Porch problem..wall won't allow opening

[julicad]

Hello there...I started using TFP  to build a porch w/arched openings (see pic 1) I used walls 1'-6" wide and inserted openings, but if  I want the porch wall to be attached to the main house (see pic 2 ) it won't allow me to insert an opening...... I trying to get something like pic 3.
I know I could use single columns..but how do I do the arch above them.??

Thank you for the advice...

[Doug.S]

Here are different approaches to consider...

- do as you are doing except put the porch on a different "location" (same as first floor for heights but different name) which allows you to easily overlap things in 3D space but may not yield roof you want without manual work

- use no walls (use columns) but find or make a .3ds object for the arches. Could be as easy as start a new file, make a single arch top as you like it, export as .3ds, fix if needed to remove any walls, import it into your current project (put in catalog if you have more uses later)...but be aware openings will not work the same using .3ds as in wall openings inserted from catalog. Or use catalog objects and combine pieces of other objects re-sized to look like an arched opening.

- be sure you use collision detection on or off as needed to allow interference of objects...which may allow you to mesh the walls together with your arched opening

- use a very short wall or an invisible wall where porch meets front door of house and then add the arched wall only using a separate "location"

- not sure this will work...but make your wall by the house away from the house, insert opening (be sure you have enough room for opening or make opening small and then enlarge it to size)...then drag the wall next or into the house front door wall.

In general you should consider using a new "test" .bld file and play with a variety of ideas, some will fail, some may crash, but you will learn, and then use the best idea in your real design bld file.

Also consider searching this forum for other similar ideas....such as search for "opening" etc.

[Allan Chesney]

I had a bit of a play with this and found that if you drag the wall of the house away from the porch, get the porch part exactly as you want it and then drag the house wall back again, the arch will stay in place.  If you move the arch wall or add a ceiling etc to the porch AFTER you have moved them together, the arch opening will disappear.  It does work -as per the test image but the second location as Doug suggests is probably easiest, especially if you want to make any changes to the porch later on - you will have to move the house wall away first.

Allan