The Drawing Express Timber Frame module is designed to remove the drudgery and tedium from producing panel detail drawings and cutting lists for timber frame buildings.

The process is fully automated but manual and semi automatic alteration is possible on any element of the individual panels. Using the system is very similar to drawing with the standard Drawing Express System, whereby the plans are drawn with the normal features like walls, windows, doors point loads chimneys etc.. Global parameters are then set to control details of the wall panels, these include timber sizes, maximum panel lengths, stud spacing, load and non-load bearing walls.

All of the panels are then created complete with cutting lists with one press of the pen. Once created the panels may be viewed individually or assembled as a full wall. The panels may be modified in any way - with the addition, deletion or moving of studs, noggins or plywood. The changes are automatically reflected in an updated cutting list. The studs may also be superimposed on the original plan to allow for further checking.

Differing methods of production are also catered for, e.g. some companies prefer the head rail to be manufactured on a separate item attached on site, others prefer the head rail to be built onto the panel at the time of manufacturing. Different methods of corner joint are also catered for. Once completed the individual panels may be printed as A4 size drawings or assembled onto larger sheets of paper, each with its individual cutting list. A total cutting list is also produced.