Help Database

In Chief Architect, both flared stairs and stairs with curved treads can be created easily using the Flare/Curve Stairs edit tools.  
 

To create flared/curved stairs

1. Select Build> Stairs> Straight Stairs  from the menu, then click and drag to draw a staircase.



2. Click on the staircase to select it, then click the Open Object  edit button.
   
   
   
3. In the Staircase Specification dialog, make any needed changes to the Length, Tread Width, Number of Treads, Section Width and/or Rise Angle of the stairs. 
   
   
   • It's generally best to have these structural aspects of the stairs finalized before making them flared.
     
     
     
4. With the staircase selected, notice the edit handles that display. 
   
   
   
   
   • A handle on each edge allows you to resize it.
     
     
   • The Move handle at the center lets you relocate it.
     
     
   • The triangular Rotate handle lets you change the direction of the stairs.
     
     
     
5. With the staircase still selected, click the Flare/Curve Stairs  edit button.  



6. Notice the new set of edit handles that now display on the staircase.
   
   
   
   
   
   • The handles that display at each corner are the Flare handles.
     
     
     
     
   • The handles that display along the long edges of the staircase are used to adjust the flare radius.
     
     
     
     
     
   • The handles located at the center of the staircase allow you to control the origin of the flare on each end of the stairs.
     
     
     
     
     
   • The handles that display along the short edges of the staircase are used to create curved risers.
     
     

To create a flare with specific measurements:

If you would like to create a flare with a specific chord and radius, first draw the desired arc using the CAD drawing tools for use as a reference.  While it isn't possible to specify a staircase with this exact information, you can model it closely and display an annotation with the desired measurements.

The steps below describe how the arc of a flare can be defined.  The same tools can be used to define the arc of a curved tread, as well.

1. Create a staircase as described in steps 2 through 4, above.
   
   
   
2. Switch to the CAD Toolbar Configuration  to access the CAD drawing tools before proceeding.
   
   
   
3. Select CAD> Lines> Draw Line  from the menu, then click and drag three lines:
   
   
   • One line extending from the front edge of the stairs.
     
     
   • A second line running parallel to the edge you wish to flare.
     
     
   • A third line running parallel to the first but closer to the staircase center.
     
     
     
4. Click on the second CAD line, running parallel to the stair edge, move you mouse over the dimension until the  cursor displays, then click on the temporary dimension that displays.
   
   
   • In the Move Object Using Dimension in-line text box, specify the desired distance that you would like the flare to extend at its widest point, then hit the Enter key on your keyboard move the line the specified distance from the stairs.
     
     
     
     In Chief Architect X1 and prior version, the mouse cursor would not change, and when the dimension is selected, the Move Object Using Dimension tool displays a dialog.
     
     
   • If a temporary dimension does not display when you click on the line, either it is not exactly parallel to the stairs or Display Temporary Dimensions is toggled off.
     
     Select CAD> Dimensions> Display Temporary Dimensions  from the menu to turn this feature on, then try again.
     
     
   • Repeat this process with the third line drawn in step 3, this time specifying the length down the stairs that you would like the flare to extend.
     
     
     
5. Select CAD> Points> Place Point  from the menu, then click once at the point where the first and second lines meet, and once where the third line meets the edge of the staircase. 
   
   
   • These two points indicate where the flare's arc will begin and end.
     
     
   • For accurate placement, be sure that Object Snaps  are enabled.
     
     
     
6. Click the Select Objects  button to select it, then click on each of the CAD lines drawn in step 3 and click the Delete  edit button or press the Delete key on your keyboard.
   
   
   
7. Select CAD> Arcs> Draw Arc  from the menu, then click and drag an arc beginning on one CAD point and ending on the second one.
   
   
   
8. Click on the arc to select it, then click the Open Object  edit button.
   
   
   
9. On the General tab of the Arc Specification dialog:
   
   
   
   
   
   • Click the radio button beside Chord to lock the arc's direction.
     
     
   • Specify the desired Radius for this arc.
     
     
   • Click OK to close the dialog and apply your change.
     
     
     
10. Switch back to the Default Toolbar Configuration to return to the architectural drawing tools.
    
    
    
11. Click on the staircase to select it, then click the Flare/Curve Stairs  edit button.
    
    
    • Use the Flare edit handle to extend the front edge to meet the CAD point.
      
      
      
    • Use the side and center edit handles closest to the flare to adjust its curve so that it closely matches that of the CAD arc.
      
      
      
12. Select CAD> Points> Delete Temporary Points  to delete the points placed in step 7.
    
    
    
13. To display the length of the chord and its radius in floor plan view, click on the CAD arc to select it, then click the Open Object  edit button.
    
    
    • On the Line Style tab of the Arc Specification dialog, check the box beside Show Length, then click OK to close the dialog.
      
      
      
      
    • You may want to move the arc away from the edge of the staircase flare so the length information doesn't display over the stairs.
      
      
    • If you'd like, you can change the arc's Line Color to your background color so that it is not visible.