InhabitEcoDesign Posted May 27, 2020 Share Posted May 27, 2020 I'm converting a design from Sketchup of a small 1.5 story house. I finally got one dormer in the roof to look good and fit well. When I copied it and pasted it on the other side of the roof, I get the warning that a dormer can't be built because previous walls are in the way. So the new pasted dormer will show up, but the original dormer disappears (though the outline for it is still there). I thought maybe they were both too close to the peak that the framing might interfere. So, I lowered the wall height on each dormer, but I still get the same messages and only one dormer appears. I know I'm missing something. I couldn't find anything like this in previous posts, so thought I'd ask. Here are two screen shots of the current plan, and an elevation of the SU version I'm trying to recreate. Also, is there a way to create a flat ceiling in these dormers like in my SU drawing? I haven't been able to find a way to do that. I have lots of other questions regarding this plan, like how to have exposed rafter tails on the roof, but I suppose I should start new threads for each of those. Thanks for your help! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solver Posted May 27, 2020 Share Posted May 27, 2020 Keep in mind the Home Designer website has many videos and articles available. It's a good place to start your search for help. The Reference Guide may be helpful too. With Pro, you can manually create the dormers, explode an Auto Dormer which is often easier than getting the auto dormers to work. I have a dormer video or 2 on my YouTube channel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solver Posted May 27, 2020 Share Posted May 27, 2020 And we can be more helpful if you attach the plan file (close Pro first). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InhabitEcoDesign Posted May 27, 2020 Author Share Posted May 27, 2020 Thanks, I have watched most of the HD videos on the roofs and dormers, and I watched several of yours on YT also. None seemed to tell me why one dormer would be unable to be built as soon as I added another one on the opposite side of the roof. I've attached the file here. Thanks for your help! And thanks for the videos too. I"m new so I keep going through topics and watching things as I come across problems. Miller_Owlery.plan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solver Posted May 27, 2020 Share Posted May 27, 2020 I don't think auto dormers will work here. Sometimes the program just does not automatically do what you want so you need to take over and do it manually. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidJPotter Posted May 27, 2020 Share Posted May 27, 2020 DJP Miller_Owlery.plan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solver Posted May 28, 2020 Share Posted May 28, 2020 I see David has already done a video ... Watch on YouTube: http://youtu.be/po8n7IvX3Xw?hd=1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solver Posted May 28, 2020 Share Posted May 28, 2020 Have you considered an alternating tread stair? Looks like you could squeeze in a full bath. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jo_Ann Posted May 28, 2020 Share Posted May 28, 2020 If you lower the dormer ceiling height to 48", it will build. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InhabitEcoDesign Posted May 28, 2020 Author Share Posted May 28, 2020 Wow, thanks for both videos. I saw David's first, and it still took a little tweaking to get all the walls, and roof hole and everything lined up just right. Eric, your method definitely seems quicker. Thanks for the tips. I didn't catch what you said to do to get that CAD line copied up on the attic plane to "reflect about." (Remember, i use a mac so I don't have "alt.") I do like those alternating stairs. is that a style that comes in Pro? Haven't messed around yet much with stairs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solver Posted May 28, 2020 Share Posted May 28, 2020 35 minutes ago, InhabitEcoDesign said: I didn't catch what you said to do to get that CAD line copied up on the attic plane to "reflect about." (Remember, i use a mac so I don't have "alt.") Paste Hold Position 35 minutes ago, InhabitEcoDesign said: I do like those alternating stairs. is that a style that comes in Pro? Haven't messed around yet much with stairs. No. They could be modeled -- I'd use Custom Countertops for the treads and Custom Backsplash for the stringers. I've used 2 stairs next to each other to simulate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InhabitEcoDesign Posted May 28, 2020 Author Share Posted May 28, 2020 18 hours ago, Jo_Ann said: If you lower the dormer ceiling height to 48", it will build. Jo- Ann, you're right. If I keep messing with the dormer wall height, I actually got both to draw at 49". Any ideas how to give the dormer areas flat ceilings so they dont meet at the peak of the ceiling with just an awkward couple of inches in between? I've tried drawing a room divider on the attic level inside the dormer walls, but that doesn't seem to work. I thought i might create a room where I could designate a ceiling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InhabitEcoDesign Posted May 28, 2020 Author Share Posted May 28, 2020 12 minutes ago, solver said: No. The could be modeled -- I'd use Custom Countertops for the treads and Custom Backsplash for the stringers. I've used 2 stairs next to each other to simulate. Oh wow, that's farther than i've gone in the software so far. Thanks! I'll have to experiment a bit with that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solver Posted May 28, 2020 Share Posted May 28, 2020 29 minutes ago, InhabitEcoDesign said: Any ideas how to give the dormer areas flat ceilings You can draw your own ceiling planes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jo_Ann Posted May 28, 2020 Share Posted May 28, 2020 You already HAVE a room to designate a ceiling in. Turn OFF "auto build roof" 1st, then open the room dbx. Set the ceiling to 8' and put a check in the box for "flat ceiling over this room". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InhabitEcoDesign Posted May 28, 2020 Author Share Posted May 28, 2020 Oh, I was afraid that would raise the walls of the second story up to 8 feet again. I guess by turning off "auto rebuild roof" it, keeps the walls the same height? Thanks for your help! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InhabitEcoDesign Posted May 28, 2020 Author Share Posted May 28, 2020 Hmm, what did I do wrong? I turned off auto rebuild roofs. selected the "bedroom" loft and set the walls to 8', and clicked flat ceiling. And it shot the windows of my dormers up into space above the roof line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InhabitEcoDesign Posted May 28, 2020 Author Share Posted May 28, 2020 I realized that the windows are technically on the attic layer. So, I was able to give them negative heights relative to the floor, and drop them down into place. But, if I'm trying to create an accurate floorplan, is there a way I can move the dormer walls and windows to show on the plan for the 2nd floor? A framer looking at the plan as it is now, wouldn't be able to relate the dormer walls and windows without them somehow overlaying the second floor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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