Defining the Height of Architectural Elements

Module(s): General: Roofs, Planes, Sections

When you create an architectural element, you can define its height:

• As an absolute height (relative to the datum level) using the or settings
• Relative to a default piar of planes using the following settings: or
• Relative to a custom pair of planes using the or settings
• By adopting the values from an existing architectural element with the or settings

Reference planes

You use Custom Planes to define a custom pair of reference planes. These planes (there are always two) can be inclined at any angle and have the height that you assign to them.

Height values

Each point on a pair of reference planes viewed in plan has an upper and a lower height value.

1 - 4: Construction points of the pair of reference planes
A: Upper plane
B: Lower plane
C: Elevation of points 1 and 4 at top
D: Elevation of points 2 and 3 at top
E: Elevation of points 1 and 4 at bottom
F: Elevation of points 2 and 3 at bottom

A wall positioned under two custom pairs of reference planes might look like this:

(1) Plane 1
(2) Plane 2

You might ask what the difference is between custom planes and a roof frame:

When you use Roof Frame to design virtual frames or roof frames, you are in effect defining a series of custom pairs of planes. You could, of course, use the Custom Planes tool to design the frame. In the case of particularly complex roof structures, for instance, you will find that Custom Planes is a more powerful and effective tool. Using custom pairs of reference planes, you can design interesting and complex volume models.