Building a Custom Configuration
In SmartQuote, we maintain a small gallery of models that will include all of our door configurations, shapes, and corner windows. For any type of window, you will need to follow these instructions to build a new custom configuration.
Custom Configuration Menu
Once you have created a new quote, select the + icon on the bottom right of the screen to access the “New Line Item” menu. To build a custom configuration, select “New Configuration” option, this will take you to the New Configuration menu page.
The “Sales Documents>Quote Number>New Configuration” page has four sections.
- Document Properties – Where you can enter a Unit Mark to identify which window it is. Quantity Number of what you want to order.
- Dimensions – Here you can set an overall Width and Height for the window configuration.
- Configuration Properties – In this section you can select the number of rows and columns that your configuration will need. When entering your configuration always make sure that the “Verticals” box is unchecked. There are many ways to achieve the same finished window configuration starting with different grids, so don’t overthink this – just put in what seems most efficient.
- Model Properties – Where you will select the System (Series), Family (Finish) and Color. These fields are all required to build your custom configuration. The Family and Color can be adjusted later in the process if needed, but if you need to change the System (Series) you will need to re-enter the line item.
Once all fields have been entered, click the blue “Create” button to proceed. This will take you into the line item detail page where you will continue to build your configuration.
Editing the Configuration
You’ll see an empty grid with the specifications you provided on the prior menu. You want to make this grid look exactly like the window you are trying to build.
First, you should merge or divide lites until you get the layout desired. This grid function works a lot like an Excel spreadsheet in the way the cells merge or divide.
Select or highlight one or multiple grids then click the “Design” icon located above the grid to see your options. The “Design” drop menu will change to show you the options available. To merge lites, select the “Merge Lites” option from the “Design” drop-down menu. For example, see below where two lites are highlighted to merge in the picture below.
To divide lites, use the same process, but select “Divide Lites” in the Design menu instead. From here you can select Vertical or Horizontal bars and the number of divisions you will need. SmartQuote will always subdivide them equally but will easily allow you to edit the dimensions. To change dimensions simply click on the number or the dimension you wish to change. You can also click edit in the Dimensions tab on the menu located on the right.
Add Operable Windows
Once you have the desired layout for your configuration, you can add operable windows to the grid.
Highlight the lite you want to make an operable window. Go to the Menu located on the Right-hand side of the screen and click “Opening Type”. By clicking this option, you will see all the opening type options available. Select the desired opening type for your configuration.
To add a new opening type to a different lite, first unclick the lite in the grid you just added an opening type to, then select the new lite to add the operable window. Using this process, you can add as many operable windows as you need. You can select and apply operable windows to more than one lite at a time, just highlight as many lites as you want to have the same operation type, and select the type of window in the “Opening Type” menu. Unselect them all to move on.
You do not need to check the “Active” or “Fixed Sash” checkboxes under the opening type. Please leave those unchecked.
Apply the System
When you have added all your required operable windows, the final step is to apply the All Weather system. This will apply all of our engineering rules to your grid, resulting in a window in the series you selected in the prior step. To “Apply the System” to the configuration, go to the “Design” icon above the grid, select “Apply System” from the drop-down menu.
BEFORE:
AFTER:
Now, instead of a “Grid,” you have a window. Please note that you should only press “Apply System” one time. If you come back and press that again, the window will lose all customizations and options and will default back to factory settings. This is not recommended. You will note that the image now represents a 3D window, and there is a price showing up on the bottom left side of the image. These are the biggest distinctions that this is a window now, not a grid. Now all of the relevant options are availble for your selection. See this document for help with that process: “How to Select Options.”
