Cut opening in floor for stairs

[Dave Taylor (TFP Product Manager)]

I've created a movie to demonstrate how to cut a hole (opening) in a floor to allow for stairs.

[Allan Chesney]

Hi Dave,

Thanks for posting that. The question is often raised so it is good to have a simple explanation to direct new ones to.

Allan

[garystan]

         Mr. Taylor :

                           I watched your video on cutting an opening in a floor.
                           I was practicing on a section of the second floor.  Marked out the
                        opening.
                            When I went to SELECT this area,  I keep getting the entire floor.
                            The boundaries of the entire floor are "highlighted".   I couldn't
                        select just that  marked out area.
                            Your video instructions seem easy enough to follow.     
                             Cutting out a section of ceiling (cutting the hole) works.  I
                        don 't understand why if would be any different doing it from
                        the floor side (top down).
                                                                                                  garystan                       

[Allan Chesney]

Hi Garystan,

It can sometimes be difficult to select the Room Divide line. Try using the Cut Opening tool instead.

1)  Select the floor in 3D View (you cannot select it in plan view unless you use the rendered 2D Designers View)
2)  Switch to Plan View (so you can see your stairs on the lower floor)
3)  Choose Edit / Select Previous (this will reselect the floor you selected earlier)
4)  Right click and Select Cut Opening
5)  Draw the sides of the shape where you want the opening except the last side.
6)  Right click Finish (it will join the last edge and delete the floor inside your cutout)
7)  If the shape is not quite right, just drag the edges to where you want them.

Allan

[garystan]

  Allan :

             Okay...........I followed your instructions to the tee.............
             The program allows me to SELECT an entire floor okay.
             I drew out the  cutout in 2D/Second Floor.  No problem there.
             I zoomed in to make sure all four corners were connected....okay.
             I went into 3D view.........saw the outline on the floor.  Clicked and the program
             would only select the entire floor, instead of the designated section to be cutout.  Allowing me
          to "delete" the entire floor. (After doing this, I noticed that where the floor was,  I can still see the
          dottled lines)  Of course, I back up and put the floor back.
              But........when I make the same cutout from the lower floor (cutting a section out of the ceiling
         there's no problem.   A clean hole right through the floor above (?).
              Other than that............I still love Turbo.
              Both of my  projects have come out nicely!
                                                                                                                       garystan
               

[Allan Chesney]

Hi Garystan,

Somehow I dont think you have followed the instructions correctly. When you use the Cut Opening you do not need to zoom in to see if it is joined as it cannot be anything else. As I mentioned in Step 7, the program will make the last join and automatically delete the opening. It is not like using the Room Divider - this method cuts the opening out for you, you do not have to delete it.

Try following the steps again very carefully.  I will add a couple of other comments to them to try to make it clearer.

Allan

[Peter O]

I am trying to cut an opening in a second floor hardwood floor. The floor was inserted manually "by perimeter". I have followed all the instructions above, using the "Cut Opening" tool, but when I click finish to complete the opening shape, I just get a highlighted outline on the floor, but it does not create an opening.

Does anyone know why this is happening?

Peter

[Allan Chesney]

Hi Peter,

To keep it simple - try this (not in the model you are working on):

1. Start a new project.

2. Make sure "Automatically Insert Floors" is turned off (Settings / Programme Settings / Building Aids)

3. Select Plan Render view (the coloured one - next to the Plan view icon)

4. Draw 4 walls and make sure they join to form a room (the inside ofthe room should appear white and the outside green - terrain grass).

5. Select 'Floor By Perimeter', click inside the room to add the floor. (The insdie of the room should now have a wooden floor).

6. With the floor selected, right click select cut opening.

7. Click onto the floor and draw 3 edges only (don't try to join it up - the program will do the fourth edge)

8. Click finish. (You should have an opening - white)

If you still have a floor and just a line marking the opening, make sure you did turn off the Auto floors or you will actually have 2 floors - one with an opening and one without.

Let us know if that works for you.

Allan