Staircases: How Does One Control the Number of Steps in Multi-Flight Staircases

[ahr8tch]

I've been trying to figure out staircases.  I need to control how many risers are placed in an L-Shape staircase.  There doesn't seem to be (translation: I haven't found) an option that controls the point at which the angle changes.  I can only get numbers of steps in each flight assigned by the software.

Is there a way to control this variable using the programs catalog of staircase designs?  If not, how does one skin this cat?

Also, wrt staircases, do I have to create openings in the floor or will the software do it (if I ever get the rise right)?

TIA
rh

[Nik]

Is it the same system as 'early' FP where you 'stir' the mouse to prompt the bend ? Or the 'later', which took a click to set each section ?

Same with the hole: Per FP, does stair cut own gap in floor above ? Requiring, of course, that floor exists...

[ahr8tch]

About 10 minutes after I posted and showed my ignorance to the entire world, the light bulb over my dim wits turned on and I figured it out.  Seems that there is a box called Layout Segments which I failed to notice (or understand correctly).  Now I find that if I select the appropriate segment and set the dimensions, all is as I tell it to be.

Still haven't figured out about floor openings, though; so if anyone has the key to this part of the kingdom I would appreciate some advice.

rh

[Mike1158]

Floor openings are/can be a royal pain in the chair.  Best tactic seems to be to select in 3d switch to 2d and 'select previous' (Edit).  This at least allows you to select the thing.  Ceilings too can be done the same way.  Cutting an opening via right click, select is usual method but you can use 'room division' on automatically inserted floors.  Not tried that on user inserted items.  Once you are cutting the 'hole' it comes down to zooming in and patience.  Can get good results but I rarely get that quickly.  It comes down to fiddling with lines to get floor and ceiling holes to square up and personally I prefer the 'old' FPlan method but perhaps I just got lazy, you can certainly be a bit more creative with the new method tho' I would like to create curved 'holes' occasionally.  Only method I found that works her is to create a 'square hole' and import a sketchup 'fillet'.
Honest truth is that I prefer to create stairs in sketchup too.  Takes longer but I can get exactly what I want.
I hope I have been clear but if I am talking tripe please ask for clarification, or get Jacks discs, probably a worthwhile investment and I'll get them when finances permit.  Allways been a great resource, Jacks books etc.

[Allan Chesney]

Mike,

All you have to do to make curved hole is to select the edges of the square one, right click, select Curve and drag the curve to where you want. It is easy to make any shape this way. Unless you need the technical accuracy of the ceiling for making up a material list, then the upper floor creates the appearance of a ceiling for the ground floor anyway so you do not need to add one and then the hole cuts right through.

Allan

[Mike1158]

Hi Alan,
Yes that works perfectly well for regular curves but, being a bit of a perfectionist, some of he time I need irregular contours for these arcs.  In these instances I prefer to build a custom part and import it.  You have no loss of function and it is far faster than fiddling with the hole punch (In envisioneer or ca or tfp)  Envisioneer does have rather basic drafting capabilities so inthat instance you can adjust arcs in this manner however, it is still slower than sketchup.  To be honest, sketchup is a fantastic addenda to tfp or any other design program which can import its format/files.  Simple, quick and convenient.
Not sure if you have tried it yet but it is a boon and if using the free version your outlay is purely time.

[Allan Chesney]

Mike,

I have got SketchUp somewhere on a CD.  Will try it sometime when I get the time and when I get my PC back.  It blew a gasket a few days ago and I do not have it back yet.  Then the painful task of trying to find and reinstall everthing!  At least my employer supplied laptop is still functioning!

Allan