This guide will show you how to add a custom inset fireplace to your landscape design.
To get started, click the Modeling tab and add a Box object.
Set the dimensions of the box to the desired size of the fireplace and place it into position. Note how the box extends into the wall of the house in the image below.
Since we are placing the fireplace on the house wall, the house will need to be converted into a custom model. To do this, select the house, click the Modeling tab, then click the Convert to Custom button.
Note: Converting to a custom model will permanently change the available editing options. We recommend copying and pasting your objects before converting them.
Next, we are going to create a hole in the wall of the house to create the interior of the fireplace. To do this, first select the house, press and hold the Shift key and select the box. It is important to select the object you desire to cut the hole in first. Next, click the Modeling tab and select the Subtract solid models button seen in the image below.
To change the materials used in the fireplace, click Advanced in the Object Properties panel and click Edit Polygons. This feature will allow you to modify the individual pieces of the custom model. Left click to select a polygon in the interior of your fireplace. Additionally, you can click Select same material to select all polygons with the same material in your custom model. Next, click Materials in the Object Properties panel and click the material image to choose from a wide selection of materials. For the purpose of this guide, the walls of the fireplace are “Black Aluminum” and the bottom is “Stone 278”.
Our next step is to add a fire model to our fireplace. To do this, click the Landscape tab and click the Landscape Light button. Left click the model image found in the Object Properties panel and a dialog box with a large selection of light models will appear. Select the Other category, and select the desired fire model. For the purpose of this guide, we will use the “Linear Flame” model.
Note that the fire model will have a white line outline, with a small green square at the upper right corner and a small green circle to the left of it. To adjust the size of your model, Left click and drag above the green square. To rotate the model, Left click and drag above the green circle so that it faces the desired direction. You can further customize the appearance of the fire model using the options found in the Object Properties panel.
Next, we are going to add a glass panel in front of the fireplace. Click the Modeling tab and add another Box object, with dimensions similar to your fireplace and set the Width to 1 inch.
Since we want to make the width of our glass pane even thinner, we are going to convert the box to a Custom Model. Select the box and click the Convert to Custom button. Under Model in the Object Properties panel, deselect the Scale evenly option. Adjust the width using the Scale about X slider or input the desired width in the space provided.
Now we are going to change the material of the box to a clear glass. To do this, Right click the material image and select Solid Color. Select the white color when the color palette appears. Next, under the Shader options, select Glass.
Next, position the glass pane in front of the fireplace.
We are going to add finishing touches to our fireplace with a chrome frame. To do this, add another Box object with dimensions slightly larger than our fireplace.
Next, add another Box with the same dimensions as the fireplace. We will use this second box to cut a hole into the first box, thus creating the shape for our chrome frame.
Position the second box in the middle of the first. To do this accurately, select the first box, press and hold the Shift key and select the second box. Click Edit on the Menu Bar, hover over Align and select Horizontal Centers. Then repeat the above-mentioned steps but this time select Vertical Centers. Adjust the elevation as needed and make sure that the second smaller box extends through the first box.
Next, select the first box, press and hold the Shift key, select the second Box and click the Subtract solid models button found under the Modeling tab.
Click Materials found in the Object Properties panel and select Chrome under the Shader options.
Finally, position the frame to border the fireplace.
You have successfully added a custom inset fireplace to your landscape design.
Thank you for reading this guide and please feel free to contact us for more information about our landscaping software.