If you are looking for a way to add more living space to your existing home, but don’t want to build an addition, you might consider adding a deck. This Software contains an extensive toolset for designing outdoor living areas.

You will learn how to design multi-story and multi-level decks, including options for handrails, skirt trim, and steps.

Adding a Deck

Adding a deck is a great way to add living space to your home. With This Software, you can build freeform deck sections on the fly, with or without railings, or use wall trace tools to create a deck along an existing wall. All sections can be altered if you change your mind in the middle of the design process. The two Trace Wall Deck tools make designing a deck against an intricate set of exterior walls simple. At any time during the designing process, you can view your work in 3D.

When a deck tool is active you can edit the deck properties on the Properties tab. You can also change the properties after the deck has been placed by selecting the deck to access its properties. Some deck properties are only available after the deck has been added, for example stairs.

Below are some references that may be helpful as you design:

1. Deck Properties
2. Reshaping and Resizing 2D Objects
3. AutoSnap and Alignment Options
4. Elevating Objects
5. Moving a Selection & Nudging a Selection
6. Customizing Deck Framing Properties
7. Applying Building Materials & Applying Paint and Color

Freeform Deck

Using the Freeform Deck tools, you can create a deck with a railing or a deck without a railing. The default drawing shape is a polygon. To create a deck using a different shape, choose the shape you want on the Properties tab before you draw the deck.

To add a freeform deck shape

1- On the Deck plan toolbar, click one of the deck tools from the freeform Deck toolset.

2- on the properties tab, click the Draw method drop-down menu and choose the shape you want.

3- Use the Define 2D shape drawing method to draw a freeform deck

This example shows a deck drawn using the Closed Polygon shape

Wall Trace Deck

Using the Wall Trace Deck tools, you can automatically create a deck that traces an existing wall in your design. For rectangular deck shapes that conform to the existing perimeter, use the Wall Trace Tool. The start point for the deck defines the center of the deck.

Note: Only the edges of the deck that are away from the house perimeter will have railings.

**To add a wall trace deck **

1. On the Deck plan toolbar, click the Deck Wall Trace Tool from the Wall Trace Deck toolset.
2. Use the Click-and-Drag drawing method to drag the deck to the shape and size you want. The edge along the walls automatically conforms to match the shape.

Custom Deck Wall Trace Tool

For more complex perimeters, use the Custom Wall Trace Tool to trace the exterior and define points so your deck matches the unique shape you want perfectly. This deck must start along a wall, but then the shape is defined by the points you place as you draw.

**To add a custom wall trace deck **

1. On the Deck plan toolbar, click the Custom Deck Wall Trace Tool from the Wall Trace Deck toolset.
2. Click and drag along a wall to define the direction you want the deck to be drawn. A rubber band arrow is displayed and follows the pointer. Release the mouse button.
3. Click another point along a wall to define the last point of the deck along the wall.
4. Continue to click points to define the shape of the deck and right-click to finish. The deck automatically conforms to the wall.

Deck Properties

Decks are defined by their height, skirting, and handrails. You can edit the properties before you draw or after the component has been added to your design by selecting it and clicking the Properties tab.

Note: Always press the ENTER to accept new values in a text box.

1. Deck Height defines the distance from the base of the deck to the top surface. By editing the height of a deck, you can create elaborate designs using multi- level decks.

2. You can now specify Fascia height on deck.

3. Skirting checkbox controls if skirting is enabled around the sides of the deck. When selected, skirting is enabled. You can choose to include skirt trim on only certain sides, and also customize the skirting by applying colors or materials.

4. Calculate Area button calculates the area of the deck.

5. Include Handrails checkbox controls if handrails are included on the selected edge. When selected, handrails are enabled. You can include or remove handrails from one side of the deck or multiple sides.

6. Handrails Height defines the distance from the bottom of the handrail to the top.

7. Baluster Spacing defines the distance between each baluster or spindle.

8. Include Post checkbox controls if posts are included at each point you clicked when drawing the rail. When selected, posts are included; when deselected they are excluded. You can add or remove individual posts using the Add Point and Remove Point Tools. For more information, see “Editing Detail Shapes”.

9. Post Height defines the height of the posts. You can select individual posts and edit their height or double-click the rail to select all posts and then edit the height so they match.

10. You can change railing styles from railing properties section. Materials are added to the user-library and can be accessed by clicking on Railing Material button.

11. Steps you can add steps to any side of your deck by selecting the deck edge and clicking the Insert New button. By default, steps are added to the center of the deck side but can be moved easily into any position.

12. Curve options control curvature. For more information, see “Changing Curve Tension”.

13. Auto-Dimension checkbox controls the display of dimensions in 2D. If automatic dimensions are not displayed for the entire drawing, the deck dimensions are not displayed. For details on controlling the automatic dimensions display “Dimensioning”.

14. Reflectivity slider is used to change reflection of the stairs. None or 0 will have lowest reflectivity while shiny or 100 will have maximum reflectivity. Reflection will only be visible when using Render final quality.

    

Open checkbox controls if step risers are included. When selected, risers are excluded; when deselected they are included.

Editing Deck Step Properties

Using This Software, you can add steps to any side of your deck and customize them to meet your needs. By default, steps are added to the center of the deck side but can be moved easily into any position. Note: Steps are added to a deck by clicking the Insert New button when a deck edge is selected.

Note: Always press the ENTER to accept new values in a text box.

1. Step Width defines the distance from one side of the steps to the other side.
2. Total Height defines the distance from the base of the steps to the top step. This is especially useful when designing multi-level decks, when you do not want the steps to reach the ground, just the next deck level.
3. Left and Right checkboxes control the display of the left and right handrails. When selected, the handrail is enabled; when deselected it is disabled.

Adding Custom Deck Railings

Customizing railings is easy with This Software; you can simply add railings to any side of your deck.

The shape and configuration of railings can be customized, and you can apply different materials to the rail, post, and balusters. You can specify the railing height and baluster spacing before or after drawing on the Properties tab. As you draw a railing, each point you click as you draw creates a post.

Below are some references that may be helpful as you design:

1. Railing Properties
2. 2D Editing Methods
3. Reshaping and Resizing 2D Objects
4. Elevating Objects
5. Applying Paint and Color & Applying Building Materials

**To draw a deck railing **

1. On the Deck plan toolbar, click the Deck Railing Tool.
2. On the Properties tab, click the Draw Method drop-down menu and choose the shape you want.
3. Use the Define 2D Shape drawing method to draw a deck railing.

This example shows a railing drawn using the Open Polygon shape

Railing Properties

Once you have drawn a railing, you can modify features and location to suit your needs. Using This Software, you gain total control over railing handrail height, baluster spacing, and railing posts.

For more information on editing railing, see “Railing Properties”.

Placing a Custom Staircase

In addition to the Insert Steps feature, This Software gives you the option of easily drawing custom staircases. Straight staircases and curved staircases are drawn using the ceiling height, unless you specify a different height on the Properties tab before drawing the staircase.

The center line defines the direction and shape of the staircase, while the staircase height value defines the distance to the top of the staircase.

To create an opening for the stairway in the upper floor, see “Creating a Deck Cutout”. After you’ve drawn your staircase, you can apply different colors and materials to the steps, railing spindles, posts, and handrails.

You can draw the followings types of staircases:

1. Straight Stairway
2. Curved Stairway

Below are some references that may be helpful as you design:

1. Staircase Properties
2. 2D Editing Methods
3. Reshaping and Resizing 2D Objects
4. Customizing Staircase Framing Properties
5. Applying Paint and Color & Applying Building Materials

Straight Stairway

You can draw a staircase along a straight line or add multiple points to create an L-shaped or U-shaped staircase with landings. Either way, the number of steps depends on the overall height of the staircase.

Note: After a staircase if drawn you can reverse the direction by right-clicking the center line and choosing Reverse Staircase Direction.

**To draw a straight stairway **

1. On the Deck Plan toolbar, click the Straight Stairway Tool from the Staircase toolset.
2. In the design window, click to set the start point and drag to define the staircase, in the direction you want the stairs to rise, then click and again to set the next point
3. Continue to click points and drag to define the shape and then right click to place.

Curved Stairway

Curved staircases are a single segment that curve in the direction you draw. The number of steps depends on the overall height of the staircase.

Note: After a staircase if drawn you can reverse the direction by right-clicking the center line and choosing Reverse Staircase Direction.

**To draw a curved stairway **

1. On the Deck Plan tab, click the Curved Stairway Tool from the Staircase toolset.
2. Click to set the start point and drag to set the curve in the direction you want the stairs to rise, then click and again to set the end point and place the staircase.

Note: Hold down the SHIFT key while drawing to constrain the staircase to a perfect arc.

Staircase Properties

Once you have drawn a staircase, you can modify features and location to suit your needs. With This Software, you have total control over stairway width, riser, and tread dimensions, as well as handrail height and placement. For more information on editing stairs, see “Staircase Properties”.

Creating a Deck Cutout

You can easily create a space in your deck to insert a pool or hot tub by using the Deck Cutout Tool.

Below are some references that may be helpful as you design:

1. Reshaping and Resizing 2D Objects
2. Elevating Objects

**To draw a deck cutout railing **

1. On the Deck plan toolbar, click the Deck Cutout Tool.
2. On the Properties tab, click the Draw Method drop-down menu and choose the shape you want.
3. Use the Define 2D Shape drawing method to draw a deck cutout section.

This example shows a deck cutout drawn using the Rectangle from Center shape