Stairs
Video: https://youtu.be/9fDCOTzR1fU
Instructions from Video:
Select Insert>Stairs/Ramps or select the Stairs icon.
The catalog has a variety of stair styles and widths ready to insert. Let’s first insert a straight stair and review the information on that stair. Select the 3’ wide straight stairs notched stringer from the catalog. The stair attaches to the cursor. If you right-click you can evoke the Insertion option dialog box. This gives you the opportunity to insert the stair a set distance away from other objects on each side. Helpful when you are inserting a staircase in the middle of a room and not against a wall. Click OK in the dialog box. Left-click to insert it on to the design desktop. Stairs are a continuous command and another staircase will immediately attach to the cursor, when finished inserting stairs, right-click and select Finish.
To review the properties of the stair, left click to select it and then right-click and select Properties. There are a variety of stair types depending on the construction method. Other than the ramp types, the properties for each type are the same. Ramps just have a height variable.
Overall Height and Riser Maximum rule over the other properties. The Riser maximum should be set in accordance with local building codes. For the example in the video change this to 7 7/8”. With the Overall height set to 9’, the Total Steps will not allow a value there that would mean a higher riser than 7 7/8”. When you try to alter the Total Steps to 11, it will disregard the input and an alarm will ring to warn you that can’t happen. You can’t alter the Riser Height value. It is automatically calculated by the Total Steps and the Overall Height. The Tread Run value can be altered to any depth of tread that you need for your design. The last variable “Show Riser” when unchecked will allow for an open riser stair style. The diagram to the left will help you understand the variables and the model preview to the right will update with your selections.
Let’s review the Layout tab. Based on the variables set on the Basic tab you can now alter the layout of the stair. Let’s start with the Parameters. From the Basic tab it copied over the Number of Stairs value. When you insert the stair the midpoint of the stair is used as an insertion point. The Position offset lets you move the stairs left or right by a given value. A positive value will shift the stair right and a negative value will shift it left. The stair width at the lower part of the stair and the upper end of the stairs can be different widths. The stair will flair according to the values you insert in each. The Upper Offset value lets you angle the stairs. The bottom of the stair will remain at the same position but the top of the stair will angle right by the positive number you insert and left by the negative value you insert.
The last variable is how the stairs will be built with either a Front, Bottom or Under connection to the floor above. The Front of the stair meets up with the floor in the location above. The Bottom of the floor above will meet up with the stair to form the last riser of the stair, it is one riser less than the other two options. Under removes the tread of the last stair and it is under the floor finish of the floor above.
Now let’s look at the Preset layouts by clicking on the button. All the options appear and by selecting a graphic you change your stair style to another layout option. Notice when you change the layout to a radius layout the parameter options change. The width must remain consistent throughout the entire stair run for a radius stair. A new variable, “radius”, is added. The value must be larger than the width of the stair. I will put the Model preview into a 2D view to best illustrate this variable. By right-clicking in this preview you can see the preview in different view types. See the difference between an 8’ radius and a 5’8 radius.
The Layout tab also allows you to build segments of stairs and put them together. By clicking Add you can add another stair or landing segment to the existing stair you created. I will add a rectangular landing and click OK. Now there are two segments in my list and the one that is highlighted will show their parameters below. For a landing, the option that is new is “Adjust Width”. If checked it will automatically adjust the width of the stair that is attached to it based on the width of the landing options. You can click Add as many times as you want to keep adding sections to the stair or delete out any sections you don’t want.
Now let’s look at the Details tab. The size and angles of the treads, stringer and landing can be altered here. The graphic to the left will guide you with each option listed. Ensure that each property matches the values for the construction materials that you will be using. The cut line option gives you the flexibility to personalize the appearance of the cut line mark on the stair. You can change the cut line’s position, size, angle and style. You can also hide it from view if you want. You can preview your changes in the model preview to the right.
Click OK to update the stair. I hope that makes your Envisioneer designs one step easier!