Creating a Framing Cut/Buy List

The information in this article applies to:

QUESTION

I want to see a list of the materials in my plan but the materials list shows my framing materials in lineal length. Is there a way to create a cut or buy list of the lumber used in my plan?

ANSWER

In Home Designer 2024 and newer versions, the Materials List Defaults dialog allows you to specify the method used to calculate framing members in a Materials List. In Home Designer 2023 and prior versions, this can be changed by accessing the Structural Member Reporting dialog instead. The different methods include Mixed Reporting, Total Lineal Length, Cut List, and Buy List.

In Home Designer Pro, you can also change the reporting method using the Lumber Reporting Method Control drop-down toolbar when a Materials List is active, or by accessing the Materials List Specification dialog.

To modify the structural member reporting method

1. While in a plan file, select Edit> Default Settings from the menu.
   
   
   
2. In the Default Settings dialog, select Materials List, then click the Edit button.
   
   In Home Designer 2023 and prior versions, select Structural Member Reporting instead, then click Edit.
   
   
   
3. On the Options panel of the Materials List Defaults dialog that displays, choose the method of reporting you wish to use using the drop-down at the top.
   
   In Home Designer 2023 and prior versions, a Structural Member Reporting dialog will appear instead, where you can choose which kind of reporting to use.
   
   The selected method will affect subsequently created Materials Lists, but not any that may already exist.
   
   
   
   
   • Select Buy List to calculate the framing materials by counting individual pieces and matching them to common board lengths.
     
     
   • Select Cut List to calculate the framing materials by counting the individual pieces present in the model.
     
     
   • Select Mixed Reporting to calculate framing materials using a combination of lineal lengths and piece counts.
     
     
   • Select Linear Length to calculate framing materials in linear lengths.