Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
Creating Railings
Railings can be created anywhere in a project. They can be placed on stairs, ramps, floors, and
roofs, but they are not hosted elements. The railing does not need to be dependent on a host
object to exist. From the Architecture tab in the ribbon, you will find the Railing tool in the
Circulation panel. Click the Railing fly-out and you will see Sketch Path and Place On Host.
You would use the Sketch Path tool to create a railing on a flat surface such as a slab edge.
When the Place On Host tool is activated, you must select a stair or a ramp and the placed
railing will follow the slope of the stair or ramp. If you choose this second option, notice in the
contextual ribbon that you have the option to specify whether the railing will be oriented above
the tread or the stringer (Figure 15.64)—you can always modify this after the railing has
been placed.
Figure 15.64
Set options for tread or
stringer placement of
railings.
Before we create a railing, we'll explain the placement of a railing on a stair a little further.
When you use the Place On Host method, the railing path is automatically assigned to the
edge of the stair that represents the outside face of the tread and the inside face of the stringer
(if one is defined). The railing orientation is simply flipped to either side of this path—toward
the tread or toward the stringer. In the Properties palette, you will find a parameter named
Tread/Stringer Offset that is set to -0ʺ-1ʺ (-25 mm) by default. Most rail and baluster families
are developed along a center axis; therefore, the Tread/Stringer Offset value pushes the railing
to one side or the other of the railing's path. To modify this orientation after a railing has been
placed, select a railing and either click the flip arrow that appears in the view window or right-
click and select Flip Orientation from the context menu. The Tread/Stringer Offset value will
remain the same no matter which way the railing is oriented.
