Help Database

A split level entry consists of a landing with a floor height between the first floor and the basement. This kind of entry can be created by contolling the floor and ceiling heights in your plan. 

To create a split level entry

1. Select File> New Plan  from the menu. 
   
   
   
2. Use the Build> Wall> Straight Exterior Wall tool to draw a basic 40'x30' first floor of the plan.
   
   
   
3. Select Build> Floor> Build Foundation  from the menu, and in the Foundation Defaults dialog, click the radio button beside Walls with Footings and specify the desired Minimum Stem Wall Height.
   
   
   • This example uses 101 1/8 inch stem walls, which leaves a 8' ceilings.
   
   
   
4. In the New Floor dialog, select Derive new Foundation plan from the 1st floor plan, then click OK.
   
   
   

To create the opening for the split level entry

1. Select Tools> Reference Floors> Up One Floor  from the menu to return to Floor 1.
   
   
   
2. Select Build> Wall> Straight Railing  from the menu, then click and drag to draw an entry area similar to the one shown below.
   
   
   
   
   
3. Click the Select Objects  button, then click in the room you just drew and click the Open Object  edit button.
   
   
   
4. On the General tab of the Room Specification dialog:
   
   
   • Select Open Below from the Room Type drop-down list.
     
     
   • Click OK to close the dialog and apply your change.
     
     
     

To create the landing and stairs for the entry

1. Select Tools> Reference Floor> Down One Floor  from the menu to return to Floor 0.
   
   
   
2. Select Tools> Reference Floors> Reference Display  from the menu or press F9 on your keyboard.
   
   
   • The Reference Display shows walls and others objects on another floor as red lines.
     
     
   • This allows you to see the location of the room on floor 1.
     
     
     
     
     
3. Select CAD> Boxes> Rectangular Polyline  from the menu, then click and drag to draw the shape of a stair landing in a portion of the room.
   
   
   
   
   
4. Click on the polyline to select it, then click the Convert Polyline  edit button. In the Convert Polyline dialog:
   
   
   • Click the radio button beside Landing.
     
     
   • Click OK to close the dialog and apply your change.
     
     
     
5. On the General tab of the Stair Landing Specification dialog which comes up next:
   
   
   
   
   • Uncheck Auto Adjust Height When connected to stairs, and type in the desired Top Height below the main floor, and since this landing will be lower than the default floor height, use a negative number.
     
     In this example, the Top Height is -52 1/2.
     
     
   • We will also specify a Thickness of 12".
     
     
   • Click OK to close the dialog and apply your change.
     
     
     
6. Select Build> Stairs> Straight Stairs  from the menu, then click and drag to draw stairs from the landing to the first floor.
   
   
   
   
   
   • You may need to select the stairs after you draw them and move them until they snap to the landing edge.
   
   
   
7. Select the landing, then use the Break Line  tool to break the edge of the landing between this stair section and the space for the next set of stairs.
   
   
   
   
   
8. Draw a second set of stairs from the basement to the landing. Move stairs as needed to snap to the landing. 
   
   
   
   
   
9. Go Up One Floor , the select Build > Door > Hinged Door  from the menu.
   
   
    
   Click on the exterior wall of the landing to place a door at that location. Continue placing doors, windows, and other objects to customize the plan.
   
   
   
10. Select 3D > Create Perspective View> Full Camera  from the menu, then click and drag a camera arrow toward the landing to see the results.
    
    

    
    
    
    

11. Now that you know how to create a split-level entry, you are ready to take this knowledge and apply it to your own designs!