Types

• Framed → most common, easiest to document, strong grid look.

• Unitized → matches real construction of tall buildings, fixed-size modules.

• Frameless → design-driven, almost seamless glass; less realistic for full buildings but excellent for prestige façades.

• Spider / Point-Supported → purest glass look, technically demanding, used in high-end prestige projects.

   

Setup Comparison 

Curtain Wall Types Comparison

Curtain walls in ARCHLine.XP can be configured in different ways depending on the framing system and design intent. The most common setups:

1. Framed Curtain Wall (Conventional Grid)

🔹 What it is

• Panels are supported by visible mullions and perimeter frames.

• Each glass unit is held within the frame.

🔹 Key Settings

• Frames ON (top, bottom, left, right).

• Mullions ON (grid divides panels).

• Typical mullion width: 50–100 mm.

🔹 Where it’s used

• Office buildings, shopping malls, airports.

• Large façades with regular panel divisions.

🔹 Appearance

• Strong vertical/horizontal grid lines.

• Structural expression visible.

Note: Most common and easiest to detail.

2. Frameless Curtain Wall (Structural Glazing)

🔹 What it is

• Glass panels appear continuous, with minimal visible framing.

• Mullions may exist but are hidden or minimized.

🔹 Key Settings

• Side frames = OFF.

• Use mullions only where structurally required.

• Mullion width reduced to 5–10 mm.

🔹 Where it’s used

• Modern glass façades, corporate HQs, showrooms.

• Designs prioritizing transparency.

🔹 Appearance

• Smooth glass surface with fine joints.

• Almost seamless façade.

Note: Good for visualization, but construction may need special detailing.

3. Unitized Curtain Wall (Modular Panels)

🔹 What it is

• Prefabricated panels (glass + frame) installed as modules.

• Joints visible between units.

🔹 Key Settings

• Grid = Fixed Distance (matches panel module size).

• Frames ON, mullions aligned to unit boundaries.

• Typically rectangular modules (e.g., 1.5 m × 3 m).

🔹 Where it’s used

• High-rise buildings.

• Projects requiring fast assembly.

🔹 Appearance

• Grid lines visible, but modules are larger and more repetitive.

Note: Matches real construction methods in modern towers.

4. Spider/Point-Supported Curtain Wall (Minimal Support)

🔹 What it is

• Glass panels held by spider fittings or point supports instead of mullions.

• No conventional frame.

🔹 Key Settings

• Frames OFF, mullions OFF.

• Panels large and continuous.

• Manual detailing may be required (spiders not auto-generated).

🔹 Where it’s used

• Atriums, canopies, prestige façades.

• Small areas of showcase glass.

🔹 Appearance

• Almost no framing visible.

• Clean and transparent look.

Note: Needs careful detailing — ARCHLine.XP approximates the look, but fittings must be modeled separately.

Quick Comparison Table

Best Practices

• Use Framed for typical buildings → easiest to detail and document.

• Use Frameless only where aesthetics demand → visually light, but construction-heavy.

• Use Unitized when modeling high-rises → matches real-world construction.

• Use Spider for architectural highlights → visualize prestige designs.

Step-by-Step Examples

- Unitized Curtain Wall 

Goal: Model a curtain wall with prefabricated panels sized 1500 mm × 3000 mm, using steel mullions and perimeter frames.

1. Start Curtain Wall

• In the Wall ribbon/menu, select Curtain Wall.

• Place the wall along the desired reference line in plan view.

2. Mullion Setup (vertical + horizontal grid bars)

1. In the Curtain Wall Properties dialog, go to Mullion.

2. Set:

   • Cross-section = Rectangular.

   • Thickness = 100 mm (depth into wall).

   • Width = 50 mm (visible face).

   • Material = Steel.

   • Placement relative to glass = Middle.

Note: Strong mullions give the wall realistic structural look.

3. Panel Setup (glass units)

1. Open the Panels section.

2. Define glass:

   • Glass thickness = 6 mm.

   • Material = Glass26 (or custom glazing).

   • Glass offset = 47 mm.

3. Switch to Fixed Distance instead of “Equally divided”.

4. Set spacing:

   • Horizontal spacing = 1500 mm

   • Vertical spacing = 3000 mm

Note:  Now, each panel is a prefabricated 1.5 × 3.0 m unit.

4. Frame Setup (perimeter boundary)

1. In the Frame section:

   • Cross-section = Rectangular.

   • Frame width = 50 mm.

   • Frame thickness = 100 mm.

   • Material = Steel.

2. Keep all four frames ON (Top, Bottom, Left, Right).

Note:  Perimeter frames complete the modular look.

5. Corner Mullion Setup (optional)

• For walls meeting at corners:

  • Enable Corner Mullion.

  • Width = 100 mm.

  • Thickness = 100 mm.

  • Material = Steel.

6. Preview and Confirm

• Check the 3D preview on the right.

• Ensure the grid shows 1.5 m × 3 m units.

• Click Redraw if preview is outdated.

• Click OK to apply.

7. Place in Model

• Switch to 3D view → verify glass panels are divided as modules.

• Use Material Overrides to assign realistic glass (reflective) and steel (metallic).

Best Practices for Unitized Systems

• Use Fixed Distance (not Equal Division) to match real panel dimensions.

• Align vertical mullions with building floor grids for accurate detailing.

• Set mullion depth realistically (80–120 mm) to match construction.

• Avoid irregular divisions — unitized systems rely on consistent modules.

• For sloped façades, double-check mullion offsets so glass aligns properly.

- Frameless Curtain Wall (Structural Glazing)

Goal: Create a glass façade with minimal mullions and no side frames, for a modern “all-glass” look.

1. Start Curtain Wall

• In the Wall ribbon/menu, select Curtain Wall.

• Draw the wall along the desired reference line.

2. Mullion Setup (hidden or minimized)

1. Go to Mullion in the properties dialog.

2. Options:

   • Option A: No mullions → set Mullion width = 0 mm (or turn them OFF).

   • Option B: Slim mullions → set width = 5 mm, thickness = 40 mm, Material = Steel or Aluminum.

3. Placement relative to glass = Middle.

Note: Choose Option A for full frameless glass, or Option B for realism (since structural glazing often has hidden mullions).

3. Panel Setup (glass as primary element)

1. In Panels section:

   • Glass thickness = 8–12 mm (use laminated for realism).

   • Glass material = Glass26 (or custom glazing with reflectivity).

   • Glass offset = 0 mm (centered on wall reference).

2. Grid division:

   • Use Equally divided glasses (e.g., 3×3 or 4×2) for design rhythm.

   • OR use Fixed Distance for precise panel sizes (e.g., 1500 × 3000 mm).

Note:  The glass panels themselves define the visual grid.

4. Frame Setup (perimeter boundaries)

1. In Frame section:

   • Turn OFF: Left and Right frames.

   • Optional: Turn OFF Top and Bottom frames if you want continuous vertical glass.

   • If frames are OFF, enable “Place mullion on left/right when frame is OFF” → this ensures the glass edge still has a reference line if needed.

2. Frame material: leave as Steel/Aluminum if you keep a slim top/bottom frame.

Note:  With side frames OFF, the façade looks like a continuous sheet of glass.

5. Corner Mullion Setup

• For clean glass corners:

  • Turn OFF Corner Mullion.

• For reinforced corners:

  • Keep ON, but make width small (30–50 mm).

6. Preview and Confirm

• In the preview window, check that:

  • Glass appears continuous.

  • Frames are hidden (or minimized).

• Adjust glass divisions until design matches intent.

• Click OK.

7. Place in Model

• Switch to 3D view to inspect.

• Apply a high-gloss reflective material to the glass for realistic rendering.

• Optionally add a support structure (spiders/bolts) manually with 3D objects if you want full realism.

Best Practices for Frameless Systems

• Use slim mullions instead of none if construction realism is important — completely mullion-less façades are rare in real life.

• Set glass thickness 8–12 mm to avoid unrealistically thin panels.

• Combine with stainless steel point fixings (modeled separately) for spider glazing effect.

• Avoid applying both side frames + mullions — it breaks the frameless look.

• Large panels (>3 m) may look unrealistic without joints.