Doug_N

In Canada code requires the top of foundation walls to be at least 6" above grade. Unless the joists are suspended, then add another 10-14" for floor assembly which means that unless there is some grade ramp to the garage floor, there must be stairs from the house to the garage slab. (Or s sloping grade where the grade at the garage is higher than the grade at the house.) Typically, the garage foundation wall also is 6" higher than the grade (so the garage slab is a curb with cuts for doors at grade). I have seen very few houses with the garage slab at the same height as the main floor area. They may have a dropped room (mudroom or laundry) that is close to the garage level then a step up to the main floor) but still, there is a step from that level to the garage. It just works out that way.

For walls with exposed framing, create a wall type that has materials only on one side of the wall. For example, copy the wall type Interior-4" to say Interior-4" GOS (Good One Side). Delete the drywall on one side, then use that wall in your plan view. Generate all framing and take a look in 3d. I have included the sample garage plan in this post for your reference so that you can see the wall type as well. Joe makes a very good point about the ceiling, and in my jurisdiction, the walls would have to be drywalled as well so that the joints could be mudded and taped to mitigate the flow of fumes from the garage to the occupied space above. Garage Attic Space.plan

Hi Ryan, This is a pretty good work around and again, thank you for that. but a far cry from having something interactive that can be played with as the design migrates through client changes and plans examiners comments. I would suspect that accomplishing this using the stair tool should be something that shouldn't be too difficult to code for the wizards of bits at CA seeing some of the things that they have come up with so far. This would be easier to generate than a standard stair that is now included. This workaround does not fix 3d presentations because of the 1" side overhang as well. I have asked several times for them to separate the front and side overhangs, because on external concrete stairs (in my jurisdiction) the front overhang is required by code, and there is no side overhang in concrete steps in most cases. All of that being said, I will be using your great idea in projects that have below grade stairs to generate a section profile.

When automatic dormers are failing it is usually because there is not enough space vertically for the dormer to be created using the default settings. Here is a video about how to create manual dormers. (You should seriously contemplate upgrading to X15 if you are using the software professionally. It is miles better than X13). https://www.chiefarchitect.com/videos/watch/1521/manually-drawing-dormers.html?playlist=95

Nice work around. Ryan, thanks!!!

Concrete stairs are neither radical nor new. They are common and used, perhaps on more than half of all projects in one place or another. CA made a great step in making a railing wall that would follow stairs allowing for great flexibility in railing styles. Unfortunately some common stairs can't be done at all using the stair tool. One example is stairs like this

Stair framing to show up in framing views. Open back stairs with closed risers. Independant tread overhang on front and sides Waterfall stair profile for concrete stairs. Auto change material for concrete stairs. Ability to set up run and rise parameters to match building code (min and max run and min and max rise) Ability to set up tread depth default. Abilty to set up stringer size as a lumber size (2 x10 or 2 x 12 for example)

I never was very good at leaving milk and cookies out. By the time Santa arrived, I had eaten the cookies and drank the milk! Lol

Thanks for the great feedback. Some really creative ideas!

Thanks Gene, that doesn't help in this case because the starter is a set of volute balusters.

If the newel post at the bottom of the stairs is different from the other posts along the staircase, how can that be achieved?

The masonry should be completely supported. As a suggestion you could do a pilaster under the overhung column areas.

You may also want to have the railing and the columns to be independent from one another. Here is a short video that I did on that topic.

Strange but when I opened the drawing from the drop box, both windows seemed ok. Now this has nothing to do with the problem, but the statistics can all be handled with macros as well as the window labels. Saves you tons of typing, and keeps everything coordinated. Change a window and the label updates automatically. I like the font and the drawing style, very nicely done and arranged.

Stairs are a special case because they can be seen in a stairwell, but then that is true for other objects when a floor section is classed as "open to Below".

Scott, I can hardly wait. I am still amazed at the changes in X15. Now you drop this little teaser on us!!! Argggg, it is like when I was a kid waiting for Christmas morning.

Great solution thanks. I contacted the company which is actually local to me.

I will look into that. My question is how do I detail that on the architectural drawings.

The intricate design and shape. From the picture you can see how complex the shape of the arch and shoulders are.

Just a few notes on your post. This section of the forum is for making suggestions to the developers of CA about features that we would like to see or problems that require correction. There is no confidentiality, whatever you post is feely seen by all or any member Members of the forum make suggestions on techniques (in the Q&A area) about how to achieve a desired result. I doubt that anyone would guide you through the permit process of any particular jurisdiction. If you would like to learn about the building design field, there are several options open to you. Here are a few suggestions: go to architectural school, work for a design company, work hands on for a contractor, buy and read literature on how to design houses. Look at other designs for houses and buildings online.

And most of us have the road rash to prove it!

I have used Moasure and tried using it for a while, but found the rate at which you had to take measurements (the time between measurements is limited or the device loses reference) to be not practical. I gave up on it. One very useful but cumbersome device is the Leica 3d disto. Sort of a poor man's robotic laser distance and angle measuring device. It will measure elevations of surfaces as well. It is very accurate and creates an AutoCAD file in 3d. It measures key points, very good for measuring the face of a building for example. When I say poor man's, i mean in relationship to a total station for example. Not cheap as this will set you back just shy of 10k.