Design SuiteCreating railings

Tool

Workspace: Tool set

Railing

Railing tool

Design Suite, Architect, Landmark: Building Shell

Spotlight: Event

The Railing tool creates a railing either automatically along stairs or slabs, or manually along a specified path using standard polyline creation modes. The tool can create handrails, guardrails, or both. 

Alternatively, create a 2D shape and then select the Create Objects from Shapes command (see Creating objects from shapes).

Mode

Description

Check mark

(Pick mode)

Places the selected railing style in the locations selected in Pick mode. Alternatively, double-click to complete the operation.

Pick

Defines the placement of the selected railing based on a set of selected stair flight, stair landing, or slab objects.

Turn on object snapping. See Snapping to an object.

Vertex

Draws the railing along a polyline path

Gravity

Fits the railing to objects as you draw in Vertex mode; places the polyline on the ground plane, and creates the railing object correctly on the object

Polyline creation options

For Vertex mode, selects the method for drawing the polyline upon which the railing is based; see Creating polylines

Railing Style

Opens the Resource Selector to select a resource

Preferences

Opens the Railing Preferences dialog box to set default parameters

To create a railing:

Click the tool and mode.

Do one of the following:

Click Railing Style on the Tool bar to select a resource from the Resource Selector.

Click Preferences to open the Railing Preferences dialog box and specify the tool’s default parameters.

The parameters can be edited later from the Object Info palette.

Do one of the following:

To draw the railing along a polyline path, click Vertex, and then click the polyline option to use.

To fit to objects beneath the railing while drawing in Vertex mode, enable Gravity mode.

To automatically create a railing along stairs or slabs, click Pick.

Do one of the following:

In Vertex mode, draw the object along a polyline path. Click to set the start point; each subsequent click ends the current segment and begins the next. If Gravity mode is enabled, draw the polyline along the object edge where railings are required. To complete the object, click the start point again (for a closed object), or double-click (for an open object).

Gravity mode is enabled while drawing a railing along the edges of a slab

 Gravity mode, when enabled, places vertices "down." If the bottom of a post is under a site model, Gravity mode will not move it up. 

In Pick mode, move the cursor to highlight individual edges of stairs, stair landings, or slabs. When over the desired edge, click to select the edge; continue selecting edges that require railings. Once the correct edges have been picked, click the check mark on the Tool bar (or double-click). Railing sections created from contiguous edges are automatically joined into a single object.

An exterior railing style is applied to the outside of the flight of stairs

Edit the railing settings from the Object Info palette. Edit the railing geometry as described in Editing railings. Join railing objects together with the Railing Join tool; see Joining railings.

Railing settings

To apply consistent settings to railings, it's recommended to use a railing style. The Vectorworks resource libraries provide several styles, or you can create a custom style.

To create a style, use the Railing tool’s Preferences to set the parameters, and then create a style as described in Custom plug-in object styles without catalog options.

These settings are available in the following locations:

Railing Preferences dialog box (creating an object)

Object Info palette (editing an object)

Railing Style dialog box (editing a style)

If a railing style is selected, only parameters set by instance can be edited (see Concept: Plug-in object styles). Parameters available only on the Object Info palette are listed at the bottom of the table.

Click to show/hide the parameters.Click to show/hide the parameters.

Parameter

Description

Use Style

From the Resource Selector, double-click a resource to activate it, or click Unstyled. If a styled object is converted to unstyled, the current values are retained, but all parameters are set to By Instance to allow editing.

By Style/Instance

A graphic indicates whether each parameter is set to By Style and given a fixed value or set to By Instance and editable in the dialog box. An object style may have a combination of both settings, to balance the need for consistency and flexibility.

By Style/Instance settings are established by the style and cannot be changed from the settings dialog box.

To edit the object style, see Editing plug-in object styles; editing the style modifies all plug-in objects in the file that use the style.

Preview

The right pane of the dialog box displays a preview of the railing in the selected View and Render mode, along the distance specified in Length of Preview

Object Info palette options only

Style

Replace, edit, or remove the current style, or (for unstyled objects only) create a new plug-in style (see Custom plug-in object styles without catalog options).

Editing a style changes all instances in the file that use the style.

Hide style parameters

Hides the parameters that are set by style; these cannot be edited from the Object Info palette

Settings

Opens the Railing Settings dialog box

Flip Offset

If you entered a distance in Offset Railing from Path on the General pane or in the Object Info palette, switches the offset to the other side of the path

Railing settings: General pane

Click to show/hide the parameters.Click to show/hide the parameters.

Parameter

Description

Draw Handrail/Guardrail

Select whether to draw the guardrail or handrail only, or both

Draw frame and infill

For guardrails, draws the frame and infill sections between the posts; deselect the option for a simplified view during the design phase

Draw 3D

Displays the railing in 3D views. Hide the railing in 3D, or display it with full detail. A large set of railings drawn in 3D can impact performance.

Offset Railing from Path

Enter the distance to offset the railing object (handrail and guardrail) from the drawn path. To switch the offset to the other side of the path, click Flip Offset from the Object Info palette

Railing settings: Handrail-Top Rail pane

Click to show/hide the parameters.Click to show/hide the parameters.

Parameter

Description

Handrail Offset

Specifies the distance to offset the handrail from the railing object

Handrail Height

Enter the height of the handrail

Top Rail Profile

Opens the Resource Selector to select a top rail profile

Top Rail Width/ Top Rail Depth

Enter the dimensions of the top rail

Railing settings: Handrail-Bracket pane

Click to show/hide the parameters.Click to show/hide the parameters.

Parameter

Description

Use bracket

Adds brackets to support the handrail

Bracket Shape

Opens the Resource Selector to select a bracket profile

Bracket Profile Width/ Bracket Profile Depth/ Bracket Height

Enter the bracket profile dimensions and the height of the bracket from the centerline of the handrail top rail

Spacing Type

Select how to space the brackets.

If there's a guardrail, the number and spacing of brackets is controlled by the guardrail post settings.

Spacing Distance

Enter the distance for Fixed Distance (the value represents the specific distance) or Equal Spacing (the value represents the maximum value) Spacing Type

Number of Brackets

When Fixed Number of Supports is selected in Spacing Type, enter the number of brackets to place

Show bracket in 2D view

Displays the brackets in Top/Plan view

Railing settings: Handrail-Termination pane

Specify how the handrail terminates at both the start and end of the railing.

Click to show/hide the parameters.Click to show/hide the parameters.

Parameter

Description

Start Termination/ End Termination

Select a horizontal or extended type of termination, or no termination

Start Extension/

End Extension

Enter the extension length

Start Return Offset/

End Return Offset

(Return extensions)

Enter the offset distance from the start/end of the top rail

Start Self-Return Height/ End Self-Return Height

(Return to Self extensions)

For self return terminations, enter the height of the self return

Railing settings: Guardrail-Top Rail pane

Click to show/hide the parameters.Click to show/hide the parameters.

Parameter

Description

Guardrail Offset

Specify the distance to offset the top of the guardrail from the railing object

Guardrail Height

Enter the height of the guardrail

Use top rail

Adds a top rail to the guardrail

Top Rail Profile

Opens the Resource Selector to select a top rail profile

Top Rail Width/ Top Rail Depth

Enter the dimensions of the top rail

Use miter at start

Uses a miter at the start of the top rail; set the Start Miter Angle

Use miter at end

Uses a miter at the end of the top rail; set the End Miter Angle

Top Rail Boundaries

Select whether the rail should extend along the the entire path or end at the first and last post

Railing settings: Guardrail-Post pane

Click to show/hide the parameters.Click to show/hide the parameters.

Parameter

Description

Post Type

Select the type of guardrail post

Inset

(Fascia Post)

Enter the inset distance for the fascia

Bottom Inset

(Fascia Post)

Enter the bottom inset distance for the fascia post

Post Shape

Opens the Resource Selector to select a post profile

Post Width/ Post Depth

Enter the post dimensions

Use post at start

Adds a post at the beginning of the guardrail; if desired, enter an offset distance from the end of the guardrail in Post Offset at Start

Use post at end

Adds a post at the end of the guardrail; if desired, enter an offset distance from the end of the guardrail in Post Offset at End

Spacing Type

Select the method of spacing the guardrail posts

Spacing Distance

Enter the distance for Fixed Distance (the value represents the specific distance) or Equal Spacing (the value represents the maximum value) Spacing Type

Number of Posts

When Fixed Number of Supports is selected in Spacing Type, enter the number of posts to place

Show post in 2D view

Displays the posts in Top/Plan view

Railing settings: Guardrail-Frame pane

Click to show/hide the parameters.Click to show/hide the parameters.

Parameter

Description

Offset Frame

Specify the distance to offset the frame from the railing object

Frame Boundaries

Select whether the frame ends at the railing end or the post end; this is useful when the post is offset from the start or end

Distance to Top Rail

Enter the distance between the top of the frame and the top rail

Distance to Floor/Nosing

Enter the distance between the bottom of the frame and the floor or nosing

Distance to Posts

Enter the distance from the sides of the frame to each post

Bars at top edge/ Bars at bottom edge/ Bars at left/right edge

Select whether to include bars along the edges of the frame

Bar Profile

Select a shape for the bars

Bar Thickness/Depth

Enter the bar dimensions for profiles other than Line

Railing settings: Guardrail-Infill pane

Select bars or a panel type of infill; the selection determines which parameters are available.

Click to show/hide the parameters.Click to show/hide the parameters.

Parameter

Description

Infill Type

Select an infill made of bars (vertical and/or horizontal bars) or a panel type of infill

Offset Infill

Specify the distance to offset the infill bars or the infill panel relative to the frame; because the distance is relative to the frame, if the frame offset changes, the infill moves along with it. Setting an offset for the infill is useful for aligning the infill to be flush with the frame on the left or right side.

Bars parameters

 

Evenly spaced with top and bottom edges

Spaces the bars at an even distance to the top and bottom edges; deselect this option to specify varying distances

Distance to Top Edge/Distance to Bottom Edge

When the bars are not evenly spaced with the top and bottom edges, specifies the individual distances to each edge

Evenly spaced with left and right edges

Spaces the bars evenly within the frame; deselect this option to specify a different distance from the left and right edges of the frame

Distance to Left/Right Edge

When the bars are not evenly spaced within the frame, specifies the distance from the left and right edge

Use vertical bars

Adds vertical bars to the frame; enter the distance between the bars in Vertical Bar Spacing

Use horizontal bars

Adds horizontal bars to the frame; enter the distance between the bars in Horizontal Bar Spacing

Rotate bars to diagonal

For straight railing sections, rotates the bars 

Bar Profile

Select a shape for the bars

Bar Thickness/ Bar Depth

Enter the bar dimensions for profiles other than Line

Panel parameters

 

Distance to Top Edge/Distance to Bottom Edge

Specifies the distance of the panel to the top and the bottom edge of the frame

Distance to Left/Right Edge

Specifies the distance of the panel to the left/right edge of the frame

Panel Thickness

Enter the panel thickness

Railing settings: Corners pane

Click to show/hide the parameters.Click to show/hide the parameters.

Parameter

Description

Support at corners

Adds supports for infill frames or panels at railing corners

Use double supports

Adds supports for each side of the corner; enter the distance for each support from the corner in Distance from Corners

Corner Angle Alignment

Specify how to align the corner post with the railing.

Align to Previous Edge: Aligns to the railing segment that comes before the corner

Align to Following Edge: Aligns to the railing segment that comes after the corner

Align to Corner Bisector: Aligns to an angle that divides the two segments

Use infill at corners

Extends the infill to the corners of the railing

Railing settings: Attributes pane

Click to show/hide the parameters.Click to show/hide the parameters.

Parameter

Description

Attributes

Lists all geometry that has graphic attributes settings. The class and graphic attributes of each part of the object are displayed.

Double-click a line in the list browser, to set attributes for the part, and do any of the following:

To control appearance and visibility, select a class from the list of classes present in the drawing, or create a new class. Select <Railing Class> to place the part in the same class as the railing object.

To specify a material for a 3D part, select one from the Resource Selector; the material provides the fill and texture, though the texture can be overridden. 

Set the attributes; see The Attributes palette.

To specify a texture for a 3D part, select a texture from the Resource Selector, or click one of the buttons to use no texture, to use the class texture, or if the material's texture was previously overridden, to revert to the material's texture. Set the map type and rotation as needed; see Concept: Texture projection and orientation.

For textures on a 3D part, select Randomize offsets to apply a random horizontal/vertical offset to each instance of a subpart, resulting in a natural, random texture appearance.

For textures on a 3D part, select Follow longest edge to orient the texture along the longest edge of the part. This can prevent the texture on a post or rail from being flipped in a wrong direction that doesn't match the post orientation.

Make All Attributes by Class

Sets all material, fill, pen, line type, line thickness, and texture attributes by class

Remove All by Class Settings

Removes all by class settings for material, fill, pen, line type, line thickness, and texture attributes

Editing railings

Joining railings

 

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