Bridging Components

When adding additional design zones, a bridging component or shelf will automatically be added in the corners where the two design zones meet. This will happen whether there are existing components in the original design zone or not.

Open

A bridging shelf has multiple purposes:

• To connect components in corners.

• To extend the storage space along the top of the components by connecting the top shelf.

• To ensure there is a space to be able to reach what is in the corner, or to create corner shelves.

Although automatically placed, bridges are optional (they can be deleted) - Although they are cosmetic and functional and are common in many designs.

Open

Bridging shelves appear in, and designate, the non-dominant corner of a design zone.





The dominant corner is the one that has/will have a component in the shared corner. The bridging shelf will “connect” to the component in the dominant corner.

If there is no component, the bridging shelf will “float” until one is added.

Bridging shelves have a default width, typically 14” wide. This ensures there is enough space to reach into the corner to access what is stored in the primary component (typically hanging items are best). If there is no component in the primary corner, there will still be a gap and an error.

The label at the top of bridging components shows the width plus an overage. The “+4” signifies that the bridging shelf is to be cut oversized/extended by an additional 4” and will be cut down and VB’d on site by the installer to fit.

This can be edited in Properties if needed. <LINK>

Adding other components is done the same way as always, but it is best practice to start by adding components to the primary corner/design zone (if there are not components already there).

Bridging components are visible in all views but can only be edited in the Elevation view. In ELV view, there should be a preview or cross section of the component on the adjacent (secondary) wall.

On the primary elevation view(s), users can see the bridging shelf as a dashed outline (this may be harder to see if components are already placed).

Since bridging shelves are just specialized components, users can edit the depth, height and width of the shelf using any of the methods discussed for regular components.

The same methods are used for switching mounting types. A floor-mounted bridging component, when combined with other floor-mounted components, would create a continuous toe kick is continuous around the room.

Bridging components are often auto-fitted to be a custom size so that the other components on the same wall can remain standard widths. Auto-fitting will make it easier to reside other components as well. Users can also delete the bridging component, add the other standard components starting on the far side away from the adjacent, and then manually add a bridge <LINK> back in.

Bridging shelves delete the same way a component would. If a user deletes just the part (the shelf), the component will stay and the label remains in the gap.

Manually Add a Bridging Component

Users have the choice to manually add a bridging component because one was deleted (accidentally or intentionally) or if wanting to change the design zone orientation.

First, enter the secondary design zone where the bridging component will go. Ensure there is an existing component in the dominant corner and that the adjacent view is shown - This is required for the bridging component to recognize it’s intended purpose.

Right click to Add Empty Comp. Bring the cursor to the top of the design zone, closest to the adjacent component. This will automatically revert the component to a bridging component. The internal partition, the bottom shelf, and the suspension rail disappear. Left click to place.

Additional components can be added next to the bridging component, which will share partitions if Auto Partitions is enabled.

Users can also add a bridging component if an existing component or template if placing away from the adjacent/dominant component (typical space is 14”) to leave a gap. Add an empty component to the gap, as described above, and it will revert to a bridging component.

This method may be preferred as the bridging shelf won’t have any partitions turned on, and it makes moving components easier since both partitions belong to the main component rather than the bridging component.

The animation above demonstrates what happens when moving components with a bridge next to it. The first method shows what happens when adding a bridge in the gap between a component and adjacent (or one added by the program). The second shows what happens if manually adding a bridge, then placing a component up against it. Either method is fine, but the order of drawing will dictate how components and partitions behave in any situation.

Bridging Properties

In Component Properties > Construction, the “ ” field allows users to turn the bridge oversize or extension OFF by selecting “0” (zero). 

This may be desired if there are a lot of parts in the bridging component, where the installer would have to cut and VB multiple shelves (like a corner shelf). When this is enabled, the label changes to “Bridging +0”.​

Here is a table that helps clarify the difference with the extension options:

RELATED PAGES:

• Design Zones

• Templates

• Add Empty Components

• Manipulate Components

• Corner Shelves