Can deck railing be customized

[TomB]

I would like to show deck railings that have custom shape balusters.  The house has a Tyrolean look and the deck goes around three sides of the house so it is a major architectural feature.  Rather than a round or square baluster this house has 1 by 6" boards that are sawed into 2" pegs at the top and bottom but in between they flare out to a shield shape that hosts on the outside a round decorative plaque.  I took a picture but have yet to upload it to my computer.  I looked at the properties of deck railings and saw where I could create a new entry but within the tables that allowed for selecting things I saw no way to add a non-standard shape.  Is there some way to do it via the magic of other CAD SW?

Tom

[Doug.S]

When you use the TFP railings either show the handrails (to use as a guide) (if your design is larger in size; or make the handrails smaller) OR don't show handrails where you intend to install your own.

In another 3D program (assuming you cannot find a 3D model of your design; like a .bim file from a handrail manufacturer) design your handrail....make one for every size you need because re-sizing in TFP will distort the shape.  You can use SketchUp or any 3D modeling program.  Blender is also free.  I use them as well as Carrara Studio and Hexagon.  There are more. CAD 3D can also work.

Import the 3D design handrail (such as into interior accessories so you can find it again later as needed) as a .3ds file...place, and in properties, position for elevation and rotation....tedious, use close-in zoom for accuracy. Apply desired texture. Repeat for all locations needed.

OR a more simple alternative that can work but requires playing with texture application....apply a special made texture file to a TFP handrail....use a hand made .bmp file, flat one side of handrail, where the cut out parts are colored as pure magenta color....when rendered the magenta area will be transparent. Your success depends on the design...not all designs can be done this way.

If above not clear or you run into troubles, ask again with problem detailed question.

[Allan Chesney]

Hi Tom,

I saw no way to add a non-standard shape.  Is there some way to do it via the magic of other CAD SW?

There is no way to add a non-standard shape to replace a standard baluster and magic does not work I am afraid! The balusters can be made using other CAD software as Doug has mentioned and manually insert them (use right click Array after inserting one to position easily) but it may also be possible to make them in TFP (but we need the promised image to see if it is practical). It would still be a manual insertion though.

Allan

[TomB]

I now have the camera cartridge with the deck pictures.  Two are attached.

I think I have found a way to make the railing.  If somebody sees a problem let me know before I waste a lot of time doing it.  I found that I can select as the deck accessory the interior/railing only element and it puts rail around the deck about 30" high, suspended in the air.  Then I can use Interior Accessories/Decorative/CustomMember to add a single baluster.  So far I've only added a 3/4" thick by 7.5" wide by 36" tall plank but I expect it can be replaced with a custom shape from Sketchup.  With one baluster in place I can use the 'array' replication feature make all the balusters.  They don't quite connect to the railing correctly but from a distance it look OK.

[Allan Chesney]

Hi Tom,

Sounds fine to me. You do not need to use a Custom Member first and replace it, just import your own design and move it into position, then use Array to replicate them equally spaced.

Personally I would not use SketchUp either, but just draw the shape (in a new project with the Terrain turned off) using the Floor tool. Draw the shape you want to size and set the tickness, then just Export it as a 3DS file and import it again into the Interior Accessories section of the Catalogue (right click in the catalogue). You can rotate it until it is vertical and insert in the proper project as normal. Doing it this way avoids having to resort to other software and avoids any compatibility issues with SketchUp.

Allan