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Custom Parameters - Customer Guide

Sadek Akl
  • Updated

Understanding Custom Parameters

Custom Parameters let you add, delete, or modify parts and operations on your cabinets beyond what standard library settings can do. Use them only after confirming that Library Parameters, Joint Templates, Part Templates, or Inserts cannot achieve your goal.

When to Use Custom Parameters

Custom Parameters are a last resort — not a first step. Before creating one, verify that the following options cannot accomplish your objective:

  1. Library Parameters
  2. Joint Templates
  3. Part Templates
  4. Inserts

If none of those work, Custom Parameters are the right tool.

The Four Tabs

Custom Parameters are built across four tabs. Each tab controls a different layer of the modification.

Parameter Tab — Set Up the CP

This is where you create and manage your Custom Parameters.

  • Custom Parameter Name — Use a descriptive name so you know what the CP is doing at a glance.
  • New / Delete / Rename / Copy — Manage your list of CPs.
  • Export / Import — Share CPs between setups or back them up.
  • Parameter Type — Defines what kind of modification the CP makes: Modify Part, Add Part, Delete Part, Modify Operation, Add Operation, or Delete Operation. Your selection here controls which tabs and options appear.
  • Description — Always fill this out. It helps with troubleshooting and saves time if the CP needs to be adjusted later.
  • Disable — Turns the CP off without deleting it.

Product Tab — Target the Right Cabinets

Defines which products the CP applies to.

  • Product Type — Choose Base, Wall, or Tall.
  • Product Sub Type — Narrow down further (Standard, 45deg CoCab, 90deg CoCab).
  • Product Name — Enter the exact product name to target a specific cabinet (e.g., "Sink").
  • Size — Limit the CP to products of a certain size.
  • End Configuration Options — Apply the CP only to specific end types.
  • Product Option — Trigger the CP based on a shared option tag across multiple products. Useful when one CP needs to apply to several similar cabinets (e.g., tag all sink cabinets with "sink").
  • Adjacent Product Options — Apply the CP based on what cabinet or appliance sits on either side of the target product.

Part Tab — Modify the Part

Defines which part is being modified and how.

  • Part Type / Location / Name — Select the part to target.
  • Part Size — Filter by exact size or size range.
  • Part Position — Filter by where the part sits in the cabinet.
  • Modify Name — Rename the part.
  • Modify Type — Change the part type, which also changes its material.
  • Modify Size (Width / Length) — Use Adjust to add or subtract from the existing size, or Set to force a fixed dimension.
  • Graphic Part — Choose whether the part shows in the 3D view or only appears in the cut list.
  • Modify Shape / Operations — Edit the part's shape or assigned operations.
  • Graphic Part Position — Set or Adjust the part's X, Y, Z position in 3D space.
  • SketchUp Model — Assign a SketchUp model for graphic display and set its layer and depth.

Operation Tab — Modify an operation

Defines which operation is being modified and how.

  • Operation Type — Select the operation type (e.g., Dado) and narrow by location.
  • Operation ID — Use when you can't narrow down the operation by type alone. Find the ID by selecting the operation in the Part Editor.
  • Modify Size — Adjust or Set the operation's width, length, and depth.
  • Modify Position — Adjust or Set the X and Y position of the operation on the part.
  • Modify Angle — Change the rotation of the operation. Most relevant for dados and line boring.

Common Issues

  • CP not applying to the right cabinets: Double-check the Product Tab — Product Type, Sub Type, and Name must all match exactly.
  • Part size changing incorrectly: Confirm whether you need Adjust (relative change) or Set (fixed value). These behave very differently.
  • CP applying when it shouldn't be: Check if Disable is unchecked and review Product Option tags — a shared tag may be triggering it on unintended products.
  • Can't find the right operation to modify: Use the Operation ID. Open the Part Editor, select the operation, and note the ID shown.

Troubleshooting

  • Always add a description when creating a CP. If a CP causes unexpected behavior and you need help desk support, the description speeds up diagnosis.
  • If a CP was working and suddenly isn't, check whether the Disable checkbox was accidentally enabled.
  • Export CPs before making significant changes. This gives you a backup you can re-import if something goes wrong.