Modifying the Display of Stairs in Plan View


Reference Number: KB-03036
Last Modified: July 15, 2024

The information in this article applies to:

Chief Architect Premier or Chief Architect Interiors



QUESTION

I would like to display additional stair details in plan view, such as a breakline, tread overhangs, railings, and newel posts?  


ANSWER

You can specify how different stair components are displayed in plan view by accessing the Staircase Specification dialog.

Note: This article assumes that a staircase is already present.


To display a stair breakline

  1. Using the Select Objects tool, select the staircase and then click the Open Object edit button.  

    In the instance that the staircase has multiple stair segments, such as switchback or L shaped staircases, select the segment that will need to contain the breakline.


    Straight stairs in floor plan view


  2. On the Breakline panel of the Staircase Specification dialog that opens, check the Has Breakline box.

    On the Breakline panel of the Staircase Specification you can change how the breakline is displayed.

    • Select the breakline Style using the drop-down.

    • Specify the Distance From Start, which is the distance from the front of the stair segment to the breakline, measured from the staircase's center line.

    • Specify the Breakline Angle. An angle of 0 produces a breakline that is perpendicular to the sides of a straight staircase.

    • Specify the Gap After Break if desired. This creates a second breakline and specifies the distance between the two. A value of 0 produces no gap.

    • Specify the Break Symbol Size, which is the total height of the break symbol measured from the top corner to the bottom corner.

    • The Current Floor Display section controls the appearance of the portion of the staircase located after the breakline on the floor where the stairs are drawn.

    • The Floor Above Display section controls the appearance of the portion of the staircase located before the breakline, as seen from the floor above where the stairs are drawn.

      Different display options for a staircase


    3. If you'd like to use these stair settings in other projects, you can use the Select Objects tool to select the staircase, then use the Add to Library edit tool to add the staircase to your User Catalog for future use*.

    *Applies to X16 and newer versions.


To display newels, balusters, and handrails

  1. Using the Select Objects tool, select the staircase and then click the Open Object edit button.

    Straight stairs in floor plan view


  2. On the Newels/Balusters panel of the Staircase Specification dialog, remove the check from Use Defaults under the Plan Display section.

    On the Newels/Balusters panel you can change how the newels, balusters, and rails are drawn.

    • Check Draw Newels to display newel posts.

    • Check Draw Balusters to display balusters.

    • Check Draw Rails to display the handrails.

      Handrails draw over the top of newels and balusters. When displaying the handrail together with newels and/or balusters, use the Fill Style button to set the fill style to "None".


      Balusters and newel posts appearing in a floor plan view


    3. If you'd like to use these stair settings in other projects, you can use the Select Objects tool to select the staircase, then use the Add to Library* edit tool to add the staircase to your User Catalog for future use*.

    *Applies to X16 and newer versions.


To display tread overhand and stringers

  1. From the menu, select Tools> Layer Settings> Display Options .


  2. In the Layer Display Options dialog, use the Name Filter to search for "Stairs."

    In the Layer Display Options you can turn on different layers to show different stair details.


  3. Locate the "Stairs & Ramps, Details" layer as well as the "Stairs & Ramps, Stringers" layer. 

    • Put a check in the Disp column for for the "Stairs & Ramps, Details" layer to display the tread overhang.  

      Tread overhang displaying in a floor plan view

    • Put a check in the Disp column for for the "Stairs & Ramps, Stringers" layer to display the stringers.

      Stringers displaying on a stair

    Note: Since stringers for most staircases are inline with the handrail, you will not see the stringers unless the handrail display is turned off, if a single stringer is specified on the Style panel of the Staircase Specification, or if Open Risers are specified so that a middle stringer is generated.