This area is used to add and adjust shelves and partitions. The process is simple, highlight the area where you want the shelf or partition, add it and adjust its position if necessary. As with most functions, the basic idea is simple, but there are a lot of details.
There are two types of shelves, fixed and adjustable. Fixed shelves are joined to the cabinet ends using one of the standard joints. Adjustable shelves are smaller than the opening and are generally supported by some type of shelf pin or clip. There is normally a series of holes drilled into the cabinet ends to hold these clips.
Partitions are only fixed and must mount into either a fixed shelf or a fixed part of the cabinet.
The software handles shelves as two different types, fixed and adjustable, and there is a set of parameters for each type. When you place a shelf, you specify if it is fixed or adjustable and the system uses the corresponding parameters.
The parameters are adjusted in Construction Settings under the tab Add Shelf Settings and a separate tab Add Partition Settings. As with any “Add” parameters, changes only affect items added after the change and do not affect any shelves or partitions that currently exist. You can highlight an existing shelf or partition and then make the change and the change will be applied to the highlighted item but otherwise, changes in “Add” settings do not affect existing items.
This is done so you can add different shelves each with different characteristics to the same cabinet. Set parameters for the first shelf and add it. Then change the parameters and add a second shelf. Each is different.
For fixed shelves, you can select the type of joint you want on the right, left and back. For adjustable shelves you can specify the left and right inset (clearance) and you can specify a hole pattern. If your cabinet will have more than one adjustable shelf, this hole pattern can get a bit tricky.
You must realize that the hole pattern is part of the shelf. When a shelf is added, the hole pattern is also added to the corresponding cabinet sides. If you move the shelf location up or down, the hole pattern moves up and down with it.
This is OK for the first shelf, but if you add another shelf you get another hole pattern. Add a third shelf and get yet another set of holes. We obviously need a little technique here.
Normally you want a single set of holes and then several shelves that can be mounted on any of the holes. To do this, specify the entire hole pattern for the first shelf. Also make sure if you relocate the shelf the hole pattern is properly located. Then, uncheck Apply Shelf Holes and add the remaining shelves. You should locate them so they correspond to the hole locations to make it more realistic.
Note that you can inset the front and back of a shelf and create a drawer stretcher. You can also inset either or both sides which can be useful when combined with partitions to develop boxes or freestanding shelves (for pocket doors) inside the cabinet.
Now let’s place some shelves and partitions.
In the Cabinet/Assembly Editor load the Std. Base Frameless. Then click the Shelf Partition Editor icon.
Again, the process is simple. We highlight the area where we want the shelf or partition and then press the Add Shelf or Add Partition button. Be sure to select either Fixed or Adjustable for your shelf.
Once the shelf is in place we can move it up or down.
A quick way is to click on the shelf to highlight it and then holding the Shift key, use the left mouse button to move it. Although it is quick, it is not very precise.
You can read the height of the opening above and below the shelf in the display box at the upper left corner of the opening.
Another more useful way to adjust the shelf is to highlight the opening above or below the shelf. Then you can adjust the height of the opening at the upper left.
Note that to the right of this adjustment box is a button under the word “Adjust” that changes from Top to Bottom to Both. This determines what part moves to obtain the height you specify. With only one shelf, obviously if you highlight the top opening you can only adjust the bottom which is the shelf. In some cases, however, you may be adjusting openings between shelves and this feature becomes important.
This same thing works with partitions, except you may be adjusting the width of the opening also.
Another feature that can save you a little time is the ability to highlight more than one opening and add a shelf or partition to all of them at the same time. To highlight more than one opening, hold the Ctrl key as you click on each area.
Another useful feature that takes advantage of the ability to highlight more than one opening is called Equalize. If you highlight two or more adjacent areas and press Equalize, the overall height of the highlighted area remains the same but the shelves are adjusted so that all openings are the same. This also works for the width of partitions.
To delete a shelf or partition, highlight it by clicking on it and either press the Delete button or press the Delete key.
The final detail to cover is the Insert Button Set. In this area you can select whether the Insert key on your keyboard places a shelf or partition. Then you can use the keyboard Insert key instead of the on-screen button. Not sure how useful this is but it is there so feel free to use it.