Modifying the Display of Stairs in Plan View


Reference Number: KB-03036
Last Modified: July 16, 2021

The information in this article applies to:

Chief Architect Premier or Chief Architect Interiors



QUESTION

I would like to show more detail for my stairs. How do I add a break line and show tread overhang, railings and newels in plan view?


ANSWER

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

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


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 break line.

    Straight stairs in floor plan view


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

    Adjust breakline properties on the Breakline panel of the Staircase Specification dialog

    • Select the break line Style from the drop-down list.

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

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

    • Specify the Gap After Break if desired. This creates a second break line 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 break line 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 break line, as seen from the floor above where the stairs are drawn.

      Different display options for a staircase


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.

    Adjust how newels, balusters, and rails display in a floor plan

    • 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 hand rail 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


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."

    Filtering layers using the Name Filter


  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.