multiple buildings at diferent elevations

[MarkNohr]

I have my terrain set up and there are multiple buildings on the property at different elevations. In the terrain Specification I set up the pad elevation for the main building. Now I'm looking to add another small building at on a pad at a different elevation.
How do I specify the elevation for this new building?

[perryh]

Floor height in the room dbx will set the height for that.

[lbuttery]

another method is to create the other building in a separate plan
then create a 3D view and make that building a symbol

then place the symbol in the first plan

each method has its pro's and con's

I prefer the symbol method

Lew

[function9]

Lew, does the symbol method auto link back to the other models or is it something you need to do each time there is a change to the Xref'd models?

Not sure if its correct but I had a situation like the OP a while back and was told by someone on the forum the methodology for CA was to do walls, slabs, roof, terrain in that order...I managed to make a mess of things cause I was building it in the reverse order like I would in Revit.

[Glenn Woodward]

Mark,

I personally wouldn't do the symbol method - too hard to keep track of things, not dynamic......

Think of it this way:
When you set up your pad elevation, it wasn't really in relation to your floor plan - it was in relation to Chiefs zero floor level (which may also be your floor level - but doesn't have to be).

Just draw your new building and nominate the new floor level in relation to Chiefs zero floor level.

If you need help, post the plan.

Dave,

It doesn't really matter what order you draw things (building OR terrain first).
Although, obviously you need to draw walls before you can get floors and ceilings.

[lbuttery]

Lew, does the symbol method auto link back to the other models or is it something you need to do each time there is a change to the Xref'd models?

each time you change the building model in plan B you need to save it as a symboi
which is stored in the library

then open Plan A and delete the old symbol and place the revised symbol from the library

you would only need to to this replacement if the exterior has changed

I prefer the symbol method for the flexibility and indepence it gives over keeping all the builidings
in the same plan

if you need to make a roof change you can use the auto-roof gen without affecting the other buildings etc

for a house and a detached garage or shed it may not be worth it

for a sub-division or campus it may be

I am working on replicating a historic campus and also my ancestors tourist elevator at the Niagara Whirlpool

with buildings on cliff top and river edge and elevator shafts going down 280' cliff
using the symbol method makes life much easier

I can also model the elevator shafts and buildings at various time stages such as 1869 and 1874 and 1895 and 1901
and then have various master plans with the Niagara Gorge terrain
then use the appropriate symbols as needed

I have grown to like the symbol method

now, if Chief would give us total layer control where we could keep everything in one plan without conflicts
I would prefer that even better

Lew

[ebdesign]

each time you change the building model in plan B you need to save it as a symboi
which is stored in the library

It's not necessary to save the symbol to your library.
Tools/Symbol/Get Last Symbol works right after creating the symbol; even in a different plan. I don't add stuff to my library that I'm only gonna use one time.
Symbols are quick & painless. & they display as good as the actual model; even when a section is cut thru them.

[tompapa]

I agree with Glenn. The more plans you have the more updating you have to do, and revising is the nature of the game.

[lbuttery]

The more plans you have the more updating you have to do

Tom:

I agree...

However, until CA allows for using "edit area" to select which section of a roof to auto-gen
I like having my builidngs in separate plans

I also like being able to place the building symbol without it "screwing up" the terrain
and rotating it etc

I prefer the flexibility the symbols offer

Lew

[Glenn Woodward]

However, until CA allows for using "edit area" to select which section of a roof to auto-gen
I like having my builidngs in separate plans
Lew

This ability is already in Chief by using the retain roof planes setings.

[lbuttery]

Glenn:

I'll ask my partner to check these out again

we haven't messed with them since ver 9.5 and 10 since they didn't work very well

I don't remember reading on this forum about any improvements

I do remember seeing many recent threads where it was recommended to clone the plan
work on the roof and then bring the revised roof back into the original plan
using "edit area hold position"

I would still like to have a feature where we can place an "edit area' marquee
then do an auto roof gen for that area only

Lew

[Glenn Woodward]

Glenn:

I'll ask my partner to check these out again

we haven't messed with them since ver 9.5 and 10 since they didn't work very well

I don't remember reading on this forum about any improvements

I do remember seeing many recent threads where it was recommended to clone the plan
work on the roof and then bring the revised roof back into the original plan
using "edit area hold position"

I would still like to have a feature where we can place an "edit area' marquee
then do an auto roof gen for that area only

Lew

Lew,

Yes, check with your partner - or better still, teach yourself.
You can use the marquee technique - the only difference is that you select the roofplanes you want to retain and regenerate the unselected ones.

[lbuttery]

Glenn:

I will try that when I work on my house plan again

currently busy setting up a non-profit for historic preservation of my family legacy in Niagara Falls

my partner will be happy to hear this
he hates it when the client makes changes that affect a roof he has already done

thanks

Lew

[lbuttery]

the only difference is that you select the roofplanes you want to retain

Glenn:

on second thought that could get tedious with a complicated roof
with crickets and lots of little roof planes tying other roof planes together

having the marquee method would seem more inclusive

"leave this section alone"

Lew