Chief Architect Help Database - Article Number:  833

How to Position a Railing Directly Above Another on a Tiered Deck

The information in this article applies to:
  • Chief Architect X5
  • Chief Architect X4
  • Chief Architect X3
  • Chief Architect X2
  • Chief Architect X1
QUESTION

I am creating a deck with different levels on a single floor of my plan and would like to position the deck railing of a lower tier directly below that of a higher tier.  How can I do this?

ANSWER

You can align railings directly above/below one another using settings in the Railing Specification dialog.

To create stacked deck railings

  1. Open the plan in which you would like to vertically align deck railing.

    • In this example, a simple plan with two deck rooms is used.


  2. If you have not done so already, create two Deck rooms with different floor heights.



    • Stacked railings typically look best if the difference between the two deck heights is at least 45", which will accomodate a 36" railing plus 9" for the deck platform and planking.

    • Here, the large deck has a floor height of 60" and the smaller deck, a floor height of 18".


  3. Click the Select Objects  edit button, then click on the railing separating the two Deck rooms to select it.



    • This deck railing can divide the two rooms along its entire length, or only a portion can divide them.

    • In this example, the Break Wall  tool is used to divide the railing into three separate sections, and the middle section is selected.


  4. Click the Open Object  edit button, and on the Rail Style tab of the Deck Railing Specification dialog (in X4 and prior this would be the Railing tab), check the box beside Generate on Low Platform and click OK.




  5. Select Build> Deck> Straight Deck Railing  from the menu, then click and drag a short section of deck railing parallel to the railing edited in step 4, above.  This new railing section should not attach to any other walls at this time.



  6. Click on the new railing to select it, then click the Open Object  edit button.


  7. On the General tab of the Deck Railing Specification dialog, check the box beside No Room Def and click OK.




  8. Select Edit> Snap Settings> from the menu and turn off Bumping/Pushing .  When a setting such as Bumping/Pushing is enabled, a checkmark will display to the left of its name instead of its tool icon.


  9. Click on the railing created in step 5 and use its edit handles to move it so that it is in the same location as the Generate on Low Platform railing. 

    • Align the two railing sections' edges as closely as possible.



    • Then, lengthen the No Room Def railing so that it is the same length as the railing below it.



  10. Select 3D> Create Perspective View> Full Overview  from the menu to see the results in 3D.

    In Chief Architect X1, use 3D> Create Render View> Render Full Overview.

Last updated on: Mar 29, 2013


The Chief Architect support team has compiled a list of articles with common questions and answers.


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