Floating third floor

[grubba]

I'm trying to create a flat roof. So far, the only way I found to build what I have in mind requires creating a third "floor". It all seems to work with the exception that the "roof" (third floor), floats above the second floor. That happens when I change the (automatically created) walls to a siding/railing pony wall.

 

For completeness' sake, there will be an "observation room" on top of this. The actual floor of the "roof" is a drainage slab with decking above it.

 

This image gives a general idea of the desired end result of the "roof":

 

 

 

This is what my "roof" looks like at the moment (the main body of the structure is still just a study on volumes and form with no real dimensions, windows, etc.) I can't figure out what made it float off the main structure.

 

 

Some pertinent dialogs that might give a clue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks!

 

g

 

[Chopsaw]

Sounds like your wall definition's "Build Platform to Exterior of Layer" setting  is set to an exterior layer rather than your framing as it is typically done.

 

[grubba]

Thanks for the quick reply,

 

I had already done that after seeing an article about it. Vectorworks has something similar and I am familiar with that. This however, seems to be related to some mix up with heights.

 

[Chopsaw]

2 minutes ago, solver said:

If you build to the exterior of the siding, there is no place for the siding.

 

Also nothing to hold your second story in position unfortunately, but I have seen them built that way. Wish I had not though.

[grubba]

I should have explained better. I had switched away from that while experimenting. I'm obviously just getting started with CA and struggling with things that go beyond the basics. The default is to build to the exterior of the stud. What got me confused was that in VW, you define the layer(s) that extends below to reach the lower floor.

 

Either way, no matter what I set the Build Platform to Exterior of Layer, nothing changes. I also figured out that the "empty" void was because I had framing layers off (duh).

 

[Chopsaw]

25 minutes ago, grubba said:

Either way, no matter what I set the Build Platform to Exterior of Layer, nothing changes.

 

Set it to your framing layer and press F12 or go to 3D View Defaults and turn on "Auto Rebuild Walls /Floors/Ceilings.

[grubba]

It happens when I switch from the default walls created when I create the new floor to a "Pony Wall" and change the upper side to railing. I'm obviously missing something (sorry for the barrage of images):

 

Create 3rd floor:

 

 

Change wall type to Pony Wall (It defaults to brick on the bottom and siding 6 on top:

 

 

Change the lower side to Siding 6:

 

 

Now I go and change the upper side to Deck Railing and the issue comes up:

 

 

I believe I've tried every permutation of those options. Nothing seems to make any difference.

 

 

 

[grubba]

11 minutes ago, Chopsaw said:

Set it to your framing layer and press F12 or go to 3D View Defaults and turn on "Auto Rebuild Walls /Floors/Ceilings.

 

It's already set to Auto Rebuild. Manually rebuilding also doesn't change.

[Chopsaw]

8 minutes ago, grubba said:

It happens when I switch from the default walls created when I create the new floor to a "Pony Wall" and change the upper side to railing. I'm obviously missing something (sorry for the barrage of images):

 

Ok images are great.  It looks like the Railing wall definition is causing issues.  You will need an exterior layer in the railing wall definition.  Just a little quirk to get used to.  Maybe try an Interior Railing wall for the top of the pony wall.  The default configuration for the Deck Railing/Fence wall is more of a freestanding exterior application.

[grubba]

8 minutes ago, Chopsaw said:

Ok images are great.  It looks like the Railing wall definition is causing issues.  You will need an exterior layer in the railing wall definition.  Just a little quirk to get used to.  Maybe try an Interior Railing wall for the top of the pony wall.  The default configuration for the Deck Railing/Fence wall is more of a freestanding exterior application.

 

That was it! It would take me forever to figure that out based on trial and error. Thanks!

 

[Chopsaw]

1 minute ago, grubba said:

That was it! It would take me forever to figure that out based on trial and error. Thanks!

 

Ok great.  It looks like an interesting design.  Have fun with it and welcome to the Forum.

[grubba]

2 minutes ago, Chopsaw said:

Ok great.  It looks like an interesting design.  Have fun with it and welcome to the Forum.

 

I'm having a blast with CA. I've only started using it and it's a great tool to experiment with different ideas. It's incredibly simple to change anything. A true free from architectural tool. The shortcomings I've found so far are the lack of georefering (importing and respecting GIS data), BIM, and its renderer. I've been doing the experimentation with CA but having to move the work to other tools for those things.

 

Thank you all again for the quick replies. It's almost 4am here and I should probably call it the day.

 

g

[DzinEye]

10 hours ago, Chopsaw said:

 

Ok images are great.  It looks like the Railing wall definition is causing issues.  You will need an exterior layer in the railing wall definition.  Just a little quirk to get used to.  Maybe try an Interior Railing wall for the top of the pony wall.  The default configuration for the Deck Railing/Fence wall is more of a freestanding exterior application.

Haven't run into this problem yet, but I'm sure this will be useful info to know down the line.