Creating Railings

You can create railings on and around a stair, a ramp, or a stairwell.

Before you begin: Open a building containing a stair, a ramp, or a stairwell.
  1. From the Building section of the action bar, click Railing .
  2. Select a stair, a ramp, or a stairwell to host the railing.
    Rail and post segments are created on the selected building element.
  3. To create a railing, click any rail segment or a post segment.
  4. In the Railing dialog box, select Rail .

    Note: You can also select the rail in the 3D area.

  5. Specify the parameters for the rail, post, baluster, and handrail.
    OptionDescription
    Rail
    1. In the Number of rails box, specify the number of rails that are to be added to the selected building element.
    2. In the Top rail height box, specify the height of the top-most rail.
    3. In the Bottom rail height box, specify the height of the bottom-most rail.
    4. In the Rail lateral offset box, specify the inward offset of the rail from the outer edge of the building element.
    5. Select the Return at start check box to create a vertical return at the start of the rail path and specify its length, height, and corner radius.
    6. Select the Return at end check box to create a vertical return at the end of the rail path and specify its length, height, and corner radius.
    7. Click Top rail shape, select the shape of the rail, and then specify the dimensions for that shape.
      Note: If there are more than one rail, you can select different shapes for the top rail, bottom rail, and intermediate rail.
    Post
    1. Select Post in the Railing dialog box or in the 3D area.
    2. In the Post height box, specify the height of the post.
    3. In the Extend downward box, specify the length by which the post should be extended downward into the building element.
    4. In the Maximum spacing box, specify the maximum distance between two posts.
    5. In the Lateral offset box, specify the inward offset of the post from the outer edge of the building element.
      Note: The rail moves along with the post.
    6. Click Post shape, select the shape of the post, and then specify the dimensions for that shape.
    Baluster
    1. Select Baluster and select the Include balusters check box.
    2. In the Maximum spacing box, specify the maximum spacing between two balusters.
    3. In the Lateral offset box, specify the inward offset of the baluster from the rail.
    4. Click Baluster shape, select the shape of the baluster, and then specify the dimensions for that shape.
    Handrail
    1. Select Handrail and select the Include handrails check box.
    2. In the Top of handrail box, specify the height of the top of the handrail.
    3. In the Handrail lateral offset box, specify the inward offset of the handrail from the post.
    4. From the Extension type list, select Vertical or Horizontal.
    5. Select the Return at start check box to create a vertical return at the start of the handrail path and specify its length, height, and corner radius.
    6. Select the Return at end check box to create a vertical return at the end of a handrail path and specify its length, height, and corner radius.
    7. Click Handrail shape, select the shape of the handrail, and then specify the dimensions for that shape.
  6. Choose the position of the railing for a stair or a ramp.
    • To create railing along the outside edges of a stair or a ramp, click Side path .
    • To create railing along the center line of a stair or a ramp, click Center path .

    Notes:
    • You can also add two railings, with a side path position and a center path position, to a stair or a ramp.
    • Select the building element again to add the second railing.

  7. Choose the pattern of selection of segments.
    • To create a railing on the selected segment, click Single .
    • To create railings all along the same side as the selected segment, click All in Path .
    • To create railings above and below the selected segment, click Above and Below .
  8. To remove a railing, Ctrl + select the railing to be removed.

    Tip: Right-click the railing and click Remove Rail.

  9. To copy properties from a railing, click Match , and select a railing from which the properties are to be copied.
  10. Click Ok .
    A railing is created.