Douglas49

I"m trying to draw a timber retaining wall. I've looked everywhere but can't find any information for this type of wall - i.e. timber posts and horizontal 200x50 rails I've started off by using the masonry wall type, and then changing the wall type - refer file attached - mainly just changing the materials I've tried editing the scale of the horizontal timbers (textures and patterns) to 200mm. I changed the texture to 200mm (that held) but the pattern is still at the original scale. Any thoughts on how I can get the wall showing in 3D as being 200mm wide horizontal rails? I can then add in the posts in front of the wall. Secondly, is it possible to set up a default timber retaining wall type ? Thanks timber retaining walls.plan

Yes, I though it was a particularly good video (stair winders appear to be a challenge for many including myself) - this video by Tim uses the automatic function to get one started, then manually edits it to get the desired result. I first tried CA probably 15 years ago, but found myself running into too many dead ends (most likely due to my lack of expertise) so dropped using it. Coming back to it recently, I've been pleasantly surprised too see how much manual editing is now possible - the best of both worlds.

Eric also demonstrated in a post 11 Aug 2017 "Stair Layout" how to draw the complex landings as a polyline set to the correct heights, and then convert the polylines to a Landing, and then complete with the straight runs of stairs. Wee bit of work, but works well especially when the automatic method is struggling.

Thanks Eric Agree, 'match roof', 'make parallel' or whatever would be really helpful. I use this window shape quite regularly

Eric Is there a quick way of getting the raking jambs parallel to the roof, or do you just adjust settings until it looks right?

Just been watching an really good CA training video "Building Parapet walls using polyline solids". Basically polyline solids are simply 2D shapes extruded into a 3D form. However, as the video mentioned a number of times, the polyline solid can only be edited in the view it was originally drawn in, (i.e. plan view, the particular elevation view) There is only one live face. Got it.

Thanks for the comments. In summary: So the surface that can be edited (and there is only one per solid) is dependant on the surface to which the polyline solid was initially placed. If you want to edit the horizontal surface, place it on the floor. If you want to edit the vertical face, place it in elevation on a wall - even then you need to select the correct vertical wall (N/S/E/W) However, as per the video Eric posted, this can be overcome to some extent by the interaction of multiple solids. I'm very used to SketchUp where any of the 6 surfaces can be easily edited, but getting to grips with how it works in CA File attached showing the placement of 3 polyline solids placed on varying surfaces thereby enabling different surfaces to be edited. bulkhead test.plan

Hi I'm trying to get my head around how the shape polyline solids are edited In the attached example, I can edit the shape of the top face, but not the vertical faces. Both objects were drawn from 2D cad lines and then converted to polyline solids. If I wish to draw an object where both the horizontal and the vertical surfaces can be edit, what is the best way of of going about this? How can one choose which face can be edited. I did another example where I could edit the vertical face, but not the horizontal face I have looked at the soffit tool, but that can't be edited to irregular shapes - only stretched horizontally or vertically polyline solids.plan

Nice one Michael - a very straight forward solution

OK So that applies to both Vector and Technical Illustration options

With vector views one can go to Technique Options and turn off 'opaque glazing' thereby enabling all the exterior joinery glazing to be see through. This doesn't appear to work with glass railings - the glass panels still remain opaque. Is there a setting where the glass railings can be see through as well?

Thanks Mick. I obviously need to do some serious study on polylines, mouldings etc. and get up to speed Great software, but heaps to learn. Regards

brick sill.docx Mick That's a really good look at the corner - very authentic. I'm newish to CA still getting my head around it - haven't done much on polylines etc yet. Could you talk me through how you did the top rail please - how you got the top rail shape - how you got it in the correct position - how you got it to follow the line of the balustrade - it looks like its part of the original component (very good) Also, I have attached a drawing of a brick house showing the detail at the sill - i.e. it should project a little out beyond the brick face to provide a drip edge. Chief doesn't appear to provide this look - the sills under the windows are flush with the exterior face of the brick. I guess a sill can be drawn on with a polyline or something - is there a simple and quick way of adding these sills to a model? Regards brick venner question.plan brick sill.pdf

Thanks for the comments and especially the video - I've got it now. Wasn't fully clear on the process of converting the railing to a wall and back again, but the video made that really clear. Regards

Sorry but still can't get it to work for me. I've tried the suggestions above (building on 2nd floor and then dropping, the ramp option and Micks comments above) but still not happening. The file attached is what I want - all I need to do is to drop the railings down 300mm. Is there not a straight forward way this can be done? deck balustrade study 2.plan

Thanks for the comments. Refer attached sketch - still not clear on how to pull the bottom edge of the posts down to lap over the side of the deck joists by say 200mm deck balustrade study.plan

How does one show the balustrade or railing side fixed to a balcony rather than surfaced fixed as per this example? This appears to be the default setting for both solid and open balustrades and I can't locate where this can be changed to side fixed. Where I come from, side fixing is the norm, especially for membrane and tiled balconies. balustrade side fix.plan

Thanks for the comments - very helpful

Chief X9 Is one able turn textures off in line drawing mode? Regards Doug