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Autogate NW Gate Designer

Create, preview, save, and compare gate designs before fabrication.
View gate designs
Visitor preview Visitor
Visitor preview: all design controls and technical sheets are visible, but saving and downloads are disabled.
Instructions and Help for the Gate Designer. Gate / system / drawings / saved units
Gate vocabulary Common terms
Baluster
A decorative vertical component used in place of, or among, plain pickets. Sample-backed balusters may have a listed height, width, and picket-size fit.
Bay
An open rectangular area between styles, mullions, and rails. Bays hold pickets, boards, mesh, or other fills.
Cantilever gate
A sliding gate supported by roller assemblies and a counterbalance tail rather than by wheels riding on a ground track.
Column face light
A wall-style fixture shown on the face of a masonry column. It is separate from a light mounted on top of a post or capstone.
Elevation
A straight-on view of one side of the installed gate. The designer provides an outside / street elevation and a mirrored inside / property elevation.
Fire-strobe detector
The single-head emergency detector shown on a 3/4-inch pipe. It may be attached to a support or placed on a freestanding pipe.
Filler picket
A smaller picket placed between larger fundamental pickets to reduce the clear gap.
Gate height
The main height of the gate body, usually measured to the top rail rather than to a finial tip.
Gate System Designer
The separate area for installed surroundings and equipment: posts, columns, structural slide supports, lighting, photo-eyes, emergency devices, and magnetic locks.
Gate unit / gate only
A reusable editable record of one fabricated moving gate, saved without unrelated posts, columns, lighting, photo-eyes, or emergency devices.
Handing
The left-or-right orientation of a gate. For a single swing gate, handing is the selected hinge side as viewed from outside / street.
Hinge axis
The vertical pivot line around which a swing gate moves. It is the placement reference used for swing direction and future system layouts.
KNOX box
An emergency-access switch box shown on the outside face of a selected post or column at least 4 inches wide.
Knuckle / collar
A decorative collar or ring placed around a picket. It should match the picket size and may not fit filler pickets unless intended for them.
Leaf
One moving panel of a gate. A double swing or dual slide gate has two leaves.
Magnetic lock
An electrically controlled lock body and matching plate. Its face, side, post, or gate placement depends on the gate arrangement and supports.
Mullion
An interior vertical divider that splits a gate leaf into two or more open bays.
Opening width
A planning dimension that may describe the desired driveway clear passage or the space between posts/columns. Confirm reveals, hinges, gate thickness, and post placement before production.
Photo-eye
A non-contact safety sensor or sensor pair. The designer can show face- or side-mounted components and can add dedicated photo-eye posts where fixed supports are unavailable.
Picket
A vertical bar, often square tube, repeated across a bay or section.
Plan view
A view from above showing the gate movement, swing arcs or slide travel, supports, tails, tracks, safety-device lines, and in/out relationships.
Plaque / plaques
A flat sign or address plate shown on the gate or on the face of a masonry column. Left and right column plaques can have different text and heights.
Preview surroundings
Client-facing context selected in the Gate System Designer, such as posts, masonry columns, capstones, top lights, face lights, and plaques.
Rail
A horizontal frame member. Top and bottom rails form the main frame; extra rails can divide the gate into sections.
Section
A horizontal zone between rails. Each section may have its own fill and spacing settings.
Sconce
A wall-mounted light fixture used as a column face light. It is separate from a light mounted on top of a post or capstone.
Style / stile
A vertical side frame member. Many fabricators spell this as stile; this page uses style in some controls.
Supplemental sheet
An additional drawing sheet used for details that would clutter the main gate drawing, such as hinge plates, columns, guide rollers, track layout, supports, or installation notes.
Swing direction
Swing in opens toward the property. Swing out opens toward the street or approach side. The choice is always read from outside / street.
Tail / counterbalance section
The extra slide-gate length beyond the clear opening that supports or completes the moving slide assembly.
V-track gate
A sliding gate that rolls on wheels along a V-shaped track mounted at the driveway surface.
Overall process Start → gate → system → review

This page moves from a rough idea toward a saved gate design packet. It now has three distinct working areas: Design a gate for the fabricated moving gate, Gate System Designer for installed surroundings and equipment, and View a gate design for review, drawings, bids, saving, and export.

  1. Start or load a design: choose a saved or stock gate, reopen a gate-only unit from View gate designs, import a downloaded design JSON file, or begin with the default gate.
  2. Design a gate: set the gate type, size, movement, frame, rails, fills, pickets, lettering, and decorative details.
  3. Gate System Designer: add posts, columns, slide supports, lighting, photo-eyes, emergency devices, magnetic locks, and other installed-system context.
  4. View a gate design: inspect the outside and inside elevations, plan view, fabrication sheets, and installation details.
  5. Request, save, or export: send the current design for pricing, save a complete packet, save an eligible gate-only unit, or download local JSON and drawing files.
Keep the two design levels distinct: The gate design describes the fabricated moving object. The Gate System Designer describes how that gate is supported, equipped, protected, and presented at a site.
Overall Gate Designer page structure showing the Design a gate, Gate System Designer, and View a gate design workflow
Overall page structure. Work down through Design a gate, the separate Gate System Designer, and View a gate design, ending with bid, save, and export choices.
Artistic components are available throughout the designer

The Gate Designer includes a growing library of artistic components used in many different parts of a design. These include finials, caps, knuckles, balusters, band fills, mesh, fonts, letter and symbol images, decorative fills, logos, panels, bordered fills, plaques, sconces, lighting, and masonry.

Some components are chosen as structural or fill options, while others are added as decorative details or installed Gate System equipment. Logged-in subscribers may also see components from their own catalog in supported system selectors.

Artistic components library showing the available component categories in the Gate Designer
Artistic components. The Gate Designer draws from a shared library of ornamental parts, image fills, fonts, plaques, sconces, lighting, masonry, and other visual components.
Working down the page: apply changes as you go

Many Gate Designer sections have their own apply button. This lets the page rebuild the next related controls in a top-down order without forcing the user to save the whole design after every small adjustment.

Apply size and top choice button
Apply button. Use the green apply button after changing settings that rebuild later choices, such as size, gate type, top style, rails, or section layout.
Changes applied confirmation button
Changes applied. The gray confirmation shows that the current section has already been applied and the next controls are ready to review.
  1. Make a change in the current section.
  2. Press the section's green apply button when one is shown.
  3. Look for the gray Changes applied confirmation.
  4. Continue downward to the next section.
  5. Use Save / export gate design only when the design is ready to keep, print, export, or send forward.
Walk-through: understand designing the default gate Design a gate tour

This first walk-through follows the default starter gate through the Design a gate controls. The goal is to help a new user understand what the default design already contains before changing many options.

Step 1. Start with the default gate start / load
Starting point: a large, plain, sturdy gate

The default design is a simple single-swing gate with enough structure to discuss automation attachment, rail placement, fabrication, and customer-facing proportions.

Use it as a neutral starting idea, then adjust the type, size, rails, pickets, fills, and drawings below.

Default starter gate preview
The plain starter gate itself, reduced here so the user can see the design without losing the step text.
Start or load a design panel with the default starter gate preview
The first working area lets the user create a new gate, preview the default starter gate, load a saved design, or import a design JSON file.
Step 2. Confirm the basic size and type gate type / size
Basic identity first

The default starter gate is a 14' x 5' single-swing gate. In Gate type, size, and finish, the opening width, gate height, gate type, finish color, and top style are the first settings to understand.

Later help sections can show expanded selectors and alternate choices.

Default gate type, size, and finish settings
The first size and type controls define the basic gate before details are added.
Step 3. Notice the top accessories are plain finials / cresting
Plain top accessories

The default gate does not need finials or a cresting row. This keeps the first design clean and makes it easier to understand the frame, rails, and pickets before adding ornamental parts.

Finials, cresting rows, and other top accessories are better explored after the user understands the base gate.

Default top accessory settings showing no finials and no cresting row
The starter gate leaves top accessories off, then more ornamental choices can be added later.
Step 4. Frame, rails, and mullions structural layout
Set the main structure before editing fills

This is the next design area after the top-accessory settings. The default gate uses a simple frame with top and bottom rails plus one additional rail.

Rails divide the gate from top to bottom into sections. These structural choices should be understood before working on section fills, pickets, mesh, boards, or custom bay details.

Frame, rails, and mullions section showing top rail, bottom rail, and additional rail controls
The frame, rail, and mullion area controls the structural layout. In the default gate, the one additional rail creates the main upper and lower picket zones.
Step 5. Look at side styles and mullions frame divisions
Outside frame before bay divisions

The default gate uses side styles at the left and right ends, with no extra mullions. That means the rail layout creates the main sections, while the width is not divided into extra bays yet.

Adding mullions later divides sections left-to-right into separate bays.

Default side style and mullion settings
Side styles define the outside of the leaf; mullions divide the open space into bays.
Step 6. Review the default section fill section fill
Pickets as the starter fill

The default fill is pickets. This is the simplest way to see how the gate is divided by rails and how the open spaces are filled before trying boards, mesh, decorative fills, or custom bays.

Section-level settings become the starting behavior for each new section and bay.

Default section fill settings showing pickets
The default section fill keeps the first gate easy to read and easy to modify.
Step 7. Check picket stock, collars, and count pickets / collars
Default pickets and spacing

The starter design uses plain square pickets, no knuckles, and a default picket count. These settings affect the look, material, cost, and opening spacing of the gate.

This is where the user begins to see the difference between a structural default and more decorative options.

Default picket stock, collar, and picket count settings
Picket size, collars, and count affect both appearance and practical spacing.
Step 8. Review Section 1 below the top rail section 1 fill
First section made by the rails

After the default picket stock is set, the designer shows the section panels created by the rails. Section 1 is the area below the top rail.

For the default starter gate, this section uses the main vertical-fill setting: open pickets, no added mullions, and no bay-by-bay customization.

Section 1 below top rail settings showing default open pickets, no mullions, and bay treatment controls
Section 1 follows the default open-picket fill unless the user chooses a different section fill or custom bay behavior.
Step 9. Review Section 2 below the straight rail section 2 fill
The lower section can be adjusted separately

Section 2 is below the straight rail at 20" on the default starter gate. It also begins by using the default open-picket fill.

This gives the user a simple example of how each section can start the same, while later designs can make the upper and lower sections different.

Section 2 below straight rail settings showing default open pickets, no mullions, and bay treatment controls
Section 2 also uses default open pickets in the starter design, but it can be changed independently when a design needs a different lower panel.
Step 10. Open Decorative details objects / repeats
Decorative objects start empty

The default starter gate has no active decorative objects. This is intentional. It keeps the first design focused on the structural gate before letters, frames, image fills, repeats, plaques, or ornamental objects are added.

Use Add new embellishment when the design is ready for a decorative object.

Decorative details section showing the decorative object list and add new embellishment button
The Decorative details area begins with an object list. The starter gate has no active objects yet.
Step 11. Inspect Embellishment object 1 object controls
Each object has its own controls

When an embellishment is available, its accordion contains the object type, source, size, placement, rotation, mirroring, both-leaf placement, and repeat spacing controls.

For the default tour, this area is mainly a preview of where future decorative settings will be handled. Later help sections can show real examples with lettering, frames, image fills, plaques, and repeated objects.

Embellishment object 1 controls showing object type, size, placement, mirroring, rotation, and repeat spacing
Each embellishment has its own accordion so its type, placement, sizing, repeat behavior, and removal button stay together.
Step 12. Open the Gate System Designer supports / equipment / safety
Move from the fabricated gate to the installed system

After the gate itself is understood, open the separate Gate System Designer. Its first subsection handles posts, columns, structural slide supports, masonry, lighting, plaques, and post tops.

The second subsection handles photo-eyes, KNOX boxes, fire-strobe detectors, and magnetic locks. Some items are client-facing context; others are installed-system hardware shown in elevations, plan views, or supplemental sheets rather than on the gate fabrication sheet.

Gate System Designer entry structures, posts, columns, masonry, caps, and lighting controls
The Gate System Designer adds the supports, surroundings, operating equipment, and safety-device context around the completed gate design.
Goal for the design tour

Use this first tour to learn what the plain starter gate contains inside Design a gate, then recognize where the separate Gate System Designer begins.

Later help sections show alternate gate types, arches, custom bays, decorative fills, movement and handing, posts, columns, lighting, safety devices, emergency access, locks, and saved gate-only units.

Walk-through: understand viewing the default gate View a gate design tour

This second walk-through starts where the Gate Designer changes from editing choices to reviewing the result. It follows the View a gate design area for the same default starter gate.

View Step 1. Rendered concept preview concept preview
Check both installed elevations before saving or exporting

The rendered concept area provides an outside / street / ingress elevation and a mirrored inside / property elevation. Together they show the selected hinge side, swing direction, support faces, and the visible side of installed equipment.

The summary boxes below the preview help verify frame sizes, mullions, pickets, rails, sections, fills, calculated spacing, and warnings before moving on to the plan view, technical drawings, or saved packets.

Rendered concept preview of the default starter gate with summary boxes
The rendered concept preview is the first review point for the default gate before fabrication drawings, saving, or exporting.
View Step 2. Fabrication and drawing information concept / drawings
Compare the elevations, plan view, and drawing packet

The two concept elevations are the quick visual check. They show the installed gate from each side but do not attempt to show full perspective depth.

The technical packet turns the same gate into printable documentation: the gate-only fabrication drawing, materials and selected components, hinge or slide-support details, proportional plan view, installation references, and other production information appropriate to the selected gate type.

Rendered concept preview of the default starter gate with summary boxes
Rendered concept preview. Use this first to confirm the visual result and the calculated summary notes.
Technical drawings and specification sheets for the default starter gate
Technical drawings and specification sheets. The drawing packet starts with the fabrication sheet and continues with materials and specification details.
View Step 3. Save the plain version first review / save
Save the full packet or an eligible reusable gate unit

This is the conclusion of the default-gate tour. After reviewing the concept and drawings, save the simple starter design before making a more complex version.

Use Download design JSON for a local re-entry file, the print / PDF buttons for drawings, Save Gate Design Packet for the complete design and system, or—when logged in as staff or a subscriber—Save gate only for an eligible single-swing gate unit.

Save and export gate design section showing download, print, and Save Gate Design Packet buttons
The save / export area is the natural ending point for the default-gate tour. Download a local JSON copy, print or save sheets, export drawings, or save the full design packet to the account collection.

Local design files: Use Download design JSON to keep a design file on your own computer. Use Upload design JSON in Start or load a design to bring that file back into the designer later. Imported files are loaded as unsaved designs and are checked before their settings are accepted.

Start or load a design Saved designs / JSON / defaults

This is the first stop in the design workflow. Work from top to bottom: start fresh, load a saved design, choose a standard gate, or import a local design JSON file.

1. Create new gate

Use Create new gate when you want to clear the current working design and return to the standard starter gate.

The starter gate gives you a known, simple 14' x 5' three-rail single-swing design to begin editing.

Create new gate button and preview of the default starter gate
Create new gate. Return to the default starter gate and begin a fresh design.
2. Saved gate designs

Open the saved-gates selector to preview and load a design that has already been saved to the account collection.

The list identifies each design by its ANW drawing number and may also show the project name, gate type, size, and date, making it easier to find the correct gate before loading it.

Saved gate designs selector showing previously saved gate designs
Saved gates. Select a previously saved gate to preview or load it for further editing.
3. Standard gates and templates

Standard gates are pre-made starting points. They can be loaded for editing when you want something more specific than the plain default starter gate.

These designs may also be selected from the View gates page and brought back into the Gate Designer for modification.

Standard gates and templates selector
Standard gates / templates. Use a pre-made gate as another starting point for a new design.
4. Upload design JSON

Use Upload design JSON to reopen a gate-design file that was previously downloaded to your own computer.

The imported file is checked for valid JSON format, and only recognized Gate Designer form settings are accepted. It opens as an unsaved working design, so save it again when you want it kept in the account collection.

Upload design JSON controls with Browse and Import design JSON buttons
Upload design JSON. Reopen a previously downloaded local design file for further editing.
Reopening a gate-only unit: Staff and subscribers open View gate designs and use the separate Gates only category. A gate-only card loads its editable JSON back into Gate Designer with the saved hinge side and swing direction. Gate units are intentionally kept separate from the ordinary saved-gate selector and from public stock designs.
Fabrication drawing info Drawing number, revision & save identity

This area comes immediately after Start or load a design. Use it to identify the gate drawing before serious saving, printing, or export.

Fill in Fabrication drawing info before serious saving or export

Use the drawing number, revision, project reference, date, designer, and purpose information to identify the packet clearly.

This is especially important when the same gate has multiple revisions or when drawings move from client approval to bid request or production.

Fabrication drawing info section showing drawing number, revision, project reference, and save reminder
Fabrication drawing info. Complete the identifying information before saving or exporting a serious drawing packet.
Gate type, size, and finish Type / width / height / top

This section sets the gate's basic identity. Work from top to bottom: first set the opening width and gate height, then choose the gate type and finish. Changing the gate type can reveal different controls farther down the page, so it is best to establish these choices before working on fine details.

Section navigation view. This compact overview shows the top-down order of the main control groups in Gate type, size, and finish: size and structural layout, gate type / finish / top, and top accessories.

Compact navigation view of the Gate type, size, and finish section showing Size and structural layout, Gate type, finish, and top, and Top accessories
1. Set the basic size and identity

Opening width records the clear opening the gate is intended to cover.

Gate height sets the main gate height, excluding added arch rise where applicable.

Gate type determines whether the design swings, slides on V-track, uses exposed cantilever rollers, or follows one of the enclosed C-track advisory layouts.

Desired finish color is recorded with the design and can be used for customer approval and finish notes.

Gate type, size, and finish controls showing opening width, gate height, gate type, finish color, and the expanded gate type selector
Basic gate identity. Width, height, gate type, and finish are set before the more detailed frame, rail, fill, and decorative controls.
2. Choose the way the gate moves

The gate-type selector contains the main operating layouts supported by the designer.

Some choices are ordinary fabrication layouts, while the enclosed C-track / trolley choices are advisory and may depend on manufacturer-specific hardware and installation guidance.

The visual guide below explains each choice individually and leaves room for a matching gate illustration.

Expanded gate type selector listing swing, V-track slide, cantilever slide, and enclosed C-track cantilever choices
Gate-type selector. The movement style chosen here affects the geometry, tail or counterbalance needs, support details, and later controls.
Swing direction

Swing in opens toward the property. Swing out opens toward the street or approach side. The direction is always read while facing the closed gate from outside / street.

Single-swing hinge side

Hinged left or Hinged right is also read from outside / street. The selected CI3000 hinge artwork appears on that side in the elevations and swing installer detail.

Slide direction

The selected tail side identifies which way a single slide gate opens. Additional Gate System controls place the gate plane and guide or carrier posts on the outside or inside side of the opening.

Why direction must be saved

Handing and movement affect hinges, lock location, support faces, safety-device placement, and the plan-view movement envelope. Left and right gate-only units should therefore be saved as separate records.

Visual guide to gate types 5 support categories / 11 gate types

The 11 gate types are organized below by the way the gate is physically supported and moved. Each support category is introduced first, followed by the single, dual, or special versions that use it.

1. Hinged swing gates

Hinges support the gate between the gate style and the post, allowing the leaf to pivot open and closed.

This category includes single swing, dual swing, and faux double gates. A faux double is still one physical hinged leaf; it is simply styled to look like a pair.

Illustration showing a gate hinge between a gate style and support post
Hinged support. The gate pivots from hinges mounted between the gate style and the support post.
1. Single swing one hinged leaf
One gate leaf swings from one side

A single swing gate is one moving leaf hinged at either the left or right side of the opening.

It is simple to understand and fabricate, but wider or heavier leaves need careful attention to post strength, hinges, sag, wind load, operator selection, and the available swing area.

Illustration of a single swing gate
Single swing. One complete gate leaf pivots from one side of the opening.
2. Dual swing two hinged leaves
Two leaves meet near the center

A dual swing gate divides the opening between two hinged leaves, usually meeting at the center.

Each leaf is shorter and lighter than one full-width leaf, which can reduce hinge loading and make wider openings easier to support and automate.

Illustration of a dual swing gate
Dual swing. Two separate hinged leaves meet at the center of the opening.
3. Faux double gate one leaf / double look
A single moving gate made to look like a pair

A faux double gate is one moving leaf styled to resemble two gate leaves, usually by using a centered visual division or mirrored design.

This can give the balanced appearance of a dual gate while retaining a single moving assembly.

Illustration of a faux double gate
Faux double. One moving leaf is visually styled to resemble a two-leaf gate.
2. V-track slide gates

Wheels beneath the gate ride on V-shaped track fixed to the ground, carrying the gate sideways across and away from the opening.

This category includes single and dual V-track slide gates. The track, wheel housings, guide rollers, side room, and site conditions all affect the final layout.

See also: Slide gate tail and direction choices below for tail style, tail side, and automation-related planning.
Illustration showing a V-track wheel supporting a sliding gate on ground track
V-track support. Wheels beneath the gate roll along V-track installed at ground level.
4. Single V-track slide one rolling leaf
One gate rolls sideways on ground track

A single V-track slide gate moves horizontally on wheels that follow a V-track installed across the driveway and into the gate's open position.

It needs side room for the gate and tail, a suitable track foundation, guide rollers, and regular attention to debris, snow, or other conditions that may affect the track.

Illustration of a single V-track slide gate
Single V-track slide. One gate leaf rolls sideways along ground-mounted V-track.
5. Dual V-track slide two rolling leaves
Two sliding leaves open away from the center

A dual V-track slide gate uses two rolling leaves, normally meeting at the center and opening in opposite directions.

It can reduce the side room required on either one side, but it doubles many of the moving, guiding, track, and operator considerations.

Illustration of a dual V-track slide gate
Dual V-track slide. Two leaves meet near the center and roll apart along ground track.
3. Exposed-roller cantilever gates

Cantilever rollers support the gate beside the opening so the gate spans the driveway without ground track across the travel path.

A counterbalance tail is structurally required. The rollers, support posts, foundations, tail length, and side room are essential parts of the system.

See also: Slide gate tail and direction choices below. Cantilever gates require a counterbalance tail.
Illustration showing exposed cantilever rollers supporting a sliding gate and counterbalance tail
Cantilever support. Exposed rollers support the gate and its counterbalance tail beside the opening.
6. Single cantilever slide one suspended leaf
One sliding leaf crosses the opening without ground track

A single cantilever slide gate is supported by rollers and a counterbalance tail so the moving gate spans the driveway without a track across the opening.

It needs enough side room for both the clear-opening section and the tail, along with strong support posts, properly placed rollers, and adequate foundation work.

Illustration of a single cantilever slide gate
Single cantilever slide. The gate is supported beside the opening and slides across without ground track in the driveway.
7. Dual cantilever slide two suspended leaves
Two cantilever leaves meet at the center

A dual cantilever gate uses two separate counterbalanced leaves that move toward or away from the center of the opening.

This can divide the required storage distance between both sides of a wide opening, but each side still needs its own tail, support system, foundation, and movement clearance.

Illustration of a dual cantilever slide gate
Dual cantilever slide. Two counterbalanced leaves meet at the center and slide apart without driveway track.
4. Enclosed C-track — bottom trolley

A lower trolley or truck supports the gate through an enclosed C-track arrangement beneath or along the lower portion of the gate.

These are advisory layouts because the rail profile, trolley spacing, service access, drainage, contamination protection, and load limits depend on the chosen manufacturer and hardware system.

See also: Slide gate tail and direction choices below. Final tail and support requirements may depend on the selected hardware system.
Illustration showing a bottom trolley supporting an enclosed C-track cantilever gate
Bottom-trolley support. A lower trolley or truck carries the gate through an enclosed C-track system.
8. Single enclosed C-track cantilever — bottom trolley advisory layout
Manufacturer-specific enclosed track support below the gate

This advisory layout represents a single sliding gate supported by a lower enclosed C-track / trolley arrangement.

Hardware dimensions, truck spacing, rail profile, service access, drainage, contamination protection, and installation requirements should follow the chosen manufacturer's system rather than a generic fabricated detail.

Illustration of a single enclosed C-track cantilever gate with bottom trolley support
Single enclosed C-track — bottom trolley. Advisory concept only; final support geometry depends on the selected hardware system.
9. Dual enclosed C-track cantilever — bottom trolley advisory layout
Two enclosed-track leaves with lower trolley support

This advisory layout uses two opposing sliding leaves, each relying on a lower enclosed C-track / trolley system.

Because the hardware is manufacturer-specific, the Gate Designer should be used for concept planning and layout communication, not as a substitute for the selected system's engineering and installation instructions.

Illustration of a dual enclosed C-track cantilever gate with bottom trolley support
Dual enclosed C-track — bottom trolley. Two advisory enclosed-track leaves meet at the center.
5. Enclosed C-track — upper trolley

An upper or side-mounted trolley system supports the moving gate through enclosed track beside or above the gate.

These are also advisory layouts. Final rail position, truck design, lower guidance, service access, thermal movement, and attachment details should follow the selected manufacturer system.

See also: Slide gate tail and direction choices below. Final tail and support requirements may depend on the selected hardware system.
Illustration showing an upper trolley supporting an enclosed C-track cantilever gate
Upper-trolley support. An upper or side-mounted trolley carries the moving gate through enclosed track.
10. Single enclosed C-track cantilever — upper trolley advisory layout
Single enclosed-track gate supported beside or above the gate

This advisory layout represents a single sliding gate using an upper or side-supported enclosed C-track / trolley arrangement.

Actual rail location, truck design, lower guidance, service access, thermal movement, contamination protection, and attachment details are system-specific and should follow manufacturer guidance.

Illustration of a single enclosed C-track cantilever gate with upper trolley support
Single enclosed C-track — upper trolley. Advisory concept for an enclosed track supported beside or above the moving gate.
11. Dual enclosed C-track cantilever — upper trolley advisory layout
Two opposing enclosed-track leaves with upper support

This advisory layout uses two sliding leaves meeting at the center, with each leaf supported by an upper or side-mounted enclosed C-track / trolley system.

The final arrangement should be based on the actual manufacturer hardware, loading limits, support geometry, guides, service clearances, and installation requirements.

Illustration of a dual enclosed C-track cantilever gate with upper trolley support
Dual enclosed C-track — upper trolley. Two advisory upper-supported enclosed-track leaves meet at the center.
Slide gate tail and direction choices Automation / tail style / tail side

These controls are common to the non-swing gate families. They determine whether the design is being planned for automation, how the added tail section is treated, and which side of the opening contains that tail.

See also: Visual guide to gate types above for the differences between V-track, exposed-roller cantilever, bottom-trolley C-track, and upper-trolley C-track support systems.

Slide-gate choices that appear after a non-swing gate type is selected

After choosing a non-swing gate type, the Gate Designer reveals related planning controls. These include the Build for automation checkbox, guide-roller guidance where applicable, the Slide tail style selector, and the Slide tail side selector.

The screenshots below use a V-track gate as the example, but the same general tail-style and tail-side choices are used for the non-swing gate families. The exact structural need for a tail differs by support system.

Important: A V-track gate may not need a large structural tail unless automation or hardware requires it. An exposed-roller cantilever gate does require a counterbalance tail. Enclosed C-track / trolley systems should follow the selected hardware system and manufacturer guidance.
Single V-track slide gate selected with Build for automation checked, guide roller planning, slide tail style, and slide tail side controls visible
V-track controls in context. Choosing a V-track gate reveals guide-roller planning plus the tail-style and tail-side controls.
Expanded Slide tail style selector showing all V-track tail-style choices
Slide tail style. Choose how the added tail section is visually and structurally treated.
Expanded Slide tail side selector showing Tail on right and Tail on left
Slide tail side. Choose which side contains the tail so the preview matches the actual slide direction.

Slide tail style choices

Each dropdown choice below now has a reserved illustration area. The image can be added later without changing the Help structure.

Continue gate design

The tail continues the same general visual treatment as the main gate.

Illustration of a V-track tail continuing the main gate design
Continue gate design.
Open X-braced tail frame

An open tail section reinforced with a single X-braced frame.

Illustration of an open X-braced V-track tail frame
Open X-braced tail frame.
Open double X-braced tail frame

An open tail frame using two X-braced areas for a longer or more divided tail.

Illustration of an open double X-braced V-track tail frame
Open double X-braced tail frame.
Mesh tail frame

The tail section is visually filled with mesh, as shown in the gate illustration.

The separate controls image shows that the user can choose a tail mesh sample and adjust the tail mesh scale to make the openings larger or the repeat tighter.

Tail mesh sample selector and tail mesh scale controls
Mesh tail controls. Choose the mesh sample and adjust its visual scale.
Illustration of a mesh-filled slide gate tail frame
Mesh tail frame. The gate illustration shows the mesh-filled tail treatment.
Wood-board tail frame

The tail section uses boards to continue or complement a boarded gate design.

Illustration of a wood-board V-track tail frame
Wood-board tail frame.
Picket tail frame

The tail section uses pickets rather than remaining completely open, as shown in the gate illustration.

The separate controls image shows that the user can choose the tail picket size and set the desired clear spacing between tail pickets.

Tail picket size selector and tail picket clear spacing controls
Picket tail controls. Choose the picket size and the clear open spacing between pickets.
Illustration of a picket-filled slide gate tail frame
Picket tail frame. The gate illustration shows the picket-filled tail treatment.

Slide tail side choices

Tail on right

The tail is drawn on the right side so the preview matches a gate that stores and opens in that direction.

Illustration of a V-track slide gate with the tail on the right
Tail on right.
Tail on left

The tail is drawn on the left side so the preview matches a gate that stores and opens in that direction.

Illustration of a V-track slide gate with the tail on the left
Tail on left.
Desired finish color

Choose the intended gate finish from the selector, or use Custom color / specify when a different color or finish needs to be recorded.

The preview and fabrication drawing stay black for clarity. This finish choice is recorded for client approval and powder-coating / finish notes.

Desired finish color selector showing black, unpainted natural rust, white, dark green, rustic brown, and custom color options
Finish color selector. The selected finish is recorded with the design while the preview and fabrication drawing remain black for clarity.
Gate top and arch choices Flat / arches / top accessories

The Top style selector changes the shape of the top of the gate. The choices currently include Flat top, Plain arch, Camel arch, and Inverted camel arch.

Choose the top shape first

Flat top keeps the upper gate line straight.

The three arch choices change the upper frame geometry and may reveal additional arch-rise or related controls farther down the section.

Work from top to bottom and apply the top / arch choice before continuing so later controls can rebuild correctly.

Top style selector showing Flat top, Plain arch, Camel arch, and Inverted camel arch
Top style selector. Choose a flat top or one of the three available arch forms.
See also: Visual guide to gate types above whenever a top choice may behave differently because of the gate's support or movement system.

Arch choices

The illustration spaces below are ready for the next images in sequence as they are added.

Plain arch

A single continuous arch rises toward the center of the gate.

Illustration of a plain arch gate top
Plain arch. Illustration to follow.
Camel arch

A double-rising top shape creates a higher center section between two curved shoulders.

Illustration of a camel arch gate top
Camel arch. Illustration to follow.
Inverted camel arch

The center dips below the outer shoulders, creating the inverted form of the camel arch.

Illustration of an inverted camel arch gate top
Inverted camel arch. Illustration to follow.

Continue downward through the arch and top choices

1. Set the arch rise

Arch rise controls how far the selected top arch rises above its lower reference point.

This is the first additional setting to review after choosing an arched top. Individual leaf tops may be limited in the preview according to the available single-leaf width so the drawing does not become misleading or awkward.

Arch rise, second arch drop, and second arched rail material controls
Arch controls. Set the arch rise first, then use the related controls when a second arched rail is wanted.
2. Add a second arched rail when wanted

An optional second arched rail can be added below the main top arch.

Choose its material / type, then set the second arch drop to control the distance below the upper arch.

One example is enough to show the result: the space between the two curved rails creates a clear decorative band across the upper portion of the gate.

Gate example showing a main arched top rail with a second arched rail below it
Second arched rail. A lower curved rail creates an additional upper decorative band.

Top accessories

3. Add finials to the main vertical pickets

Main vertical-picket finials are placed on the tops of the gate's main vertical pickets. Choose No finials for a plain top, or select an available finial style from the component library.

On an arched gate, the finials follow the arched top line of the pickets.

4. Add a separate top cresting row when wanted

A separate top cresting row is an independent decorative row mounted above the gate's top rail.

Top accessories controls showing vertical-picket finial choices and separate top cresting row settings
Top accessories controls. The wider view makes the finial selector, cresting-row selector, height, spacing, and end-inset controls easier to read.

Top accessory examples

Finials on the main gate pickets

Finials are attached to the tops of the gate's main vertical pickets. No separate cresting row is used in this example.

Gate with finials on the main vertical pickets and no separate cresting row
Main-picket finials. Finials follow the tops of the gate's primary vertical pickets.
Separate cresting row without finials

A separate cresting row is added above the top rail while the cresting pickets themselves remain plain.

Gate with a separate top cresting row above the top rail and no finials
Plain cresting row. The added row stands above the gate's top rail without finials.
Finials on both the gate pickets and the cresting row

Finials can be used on the main vertical pickets and also on the separate cresting row, creating two ornamental levels above the gate.

Gate with finials on both the main vertical pickets and the separate top cresting row
Finials on both levels. The main pickets and the separate cresting row each carry finials.
Arch preview limit: The designer may limit very sharp arches so the preview and SVG drawings do not produce misleading or awkward geometry. A sharp arch may still be buildable, but may require special planning, thinner flat bar, segmented bending, rolling, or shop-specific fabrication methods. Treat this as a drawing-preview limit, not a statement that a fabricator cannot build it.
Frame, rails, mullions, sections, and bays Structure before fills

Set the structural layout before choosing section fills. Begin with the outside frame and horizontal rails, then add mullions when left-to-right bay divisions are needed.

Section navigation view. This compact overview shows the structural order here: first Top, bottom, and additional rails, then Side styles and mullions to divide rail spaces into bays.

Compact navigation view of the Frame, rails, and mullions section showing Top, bottom, and additional rails and Side style and mullion options
1. Choose the top and bottom rail sizes

The top rail size and bottom rail size are selected first. These two rails form the upper and lower horizontal boundaries of the gate frame.

Then choose how many additional rails are needed and set each additional rail's height from the bottom and its material / type.

Top, bottom, and additional rail controls showing top rail size, bottom rail size, three additional rails, rail heights, and rail types
Rail controls. Choose the top and bottom rail sizes first, then add and position any additional rails.
2. Add additional rails to create more sections

This example shows a gate with three additional rails between the top and bottom rails.

Each added rail divides the gate into another horizontal section. The Gate Designer allows up to eight additional rails when a design needs more stacked sections.

The height and material / type of each additional rail can be set separately.

Gate example with three additional horizontal rails between the top and bottom rails
Three additional rails. The added rails divide this gate into four stacked fill sections between the top and bottom rails.
3. Add mullions to create bays

After the horizontal rail layout is set, mullions can divide the gate from left to right. The Gate Designer allows up to five mullions.

These mullions are first applied as a global layout across the gate. Later, individual sections can be changed so a particular section can use a different mullion arrangement when the design calls for it.

This example uses two mullions across a gate that already has four horizontal sections.

Important: The number of pickets previously selected now applies to each bay. After adding mullions, the picket count may therefore need to be reduced or otherwise adjusted.

Gate example with four horizontal sections and two mullions creating three bays across each section
Two mullions across four sections. The two mullions create three bays in each section, and the selected picket count applies separately to each bay.

How sections and bays work together

Think of the layout in two passes. First, work top to bottom: the rails divide the gate into stacked sections. Then work left to right inside each section: the mullions divide that section into bays.

Sections are created by rails
Section 1 is the area below the top rail. Each additional rail creates another section below it.
Bays are created by mullions
Inside a section, mullions split the width into bays. The global mullion layout is the starting point, and individual sections can later be altered where needed.
A simple example using both sections and bays
This example shows one upper section with one bay, a middle section with three bays, and a lower section with two bays.
Remember: Rails create sections. Mullions create bays. A global mullion layout can later be changed by section, and picket count applies to each bay unless later section or bay controls change it.
  • Gate frame
  • Rails
  • Sections
  • Mullions
  • Bays
  • Section / bay adjustments
Section fills and pickets Defaults / sections / bays / pickets

Once the frame, rails, mullions, sections, and bays are established, this area controls what fills those spaces. The easiest way to understand it is to work from broad defaults toward more specific overrides: default fill behavior → section choices → individual bay choices.

Section navigation view. This overview shows the layered order inside Section fills and pickets: start with the defaults, then move into a section, and only then open a bay when a more specific override is needed.

Compact navigation view of the Section fills and pickets area showing default controls, section controls, and bay controls

Default fill behavior

The default settings provide the starting behavior for sections and bays. They can later be changed at the section level or, when needed, for an individual bay.

1. Choose the default vertical fill

The default fill can begin with pickets, radial pickets / sunburst, decorative band, wood boards, or horizontal tube fill.

This is the starting choice inherited by the sections and bays unless a more specific setting replaces it later.

Default vertical fill selector showing pickets, radial pickets, decorative band, wood boards, and horizontal tube fill
Default vertical fill. Choose the main fill behavior that later sections and bays inherit unless overridden.
2. Choose the default picket angle

Pickets may remain vertical or be angled left or right at several preset angles. A horizontal-picket option is also available.

This choice becomes the default picket direction for sections and bays using the main picket fill.

Default picket angle selector showing vertical, angled left and right, and horizontal picket choices
Default picket angle. Set the starting direction for picket-filled sections and bays.
3. Choose the fundamental picket size

The fundamental pickets are the main repeating pickets in the bay. Choose from square tube or the available rectangular tube sizes.

The size selected here becomes the default stock size for the main pickets unless a section or individual bay later changes it.

Default fundamental picket size selector showing square and rectangular tube sizes
Fundamental picket size. Select the main repeating picket stock used in each bay.
4. Add knuckles or collars when wanted

The default knuckle / collar layout can remain plain or place one, two, or three decorative knuckles on each full-height picket.

More detailed collar and knuckle choices may appear later when a particular section or bay is customized.

Knuckle and collar layout selector showing no knuckles or one, two, or three knuckles per full-height picket
Knuckle / collar layout. Add decorative accents to full-height pickets or leave them plain.
5. Add filler pickets when needed

Filler pickets are smaller or secondary pickets placed between the fundamental pickets.

They can reduce clear openings, change the visual rhythm, or create a denser pattern without replacing the main fundamental-picket layout.

Default filler picket selector showing no filler pickets and several square or rectangular filler sizes
Default filler pickets. Add a secondary repeating picket size between the main fundamental pickets.
6. Set the default number of fundamentals per bay

The selected number of fundamental pickets applies to each bay, not to the entire gate width.

After mullions create more bays, this number often needs to be reduced so the spacing and proportions remain practical.

Default fundamentals per bay control showing a value of 10
Fundamentals per bay. The selected count is repeated separately in every bay that uses the default picket layout.

Section-level choices

Each horizontal section can inherit the defaults or use its own fill and mullion arrangement.

7. Choose the fill for each section

A section may use the default vertical fill or change to another available fill such as open pickets, radial pickets, decorative band, wood boards, horizontal tube fill, horizontal rails, blank space, or screen / safety mesh.

The same section can also inherit the main mullion setting or use a different number of mullions.

Section fill and mullion selectors showing available section fill choices and use of the main two-mullion setting
Section fill and bay layout. Each section can inherit the defaults or use its own fill and mullion arrangement.
8. Section-specific picket, baluster, and collar settings

These controls are for changing one section away from the global default.

  1. In Section fill, choose Open pickets rather than Use default vertical fill — Open pickets.
  2. Apply the change. The section-specific picket, baluster, and collar controls can then become active.
  3. Choose the section's picket height pattern and picket angle if they should differ from the defaults.
  4. Set the number and size of the fundamental pickets for this section.
  5. For balusters, leave Filler pickets at None — fundamental pickets only and do not use knuckles on the replaced pickets.
  6. Choose a Baluster 1 replacement, then enter the fundamental picket numbers it should replace, such as 3, 6, 9.
  7. Use Baluster 2 and Baluster 3 when additional baluster styles are wanted in the same section.

Picket numbers are 1-based and counted left to right within each bay.

When a section remains set to Use default vertical fill — Open pickets, these section-specific controls stay ghosted because the section is inheriting the global default unchanged.

Section-specific controls showing picket shape and pattern, section stock, balusters, collars, and horizontal fill controls for an open-picket section
Section-specific picket, baluster, and collar controls. Choose Open pickets for the section when you want these settings to differ from the global defaults.
9. Override the mullions in an individual section

The global mullion layout is only the starting point. A particular section may use no mullions or anywhere from one through five mullions.

This allows upper and lower portions of the same gate to have different bay divisions.

Mullions in this section selector showing use main setting, no mullions, or one through five mullions
Section-specific mullions. Override the global mullion count for just this section when the design requires it.

Individual bay customization

When all bays in a section should match, leave the section at its shared settings. When one or more bays need to differ, turn on individual bay customization.

10. Turn on individual bay customization

Check Customize bays individually only when one or more bays need different treatment from the rest of the section.

This reveals a separate control accordion for each bay.

Bay treatment option with Customize bays individually checked
Customize bays individually. Turn this on only when a bay needs its own settings.
11. Edit an individual bay

Once individual bay customization is enabled, each bay receives its own controls. A bay can have its own fill type, picket height pattern, picket angle, fundamental-picket count and size, filler pickets, baluster replacements, knuckle / collar layout, and related details.

This is the most specific level of control: defaults establish the starting behavior, sections can override the defaults, and an individual bay can override its section.

Individual Bay 1 controls showing bay fill type, picket pattern, picket angle, fundamental pickets, filler pickets, baluster replacements, and knuckle or collar layout
Individual bay controls. Each customized bay can carry its own fill, stock, picket pattern, filler, baluster, and collar or knuckle settings.
Example: one five-section gate using many fill and bay options

This deliberately busy 16' wide × 10' high gate uses four additional rails to create five horizontal sections. The upper four sections use two mullions, creating three bays each; the lowest section removes the mullions and spans the full width.

How to read the example: Sections are labeled A through E from top to bottom. In Sections A–D, bays are numbered 1 through 3 from left to right. Section E is one full-width section.
A-1
5 vertical 3/4" fundamentals with 1/2" filler pickets
One knuckle per full-height fundamental picket
A-2
5 fundamentals, 1/2" square, angled 30° left, with 1/2" fillers
Alternating short pickets at 40%; three knuckles per full-height fundamental
A-3
9 vertical 1" fundamentals with 1/2" filler pickets
Alternating short and medium heights at 40% and 60%
B-1
6 fundamentals, 2" × 1" rectangular
Angled 45° left
B-2
Default 10 vertical 3/4" fundamentals
Three knuckles per full-height fundamental picket
B-3
Default 10 fundamentals, 3/4" square
Angled 60° right
C-1
Radial / sunburst fill
18 radial pickets
C-2
Cedar-colored wood boards
C-3
Custom horizontal rail stack
Four 2" × 2" tube rails
D-1
13 vertical 5/8" fundamental pickets
Alternating short pickets at 40%
D-2
Five horizontal 1" × 2" channel rails
D-3
Screen / safety mesh
Mesh sample mesh0010 at scale 2.5
E
No mullions; one full-width decorative band
Demonstrates a section overriding the global two-mullion layout
Five-section multi-bay example. Read A through E from top to bottom; bays 1 through 3 run left to right in Sections A through D.
Five-section demonstration gate with Sections A through E from top to bottom and three bays numbered 1 through 3 from left to right in Sections A through D
Global / defaults:
  • 16' wide × 10' high
  • Flat top
  • 2" top rail
  • 3" bottom rail
  • Four additional 1" × 2" channel rails
  • Two global mullions
  • Open pickets
  • Vertical
  • 3/4" square fundamentals
  • 10 fundamentals per bay
  • No filler pickets
  • No knuckles
Simple order to remember: Default fill behavior → section fill and mullions → customize bays individually only where a more specific result is needed.
Decorative details Objects / samples / order

Use this section for visual and ornamental details added to the gate itself. Decorative objects are created one at a time, and each object keeps its own type, size, placement, rotation, mirroring, both-leaf placement, and repeat settings.

Section navigation view. Decorative details begin with the object list and Add new embellishment. Each object then opens its own grouped controls for type, placement, and repeat behavior.

Compact navigation view of the Decorative details section showing the object list, Add new embellishment, and the embellishment object subgroups

Start by adding a decorative object

1. Add a new embellishment

Click Add new embellishment to create a new embellishment object.

Each object receives its own expandable accordion, where its type, size, placement, rotation, mirroring, both-leaf placement, and repeat settings can be adjusted.

Decorative details controls showing Add new embellishment, Embellishment object 1, object type, size, placement, rotation, repeat spacing, apply, and remove controls
Decorative object controls. Each embellishment keeps its own settings together in one accordion.

Frames

2. For frames, choose Frame as the object type

Then choose:

  • Circle
  • Oval
  • Rectangle
  • Rounded rectangle

Then set the position from the left and from the bottom of the gate.

Decorative object type selector with Frame selected and the four frame shapes Circle, Oval, Rectangle, and Rounded rectangle
Frame selectors. Choose Frame, then select one of the four available shapes.
Gate showing four decorative frame shapes from left to right: circle, oval, rectangle, and rounded rectangle
Four frame examples. Circle, oval, rectangle, and rounded rectangle shown together on one gate.

Fonts, letters, and symbols

3. For lettering, choose Letter as the object type

Then choose a letter source:

  • All
  • King Metals
  • Common fonts
  • Letter / symbol images

After choosing the source, select the font or image style and enter the desired text.

Letter source selector showing All, King Metals, Common fonts, and Letter or symbol images
Letter source. Choose the source group before selecting a font or letter / symbol image.
Source filters and font items The first selector narrows the source group. The next selector shows the actual fonts or letter / symbol images available in that group. Typed fonts are used for normal lettering; image-based items are useful for pre-drawn symbols or artwork that is not a keyboard font.
Approximate and common fonts A supplier-style font marked Approximate is a visual look-alike, not necessarily the supplier's exact official font. Common fonts are usable fonts without a supplier currently attached, so supplier part numbers or matching may not apply.
Final shop check Before production, confirm spelling, character availability, font choice, letter height, attachment method, and powder-coating clearance around letters or symbols.
4. Type ordinary text or insert special characters

Ordinary keyboard text can be entered directly.

Use Insert character to add supported UTF-8 characters and symbols, including accented letters, punctuation, fractions, business symbols, stars, arrows, Greek letters, mathematical symbols, Roman numerals, hearts, music symbols, and other simple marks.

The chosen font must contain the character for it to preview and cut correctly.

Insert character panel showing categories for accented letters, punctuation, fractions, currency, stars, arrows, Greek letters, math symbols, numerals, hearts, music, and other symbols
Insert character. Click a character to place it at the cursor in the lettering field.

Need the full character reference? Open the lavender reference below for Unicode code points, printable characters, font-support notes, fabrication cautions, and grouped character tables.

UTF-8 characters in Letter text Unicode hex / printable reference

The Letter text field accepts ordinary keyboard text and UTF-8 characters in the same field. The designer stores the real character, not an HTML entity.

About this table: The reference below uses Unicode code point notation such as U+00E9. That is usually what people mean when they ask for “UTF-8 hex.” True UTF-8 byte sequences are different, and are not usually helpful for entering gate lettering. Characters below U+0020 and other invisible/control characters are intentionally omitted.
Examples Peña Ranch
Café 123
No. 7 • East Gate
Smith & Co. ★
Font support matters Unicode lets the designer store the character, but the selected font must still contain that glyph. If a character appears as a blank box or does not render correctly, choose another font or use a letter / symbol image.
Fabrication caution Accents, punctuation, stars, arrows, and other symbols may be cuttable, but very small details can be fragile. Avoid emoji-style artwork for fabrication unless it is converted into proper shop-ready outlines.
Minimum cut height Thin strokes, tiny counters, dots, accent marks, and narrow decorative symbols may need a larger cut height than plain block letters.
Accented Latin lettersNames, ranches, places, Spanish, French, German
U+00C1Á
U+00C0À
U+00C2Â
U+00C4Ä
U+00C5Å
U+00C3Ã
U+00C6Æ
U+00C7Ç
U+00C9É
U+00C8È
U+00CAÊ
U+00CBË
U+00CDÍ
U+00CCÌ
U+00CEÎ
U+00CFÏ
U+00D1Ñ
U+00D3Ó
U+00D2Ò
U+00D4Ô
U+00D6Ö
U+00D5Õ
U+00D8Ø
U+00DAÚ
U+00D9Ù
U+00DBÛ
U+00DCÜ
U+00DDÝ
U+00E1á
U+00E0à
U+00E2â
U+00E4ä
U+00E5å
U+00E3ã
U+00E6æ
U+00E7ç
U+00E9é
U+00E8è
U+00EAê
U+00EBë
U+00EDí
U+00ECì
U+00EEî
U+00EFï
U+00F1ñ
U+00F3ó
U+00F2ò
U+00F4ô
U+00F6ö
U+00F5õ
U+00F8ø
U+00FAú
U+00F9ù
U+00FBû
U+00FCü
U+00FDý
U+00FFÿ
U+00DFß
U+0152Œ
U+0153œ
Punctuation and separatorsReadable separators and sign punctuation
U+2013
U+2014
U+2018
U+2019
U+201C
U+201D
U+201A
U+201E
U+2022
U+00B7·
U+2026
U+2032
U+2033
U+00A7§
U+00B6
U+00A9©
U+00AE®
U+2122
U+2116
U+2044
Fractions and measurementsUseful for dimensions, addresses, and plaques
U+00BC¼
U+00BD½
U+00BE¾
U+215B
U+215C
U+215D
U+215E
U+00B0°
U+00B1±
U+00D7×
U+00F7÷
U+00B5µ
U+03A9Ω
U+2030
U+2031
Currency and business symbolsBusiness names and commercial signs
U+00A2¢
U+00A3£
U+00A5¥
U+20AC
U+20BF
U+20A9
U+20B9
U+00A4¤
U+2120
U+2105
U+211E
Stars, bullets, and decorative marksSimple decorative characters
U+2605
U+2606
U+2726
U+2727
U+2729
U+272A
U+2736
U+2737
U+2739
U+273A
U+273F
U+2756
U+25C6
U+25C7
U+25CF
U+25CB
U+25C9
U+25A0
U+25A1
U+25B2
U+25B3
U+25BC
U+25BD
ArrowsDirectional symbols and simple markers
U+2190
U+2191
U+2192
U+2193
U+2194
U+2195
U+2196
U+2197
U+2198
U+2199
U+21D2
U+21D0
U+21D4
U+2794
U+279C
U+27A4
U+27A7
Greek lettersGreek names, symbols, and technical marks
U+0391Α
U+0392Β
U+0393Γ
U+0394Δ
U+0398Θ
U+039BΛ
U+039EΞ
U+03A0Π
U+03A3Σ
U+03A6Φ
U+03B1α
U+03B2β
U+03B3γ
U+03B4δ
U+03B8θ
U+03BBλ
U+03C0π
U+03C3σ
U+03C6φ
U+03C9ω
Math and comparison symbolsSymbols that may appear in names or plaque notes
U+2248
U+2260
U+2264
U+2265
U+221E
U+2211
U+221A
U+222B
U+2206
U+2202
U+2234
U+2235
U+221D
U+2205
Circled and Roman numeralsNumbers with a more ornamental look
U+2460
U+2461
U+2462
U+2463
U+2464
U+2465
U+2466
U+2467
U+2468
U+2469
U+2160
U+2161
U+2162
U+2163
U+2164
U+2165
U+2166
U+2167
U+2168
U+2169
Hearts, music, and simple symbolsUse carefully and verify the font can cut them
U+2665
U+2661
U+2663
U+2666
U+2660
U+266A
U+266B
U+2600
U+263E
U+263C
U+269C
U+271D
U+2618
U+2615
Production reminder: For custom-cut letters, the shop should receive outlined artwork or a lettering detail sheet. The displayed text is a design aid until the selected font and glyphs are confirmed for cutting.
5. Choose the letter layout and repeat behavior

Lettering can be arranged as a straight word or made to follow matching arches.

The same decorative object may remain a single object or be repeated as a row, column, or grid.

Letter layout selector showing Straight word and Follow matching arches
Letter layout. Keep the text straight or make it follow matching arches.
Repeat group selector showing Single object, Group in a row, Group in a column, and Group in a grid
Repeat group. Use one object or repeat it in a row, column, or grid.
6. Lettering can be straight, arched, and combined with symbols

This example shows text following the upper arch and straight text across the middle of the gate.

Lettering and symbols can be used together as separate decorative objects, each with its own size and position.

Gate example showing arched lettering, straight lettering, and star symbols used together
Lettering example. Arched text, straight text, and symbols shown together on one gate.

Fill / stock images

7. For image-based objects, choose Fill / stock image

Then choose the image group:

  • Decorative fills
  • Logos
  • Panels
  • Stained glass panels
  • Rectangular bordered fills
  • Oval bordered fills
  • Circle bordered fills
  • Plaque

After choosing the group, select the individual sample or stock image to place on the gate.

Fill image group selector showing decorative fills, logos, panels, stained glass panels, bordered fills, and plaques
Image group. Choose the family of image-based decorative object first.
Fill sample and stock image selector showing individual decorative fill choices and their listed sizes
Choose the sample. The individual item selector shows the available objects and, where recorded, their stock dimensions.

Size, placement, and repeats

8. Size and place each object independently

Set the object's center position from the left and from the bottom of the gate.

Then adjust width, height, rotation, horizontal flipping, both-leaf placement, or mirroring on the opposite leaf where appropriate.

These settings let the same stock image serve many different layouts without changing the original component file.

Decorative object size and placement controls showing center position, width, height, rotation, flipping, both-leaf placement, mirroring, and aspect-ratio controls
Size and placement. Position, size, rotate, flip, mirror, or place the object on both leaves as needed.
9. Repeat an object when wanted

A decorative object may remain single or be repeated in a row, column, or grid.

When repeating, set the number of columns or rows and the spacing between them in inches.

Repeat spacing controls showing repeat columns and column spacing in inches
Repeat spacing. This example repeats one object four times across a row with 33 inches of column spacing.

Examples of the image groups

10. Decorative fills

Decorative fills are ornamental image components that can be placed as single objects or repeated across the gate.

This example shows one decorative fill repeated four times in a row.

Gate showing a decorative fill repeated four times across the upper section
Decorative fill. One ornamental sample repeated four times across the gate.
11. Logos

Logos can be placed and repeated like other image-based decorative objects.

Check the artwork carefully for fabrication practicality and for any small isolated details that may be difficult to cut or coat.

Gate showing a dog silhouette logo repeated four times across the upper section
Logos. A silhouette logo repeated four times across the gate.
12. Panels

Panels are larger decorative image objects that can be placed within the gate structure and repeated when the design calls for matching inserts.

Gate showing four repeated ornamental panel inserts across the upper section
Panels. Four matching ornamental panels placed across the gate.
13. Stained glass panels

Stained glass panel images are useful for customer-facing visualization where a colored decorative insert is part of the concept.

Actual fabrication, glazing, framing, and attachment details should be confirmed separately.

Gate showing four repeated round stained glass panel images across the upper section
Stained glass panels. Four colored panel images repeated across the gate.
14. Rectangular bordered fills

Bordered fills include a surrounding frame as part of the decorative object, helping the insert read as a self-contained panel.

Gate showing four repeated rectangular bordered fill inserts across the upper section
Rectangular bordered fills. Four framed rectangular inserts repeated across the gate.
15. Oval bordered fills

Oval bordered fills combine an ornamental image with its own oval frame and can be sized and positioned like other decorative objects.

Gate showing one oval bordered decorative fill centered in the upper section
Oval bordered fill. One framed oval insert centered on the gate.
16. Circle bordered fills

Circle bordered fills are round framed objects that can be placed singly or repeated depending on the design.

Gate showing one circle bordered decorative fill centered in the upper section
Circle bordered fill. One round framed insert centered on the gate.
17. Plaques

Plaques can be placed on the gate as decorative or informational elements and sized to suit the available space.

For actual plaque text, remember that multiple lines reduce the available letter height, so readability and fabrication practicality should be checked before final approval.

Gate showing one decorative plaque mounted near the center
Plaque. One plaque placed near the center of the gate.
Letters, logos, fonts, and frames Add customer-facing lettering, logo shapes, frames, and ornamental inserts. Check readability and minimum practical size before fabrication. For the lettering selectors and Unicode character notes, see Fonts, letters, and symbols.
Decorative object order Decorative objects are drawn in object order. Earlier objects are placed behind later objects. If using a filled frame as a backing/mask, place the frame below the image or lettering object.
Balusters Balusters are decorative vertical pieces used in place of or among plain pickets. Sample-backed balusters may have size or fit limits.
Knuckles / collars Knuckles or collars are decorative rings or collars placed on pickets. They should match the picket size and may not fit filler pickets unless the sample is intended for that size.
Managed samples The sample side panel may include ornamental inserts, band fills, balusters, collars / knuckles, masonry textures, post caps, lighting, letter / symbol images, and other active components.
Non-symmetrical dual gates For a non-symmetrical dual gate, design each leaf as a separate single gate, then note that the two saved designs are intended to be installed together.
Powder-coating note: Avoid trapping letters, logos, or inserts tight against frames where powder cannot reach. Leave clearance or use small tabs/standoffs where appropriate.
Gate System Designer Supports / lighting / safety / access / locks

The Gate System Designer is a separate top-level area below Design a gate. Use it after the moving gate itself is established. It describes the installed environment around the gate rather than changing the ornamental frame, rails, fills, or lettering.

Gate design Width, height, frame, rails, mullions, fills, pickets, decorative objects, handing, movement, finish, and hardware actually mounted to the moving gate.
Gate system Posts, columns, structural slide supports, lighting, plaques, photo-eyes, emergency-access devices, post-mounted locks, and the relationships shown in the installed elevations and plan view.

Entry structures, posts and lighting

1. Choose the opening supports

The support selector ranges from None — gate only through square steel posts and masonry columns. Height, masonry material, texture, scale, cap color, and cap rise refine the installed concept.

These opening supports are different from the required structural posts used by some slide-gate systems.

Gate System Designer posts and columns selector showing gate only, square posts, and masonry columns
Opening supports. Choose no supports, square posts, or masonry columns in a range of sizes.
2. Distinguish structural slide supports from entrance columns

Cantilever gates use required carrier posts and rollers along the tail. Their visible post height is calculated from the gate, while optional entrance columns remain separate at the clear opening.

Upper-trolley gates use two structural support posts per leaf. V-track and bottom-trolley layouts use guide/support posts as required by their hardware.

The slide gate / guide-support side choice places the gate plane and supports on the outside, inside, or applicable side so the plan view can show the tail and columns without false overlap.

Structural-post reminders

Cantilever carrier posts are not decorative entrance columns. Structural posts may be capped when exposed, and the technical packet carries their roller, bracket, foundation, and clearance information where applicable.

3. Add post tops, lighting, sconces, and plaques

Post caps and top lights apply to suitable steel posts or entrance columns. Masonry columns can also use cap-top lighting, separate face sconces, and independently controlled left and right plaques.

Custom face-light and plaque sizes are presentation choices and should be verified against available products. Preserve conduit paths before posts or masonry are finished.

Gate System Designer lighting and sconce controls
Lighting and sconces. Top lights and face lights use separate controls.
Gate System Designer column-face plaque controls
Column plaques. Left and right images, text, size, color, and height are controlled separately.

Locks and safety devices

Photo-eye protection Choose whether a photo-eye is added, then select the common or subscriber-catalog component, face or side mounting, and the primary left/right support as viewed from outside. Slide gates can use outside, inside, or both beam locations. Where a complete fixed-support pair is unavailable, the preview and plan can add capped 4-inch square photo-eye posts 24 inches above grade.
KNOX box The KNOX box is shown only on the outside / street face of the selected left or right support. The current image is rendered 4 inches wide and centered about 48 inches above grade, so the support must be at least 4 inches wide.
Fire-strobe detector The current detector is a single 3-inch-wide head on a 3/4-inch pipe, normally centered about 96 inches above grade. It can use the left or right support or a freestanding pipe. Signed left/right, in/out, and height adjustments are available. Elevations show left/right and height plus front/behind layering; the plan view is the clearest place to read the in/out relationship.
Magnetic lock Swing gates can show face- or side-mounted magnetic locks. A single gate can place the body on the receiving post or moving gate; a dual gate can choose the meeting leaf and inside/property or outside/street face. Masonry columns require side mounting. For a post-mounted single-gate lock, the receiving-post face follows swing direction automatically.
Apply the correct group: Use Apply preview settings after changing entry structures, posts, lighting, or plaques. Use Apply safety-device settings after changing photo-eyes, KNOX box, fire-strobe detector, or magnetic-lock settings.
Safety and code reminder: These controls support layout and communication. Final entrapment protection, emergency access, operator logic, device spacing, wiring, and code compliance must be confirmed for the actual operator, site, and authority having jurisdiction.
Rendered concept preview Outside and inside elevations

This is the first area under View a gate design. Use both straight-on elevations to check the visual result and the physical face of installed equipment before relying on the plan view or technical packet.

Compare the two sides of the installed gate

View from outside gate — street / ingress side is the reference for left/right handing, hinge side, and many component selectors.

View from inside gate — property side mirrors the gate and shows the opposite physical face. Hinges, photo-eyes, locks, KNOX equipment, fire-strobe pipe, columns, and other items are layered according to the selected gate movement and support face.

These are elevations, not perspective drawings. An in/out offset may determine whether an object is in front of or behind a post in an elevation, but the proportional plan view is used to understand the actual depth relationship.

Use the summary information below the preview to verify the gate type, frame sizes, rails, mullions, pickets, sections, fills, calculated spacing, and warnings.

Rendered concept elevation of the gate with summary boxes
Rendered concept elevations. Confirm the gate and system appearance from both sides, then use the plan view for movement and depth relationships.
Gate-only fabrication remains separate: The installed elevations may show posts, columns, lights, safety devices, emergency equipment, and locks. Sheet 1 remains focused on the fabricated moving gate, with system details placed on the plan or supplemental sheets.
Technical drawings and specification sheets Fabrication / materials / installation notes

This area turns the current gate and Gate System selections into printable technical documentation. The main gate fabrication drawing comes first, followed by materials, selected components, proportional plan view, hinge or slide-support details, installation references, and fabricator notes where applicable.

Start with the fabrication drawing packet

The packet may include the main gate fabrication drawing, materials and selected components, section and fill notes, proportional plan view, masonry or post references, CI3000 hinge details, guide-roller details, slide-gate layouts, field installation details, and general fabricator notes.

The sheets shown depend on the selected gate type and the options used in the design.

Technical drawings and specification sheets for the default starter gate
Technical drawings and specification sheets. The drawing packet starts with the fabrication sheet and continues with materials, selected components, and other relevant reference sheets.

How the drawing views divide the information

Main fabrication drawing Shows the fabricated moving gate, dimensions, frame, rails, sections, fills, decorative details, and gate-mounted hardware. Unrelated site surroundings are suppressed so the shop drawing stays readable.
Swing installer detail Shows the selected hinge side, CI3000 hinge images, hinge elevations, plate orientation, post or column relationship, and other swing-support references appropriate to the gate.
Proportional plan view Uses a 1-foot grid to show the gate from above: swing arcs or slide travel, tails, tracks, support positions, gate plane, guide or carrier-post side, and selected safety-device locations. This is the best view for in/out relationships.
System and component sheets Keep columns, foundations, carrier posts, guide rollers, wheel boxes, V-track sections, selected components, and installation notes on separate sheets so they do not obscure the gate fabrication drawing.

Slide gates and supplemental sheets

V-track slide gates V-track gates roll on wheels along a ground track and use guide posts / guide rollers to keep the gate upright. Tail section, track length, support-post placement, and guide-roller details should be checked before installation.
Cantilever gates Cantilever gates include a counterbalance tail and are supported by roller assemblies instead of a ground track. Post height, post embedment, roller placement, and cover requirements need field verification.
Enclosed C-track / trolley layouts Enclosed or slotted-tube trolley options are advisory concept layouts. Hardware varies by manufacturer, and final dimensions should be verified against the selected kit or engineered hardware system.
Supplemental drawings Depending on the gate type, the packet may include installation details, column / post references, support roller or guide roller details, V-track layout, materials, and selected component sheets.

Opening width, posts, and final gate width

Opening width can mean different things to different people. A client usually thinks of the driveway clear passage they want when the gate is fully open. A designer may be thinking about the space between posts or columns. An installer may be deciding whether post holes go beside the driveway, partly notched into the driveway edge, or set back from the driveway edge.

Gate dimensions in the designer are actual gate dimensions. The gate width and gate height used for the design describe the physical moving gate leaf or leaves, not automatically the full driveway clear opening after posts, columns, hinges, reveals, operators, or hardware are accounted for.

On swing gates, hinges are commonly placed between the post and gate with a reveal such as 3". When the gate opens, the gate thickness and hinge hardware can still project into the usable passage. For example, a 120" driveway may need posts set back or outside the driveway edge so the open gate still leaves the desired 120" of clear passage.

Best practice: agree on the desired clear driveway passage, post or column placement, hinge/reveal assumptions, and ground conditions before digging. For production work, wait until the posts or columns are set and the actual post-to-post distance is measured before ordering or fabricating the final gate leaf width.

Sloped driveway note: This designer assumes a level bottom rail. On rare swing-gate projects where the driveway has a lateral slope and the owner wants a consistent reveal below the gate, a custom sloped-bottom design may be possible. Local regulations may dictate a minimum clearance above driveways.
Production warning: Treat early dimensions as planning dimensions unless the Production box is intentionally checked after field verification.
Engineering note: Soil, wind load, gate weight, hardware capacity, post foundations, and safety-device placement are site-specific. These drawings support planning and communication but do not replace engineering or code review.
Request a bid for this gate Current live design / pricing handoff

This area sends the current design as shown now for pricing. It can include edits that have not yet been saved as a gate packet.

What is sent The handoff includes the current gate-design JSON and a preview image. The next page collects the customer, project, and pricing-request information.
Where it goes A verified subscriber-gallery design is routed back to that subscriber. Autogate NW stock designs, blank designs, and ordinary new designs are routed to Autogate NW.
Saving is separate: Requesting a bid does not replace Save Gate Design Packet. Save the design or download its JSON when you also need a permanent editable record.
Save / export gate design Full packet / gate only / drawings / JSON

This is the final area under View a gate design. Complete Fabrication drawing info first, then choose the kind of record or output needed.

Save Gate Design Packet Saves the complete editable design to the active account directory: gate JSON, concept preview, fabrication sheets, plan view, requirements/takeoff information, and the selected Gate System context.
Save gate only Available only to staff and subscribers and currently enabled only for Single swing. It saves editable gate JSON plus a gate-only SVG preview in the account's private gate_units/ directory.
Download design JSON Saves a local re-entry file on the user's computer. Bring it back through Upload design JSON. The imported design opens unsaved and should be saved again when it belongs in the account collection.
Drawing and print controls Download the fabrication SVG or open the materials sheet, full technical packet, or one-sheet fabrication drawing in the browser's print / Save-to-PDF flow.

What a gate-only unit keeps and removes

Kept with the moving gate Complete gate geometry and decoration, width and height, finish, hinge-left or hinge-right handing, swing-in or swing-out direction, and hardware mounted on the moving gate. A gate-mounted magnetic lock remains with the unit.
Removed as system context Posts, columns, masonry, lights, plaques, photo-eyes, KNOX box, fire-strobe detector, structural site supports, and post-mounted magnetic locks are omitted from the gate-only JSON.
Current limit: Gate-only saving supports single-swing gates first. Slide-gate units will require their track, tail, wheel, guide-support, or carrier-post package before they can be treated as complete drop-in units.

View gate designs and reopen saved work

Gates only Staff and subscribers see a separate category of reusable single-gate units. Each card shows its gate-only preview and keeps the hinge side and swing direction. Click the card to reload the editable JSON in Gate Designer; individual revisions may also be removed there.
Your saved gate designs Complete gate-and-system packets remain in the normal saved-design category. Subscriber owners can choose whether a full design appears in their public gallery and whether visitors may open an independent copy.
Stock gate designs Public reusable examples remain separate from private working designs. Staff can copy an appropriate saved full design into the Stock Gate Designs library.
Gate-only cards stay focused Scene Builder, BOM, public-gallery publishing, bid shortcuts, and stock-publishing controls are intentionally omitted from gate-only cards while these units are being developed as reusable moving-gate components.
Handed units should be separate: Use New ANW number when saving a separate hinge-left, hinge-right, swing-in, or swing-out unit. Increase the revision number when preserving a changed version of the same handed unit.
Approval stage matters: Use Client approval for concept sign-off, Bid request when the drawings support pricing or estimating, and Production only after field dimensions, post placement, hardware, and final gate widths have been verified.
Design a gate. Show / hide form controls
Start or load a design Saved gates / pre-populate controls
Creates a NEW default gate for editing: 14' X 5' 3-rail single swing.
Select a saved or standard gate to preview it before loading.
OPTIONAL: You may load one of our pre-made designs for editing. They may also be selected from our View gates page and loaded from there.
Fabrication drawing info Drawing number, revision & save identity
Current ANW drawing number, click New ANW number to save as a new design.
Shown as Rev. 0, Rev. 1, etc. Stored as drawing data; it does not change the ANW file number.
These fields print in the fabrication drawing details box. Use Apply drawing info to refresh the drawing without returning to the top of the page.
Ready to save this gate? After reviewing the design, go to the bottom section View a gate design, then use Save / export gate design to save the gate packet or download files.
Gate type, size, and finish Type, dimensions, finish & top
Size and structural layout set size, rails, then mullions
Gate type, finish, and top update top / arch controls
Swing, V-track slide, exposed-roller cantilever, and enclosed C-track cantilever frames can be previewed here. Enclosed C-track / trolley selections are advisory and use manufacturer-specific installation guidance rather than generic fabricated support geometry.
Non-symmetrical dual gates: design each leaf separately as a single gate, then note that the two saved designs are intended to be installed together as one dual-gate opening.
Swing direction
Direction is viewed from the street / ingress side. Swing in opens toward the property; Swing out opens toward the street or approach side.
Single-swing hinge side
Hinge side is viewed from the street / ingress side while facing the closed gate.
Selected: Top rail — C-track top 60" from bottom
Top rail remains the default. Select any active straight additional rail to move the complete 2-3/4" C-track and trolley system down with its upper edge flush to that rail. Custom height remains available for special layouts.
The preview and fabrication drawing stay black for clarity. This finish choice is recorded for client approval and powder-coating / finish notes.
Changing this between flat and arched changes which rail options are shown. Main-picket finials and separate top cresting rows are handled under Top accessories; side style and mullion caps are handled with the style/mullion controls.
Exposed-roller cantilever slide gates require a flat top and cannot use finials, separate top cresting rows, or ball caps on the styles.
Use this after changing opening width, gate height, gate type, tail side, or top style. It refreshes the arch and top-accessory options below before you continue editing this section.
Flat top selected
The second arched rail controls are hidden for flat-topped gates.
Top accessories finials and cresting
Main vertical-picket finials
These finials attach to the normal full-height vertical pickets in the top section. Main picket finials are available for square pickets only. For a standard spear-topped arched gate, usually choose a main-picket finial here and leave the separate cresting row below set to None.
Main picket finials are available only for square pickets up to 1". Wider rectangular pickets may still use a separate top cresting row.
Separate top cresting row
Follow gate picket rhythm aligns the separate cresting stems with the main leaf-wide fundamental-picket centerlines. Choose Custom only when you intentionally want different cresting spacing.
This is an added cresting row mounted above the gate's top rail. It is useful for radial pickets, mesh, boards, rings, horizontal rails, or other decorative layouts. For a normal spear-topped picket gate, leave this set to None and use main vertical-picket finials instead. The listed gate height still measures to the top rail, not the cresting tips.
You have selected both main-picket finials and a separate top cresting row. Use both only if you want two layers of top decoration. For a standard spear-topped picket gate, set the cresting row to None.
Use this after changing opening width, gate height, gate type, tail side, top style, finials, arch rise, or second-arch settings. It redraws the top/section structure so the next controls match the choices above.
Frame, rails, and mullions Structural layout
Top, bottom, and additional rails update rails / section panels
This controls how many internal rails are placed between the top and bottom rails, and how many section panels are created below.
Rail heights are treated as rail centerlines.
Choose the actual size beside each additional rail. 1" x 2" channel is less expensive and can be punched through; tube rails are cut and welded.
Use this after changing additional rail count, individual rail types, or rail heights. It rebuilds the section panels below so the section controls match the rail layout.
Side style and mullion options Styles: 2" · Mullions: 0
Side styles and mullions divide rail spaces into bays
Set the rails first, then choose mullions to divide each rail-defined section into bays.
Side styles
The two vertical ends of a gate are styles.
No caps means the side styles end at the top rail. Ball cap uses the drawn SVG ball cap; other choices come from the cap catalog images.
Mullions
Mullions divide the spaces created by the rails into bays, and are spaced evenly between the side styles.
Across each leaf repeats the selected mullion count on both leaves. Across both leaves spaces the selected mullions over the full dual-gate design, then mirrors the resulting bay treatment on the opposite leaf. A center division may coincide with the two meeting styles.
No caps means the mullions stop at the top rail. Choose caps here only when mullions should continue above the rail.
Strength note: 1" and 1.5" tube may be useful for lighter pedestrian gates, depending on steel wall thickness/gauge and the gate layout. As a rule of thumb, consider at least 1.5" styles for pedestrian gates and 2" styles for gates wider than 3'. Larger or heavier gates should be verified for strength, sag, wind load, and hardware loads before fabrication.
Use this after changing side style width, mullion count, dual-gate mullion positioning, mullion width, or cap options. The preview, bay spacing, and section panels will then be recalculated.
Style / mullion changes are selected but not yet redrawn. Click Apply style / mullion changes or Apply Changes and Continue.
Section fills and pickets Section panels & bay defaults
Default fill behavior main settings inherited by sections
Default for section fills. Individual sections and custom bays may still override this.
Tip: Decorative bands are centered within the available open space between rails. To tighten the band area, add an extra rail or adjust nearby rail positions. Image-backed symmetrical band fills use their entered width/height. Rotational and mirrored/rotational image-backed fills can use the orientation and pattern controls.
Selected: Same height
Taller pickets extend 3" above the normal top line. This applies to the regular full-height vertical pickets, not to the separate cresting row or short/medium section-picket patterns.
Default for newly created section panels and bays. Non-vertical pickets are aligned through rails by default where applicable. Individual sections and custom bays may still override the angle. In double gates, the second leaf mirrors left/right angled pickets in the preview; horizontal pickets remain horizontal.
Selected: 12 spokes
Used when a section or bay fill is set to Radial pickets / sunburst.
Selected: 0" from bay center
Positive moves the radial center right. Negative moves it left. The center can be moved outside the bay or gate area.
Selected: 0" from bay center
Positive moves the radial center upward. Negative moves it downward.
Selected: Cedar
Used for every vertical wood-board section or bay. Boards are treated as 6" wide x 5/8" thick by default for material takeoff.
Default picket stock and collars fundamentals, fillers, and knuckles
Pickets up to 1" are treated as square. Wider pickets are treated as wide-face rectangular stock with 1" depth so they stay inset from a 2" frame.
Default for each section; individual sections and custom bays may override it. Knuckles/collars apply to fundamental pickets only; shortened and filler pickets are exempt.
Some suppliers call these collars. Choose a part that fits the selected fundamental picket size. Filler pickets are left plain unless we later add a separate filler-collar selector.
When used with straight or angled pickets, one filler picket is centered in every opening between the fundamental pickets, including the openings at both outer ends of each leaf. When used with radial pickets, one filler spoke is centered between each pair of fundamental spokes.
Used as the default per open bay when new section panels are created. Use 0 for no pickets.
Baluster note: balusters are section and bay settings, not global defaults. Use the controls in each section to replace selected fundamental pickets with up to three different baluster styles.
Picket-spacing reminder: Wider ornamental spacing can be useful for cost, weight, appearance, and site-specific practicality. For automated vehicular gates, review ASTM F2200 / UL 325 requirements and local authority expectations. Safety mesh or screening may satisfy opening-size requirements while preserving a wider ornamental picket layout.
Use this after changing default fill, picket angle, radial spoke count/center, picket size, filler pickets, knuckles, or picket count. Radial sections that have not been individually edited inherit the visible radial default values.

Section options

1 additional rail create 2 editable sections. For example, 4 additional rails create 5 spaces/sections between the rails and frame. Each section can use pickets, even horizontal rails, a custom horizontal rail stack with varying rail heights, be left blank, or be treated as a screen / safety-mesh area. Section panels now fold closed; closed panels still submit their saved settings. Bay treatment defaults to same across all bays.
Section 1 - below top rail Use default - Open pickets · 1 bay · all bays
Section fill and bay layout fill type, mullions, and bay mode
Selected: Use default vertical fill - Open pickets
Choose Use default vertical fill when this section should follow the main picket/fill choice instead of overriding it.
Tip: Decorative bands are centered within the available open space between rails. To tighten the band area, add an extra rail or adjust nearby rail positions. Decorative bands are laid out per bay and stop at mullions. Image-backed symmetrical band fills use their entered width/height. Rotational and mirrored/rotational image-backed fills can use the orientation and pattern controls.
Arched lettering: available only in the section between the top arch and a matching second arched rail. The word is centered in this section and follows the matching arch curve.
Selected: TEXT
Insert characterclick a character
Click a character to insert it at the cursor in this text field. The selected font must still contain the glyph for it to preview and cut correctly.
Accented Latin lettersNames, ranches, places, Spanish, French, German
Punctuation and separatorsReadable separators and sign punctuation
Fractions and measurementsUseful for dimensions, addresses, and plaques
Currency and business symbolsBusiness names and commercial signs
Stars, bullets, and decorative marksSimple decorative characters
ArrowsDirectional symbols and simple markers
Greek lettersGreek names, symbols, and technical marks
Math and comparison symbolsSymbols that may appear in names or plaque notes
Circled and Roman numeralsNumbers with a more ornamental look
Hearts, music, and simple symbolsUse carefully and verify the font can cut them
Selected:
Insert characterclick a character
Click a character to insert it at the cursor in this text field. The selected font must still contain the glyph for it to preview and cut correctly.
Accented Latin lettersNames, ranches, places, Spanish, French, German
Punctuation and separatorsReadable separators and sign punctuation
Fractions and measurementsUseful for dimensions, addresses, and plaques
Currency and business symbolsBusiness names and commercial signs
Stars, bullets, and decorative marksSimple decorative characters
ArrowsDirectional symbols and simple markers
Greek lettersGreek names, symbols, and technical marks
Math and comparison symbolsSymbols that may appear in names or plaque notes
Circled and Roman numeralsNumbers with a more ornamental look
Hearts, music, and simple symbolsUse carefully and verify the font can cut them
Used when Split text across gate leafs is checked. If left blank, the main text above is auto-split between the two leafs.
Selected: Repeat text on both leafs
For dual gates, unchecked repeats the same text on each leaf. Checked uses the main text for the left leaf and the optional second leaf text for the right leaf. If the second box is blank, the main text is auto-split.
Use this first selector to narrow the font/item list below. Font and UTF-8 help
Stock font - Uppercase letters and numbers only
Selected: 10 inches
Selected: 82 percent
Selected: 0 inches
This filters the band component choices without changing the existing drawing logic.
Used for rotational and mirrored/rotational image-backed band fills. Symmetrical image-backed fills ignore orientation.
Alternating and mirrored patterns are used for rotational and mirrored/rotational image-backed rows. Symmetrical image-backed fills ignore pattern.
Selected: Normal
Used when a mirrored/rotational band-fill sample is vertical. This flips the whole row top-to-bottom while keeping the part at its stored sample size.
Used only when Section fill is Screen / safety mesh.
Selected: 1× image tile size
Use when the image does not match a real mesh size yet. 1.00 uses the estimated filename/default tile size.
Selected: Using main setting: No mullions — 1 bay per leaf
Defaults to the main mullion setting above. Choose a number here only when this section/panel needs a different number of bays.
Selected: Same across all bays
Unchecked: every bay in this section uses the section settings. Checked: exposes bay-by-bay controls below.
Selected: 12 spokes
Selected: 0" from bay center
Selected: 0" from bay center
Used when this section fill is set to Radial pickets / sunburst. Custom bays that still match the previous section value update with this section value.
Section picket shape and pattern height pattern, angle, and short finials
Controls whether pickets in this section are all full height or alternate between full and shorter heights. Use All full height for normal main pickets with alternating finial tips above the top rail.
First-pass visual option: vertical, 30° left, or 30° right. Angled picket cut lengths should be verified in the shop.
Selected: 100% of section height
Defaults to 100%. This controls the height of the members labeled fundamental without changing their centerline alignment.
Selected: 100% of full height
Used by the every-other-short pattern.
Width changes do not move the member centerlines.
Selected: 100% of full height
Used by the short / medium alternating pattern.
Width changes do not move the member centerlines.
A selected member finial is drawn when that member ends below the section's upper boundary and has an exposed tip.
Section stock, balusters, and collars used when bays are not customized
Count per bay for this section.
Above 1" uses 1" depth. This is the width used by members labeled Fundamental; Short and Medium can now be selected independently above.
Replaces numbered fundamental pickets in every bay of this section. Requires vertical pickets, no filler pickets, and no knuckles. Use slots 2 and 3 for additional baluster styles.
Selected: None
Numbers are 1-based, left to right, within each bay.
Selected: None
Selected: None
Horizontal fill controls even rails, custom stack, or tubes
Selected: 6 rails
Used when Section fill is Horizontal rails or Custom horizontal rail stack. For custom stack, this is how many top-to-bottom rails are used. Use 0 for no horizontal fill rails.
Used when Section fill is Custom horizontal rail stack. The first rail count above controls how many of these rows are drawn.
Spacing is calculated automatically within this section. These are infill members and do not create new sections.
Inherited from the main Knuckles setting unless changed here. Shortened pickets are exempt.
Some suppliers call these collars. Choose a part that fits this section's fundamental picket size, or inherit the main part. Filler pickets are left plain.
Bay-by-bay customization
Use these controls only when individual bays should differ from the completed section settings above. Each bay starts from this section's settings, then may be changed separately. On a dual swing gate, bay treatments mirror automatically: Bay 1 is the outside bay on both leaves, Bay 2 is the next bay inward, and so on.
Bay 1 Open pickets
Bay fill type pickets, band, mesh, or rails
Tip: Decorative bands are centered within the available open space between rails. To tighten the band area, add an extra rail or adjust nearby rail positions. Decorative bands are spaced within this bay. Image-backed symmetrical band fills use their entered width/height. Rotational and mirrored/rotational image-backed fills can use the orientation and pattern controls.
Bay picket pattern picket-only details for this bay
Selected: 100% of section height
Selected: 100% of full height
Selected: 100% of full height
Selected: Normal
Used when a mirrored/rotational band-fill sample is vertical. This flips the whole bay row top-to-bottom while keeping the part at its stored sample size.
Selected: 12 spokes
Selected: 0" from bay center
Selected: 0" from bay center
Selected: 1× image tile size
Bay stock, balusters, and collars fundamentals, fillers, replacements
Above 1" uses 1" depth.
Selected: None
Numbers are 1-based, left to right, within this bay. Use slots 2 and 3 for additional baluster styles.
Selected: None
Selected: None
Spacing is calculated automatically within this bay. Center heights are no longer entered manually.
Inherited from this section unless changed here. Shortened pickets are exempt.
Choose a collar/knuckle that fits this bay's fundamental picket size, or inherit the section setting. Filler pickets are left plain.
Section 2 - below straight rail at 20" Use default - Open pickets · 1 bay · all bays
Section fill and bay layout fill type, mullions, and bay mode
Selected: Use default vertical fill - Open pickets
Choose Use default vertical fill when this section should follow the main picket/fill choice instead of overriding it.
Tip: Decorative bands are centered within the available open space between rails. To tighten the band area, add an extra rail or adjust nearby rail positions. Decorative bands are laid out per bay and stop at mullions. Image-backed symmetrical band fills use their entered width/height. Rotational and mirrored/rotational image-backed fills can use the orientation and pattern controls.
Arched lettering: available only in the section between the top arch and a matching second arched rail. The word is centered in this section and follows the matching arch curve.
Selected: TEXT
Insert characterclick a character
Click a character to insert it at the cursor in this text field. The selected font must still contain the glyph for it to preview and cut correctly.
Accented Latin lettersNames, ranches, places, Spanish, French, German
Punctuation and separatorsReadable separators and sign punctuation
Fractions and measurementsUseful for dimensions, addresses, and plaques
Currency and business symbolsBusiness names and commercial signs
Stars, bullets, and decorative marksSimple decorative characters
ArrowsDirectional symbols and simple markers
Greek lettersGreek names, symbols, and technical marks
Math and comparison symbolsSymbols that may appear in names or plaque notes
Circled and Roman numeralsNumbers with a more ornamental look
Hearts, music, and simple symbolsUse carefully and verify the font can cut them
Selected:
Insert characterclick a character
Click a character to insert it at the cursor in this text field. The selected font must still contain the glyph for it to preview and cut correctly.
Accented Latin lettersNames, ranches, places, Spanish, French, German
Punctuation and separatorsReadable separators and sign punctuation
Fractions and measurementsUseful for dimensions, addresses, and plaques
Currency and business symbolsBusiness names and commercial signs
Stars, bullets, and decorative marksSimple decorative characters
ArrowsDirectional symbols and simple markers
Greek lettersGreek names, symbols, and technical marks
Math and comparison symbolsSymbols that may appear in names or plaque notes
Circled and Roman numeralsNumbers with a more ornamental look
Hearts, music, and simple symbolsUse carefully and verify the font can cut them
Used when Split text across gate leafs is checked. If left blank, the main text above is auto-split between the two leafs.
Selected: Repeat text on both leafs
For dual gates, unchecked repeats the same text on each leaf. Checked uses the main text for the left leaf and the optional second leaf text for the right leaf. If the second box is blank, the main text is auto-split.
Use this first selector to narrow the font/item list below. Font and UTF-8 help
Stock font - Uppercase letters and numbers only
Selected: 10 inches
Selected: 82 percent
Selected: 0 inches
This filters the band component choices without changing the existing drawing logic.
Used for rotational and mirrored/rotational image-backed band fills. Symmetrical image-backed fills ignore orientation.
Alternating and mirrored patterns are used for rotational and mirrored/rotational image-backed rows. Symmetrical image-backed fills ignore pattern.
Selected: Normal
Used when a mirrored/rotational band-fill sample is vertical. This flips the whole row top-to-bottom while keeping the part at its stored sample size.
Used only when Section fill is Screen / safety mesh.
Selected: 1× image tile size
Use when the image does not match a real mesh size yet. 1.00 uses the estimated filename/default tile size.
Selected: Using main setting: No mullions — 1 bay per leaf
Defaults to the main mullion setting above. Choose a number here only when this section/panel needs a different number of bays.
Selected: Same across all bays
Unchecked: every bay in this section uses the section settings. Checked: exposes bay-by-bay controls below.
Selected: 12 spokes
Selected: 0" from bay center
Selected: 0" from bay center
Used when this section fill is set to Radial pickets / sunburst. Custom bays that still match the previous section value update with this section value.
Section picket shape and pattern height pattern, angle, and short finials
Controls whether pickets in this section are all full height or alternate between full and shorter heights. Use All full height for normal main pickets with alternating finial tips above the top rail.
First-pass visual option: vertical, 30° left, or 30° right. Angled picket cut lengths should be verified in the shop.
Selected: 100% of section height
Defaults to 100%. This controls the height of the members labeled fundamental without changing their centerline alignment.
Selected: 100% of full height
Used by the every-other-short pattern.
Width changes do not move the member centerlines.
Selected: 100% of full height
Used by the short / medium alternating pattern.
Width changes do not move the member centerlines.
A selected member finial is drawn when that member ends below the section's upper boundary and has an exposed tip.
Section stock, balusters, and collars used when bays are not customized
Count per bay for this section.
Above 1" uses 1" depth. This is the width used by members labeled Fundamental; Short and Medium can now be selected independently above.
Replaces numbered fundamental pickets in every bay of this section. Requires vertical pickets, no filler pickets, and no knuckles. Use slots 2 and 3 for additional baluster styles.
Selected: None
Numbers are 1-based, left to right, within each bay.
Selected: None
Selected: None
Horizontal fill controls even rails, custom stack, or tubes
Selected: 6 rails
Used when Section fill is Horizontal rails or Custom horizontal rail stack. For custom stack, this is how many top-to-bottom rails are used. Use 0 for no horizontal fill rails.
Used when Section fill is Custom horizontal rail stack. The first rail count above controls how many of these rows are drawn.
Spacing is calculated automatically within this section. These are infill members and do not create new sections.
Inherited from the main Knuckles setting unless changed here. Shortened pickets are exempt.
Some suppliers call these collars. Choose a part that fits this section's fundamental picket size, or inherit the main part. Filler pickets are left plain.
Bay-by-bay customization
Use these controls only when individual bays should differ from the completed section settings above. Each bay starts from this section's settings, then may be changed separately. On a dual swing gate, bay treatments mirror automatically: Bay 1 is the outside bay on both leaves, Bay 2 is the next bay inward, and so on.
Bay 1 Open pickets
Bay fill type pickets, band, mesh, or rails
Tip: Decorative bands are centered within the available open space between rails. To tighten the band area, add an extra rail or adjust nearby rail positions. Decorative bands are spaced within this bay. Image-backed symmetrical band fills use their entered width/height. Rotational and mirrored/rotational image-backed fills can use the orientation and pattern controls.
Bay picket pattern picket-only details for this bay
Selected: 100% of section height
Selected: 100% of full height
Selected: 100% of full height
Selected: Normal
Used when a mirrored/rotational band-fill sample is vertical. This flips the whole bay row top-to-bottom while keeping the part at its stored sample size.
Selected: 12 spokes
Selected: 0" from bay center
Selected: 0" from bay center
Selected: 1× image tile size
Bay stock, balusters, and collars fundamentals, fillers, replacements
Above 1" uses 1" depth.
Selected: None
Numbers are 1-based, left to right, within this bay. Use slots 2 and 3 for additional baluster styles.
Selected: None
Selected: None
Spacing is calculated automatically within this bay. Center heights are no longer entered manually.
Inherited from this section unless changed here. Shortened pickets are exempt.
Choose a collar/knuckle that fits this bay's fundamental picket size, or inherit the section setting. Filler pickets are left plain.
Decorative details Letters, frames, fills & repeats
Decorative object list add, open, and edit objects
0 active objects. Each expandable object has its own type, size, placement, rotation, and repeat group.
Embellishment object 1 None / no object yet
Choose one object type: Frame, Letter, or Fill. Placement uses real inches from the left and bottom of the gate preview. Repeats are treated as one controlled group.
Object type and source frame, letter, or image fill
First choose the folder/category. The item list below is then limited to that group so the fill list can grow without becoming unmanageable.
Common choices are read from images/artistic_components/, including panel subfolders such as panels/glass/. Logged-in subscriber supplied items are included under the matching category when available.
Selected: G
Insert characterclick a character
Click a character to insert it at the cursor in this text field. The selected font must still contain the glyph for it to preview and cut correctly.
Accented Latin lettersNames, ranches, places, Spanish, French, German
Punctuation and separatorsReadable separators and sign punctuation
Fractions and measurementsUseful for dimensions, addresses, and plaques
Currency and business symbolsBusiness names and commercial signs
Stars, bullets, and decorative marksSimple decorative characters
ArrowsDirectional symbols and simple markers
Greek lettersGreek names, symbols, and technical marks
Math and comparison symbolsSymbols that may appear in names or plaque notes
Circled and Roman numeralsNumbers with a more ornamental look
Hearts, music, and simple symbolsUse carefully and verify the font can cut them
Type ordinary keyboard text or use Insert character to add UTF-8 characters/symbols into this same field. The preview can show the character only if the selected font supports it. Font and UTF-8 help
First choose a supplier/common/image category. The next selector is limited to that group.
Selected rule: Stock font, minimum 10". Uppercase letters and numbers only
Follow matching arches places each character along the curve midway between the top arch and the second arched rail. Use only where those two arches are adjacent and share the same curve.
Size and placement position, scale, rotation
Values above the gate height place the object above the top rail. For arch-following text, this also acts as a vertical offset from the automatic curve between the two arches.
Flips this object left-to-right, useful for directional artwork such as animals, arrows, or profiles.
For two-leaf gates, this adds a matching object on the opposite leaf. The entered position is the master position.
Used with Place on both leaves. The second leaf is flipped horizontally, so paired artwork can face both directions.
Letter height defaults to 10". Smaller sizes are allowed, but may not be practical for the selected font.
For stock-image fills, this keeps the selected ornament from stretching. Change width or height, and the other value will follow the sample's stored proportions.
Full-circle rotation is allowed. Use values like 270 instead of -90 if that is easier while placing artwork.
Repeat spacing columns, rows, and spacing
This applies only to object 1.
Style, rail, mullion, and picket widths are now selectable. Picket spacing is calculated separately within each open bay between styles and mullions.

Artistic components

Finials
Finial 01 Finial 01 finial0001
Finial 03 Finial 03 finial0003
Finial 04 Finial 04 finial0004
Finial 05 Finial 05 finial0005
Finial 06 Finial 06 finial0006
Finial 07 Finial 07 finial0007
Caps
Cap 01 Cap 01 cap0001
Cap 02 Cap 02 cap0002
Cap 03 Cap 03 cap0003
Cap 04 Cap 04 cap0004
Cap 05 Cap 05 cap0005_6_2.125_1782762823317
Cap 07 Cap 07 cap0007_3_1.063_1783370709580
Cap 08 Cap 08 cap0008_2_1_1783370858161
Cap 09 Cap 09 cap0009_4_1.625_1783371000527
Knuckles
Knuckle 04 Knuckle 04 knuckle0004_0.675_0.675_1782437389178
Knuckle 06 Knuckle 06 knuckle0006_0.25_1.75_1782438206513
Knuckle 07 Knuckle 07 knuckle0007_0.75_1.75_1782438318974
Knuckle 7326 Knuckle 7326 scan_08ab5c124a9a_0.5_0.75_1782437107326
Knuckle 7045 Knuckle 7045 scan_6cbe30c531bc_0.5_0.075_1782436157045
Knuckle 9611 Knuckle 9611 scan_449e6c0cb653_1_2.5_1782438009611
Balusters
Baluster 02 Baluster 02 baluster0002_0.5_45.25_1782363990942
Baluster 03 Baluster 03 baluster0003_0.5_45.25_1782363990942
Band fills

Band fills (symmetrical)

Band fill 06 Band fill 06 band fill · 44-30-12S · 3.5 x 3.5
Band fill 07 Band fill 07 band fill · 13-10042-101 · 3-15/16 x 3-15/16
Band fill 08 Band fill 08 band fill · 13-10042-102 · 3.94 x 3.94

Band fills (rotational)

Band fill 01 Band fill 01 band fill · 13-20024-590 · 4-15/16 x 8-7/16
Band fill 10 Band fill 10 band fill · 13-31024-371 · 2.69 x 3.94
Band fill 11 Band fill 11 band fill · 13-10042-321 · 3.94 x 9.063

Band fills (mirrored & rotational)

Band fill 05 Band fill 05 s scroll · 13-80-A11 · 2-9/16 x 5-7/8
Mesh
Mesh 01 Mesh 01 mesh0001
Mesh 02 Mesh 02 mesh0002
Mesh 03 Mesh 03 mesh0003
Mesh 04 Mesh 04 mesh0004
Mesh 05 Mesh 05 mesh0005
Mesh 06 Mesh 06 mesh0006
Mesh 07 Mesh 07 mesh0007
Mesh 08 Mesh 08 mesh0008
Mesh 09 Mesh 09 mesh0009
Mesh 10 Mesh 10 mesh0010
Mesh 11 Mesh 11 mesh0011
Mesh 12 Mesh 12 mesh0012
Mesh 13 Mesh 13 mesh0013
Mesh 14 Mesh 14 mesh0014
Mesh 15 Mesh 15 mesh0015
Mesh 16 Mesh 16 mesh0016
Mesh 17 Mesh 17 mesh0017
Mesh 18 Mesh 18 mesh0018
Mesh 19 Mesh 19 mesh0019
Mesh 20 Mesh 20 mesh0020

Mesh images are read directly from images/artistic_components/mesh. Use the Gate Designer mesh scale control to adjust apparent opening size until each pattern has measured metadata.

Fonts

Managed font files used for custom cut letters. These can be used by Gate Designer for a more accurate visual preview once the font loader is connected.

King Metals

MEOW 123
FUTURAMEDIUM font file · min. 4 in · upper/lowercase · numbers ok 1783028862183.ttf

Common fonts

MEOW 123
Balgruf font file · upper/lowercase · numbers ok Balgruf.otf
MEOW 123
Balgruf Italic font file · upper/lowercase · numbers ok Balgruf_Italic.otf
MEOW 123
Beth Ellen 2.0 font file · upper/lowercase · numbers ok Beth-Ellen-2.0.otf
MEOW 123
Calligraffiti font file · upper/lowercase · numbers ok Calligraffiti.ttf
MEOW 123
Digory Doodles PS font file · upper/lowercase · numbers ok Digory_Doodles_PS.ttf
MEOW 123
Journal font file · upper/lowercase · numbers ok journal.ttf
MEOW 123
Kalam Bold font file · upper/lowercase · numbers ok Kalam-Bold.ttf
MEOW 123
Kalam Light font file · upper/lowercase · numbers ok Kalam-Light.ttf
MEOW 123
Kalam Regular font file · upper/lowercase · numbers ok Kalam-Regular.ttf
MEOW 123
Mayor Sheriv font file · upper/lowercase · numbers ok Mayor_Sheriv.otf
MEOW 123
Merienda Bold font file · upper/lowercase · numbers ok Merienda-Bold.ttf
MEOW 123
Merienda Regular font file · upper/lowercase · numbers ok Merienda-Regular.ttf
MEOW 123
OdstemplikBold font file · upper/lowercase · numbers ok odstemplikBold.otf
MEOW 123
Surpal Lovely font file · upper/lowercase · numbers ok Surpal_Lovely.ttf
MEOW 123
Trickster Reg font file · upper/lowercase · numbers ok Trickster-Reg.otf

Fonts are grouped by supplier when supplier information is available. Fonts without supplier information are shown under Common fonts.

Letter / symbol images
Letter 01
fonts1
Letter 02
fonts2
Letter 03
fonts3
Letter 04
fonts4
Letter and symbol images are visual references for catalog letters, symbols, and artwork that are not font files.
Decorative fills
Decorative fill 01 Decorative fill 01 decorative_fill0001
Decorative fill 02 Decorative fill 02 decorative_fill0002
Decorative fill 03 Decorative fill 03 decorative_fill0003
Decorative fill 04 Decorative fill 04 decorative_fill0004
Decorative fill 05 Decorative fill 05 decorative_fill0005
Decorative fill 06 Decorative fill 06 decorative_fill0006
Decorative fill 07 Decorative fill 07 decorative_fill0007
Decorative fill 08 Decorative fill 08 decorative_fill0008
Decorative fill 09 Decorative fill 09 decorative_fill0009
Decorative fill 10 Decorative fill 10 decorative_fill0010
Decorative fill 11 Decorative fill 11 decorative_fill0011
Decorative fill 12 Decorative fill 12 decorative_fill0012
Decorative fill 13 Decorative fill 13 decorative_fill0013
Decorative fill 15 Decorative fill 15 decorative_fill0015
Decorative fill 16 Decorative fill 16 decorative_fill0016
Decorative fill 17 Decorative fill 17 decorative_fill0017
Decorative fill 18 Decorative fill 18 decorative_fill0018
Decorative fill 19 Decorative fill 19 decorative_fill0019
Decorative fill 20 Decorative fill 20 decorative_fill0020
Decorative fill 21 Decorative fill 21 decorative_fill0021
Decorative fill 22 Decorative fill 22 decorative_fill0022
Decorative fill 23 Decorative fill 23 decorative_fill0023
Decorative fill 24 Decorative fill 24 decorative_fill0024
Decorative fill 25 Decorative fill 25 decorative_fill0025
Decorative fill 26 Decorative fill 26 decorative_fill0026
Decorative fill 27 Decorative fill 27 decorative_fill0027
Decorative fill 28 Decorative fill 28 decorative_fill0028
Decorative fill 29 Decorative fill 29 decorative_fill0029
Decorative fill 30 Decorative fill 30 decorative_fill0030
Decorative fill 31 Decorative fill 31 decorative_fill0031
Logos
Logo 02 Logo 02 logo0002
Logo 04 Logo 04 logo0004
Logo 07 Logo 07 logo0007
Logo 11 Logo 11 logo0011
Panels

Panels

Panel 01 Panel 01 panel0001
Panel 02 Panel 02 panel0002
Panel 03 Panel 03 panel0003
Panel 04 Panel 04 panel0004
Panel 07 Panel 07 panel0007
Panel 09 Panel 09 panel0009
Panel 10 Panel 10 panel0010
Panel 10 Panel 10 panel0010_mask - Copy
Panel 11 Panel 11 panel0011
Panel 14 Panel 14 panel0014
Panel 15 Panel 15 panel0015
Panel 15 Panel 15 panel0015_mask - Copy
Panel 17 Panel 17 panel0017
Panel 18 Panel 18 panel0018

Stained glass panels

Stained glass panel 14 Stained glass panel 14 10014_24_24
Stained glass panel 5982 Stained glass panel 5982 125982_22_22

Stained glass panels are read from images/artistic_components/panels/glass and remain part of the Panels family.

Rectangular bordered fills
Rectangular bordered fill 05 Rectangular bordered fill 05 panel0005
Rectangular bordered fill 06 Rectangular bordered fill 06 panel0006
Rectangular bordered fill 08 Rectangular bordered fill 08 panel0008
Rectangular bordered fill 12 Rectangular bordered fill 12 panel0012
Rectangular bordered fill 13 Rectangular bordered fill 13 panel0013
Oval bordered fills
Oval bordered fill 05 Oval bordered fill 05 logo0005
Oval bordered fill 06 Oval bordered fill 06 logo0006
Oval bordered fill 08 Oval bordered fill 08 logo0008
Oval bordered fill 09 Oval bordered fill 09 logo0009
Oval bordered fill 10 Oval bordered fill 10 logo0010
Circle bordered fills
Circle bordered fill 14 Circle bordered fill 14 decorative_fill0014
Circle bordered fill 01 Circle bordered fill 01 logo0001
Circle bordered fill 03 Circle bordered fill 03 logo0003

Styles are the two vertical ends of the gate. Mullions are optional vertical pieces between them. The open bays between styles and mullions are kept equal, and pickets are spaced within each bay.

Gate System Designer Entry structures, posts and lighting
Entry structures, posts and lighting Posts, columns & lighting
Support style and material preview-only posts or columns
Choose preview-only steel posts from 2" through 10", or masonry columns from 12" pedestrian columns through 36" estate columns. Smaller posts fit walk gates; large swing gates may require 8" or 10" posts.
Height affects preview posts and columns only. Choose 4 ft through 8 ft in half-foot steps, or let Auto sit slightly taller than the gate.
Material affects optional entrance columns. Structural carrier or upper-trolley support posts remain plain steel.
Choose Stone or Brick as the column material to select a matching component-catalog texture.
Adjusts how large the selected stone or brick image appears on preview columns. Larger values make stones or bricks look bigger and less busy.
Lighting and post tops client-facing preview options
Post caps / tops
Selected: Flat top
Choose Flat top for a plain post, Cap to select a post cap from Components, or Lights to select a lighting component for the post tops.
Preview-only supports and catalog components are drawn around the concept image and are not used in the gate fabrication drawing. Concrete is the default column material; selected stone and brick images are tiled as conversation-starting preview details. Preserve conduit and wiring paths for lights or illuminated plaques before masonry is finished.
Applies the preview-only structures and selected Gate System components above.
Locks and safety devices Photo eyes, magnetic locks, KNOX boxes, fire strobes & edges
Photo-eye protection first safety-device placement step
Photo-eye
Leave the choice open to the designer. A safety edge or photo-eye may provide the selected protection, subject to the final operator and site safety plan.
Photo-eyes are read from the Autogate NW common catalog and, for logged-in subscribers, from your own components.json. Mounting-specific entries can use different artwork or brackets.
Mounting position
The catalog entry defaults to Side mount. Choose the matching face- or side-mounted entry whenever its artwork or mounting hardware differs.
Photo-eye / primary unit side
Left and right are viewed from the outside / street side. The receiver is placed automatically on the opposite support.
Selected setup: Autogate NW · Side mount · primary unit on left support · 6–35 VDC; 12–24 VAC · 2.9" tall · bottom 6" above support bottom.
Street view: the selected photo-eye is shown on the street side because an inward-swinging gate moves away from that beam line.
Emergency access KNOX box switch and fire-strobe detector
KNOX box
The KNOX box is shown only on the outside / street face of the selected post or column. The supplied image is rendered 4 inches wide and centered about 48 inches above grade.
KNOX box side
Left and right are viewed from the outside / street side.
Enable the KNOX box above, then choose the left or right support as viewed from the street.
Fire strobe detector
The supplied single-head detector is rendered 3 inches wide on a centered 3/4-inch pipe. Its center defaults to about 8 feet above grade and its lens faces the entrance.
Fire strobe placement
Left and right are viewed from the outside / street side. On a gate post or column, the pipe is hidden inside the support below its top. A freestanding selection shows the complete pipe to grade.
Fire strobe position adjustments
Positive moves right; negative moves left, viewed from the street.
Positive moves toward the property; negative moves toward the street.
Positive raises the detector above its 96-inch default; negative lowers it.
The in/out value controls which side of a post or column the assembly occupies. These elevations show only its left/right and height position; the in/out relationship will be clearer in the plan view.
Enable the fire strobe detector above, then choose an existing support or a freestanding pipe.
Magnetic lock lock body only — matching plate pending
Magnetic lock
This baby step places only the 3" wide × 10" high × 2" deep magnetic-lock body. The matching plate remains pending for this arrangement.
Mounting style
A face-mounted lock body is hidden by the closed gate, so this view shows its light-gray holding bracket on the selected member. A side-mounted body appears as a light-gray rectangle on the member edge.
Lock configuration
Lock body mounted on
The receiving side is opposite the selected hinge side. Faux-double gates follow this same single-leaf placement rule.
Receiving-post face (automatic)
Inside / property side
Determined by swing direction: swing in uses the inside / property face; swing out uses the outside / street face.
Applies the selected photo-eye, KNOX box, fire-strobe detector, and, for swing gates, magnetic-lock settings.
View a gate design. 168" × 60" · Single swing
Rendered concept preview Outside and inside views

View from outside gate — street / ingress side

168" clear opening / 60" high / Single swing

View from inside gate — property / egress side

168" clear opening / 60" high / Single swing
Frame Styles: 2"
Top rail: 2"
Bottom rail: 3"
Mullions None
Open bays: 1 per gate
Open bay width: 164.000"
Pickets Fundamental: 3/4" square
Fillers: none
56 total visible pickets across all bays
56 fundamental
Straight rails 1 rail
1" x 2" channel - pickets punched through
Centers: 20"
Sections 2 picket sections are being calculated separately between rails.
Sections are listed from top to bottom. Each section may use its own fill and picket settings.
Arched rails Flat top
Calculated spacing Fundamental opening: 4.931"
Clear gap after filler layout: 4.931"
C/C range: 5.681" - 5.681"
Spacing note: the current design gives a final clear gap of 4.931" after starting from a fundamental opening of 4.931" and a center-to-center spacing range of 5.681" - 5.681". ASTM F2200 applies to automated vehicular gates and may require openings to be guarded or screened so specified sphere sizes cannot pass through in defined height zones: 0" to 48" above grade uses a 2-1/4" sphere check; 48" to 72" above grade uses a 4" sphere check. This spacing should be reviewed for ASTM F2200 / UL 325 compliance where the gate will be automated.

Owner-liability footnote: wider ornamental spacing can reduce cost / weight and may be desirable for appearance or site-specific use, but automated gates or pedestrian-accessible areas should be reviewed carefully. Where compliance is required and wider spacing is desired, safety mesh or screening may be a better alternative than forcing narrow pickets throughout the gate.
Preview note: this is still a design conversation sketch. Final fabrication details, actual hardware, hinge locations, post sizing, finish selections, and code/safety review would still need to be confirmed.
6" c/c reminder: with the current picket layout, the largest clear gap that still stays at 6" center-to-center is 5.250".
Technical drawings and specification sheets Hidden until needed. Includes shop fabrication sheets first, followed by materials / specifications, an initial plan view, field installation details, and fabricator notes. Show / hide drawing
5348 216th Ave SW Centralia, WA 98631AUTOGATE NW · Dwg. No. ANW-1785208021 Rev. 0(360) 349-6910 1682040DETAILSDate: 2026-06-02 | Designer: __________GateSingle swingDesired finishBlackTopFlat topTop/styles2 x 2Bottom rail2 x 3Middle rail2 x 1 channelPickets3/4" squarePicket spacing4.931Notes:☐ Client approval☐ Bid request☐ ProductionAll dimensions are in inches
Autogate NW Supplemental Fabrication Details5348 216th Ave SW Centralia, WA 98631AUTOGATE NW · Dwg. No. ANW-1785208021 Rev. 0 - sheet 2(360) 349-6910

Materials / selected components

Preliminary fabricator shopping list and estimating aid. Saved gate JSON remains the re-entry source; this sheet summarizes selected materials, quantities, actual cut lengths where the designer can infer them, and visual references.
Length disclaimer: Actual lengths may depend on fabricator's choice of assembly method, saw kerf, weld prep, cope/notch details, arched rail layout, and final field verification. Decorative component images are visual references only; manufacturer dimensions, thickness, tabs, hole locations, and mounting requirements must be verified before ordering or fabrication.
Qty.ItemMaterial / sizeLength eachTotal lengthNotes
1Gate leaf / panelSingle swing168.0" (14.0 ft)168.0" (14.0 ft)Single leaf.
2Side styles2.0" tube / style60.0"120.0" (10.0 ft)Vertical outside frame members.
1Top rail2.0" rail168.0" (14.0 ft)168.0" (14.0 ft)For arched tops, final length/shape must be laid out by fabricator.
1Bottom rail3.0" rail168.0" (14.0 ft)168.0" (14.0 ft)Main lower frame rail.
1Additional straight rails1" x 2" channel - pickets punched through164.0" (13.7 ft)164.0" (13.7 ft)Length shown between side styles; channel rails may be punched for pickets.

Picket cut list

Pickets are separated from the main materials table because their usable length depends heavily on whether rails are punched channel or tube sections. Actual lengths may depend on fabricator's choice of assembly method.
Qty.Picket groupSizeLength eachTotal lengthNotes
28Primary pickets3/4" square55.0"1540.0" (128.3 ft)Channel rails are punched, so the whole vertical length can generally be used through intermediate rails.

Sections and infill

SectionInfillBaysPickets / railsNotes
S1
Section 1 - below top rail
Open pickets1 bay(s)
164.0" typical
Pickets: 28 @ 3/4" square
Horizontal rails: 6
Mullions: 0
Approx. section height: 37.4"
Bay mode: Same across all bays
S2
Section 2 - below straight rail at 20"
Open pickets1 bay(s)
164.0" typical
Pickets: 28 @ 3/4" square
Horizontal rails: 6
Mullions: 0
Approx. section height: 16.1"
Bay mode: Same across all bays

Decorative / visual components

No active decorative embellishments selected.
All dimensions are in inches
5348 216th Ave SW Centralia, WA 98631AUTOGATE NW · Dwg. No. ANW-1785208021 Rev. 0 - sheet 3(360) 349-6910Initial site plan — gate, opening supports, and movementPreliminary proportional plan view · all dimensions in inches · one grid square = 12 inchesPROPERTY / INSIDESTREET / OUTSIDEGATE OPENING 168PLAN VIEW BASISSingle swing · opening 168 · No opening posts / columns selectedDashed blue lines show the selected inward / property-side 90-degree swing.Geometry and the 12-inch grid are proportional. Printer or browser “fit to page” settings may change the physical paper scale.Verify gate depth, hardware stand-off, post embedment, clearances, property lines, grade, and site measurements.Photo-eyes use fixed supports; paired capped 4 x 4 x 24 posts are added where needed.LEGENDclosed gate footprintopen gate / swing arcopening post / column
Autogate NW Swing Gate Installer Detail Sheet 5348 216th Ave SW Centralia, WA 98631AUTOGATE NW · Dwg. No. ANW-1785208021 Rev. 0 - sheet 4(360) 349-6910 Installer detail sheet — swing gate posts, hinges, and footings Automatic hinge / post class based on each gate leaf: Standard swing hinge / post class. Post / gate elevation Grade Gate leaf 60 4 168 3 3 6 6 48 24 Swing gate post / hinge notes Typical post shown: 6 in square steel tube, 1/4 in wall. Verify reveal based on selected hinges. Verify concrete dimensions with architect or engineer. Add tab to receiving post to stop gate. All dimensions are in inches
Autogate NW Supplemental Fabricator Notes5348 216th Ave SW Centralia, WA 98631AUTOGATE NW · Dwg. No. ANW-1785208021 Rev. 0 - sheet 5(360) 349-6910
Supplemental notes
General trade-practice reminders and material / safety resources.
Single swing
Top: Flat top
Finish: Black
General reference only. Verify the current project specifications, local code requirements, AHJ direction, hardware cut sheets, operator manuals, and the current editions of any referenced standards before fabrication or installation.
Swing-gate post / hinge classes are planning defaults only. Final post size, hinge model, footing, weldment, embedment, actual gate weight, wind exposure, soil conditions, usage cycle, and operator forces must be verified before fabrication or installation.

Engineering / safety review recommended

  • This drawing is a planning and fabrication aid only.
  • It does not include engineering calculations for soil type, footing capacity, wind loading, materials, overall height, weight, gate use, or local code.
  • Tall gates, solid or wood-board infill, exposed sites, and heavy gates may require larger posts, thicker wall material, stronger brackets, or larger/deeper footings.
  • For any construction or fabrication project of this nature, consult qualified architects or engineers for review and approval before proceeding.

Hollow pickets and drainage

  • Hollow pickets can collect water even when welds look tight.
  • Provide small weep / drain holes into the lower rail below hollow pickets where appropriate.
  • Deburr drain holes and avoid weakening critical weld areas.

Internal wire paths

  • For mag locks, readers, keypads, edge devices, or other access-control wiring, preserve a clear path through rails and styles.
  • Do not block tube interiors with inserts, weld closures, or misplaced reinforcement before wiring needs are known.

Powder-coat access

  • Avoid tight uncoatable gaps, sharp inside corners, and shielded crevices where powder may not reach or adhere well.
  • For logos, letters, circles, and ornamental inserts, use tabs, stand-offs, or intentional clearance so both parts can be coated.

Welding and straightness

  • Build on a flat table or fixture when possible; clamp and check diagonals before final welding.
  • Stagger welds and skip around pickets / rails to reduce heat buildup, twist, and bowing.

Material resources to collect before shop release

  • Steel / aluminum tube sizes, wall thicknesses, alloy or grade, and compatibility with welding and finishing.
  • Current cut sheets for hinges, rollers, trucks, guide rollers, locks, lock boxes, operators, access-control hardware, and safety devices.
  • Mesh / infill data and opening-size requirements for automated or pedestrian-accessible gate areas.
  • Powder-coat, galvanizing, or other finish requirements before hidden surfaces become inaccessible.

Safety standards and manuals to review

  • ASTM F2200 — automated vehicular gate construction. Review current requirements for gate openings, protrusions, positive stops, exposed rollers, fall-over protection, and related construction details.
  • UL 325 — gate operator / system safety. Coordinate gate construction with the operator manual, entrapment-protection devices, access control, and local authority requirements.
  • Standards are copyrighted and may be revised; use this sheet only as a reminder to consult the current documents and qualified professionals.
Fabricator notes are general reminders only; verify current standards, local code, site conditions, and manufacturer instructions.
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