Help Database

There are a number of ways that a Cape Cod style house can be created automatically.  One way is by controlling ceiling heights. 

To build an automatic Cape Cod roof

1. Open the Chief Architect plan in which you want to build a Cape Cod roof.
   
   
   
2. If you have not done so already, select Build> Floor> Build New Floor  from the menu to build a 2nd floor based on the 1st floor plan.
   
   
   Note: In Chief Architect, living areas cannot be created on the Attic floor. To build a loft, you must do so on a numbered floor - in this example, Floor 2.
   
   
   
3. On the second floor, click the Select Objects  tool, then click on one of the gable walls to select it and click the Open Object  edit button.
   
   
   
4. On the Roof tab of the Wall Specification dialog, check the box next to Full Gable Wall, then click OK to close the dialog and apply your change.
   
    
   
   
   
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 for each gable wall on this floor.
   
   
   
6. With the Select Objects  tool active, click in the 2nd floor room to select it and click the Open Object  edit button.
   
   
   
7. On the General tab of the Room Specification dialog, lower the Ceiling Height to the height that you would like your exterior walls to be, then click OK. 
   
   
   
   
   • In this example, the Ceiling Height is lowered to 24".
     
     
     
8.  Select Build> Roof > Build Roof  from the menu to open the Build Roof dialog. 
   
   
   
   
   
   • Check the box beside Build Roof Planes.
     
     
   • Specify the desired Pitch.
     
     
   • Cape Cod roofs typically have pitches of 8:12 or greater.
     
     
   • Click OK to close the dialog and automatically generate a roof.
     
     
     

9. Select the 2nd floor room and click the Open Object  button to return to the Room Specification dialog.
   
   

   

    

   • Change the Ceiling Height back to the default height by checking the default checkbox.  
     
     

   • Click OK to close the dialog and apply the change.