Sloped Ceiling

[Spike]

Hi all
Looks like I'm not the only one to have a bit of a surprise starting up v17.  Fortunately I haven't many models to begin with, and of those there's only one that might need importing.  Somewhat disappointed there's no conversion prog/feature tho.  Ho hum. 

My Q is: how to generate a sloped ceiling above a run of stairs.  I've managed to remove the floor above the stairs (so you don't bump your head!!).  Taking a hint from the v16- forum, I've inserted a roof (yup!!) above the stairs.  Unfortunately, the Ceiling/Floor button on the Tool options palette doesn't work.  It can be clicked as it's not greyed out, but I don't get the dialog as per the User Guide. 

The roof has been deliberately changed (screen shot attached).  I guess I need the dialog, but it don't work...

[Patricia G.]

Hi Spike,

V16 and V17 work differently, so what works for one, doesn't work for the other. Different programs, different codes, etc.

I am not sure if I understand your question, but these are some answers:
1 - The ceiling / floor button was part of an old feature that was changed (now works as described in the item # 2). For this reason the button is not active. I believe that the programmers forgot to delete the button 
2 -  In order to show  /  hide floors and ceilings => click inside the room => the room floor (in the floor plan) will become yellow => check the right pane => you will see the options Show Floor and Show Ceiling => by default, the options Show Floor and Show Ceiling are checked so you can visualize these elements --> by unchecking these options, they will not appear in live view  (see attached)
3 - Sloped ceiling => you can use a freehand roof and adjust the elevation and pitch

Patricia

[Spike]

Hi Patricia
Thanks for the reply. 
The screen shot is from a trial model, to get my head around what can be done in v17 & how, before I use that in my actual model (of our house).  The screen shot had Working Floor only ticked, which is why there's a roof in the middle of nowhere.  The rooms/stairs are in the right places relative to each other, on both Floors.

I managed to model this setup in v15 (screen shot looking down the stairs).  I think the v15 model used a roof too, but if it did, it was highly customised.  I can't run v17 with Win7 64 bit, so I have to use my XP box to check.   Basically, I need the customizing in v17. 

I had sussed the Show Floor/Ceiling tick boxes, and had finally worked how (Floor) Depth interacted with Working Elevation.  Bit of a downer the Ceiling button is still present, with the associated User Guide text...

I took a couple of pix of the real thing.  The loft hatch is in the ceiling of the 2nd Floor: for some reason, the previous owners decided to have a sloped ceiling above the stairs, rather than leave the 2nd Floor ceiling exposed: a bit easier to decorate?  The sloped ceiling is either plasterboard or thin plywood, secured to battens. 

[Patricia G.]

Glad to know that the problem is solved.

I run V17 using Windows 7 - 64  bit without problems.

Patricia

[Spike]

Hi Patricia
Slight misunderstanding of the Q I think - I buried the Q in the waffle, sorry. 

I would like to use v17 in preference to v15 from now on. 
What I managed to model in v15 (the sloped ceiling), I would like to do in v17.
Can I do that? How do I do that if I can?
I don't have a good feeling about your reply...!!

[Patricia G.]

Hi there,

I never used TFP V15 so please, post just a cross section showing what you want to do.
As a general rule, as I stated, remove the auto ceiling and create a sloped ceiling using the freehand roof tool
Another option: create a sloped ceiling using the 3D Custom Workshop Power Tool (Main Menu => Design => Launch Power Tool)

Patricia

[Spike]

Diamond.  Just what the doctor ordered.  I bailed out of PowerTool when I saw the cabinet icon 1st time round: I thought it was for kitchen units etc!! 
Anyway, worked a treat.  I've enhanced the trial model, and done a cut away section, in 2 rendering styles. 

In reality, there is a void formed by the sloped ceiling, 2nd Floor ceiling and the Cupboard wall.  I would like to make use of that space, hence the need to model something approaching reality. 

Q - do you know if the Ceiling/Floors button on the Tool Options palette will ever become active/useful?  It seems a major omission for something relatively minor. 

Thanks for your help so far.

[Patricia G.]

Hi there,

Sorry if I sound annoying, but I have problems to understand what you need.

I can see what you drew, I see that you currently have a stair (that you already developed) and a sloped ceiling (that you already developed), however what I don't see or understand is the specific question => can you tell me the goal? what do you want to do? what do you want to change? For example: how do I draw the (insert element here)?

Show  / hide button: Major Omission? just the that they didn't delete the button? as I explained in my previous post: The ceiling / floor button was just the old presentation mode that was changed (now works as described in the item # 2 in my previous post).  The features are the same and they are all there. They will delete  the button in future releases

Patricia

[Spike]

No, you're not annoying.  You've been a great help.

How to create the sloped ceiling was the question, solved by your suggestion of using the 3D Custom Workshop Powertool. 

Using a freehand roof as you suggested earlier would have been too thick for my purposes: the thin, rotated, rectangular box created in the Powertool was much more like it. 

[Patricia G.]

Great!

This week (probably tomorrow) I will release a new e-book about Power Tools with special emphasis on the 3D Custom Workshop. There will be discount coupons in my Facebook page (see link below)

Patricia

[quaixy]

Have a similar issues with sloped ceiling. Had a look at the preview of your ebook, which suggested using the Ceiling Designer Power Tool.

However, I don't an option for this, on my system, just 3D Custom Workshop, PhotoView, Estimator & Fence Designer.

Is there something else I need to install?

Kindest Regards

John McQue

[Patricia G.]

Hi John,

My e-book about Power Tools include all the Power Tools included with the different programs, however, not all the programs include all the Power Tools.

In your case, you can develop your sloped ceiling using a freehand roof. If you wish to post a picture or sketch of the specific ceiling, I will be glad to explain how to develop it.

Important note: in the next days, the TFP users will have their own Pat's E-book!! 

Patricia