Need Help with doing Front Elevation dimensions...

[RosHall]

Hello, all. I'd like to see examples of your front elevation dimensions and how you performed these. I'm particularly interested in knowing how to do vertical dimensioning from the front elevation (might not be the correct term) to capture plate heights for rooms, roofs, etc. Obviously, the manual and auto dimensioning tools take care of width and lengths, but how can I now do the same for front elevations.

Thanks everyone.
Roz

[HumbleChief]

Hello, all. I'd like to see examples of your front elevation dimensions and how you performed these. I'm particularly interested in knowing how to do vertical dimensioning from the front elevation (might not be the correct term) to capture plate heights for rooms, roofs, etc. Obviously, the manual and auto dimensioning tools take care of width and lengths, but how can I now do the same for front elevations.

Thanks everyone.
Roz

rOZ,

I use a series of markers and dashed lines to indicate various heights. Everything is blocked and saved to the library ti use in any plan any time.

Here's a rough pic, obviously you need to adjust to taste.

[joey3032]

Here you go. I use CAD lines and elevation points.

[RosHall]

Thanks all.

[Bradley Boltz]

Here you go. I use CAD lines and elevation points.

Hey Ros,

I do it similar to Joey's method but just wanted to add one thing. I'll use a window as a reference and take a vertical measurement of a window then check the window dbx for the head hgt that I typically set at 83 3/8" or whatever you've set as your default window head. Using that reference, I'll draw a horizontal cad line that will represent my subfloor level and dimension from the top of the window to that cad line. Then I'll move the cad line with dimension to 83 3/8" and will have an accurate location of my 1st floor level (top of subfloor). Then all you have to do is copy the CAD line to correspond with the top plate (97 1/8" for a pre-cut 8' first floor framed wall). (-)11.5" for the top of the masonry foundation wall (if using 2x10 flr joists and a treated sill plate- I typically designate the top and bottom of footing, the top of masonry foundation wall, 1st flr subfloor level, top plate of 1st floor wall framing etc).

One other thing, if you have a front porch, like in Joey's very nice example, you will not be able to pull a vertical dimension off of the front elevation windows that are under the front porch roof because the front porch "room" gets in the way. You would have to take a full elevation view from inside the porch room, then take your vertical window dimension and create a cad line and do a copy-paste-in place on the front elevation view. Or you'll have to use a second floor window and reference down from the second floor.

Quick question for Joey: First of all, you do beautiful construction drawings, very professional and first rate. Nicer than mine for sure. I noticed that you designate your floor levels as F.F.L. (Finish Floor Level) but that on the 2nd floor of your example your dimension from FFL to Top Pl is 8'-1 1/8". To me that means you are calling your subfloor level FFL. Am I missing something or just being too anal?-Brad

[perryh]

It's too bad the auto exterior dims. don't work like we want them to. We need more options ,like find floor and ridge heights. Right now its a mess.

[Bradley Boltz]

It's too bad the auto exterior dims. don't work like we want them to. We need more options ,like find floor and ridge heights. Right now its a mess.

I've been waiting for an auto floor level, top plate marker top of foundation marker option etc since before the X-versions. I guess the save as method is currently the most efficient solution available but I just recreate and copy them from elevation to elevation instead-too lazy to be more efficient.-BB

[perryh]

I've been waiting for an auto floor level, top plate marker top of foundation marker option etc since before the X-versions. I guess the save as method is currently the most efficient solution available but I just recreate and copy them from elevation to elevation instead-too lazy to be more efficient.-BB

The irony of it is that Chief already has the auto exterior elevation tool, it just doesn't work as advertized

[joey3032]

To me that means you are calling your subfloor level FFL. Am I missing something or just being too anal?-Brad

I do call that the finished floor line. I worked (interned) for an architect in the late 80's that taught me that. I know it goes against what we were taught in school, but his theory was that the only people on the job site that are going to use those dims are the framers, and to them, that is the finished floor height. They could care less about what type of flooring is going in each room, they are only concerned about the sub floor to plate.

I guess after 20 something years I have just gotten used to doing that way and don't think about it anymore.

[Bradley Boltz]

That's what I thought Joey, you're using FFL the same as I had been designating mine as FF for years but more recently got anal about it not being verbally accurate even though, like you I was using it for designating my subfloor, just like I always dimension to from interior as 3 1/2". I've seen architects and some plan companies dimensioning interior walls as "4" which I never understood. They refered to it a "nominal" and I refer to it as "BS" and confusing. I do dimension the outer walls as "6" but that's to include my typical 1/2"sheathing(I don't use the 9/16" actual osb dimension in this instance since it gives dumb dimension numbers showing 16ths on the interiors).

For the sake of clarity, I currently call my "finish floor level" either SFL or Sub-Floor Level. I'll reserve the use of FFL for the finish floor levels of existing structures when doing additions. When doing additions it's more critical that I differentiate FFL from SFL. Since getting laid off from a bankrupt builder in 2009, I've been doing mostly additions freelance and have only designed two customs homes in that time frame.-BB

[Bradley Boltz]

Perry, what am I missing with this auto exterior elevation tool? Are you talking about the tool that creates all 4 exterior elevation camera views? If so what part is not working as advertised or how is it advertised? Thanks, Brad

[dshall]

The irony of it is that Chief already has the auto exterior elevation tool, it just doesn't work as advertized

Agreed, it is a mess, I do not use it either, more efficient methods.

[perryh]

Sorry , its auto exterior dimension tool

[Bradley Boltz]

Sorry , its auto exterior dimension tool

I didn't realize that we had one for elevation views. I'll have to check it out so I can Greckz about it too! East Coasting at 50 degrees today and too cold to finish putting the acrylic coating on my back porch roof-now what will I do with the "rest" of my Sunday (rest?!). Thanks again for the info.- Mr Oblivious