DRyeHD

@Renerabbitt I downloaded your firepace stack about a month ago (thanks for making tools like this available). The tapered part of the fireplace is your symbol. After looking at your symbols, I created my own lower "cabinet" so I could move the firebox around. I may go back and take a look at your whole stack again. @MPDesign the outside is exactly the way I need it, but the inside is not right. There's got to be a combination that will work. I've been off of this project for a few days...hence the late reply. I'm back on it and will be working with the ideas you all supplied. I'll post an update when I get further along, get it right, or give up again! Thanks for both your input. Have a Happy Thanksgiving.

I'm trying to represent an outdoor fireplace as shown on the .png attachment. My approach wad to frame the firebox with brick veneer on the outside. Then add the high gable walls as attic walls. The problem I'm having is when I pull the attic walls into the narrow part of the chimney, it deletes my wall that the fireplace and mantle are on. I've tried several ways of doing this over about 4 hours but can't get it to work. Could anyone give me a way to do this? I"ve attacheed the .pln file if you want to see where I am on it. Thanks in advance for input. Ingram2b.zip

@Doug_N, @CharlesVolz, and @joey_martin you all make good points and the consensus is to not give a builder sole rights to a design. Thank you for your input.

I've been staying away from doing spec homes for builders but have agreed to work with a builder to do his. For a custom home, I typically charge by the square foot (under roof) and by the hour for over three revisions. Revisions would include minor square footage changes, changing elevations, etc. I saw somewhere that a designer added a set fee for a spec home and gave the builder sole rights to build as many as he wanted. I don't want to have to track how many times the builder uses the plan. Here are questions for which I'd like to get some input: 1) Should I give a builder sole rights to a design? 2) If so, is an added fee the best way to do it? 3) If anyone does this, what verbage to you use to convey this situation to the builder and on the drawings? Thanks in advance for any input!

@DBCooperYour suggestion is helpful in many respects. After experimenting for just a few minutes, this is a much better way than I've been using for a while. Thanks!

@DBCooper, so I created a reference display set just for second floor electrical. I've included a screenshot (see second floor). Is this what you are talking about?

On a 2-story house, I display all roof planes on one floor (typically the first floor) for the roof view plan. But for the electrical plan, I'd like to show the second floor roof on the second floor so I can indicate where the soffit lighting is. Can I have a roof plan that shows all roof planes and also show the roof planes separately on the electrical plan? If so, how?

At 4'-1" it fixes it. Would you just change the text in the Dimension Line Spec dbx to reflect 4'-0"?

@solverit is the retaining wall that is causing the problem. If I pull the overhang back toward the house, it generates the fascia. I've changed several of the retaining wall settings but nothing has worked yet. Any ideas?

@solver I had tried that (and did again) but it still cuts the overhang that is over the door into the garage. Could it be a problem with my retaining wall? I'll do some checking on that.

I'm having a problem getting a deck to remain when I try to contain it under a roof. The function of the roofs to the covered deck are to make a covered walkway to the covered deck. I didn't know where to begin searching for this issue so I'm posting this. The attached screenshot shows where I'm able to get the roof and deck to look right (4'-1") and where the deck room conflicts with the roof (4'-0"). Ideally, I would make these both 4'-0". When I try to adjust the deck rail in or out from the back of the house (shown at 4'-0") the deck disappears. I have attached the .pln file. Any advise is appreciated. Ingram2.zip

@SNestorthanks for the videos. @solver, I "saved as" and tried the auto build roofs. It put my 2nd floor roof on the first floor. So I have some learning to do before I start doing it that way. I've read and heard that its the way to go but I just haven't crossed over to that method yet. Yesterday I ended up deleting the garage roof planes and redoing them. It fixed the fascia problem and the odd roof plane on the right side of the bump out that Steve noticed. Anyway, thanks again for your help. I hope to get proficient enough so I can assist in issues that others have. Have a great day y'all!

All are manual roof planes. I've not begun using auto build. Would I have to auto build all roof planes to correct this or can I autobuild just the planes over the garage?

I'm having a problem joining two roof planes. At least I think that's the problem. I've attached the file. Could anyone provide some guidance on why the fascia is not showing up on the right side of the front garage roof plane? Ingram1.zip

@solver I think I've used that before but forgot about it. Thanks! @Joe_Carrick and @DBCooper thanks for the input. I ended up not using winders because they did pull the treads to the wall. I also had to manually create the triangle landings and support to get the 3D model to look right. But its done and I can move on now. Thanks again, y'all, for the input!

I can't find answers to three challenges I'm having with this stairway. On the lower section, I need an open stairway with one stringer - treads stopping 2" away from outside wall. The landings need to be open (like the lower section). Then I need the top section to be closed. Is there a way to modify the lower and upper sections seperately? How do I get the landings to be open underneath? As always, your input is appreciated!

@rgardner I guess I didn't search the right phrase. Thanks for the link. This opens up some macro information I've been wanting to learn about.

@solver I watched your video. Is there an easy macro that will just display the year instead of long or short date?

Eric, Thanks for taking time to make the video. I'm just back on this project today and have corrected my design with your recommendation. I was trying to use the "draw it like you build it" technique, but your method (and @Alaskan_Son's suggestion) seem to work the best. Again, thanks for the input.

David, Sorry for the slow response. Between the weekend and other work this morning, I'm just now getting back. I was able to watch your full video. It was helpful. I had never used the "no material" option. That took care of most of my ceiling issue. Actually, the stairs are shown in the attached picture. I threw those in because my customer wants to do away with the existing spiral stairs and put in a straight or u-shaped stair. I've come up with a couple of options. My main issue was getting the open ceiling between the staggered floors. Thanks again for taking time to do the video. A picture is worth 1000 words, but a video is worth a million! Have a great day, Damon Rye

If I put the bedroom and loft on the same floor, can I vary the height 2'-6"? I have to have that difference because that is the way its built.

O wise ones, I need some input regarding how to get an open space between two "staggered" floors (for lack of a better description). The front area (loft) has an 11 foot ceiling. The mid-to-back area (bedroom and bath) has a 7 1/2 foot ceiling. Between the two areas is open all the way to the A-frame ceiling and a short stair for access between the two platforms. When I try to use a hole in ceiling platform, I get an unwanted material along the bedroom rail and it just doesn't seem to work right (see attached picture). Am I taking the wrong aproach using the hole in platform? Do I need to redefine the Dining and Entry rooms below to make it work better? Any input would be appreciated. I've attached the .pln file. Strickland.zip

Steve, Sorry for the delayed answer. I just didn't know how to get started. I didn't have any specific questions - until now. I'm posting a question (different topic) about an area in the structure between two floors. If you've got a solution, please let me know. Thanks, Damon Rye

Steve, Thanks for the overview. I'm starting a remodel design on this one today and needed some ideas on how to get started right.

@Kbird1, @HumbleChief, and @glennw thanks for your input. I see what you mean that the terrain wall is actually a path. I deleted it and used a foundation wall (what I will mostly use from now on. Everything is looking good!