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Deck Edges Formed by Break Sections Improved
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SoftPlan version 12 has improved upon
the Break Section tool for Decks. This tool allows for additional edges to
be created from an existing deck shape, allowing another shape to be
created from the existing deck. Moving and Adjusting deck edges formed by
the Break Section command is also more reliable, resulting in a more
intuitive adjustment.
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To add a new deck edge open a
drawing that has an existing deck drawn and then select Draw >
Deck > Break Section.
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Left click on an edge of the
deck to break that edge into two deck edges.
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Performing an Undo will remove
the added point and deck edge. A Cleanup can also be used to
remove the added point and deck edge.
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To change the shape of the
deck use the Adjust tool to adjust a deck point to another
location.
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Decks Have Curved Edges
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Among the new features that Version 12
provides for decks is the ability to have curved deck edges. The process
for this feature is to begin with a deck polygon that includes a straight
edge by default. Edit an edge of the deck polygon to display its
properties. In the Deck Edge menu, enter a value for Deflection. This will
activate the rest of the Edge Properties.
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- To create a curved deck edge, first
draw the deck polygon.
Select Edit> Edit Item.
- Click the From button on the desired
edge to change.
- In the Deck Edge menu, enter a value
for Deflection.
- At this point the Arc Radius can be
modified. This is the arc measurement for the deck edge curve. The option
to Deflect In is also active. Selecting this will curve the deck edge
inward.
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Deck Stairs can be Any Standard Stair Shape
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SoftPlan Version 12 has added the
ability to now create Deck Stairs with any of the available stair shapes
in the program. This offers enhanced drawing ability when creating deck
stairs both for regular plan drawing, as well as elevation and/or 3D image
generation.
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Select File > Draw >
Deck > Stair.
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Once Stair is selected, any of
the available stair selections can be used to create your stairs.
Much like regular stairs, deck stairs can either be manually
drawn, or the pre-defined stair symbols can be used.
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Decks are Formed with Individual Components
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SoftPlan Version 12 has added the
ability to now draw a deck using its individual deck components. This
feature allows the creation of intricate deck assemblies.
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Select Draw > Deck >
Deck Components.
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The Deck
Components menu will open, allowing you to select any combination of
the components you would like to draw.
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For this
example, select Ring, followed by selecting OK.
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Click to begin
drawing the Ring Joist polygon, and trace the entire perimeter of your
deck, back to the starting point.
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The first of
the three available deck components is drawn.
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Select Draw
> Deck > Deck Components.
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Again, the
Deck Components menu will open. Select Joist.
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Click to begin
drawing your Joist polygon, and trace to define the perimeter of your
joist set.
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You can either
trace around the perimeter of the Ring Joist already in place, or you
can trace as many separate joist polygons as necessary, depending on
your situation. In this example two separate joist polygons were
used.
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Select Draw
> Deck > Deck Components.
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As before, the
Deck Components menu will open. Select Surface.
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Click to begin
drawing your Deck Surface polygon, and trace to define the perimeter of
your deck surface.
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Much like
drawing your joists, you can either trace around the perimeter of the
Ring Joist already in place, or you can trace as many separate deck
surface polygons as necessary, depending on your situation. In this
example two separate deck surface polygons were used.
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As demonstrated in this
example, the deck is simply an “L” shaped deck assembly, however,
because SoftPlan now allows you to draw individual deck
components, the ability to draw the deck with varying joist
direction and deck surface direction can be utilized.
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Deck/Stair Railing Plan Position
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SoftPlan Version 12 has added the
ability to now position your Deck / Stair Railings using the new Plan
Position feature. This allows you to add your railings, edit them, and
simply enter a value for the Plan Position to determine the railings’
position in reference to the edge it is on.
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Select Edit
> Edit Item.
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Click on the railing who’s
position you would like to adjust. The railing edit dialog box
will open.
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In the lower right-hand corner
you should see the Plan Position value field. The distance you
enter within this field will determine how far from the reference
edge the center of the railing will be.
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Type in an appropriate value
(In this case it was –1.75”).
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Select OK.
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SoftPlan will re-position the railing
based on the value you have entered. This value will be held in the Plan
Position field unless edited and changed. The direction in which the
railing will move is determined by using the Plus (+) key to move the
railing inwards on the deck, and/or Minus (-) key to move the railing
outwards away from the deck.
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Undo can be Used on the Break Section of a Deck
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When a deck is drawn, the deck
edge can be broken by using Draw> Deck> Break section.
Wherever the deck edge
is selected a control point is
placed to break the deck and create an additional deck edge. This
command can now be reversed by using the Undo command (Undo icon
or Backspace key). In previous versions, the command could not be
undone.
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"Decking" Renamed to "Deck Surfaces" in Visible
Items
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In SoftPlan Version 12, under the
Visible Items dialog, the entry for Decking has been renamed to Deck
Surfaces. This is used to describe the deck boards that are laid on top of
the deck joists. This maintains consistency with other dialogs describing
the deck boards. This includes Type Erase and the edit dialog of
Decks.
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Select Options
> Visible Items… to open the Visible Items dialog.
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To turn off
the Display of the deck boards, uncheck the Deck Surfaces
option.
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To turn on
again the Display of the deck boards, check the Deck Surfaces
option.
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Deck Corners can be Made Curved with the Curved Fillet
Command
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SoftPlan Version 12 now has added
‘Tool’ commands. One of these is the ‘Curved Fillet’ command. This Tool
can be used to add curved corners to your deck.
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- Draw the deck in the shape as shown
in the example.
- Click on ‘Tools’
- Click on ‘Curved Fillet’
- Click on the deck edge as indicated
by (1)
- Click on the deck edge as indicated
by (2)
- A dialog box will appear with the
title ‘Curved Fillet’ and a text field where a radius can be entered.
This field will default to 2’0”, enter in 1’6”.
- Click the ‘OK’ button. The deck will
be redrawn with a round corner that has a radius of 1’6”.
Inside as well as out side corners can be
created with this ‘Curved Fillet’ command Tool. The ‘Curved Fillet’ command
can also be used on walls, lines, and other items.
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Deck Stairs and Interior Stairs are now Listed Separately in Visible
Items
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Version 12 has expanded options under
the Visible Items section. Unlike past versions, this one includes
separate options for the different type of stairs. The stair type drawn
can either be a Deck Stair or Stair.
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Deck stair visibility is
controlled in each mode by going to Options> Visible Items>
Decks> Deck Stairs.
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Stair (interior) visibility is
controlled in each mode by going to Options> Visible Items>
Stairs, Railings, Landings> Stairs .
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Opening Sills Hide Deck Lines Below
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SoftPlan Version 12 has improved the
display of drawings by allowing any deck lines located underneath opening
sills to be hidden or clipped. In previous versions the deck lines would
be shown passing through any opening sills. SoftPlan now automatically
blocks out any lines below opening sills.
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