David,
Thanks much for your helpful response. I expected that it would be something simple.
The "Subfloor height above terrain" is clearly the property that I had neglected.
It was "checked" as automatic.
I was trying to change the values of elevation lines, assuming that the height of the terrain was defaulted to the zero elevation of the house.
But each time I adjusted the height of elevation lines, the terrain auto-compensated to offset my effort.
It was rather frustrating.
It's great to understand that I can adjust the relative heights with a single number, rather than messing around with multiple terrain settings.
My software version is included in my signature. (Per instructions from "solver" in response an earlier question.)
Eric,
I think I have things somewhat sorted out.
Yes, I did start by choosing a template other than the Default Style. That's presumably how I got the fancy rail posts.
I did finally find a Baluster Type parameter, which can be set to Square, round or library. But setting it to square made no difference in the 3D view.
I also had the issue that I was looking at a railing that was generated as part of a landing, so it's properties are controlled by the stair settings.
So most of its properties are greyed out.
And, I found a Baluster Type parameter in the stair properties, but changing it to square also made no difference.
It appears to me that template properties override at least some local settings.
I had already found from my old 2011 software, that the template also overrides default settings.
I had many instances of an item that I wanted to change, and I had to edit each material, one, by one, for each of them, because changing defaults didn't help.
And yes, where possible, I selected use defaults, for each item.
For future reference, if there's an easier way, I'd love to know it.
I guess my railing issues are resolved. Thank you for your suggestions
I'd still like a resolution of the "3D cursor" issue.
If I select the "pointer cursor" in a 3D view, I can find no way to get the "3D cursor" back, other than to close the view and reopen it.
There must be a toolbar icon to select the "3D cursor", but I can't see it, or don't recognize it.
NorseMN's post in Terrain elevation relative to house was marked as the answer