Floors/Storeys

INSTRUCTION TYPE: Exploration INSTRUCTION TITLE: Creating and Managing Floors CATEGORY: Project Setup OBJECTIVE: Learn how to create, modify, and manage floors, including assigning floor groups and controlling wall numbering.

INTRODUCTION

Floors are a fundamental part of any building model, providing the framework for walls, ceilings, and structural components. Understanding how to create and modify floors ensures accurate project organization and seamless integration of design elements. This guide walks you through adding new floors, adjusting heights, organizing floors into groups, and managing wall numbering.

PREREQUISITES:

• Basic software installation

• Access to a sample project

EXPERTISE LEVEL: Novice

PARAMETERS:

• Floor Creation: Adding new floors and defining bottom edges

• Floor Modification: Adjusting heights, duplicating floors, and renumbering walls

• Grouping Floors: Organizing floors for structural reference

• Component Visibility: Managing walls, windows, doors, and construction geometry

STEPS:

1. Go to Floor Plan Module (Option 1-2-1)

2. Open the Story function from the menu. (Option 2-1)

3. If floors already exist, view them in the list at the top left of the dialog box, with a preview on the right.

4. Use the following options to Create floors:

   1. New: Create a new, empty floor.

   2. Select Storey. The options are BA (Basement), GR (Ground Floor), IF (Intermediate Floor), TF (Top Floor)

   3. Enter Storey Number

   4. Assign the floor to a group (optional):

      1. Enter any text or number as a group identifier.

      2. Floors with the same group text are linked, allowing the program to reference them for ceiling positions and wall heights.

   5. Set the bottom edge: This defines the absolute height for the floor, which walls and other elements can reference. (U)

   6. Set Overall Storey height (H)

   

5. Define the wall start number:

   • Specify a starting number for walls on this floor. The first wall receives this number, with subsequent walls numbered sequentially.

   • Gaps may exist between wall numbers across different floors.

6. Other options are:

   1. Copy: Copy an existing floor. Choose whether to apply only walls, windows, doors, building components, or construction geometry. Assign a new floor name and bottom edge if needed.

   2. Edit: Adjust the bottom edge height. This moves the entire floor along with all its components. Changing the wall start number renumbers all walls on that floor.

   3. Delete: Remove an entire floor or specific elements (windows, doors, components, construction geometry). Walls cannot be deleted without removing their associated elements.

EXPECTED RESULTS:

• You should be able to create new floors, modify their properties, and organize them into groups.

• You should be able to adjust the bottom edge and understand its impact on walls and other components.

• Walls should be automatically renumbered when modifying the start number.

COMMON VARIATIONS:

• Some projects may use predefined floor groups for easier navigation.

• Complex buildings may have multiple subgroups affecting visibility and referencing.

TROUBLESHOOTING:

• If changes to the floor do not apply: Ensure that the correct floor is selected before modifying.

• If walls are misaligned after changing the bottom edge: Verify that all necessary elements have moved with the floor.

• If floors do not appear in the list: Check if they have been created under a different group.

FOLLOW-UP ACTIONS:

• Learn how to add walls, windows, and doors to floors.

• Explore how ceilings and floor slabs interact with floors.

• Understand how to manage multi-level structures.

QUERY EXAMPLES:

• "How do I create a new floor?"

• "What happens if I change the bottom edge of a floor?"

• "How do I organize floors into groups?"