Matching Building and Terrain Heights

QUESTION

How do I match the height of my terrain with the height of my building? In some drawings, the structure seems to float above the terrain while in other plans, the building sinks into the terrain. 

ANSWER

In Chief Architect, both the floor height of Floor 1 and the initial height of the terrain are given values of 0. However, the floor and the terrain are not actually at the same height. The program automatically raises the default floor height of Floor 1 up above the default terrain. This value varies depending on the type of foundation that you choose to build, as well as the Absolute Elevation options in X17 and newer or the Subfloor Height Above Terrain value in X16 and prior. 

Matching building and terrain heights

1. With the Select Objects tool active, click on the terrain perimeter to select it, then click the Open Object edit button.
   
   
   
2. On the General panel of the Terrain Specification dialog:
   
   
   
   
   • Under Absolute Elevation, check the Automatic box to have  the software automatically lower the terrain relative to the first floor.
     
     In X16 and prior, under Building Pad, check the Automatic box to have the software automatically lower the terrain relative to the first floor.
     
     
   • Uncheck the Automatic checkbox if you want to specify a value in the Retain Surface Elevation At for either the Reference Point or Contour 0.
     
     

     The Contour 0 option will function the same way that Subfloor Height Above Terrain functioned in X16 and prior. For more information about these options, please see your program's Help documentation.

     In X16 and prior, uncheck the Automatic checkbox if you want to specify a value in the Subfloor Height Above Terrain field. This is the distance between Floor 1 and the terrain at the building footprint center
     
     
   • For more information on terrain and building heights, click on the Help button located at the bottom of the dialog or see the Related Articles section.
     
     
   • Click the OK button to apply your changes and close the dialog. 
   
   
   
3. Select 3D> Create Perspective View> Perspective Full Overview from the menu to see the results.