mlthrift

Thank you! This is what I was looking for. I'm going to go as is for now, as I only have the section left to finish these plans. However, I will be adding these steps to my template to make the next home easier. You're input is appreciated!

Yes, ideally we would use the actual elevation of the site. These plans are for homes and in the bidding stage, so there hasn't been an official survey done. I'm actually not sure if or when a survey is even required here for new homes. The 100'-0" is simply a theoretical number. I'm thinking I'm going to add the datums in the detail and not use the story pole.

I can assure you the instructor is not wrong as I have seen it on numerous plans, all drawn by local licensed architects. I can not attach a pdf, but here is a picture of one with the elevation datums shown. The first floor is at 100'-0" with the other floors and the footing with elevations referenced from this number.

I'll have to ask my boss if keeping the 0'-0" is acceptable as previous plans used 100'-0". It might be a regional thing. Here they teach to make the first floor at 100'-0" as the architectural drafting standard. The logic the instructor gave for it, was that it makes the elevation of below grade floors a positive elevation and not a negative. Honestly, the negative seems easier.

javatom, I'm trying to use 100'-0" as the first floor level as that is what the contractors are used to seeing. I'm not sure why a -# below grade is difficult to understand, they can measure down instead of up with no math involved. It seems a negative number would prevent errors.

Thank you Chris_Kelly, I was able to get the grade set and though it's still showing negative numbers below 0'-0", it split the grade. Thanks again.

Thank you Gene, I'll have to just let it go as is and remember to start at 100' with the next one. Dp you know is there a default I can set so that it always builds at 100' instead of 0?

Good morning, I am currently working on a plan and am trying to add elevation datums to floors. I have a few questions - My first floor is showing at 0'-0", so is my grade level, even though my terrain is about 2' lower than the first floor. How do I get the auto story pole to see the terrain? Second, is there a quicker way to make the 0'-0" for the first floor to reset to 100'-0"? Thanks in advance! Marsha