solver

Here is an idea to play with.

Build 2 rooms. The small one on the right uncheck Roof Over This Room.

How would you view this connection on a printed plan?

I'm finding adding the shed roof manually is easier.

You are able to build a very simple representation of a spiral stair using the basic tools within the software.

Posting the plan file -- YourPlanName.plan (not an image of the plan) is many (most) times a good idea.

There are some really good videos on YouTube and there is the Knowledge Base with how to on many issues.

Even the Overview Video is worth watching.

https://hometalk.chiefarchitect.com/index.php?/topic/530-room-area-labels/

The Living Area Label will always return to its default location. There is a suggestion by me to change that behavior.

Cannot speak to your other issues, but if they can be replicated, send the plan to support.

I'd do this differently in Pro, but this should get you close in Suite.

Build 1/3 of the building with the roof. Copy the entire building and paste 2 copies off to the side.

Move these copies so they align with the original. 

I set the common walls to Room Divider to give an open space inside.

This one has the porch roof fascia matching the garage. Open the porch roof plane and set its fascia height to match that of the main roof. You will need to reconnect the roofs as they will no longer join correctly.

Also check the overhangs on the porch roof. They don't match the house.

Is this a new house or existing?

Nevada_House_Plan_2421-SF_06_20_15 x3.plan

I just left the porch roof as is and manually edited the main roof. 

Mick made it -- I'm guessing, so you may auto build the roof, which is the best way.

Draw the first floor.

Create a second floor. YOU will think of this as an Attic space, the program will consider this as a second floor. 

You will need walls around the exterior of the entire structure to create one big room on the second floor. This is simply the way the software works -- walls define rooms which define ceiling height. Set the ceiling height to 0 and uncheck Ceiling Over This Room. This gets the roof to build where you want it, and allows you to partition the space into rooms.

Build the roof.

You now have a large "attic" in which to build rooms. Today it's over the garage, later it will be when they decide to create living space in the remainder of the "attic".

The software will not let you build rooms in an attic, it must be a numbered floor. 

It can look like an attic, but it cannot be labeled an attic by the program.

I'm confused by "Due to the high peak, potentially the attic space above the house could also be used for bedrooms at some future date."

You said above the house has a second floor -- does it?

If no, then you must build one, if yes, then you need walls above the perimeter garage walls to create a room. The walls are only there to create the room because that is the way the software works. 

Once you create this second floor room above the garage, set the ceiling height to 0 and build the roof. This gives you the look you want, and what "looks" like an attic space in which to build your office space.

You may now draw in any walls needed to enclose the office. Set the space outside the office to have an "attic" room type.

Here is the modified plan. 

Check the roof planes around the porch, and the attic walls above the porch.

Nevada_House_Plan_2421-SF_06_20_15 x1.plan

Is this what you are looking for?

You may manually create your steps. Use whatever tools your software has to make boxes covered with brick.

I submitted the 12" bug in September 2014.

Reply from support:

Once again you have found something interesting. You can manually lower the roof planes by selecting them and opening the Roof Plan Specification dialog. Lock the pitch and lower the baseline height.

As for automatic roof generation, I’m not seeing a way to accomplish this. I’ll send it over to our developers to see what they can do with it. Once again I’ll let you know if they give me any additional information.

No word since their reply.

Go to 2nd floor.

Draw outside walls above garage first floor walls. F9 to see them.

Set ceiling height to 0".

Build roof.

Draw in interior walls as needed.

Build 2nd floor with 0" height.

Build roof.

Build walls as needed on second floor.

Set "Attic" areas on second floor to Attic as required.

Posting an image of what you are trying to model will help us.

Always best to start a new thread, even though your issue is similar.

You need a second floor to build living space in. Attic space is not a second floor.

I'd try uninstalling and then install.

You may also open a ticket with support so they will have it Monday AM. They are normally quick to respond.

I looked at the plan, and you are drawing the plane wrong. You always draw the baseline, then release the mouse button, then drag up towards the ridge.

Check out some of the YouTube videos on roofs. Remember, ceiling planes work like roofs. Here is a good one.

Mike -- did you see post 15?

Looking at your last image, I'm guessing you are drawing in the new ceiling plane in the wrong direction.

Start 90 degrees to the outside wall.

This is not simple for me. One time it works easily, the next not at all. I almost never use ceiling planes, so maybe someone with more experience will post.