1. Using Microsoft Visio (VISIO) to create room diagrams
for your Facility
“THE BASICS”
Using Microsoft Visio (VISIO) to create room diagrams for your Facility… “THE BASICS”

2. How did I get here today? I was looking for an inexpensive
and practical way to create
room diagrams.
I had used MS Visio to create
organizational charts
I decided to try my hand
at creating room diagrams

3. At the 2007 ACUI Conference In Atlanta
I asked many colleagues if they had tried
using Visio to create room diagrams
Most did not know what Visio was…
let alone what it was capable of…
At that point I made up my mind
to share the little that I knew
with you in 2008

4. Measure the dimensions of the room Basic Layout = empty room
Creating a Room Template
Measure the dimensions of the room
Basic Layout = empty room
Begin layout with the walls
Add doors and windows
Include non-movable features

5. Things to consider… How much detail? Who will be using the drawings?
What scale size?
How much detail?
Who will be using the drawings?
Accuracy – the smaller the room…
the more important
Create a Key for symbols

6. Create the Base Room Template

7. Protect Your Templates From Unintentional Changes
Go to “Edit” and then “Select All”
Go to “Format” and then select “Protection”
Many choices here…
I usually select…
“Aspect ratio” & “From deletion”
Selections can always be undone!

8. Sample Room Template

9. Sample Room Dimensions

10. Sample Room Electrical

11. Sample Event Layout

12. Close-up of Layout

13. Types of Room Details (non-movable)
Microphone Jacks
Power Outlets
Data Ports
PC connections
Data Projector
Light Switches
Other ???
Doors & Windows
Projection Screen
Dry Erase Boards
Chalk Boards
Bulletin Boards
Thermostat
Duress Alarms

14. Types of Furniture / Details (movable)
Movable Partitions
Portable Projection Screen
Pipe & Drape
Trash Cans
Lounge Furniture
Plants & Flowers
Other ??
Chairs
Tables
Podium / Lectern
Audio / Video
Staging / Stairs
Staffing Positions
Bus Trays

15. You Can Create Table / Chair Clusters
48” Round SICO with 6 to 4 chairs
60” Round Palmer Snyder Woody with 10 to 6 chairs
8’ x 30” Virco Gator with 10 to 6 chairs
6’ x 30” Mity Lite with 10 to 6 chairs

16. Sample Event Layout

17. Let’s Create This Room On Visio - Together
Measure the dimensions of the room
Basic Layout = empty room
Begin layout with the walls
Add doors and windows
Include non-movable features

18. Types of Room Details (non-movable)
Microphone Jacks
Power Outlets
Data Ports
PC connections
Data Projector
Light Switches
Other ???
Doors & Windows
Projection Screen
Dry Erase Boards
Chalk Boards
Bulletin Boards
Thermostat
Duress Alarms

19. Types of Furniture / Details (movable)
Movable Partitions
Portable Projection Screen
Pipe & Drape
Trash Cans
Lounge Furniture
Plants & Flowers
Other ??
Chairs
Tables
Podium / Lectern
Audio / Video
Staging / Stairs
Staffing Positions
Bus Trays

20. The Beginning Steps in VISIO
Open Visio
Select “File” then “New”
Choose Drawing Type…
“Building Plan”
“Floor Plan (US Units)”
Under “Shapes”
Under “Walls, Shell and Structure (US Units) –
Select “Room”
Drag “Room” onto the Desktop

21. Continued - Steps in VISIO
Note: the markings on the rulers and drag the corner
of the room until “Room” is close to it’s actual size
This is when you want to adjust the scale of the room
so that it fits well on your page
Select “File” then “Page Setup”
Select “Drawing Scale” Tab
“Pre-Defined Scale” as Architectural
Select appropriate scale… (i.e. ¼”=1’ 0”)
Drag a door onto the room and orientate it properly
Zoom in on the size of room and locate door.
Adjust door size and placement

22. Continued - Steps in VISIO
Adjust the walls so that they are exact
Add room details
Lock the template and save it as a unique name
Add furniture / shapes
Have fun trying different things

23. Creating and Working with Shapes
Under “Shapes”
Under “Search for Shapes”
Type items you are searching for (i.e. tables, chairs)
Select and drag Item onto the desktop
You can use guide lines to create straight rows
If you create a shape with multiple parts
(i.e. tables and chairs) lock the grouping & aspect

24. Continued: Creating and Working with Shapes
Under “Shapes”
Save your favorites as My Shapes
Default location for favorites is:
“C:\Documents and Settings\username\My Documents\My Shapes ”

25. Now Let’s Work
In MS Visio to Create
this Room Together

26. Helpful Links http://www.microsoft.com/downloads
Search …Visio 2003 Sample: 20 Sample Diagrams
While using Visio…
Search Office Online for “Event Planner”
This lists sites of hard to find Visio stencils, Visio templates and Visio drawings that have been found on the web
ranging from free to thousands of dollars.
Search for… “Create an office layout”
Search for… “Create a floor plan”

27. Using Microsoft Visio (VISIO)
to create room diagrams
for your Facility…
“THE BASICS”
Shared by David Shaw
Assistant Director for Student Activities Facilities
University of Louisville
Using Microsoft Visio (VISIO) to create room diagrams for your Facility… “THE BASICS”