In order to draw a stairway or staircase downwards into the floor, or upwards into the ceiling; there are two methods. Method 1 gives the effect of walls surrounding the staircase, Method 2 leaves the sides of the staircase open.
From version 12.4a4 there are new staircases which create the hole in the ceiling or floor for you. These can be found in the Standard products folder and are the staircase items from W500 5xx upwards. The option is Room placement and you can select to have it above the staircase or below.
Method 1
- In Room definition mode, select the floor or ceiling, under the Room surfaces/objects column on the right of your screen.
- Once selected right click over the word Floor or Ceiling and select Add object.
- Select a window to represent the opening in the floor or ceiling.
- Adjust the parameters to the size of the opening you require and set the depth to be slightly bigger than the length of the stairs.
- Set the placement.
Note: This can be altered later (in Room definition mode) via dragging and dropping the window in the elevation. - Select the window in the elevation and click on the Palette icon.
Select Window background in the list.
- Delete the code in the ID: box at the top right-hand corner of the window and replace it with the code 3003.
Note: 3003 is the code for invisible material.
- If you do not want a Window frame or moulding on the opening, select these in the list and again set the ID code to 3003, invisible.
- You will see the opening you have made, using a window, in the perspective.
- Select Furnishing mode
- Right click in the plan, select Visible layers > Define profile.
- In the View window, under the Room section, check the box for Floor objects or Ceiling objects.
- Click OK - this will enable you to see the opening in the plan which will make it easier to place the stairs.
- Click on the Standard products button on the right-hand side of the screen.
- Select your stairway from Interior, building blocks > Stairs.
- When you place your stairway, set the the height type to:
Other > Special Height (down) for the floor and set the height to zero to go into the floor.
Other > On floor , if you want it to go into the ceiling.
- Set the parameters for the stairs.
- In the plan drag the stairs into the correct position to line up with the opening.
Method 2
- In Room definition mode, select the floor or ceiling, under the Room surfaces/objects column on the right of your screen, so that you see them in your elevation.
- Click in the elevation so the window is active.
- Click on the Draw decor area icon
and draw the opening where you want to put your stairway. Note: you will see the measurements of the opening as you hold and drag your mouse to create it. If you hold down either the Ctrl or Shift key on your keyboard the increments of measurement will be smaller.
- Click on the Palette icon.
- Delete the code in the ID: box at the top right-hand corner of the window and replace it with the code 3003.
Note: 3003 is the code for invisible material.
- Click OK.
- Select Furnishing mode and click on the Standard products button on the right-hand side of the screen.
- Select your stairway from Interior, building blocks > Stairs.
- When you place your stairway, set the the height type to Other > Special Height (down) and set the height to zero if you want it to go into the floor, or Other > On floor if you want it to go into the ceiling.
- Set the parameters for the stairs.
- Drag them into position using a combination of plan view and the perspective.
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