Areas

By default, FH Sketch prompts you to define the area every time you launch FH Sketch or begin a new sketch file. FH Sketch needs the area definition to handle the distribution of area calculations on printouts, and to pass data to integrated applications such as third-party URAR forms or CAMA Systems.

You can access the Define Area dialog box by choosing Draw → Define Area, or by pressing F4 on the keyboard.

The Define Area dialog box has the following sections.

Section	Lets you
Entry	Use the default name provided, or to change the name to one you prefer. To change the name, in Entry, type a new name for the area.
Area	Specify what type of area you would like to create. FH Sketch has pre-defined areas for gross living area, gross building area, basement, porch/patio, garage/carport, land, site plan, other, non-calculated area, and undefined area. As you select each area type, in the lower left corner of the dialog box, Linestyle displays the type of line drawn for that area.
Calculated As	Designate negative areas or automatically subtract one area from another to address special circumstances, such as stairwells, open-to-below areas, and atriums. Choose Negative to deduct an area from the total calculations, as long as both areas are of the same type. Example: To deduct an open-to-below area from the second floor, you would define and draw the second floor as a GLA2 area. When defining the loft, you would also define it as GLA2 and name it something appropriate, such as "Open to Below." Then you would select Negative to carry a negative square footage that appears in the calculation summary. There are circumstances where it is not appropriate to show an area as negative, such as when drawing a garage. For these situations, you can select Auto-Subtract to define the areas as different types, and to list the garage with a positive calculation. Example: Assume the footprint of the property is drawn (GLA1), and that it encompasses the garage area. You would define a new area and, in the Define Area dialog box, and you would then select Garage (GAR). You would leave the name the same, select Auto-Subtract, and then in the menu to the right of Auto-Subtract, choose the area you would like to subtract from (the GLA1 First Floor). This achieves similar results to a negative area, but maintains a positive calculation. Note: You cannot subtract from the same area type. For example, you cannot automatically subtract a GLA type from another GLA area. In those situations, you should define the area as negative.
Auto-Post	Automatically post data about the area once you close the area.

Tip: To begin drawing first and define the area after it is drawn and closed, choose Draw → Draw First.