzle.

With wood framing design software such as MWF Pro Wood, you can simplify and automate the creation of wood models, generate CNC instructions, and cut your panels before the main construction project even begins. Once complete, you can apply your framing to the rest of your project modeling.

Wood Framing Components 

If you need to configure a complete floor framing structure, you can visualize the following parts in your structure design software.

• Bridging
• Sill plates
• Floor joists
• Headers
• Rim joists

Do you need to measure, assemble, and build roof framing quickly? Create detailed drawings and instructions for these critical components:

• Ceiling joists
• Rafters
• Rafters
• Fascia boards

Are you building several homes with the same design and layout? The latest wood building software also provides an infinite number of wall framing configurations, allowing you to generate the following parts with accompanying CNC outputs:

• Sills
• Headers
• Studs
• Blocking
• Top and bottom plates

Since this software simulates real framing construction, you can add multiple layers to your wall framing models, including clapboards, sheathing, and furring.

If you’re building a multiple-story home, you already know the importance of reliable stair frames. With MWF Pro Wood, you can generate precise stringers, treads, and risers for stair framing too.

Create Material Schedules, Cut Lists, and Clash Reports 

Think of wood framing software as your one-stop framing design shop. Exact panel measurements are only one benefit of structure design software. For example, MWF Pro Wood lets builders generate detailed material schedules organized by building and material categories.

Use an MWF Pro template to generate cutting lists for each component. Cut list templates detail all required framing components for a build. Each item is listed with its corresponding weight and measurements.

Material schedules and cut lists are essential for accurate purchasing and billing. Wood framing software saves all of these files for quick reference.

The latest software also mitigates issues with clash detection, troubleshooting issues before construction even starts. For example, MWF Pro Wood is built with Revit®, a top-rated BIM solution from Autodesk. Revit identifies, records, and manages clash detection, allowing builders to create clash reports, spot trouble areas, and compare models.