Additional Options for Defining the Height of Architectural Elements

Module(s): General: Roofs, Planes, Sections + tool(s): all architectural elements

If you don’t want an element’s height to be governed by a pair of reference planes, you can choose the absolute elevation tool in the element’s Height dialog box to define the top and bottom height of the element as an absolute elevation from the datum.

You can also associate the height of new architectural elements with the top and bottom of other elements in the workspace, or with custom planes already defined.

Defining the Height of Architectural Elements

To define the height of an element, click the Setup button in the corresponding Properties dialog box. In the Height dialog box which then appears, you can set up the height of the element’s top and bottom levels.

Tip: Walls whose heights are defined relative to the same reference plane will intersect.
To prevent this, set the height of the walls relative to different reference planes or enter the heights as absolute values - for example, associate the height of one wall with the upper reference plane and the height of the other wall with the lower reference plane.

Defining the top and bottom level of an architectural element

To define the top/bottom level of an architectural element, click the appropriate tool in the Height dialog box and enter a value.

This ...	Does this ...
	Defines the elevation of the bottom of the element as an absolute elevation relative to the datum. Possible applications: - Facade for an entire house - Round window centered in a flank wall - Windows in staircases (set off by half a floor)
	Enters the top level of the component relative to the upper or lower default reference plane. Generally, the default reference planes apply. The exception to this is when the element is located between a custom pair of reference planes or a roof frame in the same document. Note: Custom reference planes always have priority over the default reference planes.
	Enters the bottom level of the component relative to the upper/lower default reference plane. Here, too, the default reference planes generally apply. The exception to this is when the element is located between a custom pair of reference planes or a roof frame in the same document.
	Defines the top or bottom of the component by matching the values of an existing component. Click to match the settings of the architectural element. The dialog box will close temporarily so that you can do this. The angle of inclination is adopted and retained even if the reference element is deleted. Note: The reference element may be located in another drawing file which is open in edit mode. Possible application: Dormer projecting beyond the main roof
	If the upper/lower custom reference plane or the top/bottom level of the reference component is inclined, you can specify how the offset is to be interpreted. Click if the offset entered is perpendicular to the datum. Otherwise, click (the height is interpreted as a vertical offset).
	Defines a set component height
	Defines the height above which the top of an element may not extend, relative to the component’s bottom level. For example, if a wall is positioned under a slanting custom reference plane, it will only follow the slope of that plane up to the point where the top level attains the maximum height specified here. Note: You cannot define a maximum component height if an element’s height has been defined as absolute or using a fixed element height. Possible application: A wall that is to adapt to the constraints imposed by a roof frame until a specific height
	You can use the following options to define how the top level of a component adapts to the upper plane:
	Normal: This will cause the component to be drawn along the plane and ‘cut’ at an angle if necessary.
	Jamb wall: The lowest point where the component and reference plane intersect is locked and the component is drawn horizontally at this height.
	Chimney: The top point where the component and reference plane intersect is locked and the component is drawn horizontally at this height.

Component Height, Schematic Overview