Stair Rise and Run Information on Plans

[ValleyGuy]

As there currently aren't any labels for the stair Rise and Run in the stair specifications, how are you conveying this information in your plans?  Where do you label (plan, elevation, both...) and how do you label (text, macro, dimensions...) ?

 

I use a text block in an elevation, but was wondering if someone had a better / different way?

[Chopsaw]

Joe has a system.  You could check with him or I think you may be able to find it with a search.

[Joe_Carrick]

My Stair macros are embedded in a Text Box and stored in the Library.

When I place that in a Plan and connect to a Stair with an arrow the macros execute and display the Stair and Landings information.

This works for Straight, "L" & "U" shaped Stairs.

 

It won't connect to a Stair in Section so I manually label and annotate there.  Hoefully we'll get the ability to connect in Sections in a future version.

[Doug_N]

Shayne,

 

In plan view you can attach test to the stairs and use a macro like

%num_treads+1% Risers

Run %tread_depth%"

Rise %riser_height.round(2)%"

 

 

The number of treads is plus one to count risers which is the way most architectural drawings will specify a flight of stairs.

 

Unfortunately, you can't do this in a section or elevation view with macros.

 

 

 

[Doug_N]

If you want to see those in section you can do it by attaching a variable to the macro that identifies which stair you are talking about like this:

 

Here I use the global variable $s1 to identify which stair set I am referring to, $s2 for the next stair set and so on.

 

%$s1riser_total=num_treads+1% Risers

Run %$s1run=tread_depth%"

Rise %$s1rise=riser_height.round(2)%"

 

Then in a text box next to the stairs in elevation you put

 

%$1riser_total% Risers

Run %$s1run%"

Rise %$s1rise%"

 

A bit of a kludge but it works.

[ValleyGuy]

This is great stuff.... however......I can't seem to get out of the starting blocks. Something must be messed up with my defaults as I can't seem to get anything but Rich Text when I use the leader line. Text only brings up a text box of which I can't attach a line between the text box and the stairs...... any suggestions of what I have to do to get the text with leader line to bring up the text box containing the macro option????

[rgardner]

6 minutes ago, ValleyGuy said:

Text only brings up a text box of which I can't attach a line between the text box and the stairs.

 

Use the text box and the new leader tool on the text box to drag a leader to attach to your stairs or any other item you need to do so for.

[Doug_N]

To change the preference of getting richtext or plain text for the leader, use the preference menu

 

 

Then uncheck this box

 

 

that will result in getting this when you click on the leader menu

 

 

 

[ValleyGuy]

Perfect, I just found that too Doug. Thanks

 

Back to trying to get it too work again.

[ValleyGuy]

I'm struggling hard with trying to get this to work...these poor steps look like a porcupine.

I've attached the plan if you have a minute to look at what might be the problem.....

 

Muchly appreciated!!

 

 

Text Issues.zip

[ValleyGuy]

Solver,

Yes I did, and thank you for taking the time to make it.  I can't seem to attach a leader line though. I can only get the properties of the room. Every time I get a snap indicator on the stairs and make a leader line, I don't get attached to the stairs for some reason. 

 

I couldn't barely see anything in your video unless you zoomed right in on it so it was more listening than seeing.

[ValleyGuy]

OK thanks, I'll try a different plan 

[ValleyGuy]

1) A new OOB template does let me connect to stairs and a towel that I also tested it on. I must have a glitch in my template plan.Is that something I should send to CA or should I just copy my exported stuff (walls, defaults, layer sets,....) to a new plan template??

 

2) Thanks for the tip ..... l didn't click " Watch on YouTube" ... it's clear as can be. Thanks again, I'll go and rewatch it again. 

[ValleyGuy]

Hey guys, thanks for all the help here. Wow, what started out as a simple question and answer turned into roadside assistance for a broken vehicle. I appreciate all of you taking some time on your Saturday to help me out. The macros work great!

[Alaskan_Son]

50 minutes ago, ValleyGuy said:

I can't seem to attach a leader line though.

[ValleyGuy]

Bingo we have a winner! That cured my unattached arrow issues. Some of the most straight forward things make my hair turn gray right before I pull it out. Thank you so much for figuring that out.

[OneChickNoHammer]

On 1/21/2023 at 7:29 PM, Doug_N said:

If you want to see those in section you can do it by attaching a variable to the macro that identifies which stair you are talking about like this:

 

Here I use the global variable $s1 to identify which stair set I am referring to, $s2 for the next stair set and so on.

 

%$s1riser_total=num_treads+1% Risers

Run %$s1run=tread_depth%"

Rise %$s1rise=riser_height.round(2)%"

 

Then in a text box next to the stairs in elevation you put

 

%$1riser_total% Risers

Run %$s1run%"

Rise %$s1rise%"

 

A bit of a kludge but it works.

 

Hello Doug,

I'm hoping you can clarify how to use the stair section method you mentioned.  I've attached some screen shots to help explain what I'm trying to accomplish.

I have manually drawn 2 different stair sections and moved them to where they are touching at their meeting point.  I made sure that the heights are correct so they look correct in a 3D view.  However, when I try to do the Text Macro for the stair information I only get the section that the arrow is attached to.  I tried your method to identify a section and still only get the info related to the section that the arrow is attached to.  I've done Excel macros, VBA, VB, and Arduino coding so I'm fairly familiar with what most of the code means.  Is your section variable user defined?  You mentioned "global" but I can't seem to find it anywhere in the program macro options when I try to create a new Text Macro.

 

I drew the stair sections manually because I wanted the first 4 treads to be wider to accept the railing and for the railing to dead end into the wall.  I thought their was a way to "break line" a stair to widen part of it in Chief from a regular straight stair but I wasn't able to figure it out. 

 

I used the macro to take the 4 risers it recognizes and added 11 in the macro to get the 15 that you see in the Text Box.

 

Thank you for any assistance you can provide. 

 Lisa M. Fida

[para-CAD]

I always try to confirm stairs and not just trust that the application is correct
 

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/gny1fahk3za5j8itoy3mi/Stair_Cut_Calculator.html?rlkey=l3vmsjc3djt313tbnnhq93yna&st=w6734dr6&dl=0

[ComputerMaster86]

On 1/21/2023 at 2:22 PM, Joe_Carrick said:

My Stair macros are embedded in a Text Box and stored in the Library.

When I place that in a Plan and connect to a Stair with an arrow the macros execute and display the Stair and Landings information.

This works for Straight, "L" & "U" shaped Stairs.

 

It won't connect to a Stair in Section so I manually label and annotate there.  Hoefully we'll get the ability to connect in Sections in a future version.

 

Out of curiosity, do you create sections views to show stair details for the building departments or do just rely on your stair info box?  I tend draw section views of my stairs which is a bit of work about allows me to verify I am not having no headroom clearance issues.  I have recently wondered if others go to that trouble to provide their building department stair information.

Edited Thursday at 08:27 AM by ComputerMaster86

[Joe_Carrick]

3 hours ago, ComputerMaster86 said:

Out of curiosity, do you create sections views to show stair details for the building departments

I do section views but only dimension the head room when it might be an issue.  I'm in California so the building departments are very picky.  MY stair info text is accepted for rise, run, width, railings, etc. I haven't had a plan check correction related to stairs, landings or ramps for at least 10 years.

[Brocktavius]

5 hours ago, ComputerMaster86 said:

 

Out of curiosity, do you create sections views to show stair details for the building departments or do just rely on your stair info box?  I tend draw section views of my stairs which is a bit of work about allows me to verify I am not having no headroom clearance issues.  I have recently wondered if others go to that trouble to provide their building department stair information.

 

I do cross sections as well. Our officials like to see the headroom clearance, door distances at the bottom, landing sizes, etc. But usually only the width, rise, and run on the stairs - nothing has ever been requested about hand rails as long as I can remember.

[OneChickNoHammer]

18 hours ago, OneChickNoHammer said:

 

Hello Doug,

I'm hoping you can clarify how to use the stair section method you mentioned.  I've attached some screen shots to help explain what I'm trying to accomplish.

I have manually drawn 2 different stair sections and moved them to where they are touching at their meeting point.  I made sure that the heights are correct so they look correct in a 3D view.  However, when I try to do the Text Macro for the stair information I only get the section that the arrow is attached to.  I tried your method to identify a section and still only get the info related to the section that the arrow is attached to.  I've done Excel macros, VBA, VB, and Arduino coding so I'm fairly familiar with what most of the code means.  Is your section variable user defined?  You mentioned "global" but I can't seem to find it anywhere in the program macro options when I try to create a new Text Macro.

 

I drew the stair sections manually because I wanted the first 4 treads to be wider to accept the railing and for the railing to dead end into the wall.  I thought their was a way to "break line" a stair to widen part of it in Chief from a regular straight stair but I wasn't able to figure it out. 

 

I used the macro to take the 4 risers it recognizes and added 11 in the macro to get the 15 that you see in the Text Box.

 

Thank you for any assistance you can provide. 

 Lisa M. Fida

 

 

I think I figured out what I can do to make this work.  I can do separate macros for each stair section then make another macro that puts the other macros together.  I night's sleep and it came to me.  Hope this helps out others. 

 

I also figured out how to change the stair section width.  I missed the step once you "break line" the stair you have to "Disconnect Selected Subsection".

 

[Joe_Carrick]

42 minutes ago, OneChickNoHammer said:

I can do separate macros for each stair section then make another macro that puts the other macros together. 

That's exactly what I've done.  I sell my system for $125.  It's guaranteed to work for all 1,2 & 3 section stairs, landings & ramps.

It even works on spiral stairs.

Edited Thursday at 04:11 PM by Joe_Carrick

[OneChickNoHammer]

5 minutes ago, Joe_Carrick said:

That's exactly what I've done.  I sell my system for $125.  It's guaranteed to work for all 1,2 & 3 section stairs, landings & ramps.

It even works on spiral stairs.

 

Thanks, Joe!

I'll consider your system when I'm doing more work.  Right now I'm just a hobbyist. 

Lisa

[DBCooper]

Quote

I also figured out how to change the stair section width.  I missed the step once you "break line" the stair you have to "Disconnect Selected Subsection".

 

You can also use the "complete break" tool that should show up in the edit toolbar when you click on the the stair and then the break tool.

 

Have you tried using %total_risers%?  This should give you the total number of risers for all of the connected sections.