johnny

Not a bad idea - I will try that too. Perhaps the thin wall would better stay in its place. My biggest issue with the walls was they were making my "attic" profile wonky so the trusses weren't shaping correctly. I'll try and thin wall.

So you know, your sides for the "roof opening" doesn't match, so your conditions on "problem" side is different. I was trying to work with this, but I guess you can't break the line of a "roof opening"??? Seems odd, so i guess you need to re-draw that opening or use individual roof planes (which is what I do). I was able to get the file working 90%+ but not being able to edit that roof opening threw me for a loop too.

I can't get that to work. I tried with a project recently (sending to structural engineer) and nothing I could do made it so he could open the file. Id say it was him, but then did this for the truss guy and same result.

I think I solved the issue. I just made an end truss, selected the profile, made CAD detail, made a ploly solid to represent the ply/siding and copied back into the plan. It worked, and got my wall out of there that was messing up other aspects of the "attic space". Maybe someone has a better idea, but this did work. I also thought about doing a wall material region but thought the poly-solid was simple enough.

When you build an attic wall for a dutch gable condition, the reality is that "wall" is typically just plywood/siding on a gable end truss. Unless I am missing it, I can't see a way to accurately get this condition in CA....the wall appears a requirement for Chief. However, the problem with a wall is when you go to do your truss and framing it just doesn't work well - since the connections are difficult to control. I get trusses that aren't correct. Before posting the plan file I guess i'll ask the question - is there a way to get a gable wall face on a dutch gable to be accurately modeled and framed?

Kevin and Joey are correct - you really need to use walls since that is exactly how it is supposed to be built. If you are doing just a concept for now I suppose a poly-solid would work for visual.

Chief's tools as they exist for driveways and roads dont meet ADA standards - which makes them near useless to me. Its a nonnegotiable element for the building/planning departments nowadays. This part of Chief needs attention as well.

Auto dormer isn't the solution for that condition. You should build that roof plane manually. If you need more info let me know...

Under framing tools -

I really dont understand. From the writing it appears you are part of the stakeholder group not the architect. Why not select an architect and ask them if their software works the way you need? ...or....Is that what this is - are you looking for an actual architect and want to verify they are using software that will work for your needs?

I know we can save wall types in a library, but is there a way to change all the walls in a plan with one from the library?

Id love to watch something like that if you guys end up doing it.

You can zip first or place in free drobbox and put link to download.

There are some buggy things going on with p/solids and solids. However, I agree with Michael there is a much better way to do what you are doing. If you follow his advice on this you won't ever do it the other way again.

If you plan to model the cornice the same way you build it, then you may want to draw up a section first to work out all your connections. There are many different ways you can build a wood cornice in your examples. However, if want to model it visually for presentation purposes first... id personally use molding 3d poly-lines and do a build-up. Later you could come back and do 2D details or remodel sections to get your working drawings done. In fact, you may want to get an engineer or architect to review your work before completing the structure.

That element of the building is called a Cornice. As such, its not so much part of the roof, though in the example you show it does feel like an extension thereof. I'd build it with solids and 3d molding profiles.

Id love to see a vid on how you do it manually. This is more the route I would like to take as well.

Im curious "how manual" you get..?

Here is a vid that may help some.

You can also select wall, open dbx (specification), select "structure" tab, and check "balloon through ceiling above". For the condition you show in the pic its actually how most would frame that wall anyways.

Pretty good solver. What do you mean "not very stable"?...just curious.

OK Glenn - I just sent you the file if you want to try and auto-roof this design. To me an auto-roof setup would be very difficult, but perhaps I am wrong. Here are some pics.

Thanks guys!...got it.

You'd almost think there should be an option (checkbox) to not have the trusses produce a tail....doing a "scab-on" detail is actually common.

I see there is an offset option for the newel-posts but not for the rail? Do I need to come back and draw the rail sections in individually, or is there a way to offset the rail like the newels? I've done a search on this topic in google and couldnt find an answer but seems odd we wouldn't be able to move the rail like the newel (to keep them aligned). I didnt bother with the plan since i'm just looking for a feature/setting not so much help with plan. Thanks in advance.