Ceilings

3DHA does allow you to have more than one type of ceiling. It allows you to have two types of ceilings, Flat and Vaulted. While 3DHA only allows for two basic types of ceilings, that is actually more than its competitors offer. And they do a better job of producing those ceilings than the others do. Hopefully, 3DHA will adopt Ceiling Sections from Chief Architect in version 5.0.  Ceiling Sections, as you will see, allow you to produce many ceiling types found in homes today.

 The following picture shows an example of what 3DHA's two ceiling types would look like in a typical home. In a Vaulted ceiling, the finished surface follows the roof framing where a Flat ceiling has ceiling joists added above the room and the finished surface is applied to those ceiling joists. This ceiling option is determined by you thru the Room Specification dialog box. That is why this lesson is in the Room category. The Flat ceiling is the default in 3DHA and will be assumed when a room is created.

 If you want to produce a Vaulted ceiling, then you must tell 3DHA not to produce a ceiling. This is done by double-clicking anywhere in the room that is to have a Vaulted ceiling. That will open a Room Specification dialog box as seen to the left. This room has yet to be named. The dashed red circle shows where the "Ceiling over this room" checkbox is located. Make sure you remove the check mark and the ceiling will be removed from this room. This does not guarantee a vaulted ceiling. It only means that the ceiling surface will follow the roof. If the room crosses over the centerline of the structure, you will see the ceiling follow the roof line as it rises and then falls on the other side of the roof ridge. This is just a typical way to create a Vaulted ceiling.
Two ceiling types that are often used are Coffered and Cathedral. A coffered ceiling is a combination of a Cathedral ceiling and a Flat ceiling. These ceilings are possible in 3DHA under specific circumstances. If your room is the full width of the structure and you removed the check mark from the "Ceiling over this room" check box, then you will get a Cathedral ceiling. This is very possible in small buildings. But when the Cathedral ceiling is supposed to cover only part of the building, then 3DHA CANNOT accomplish the task. To do this, it requires a false ceiling section to be placed in the room to create the opposing ceiling surface. Chief Architect, 3DHA's big brother, can produce ceiling sections and was used to produce the picture to the right. The Coffered ceiling uses two extra ceiling sections, one angled and one flat, to get the job done.

As with Cathedral ceilings, you can produce a Coffered ceiling in 3DHA if the conditions are just right. (and with a little fudging) The picture to the left shows a room that is the same width as the building. (as needed for a Cathedral ceiling) But this picture shows a Coffered ceiling. Notice that without the flat section, you would have a Cathedral ceiling. To make a Coffered ceiling, you must have a room that is the same width as the building. Next, remove the check mark in the "Ceiling over this room" check box. Now you have a Cathedral ceiling.

Now add a soffit to the room in Plan view. From the main toolbar, select Cabinets->Soffit. Click in the center of the room to add the soffit. Stretch the width of the soffit to be somewhat smaller than the width of the room.

Next, view the soffit using the Full Camera tool. The picture to the right shows something similar to what it will look like. Select the soffit, hold down the [Ctrl] key and drag the soffit up to partially bury it in the ceiling. The [Ctrl] key allows you to move an object beyond its normal limits. You can also use the object handles to stretch the soffit wider or to make the soffit thinner. You will probably want to make the height of the soffit the same as your ceiling joists.

Return to Plan view and stretch the length of the soffit to match the length (depth) of the room. Now when viewed in Full Camera mode it should look something like the picture to the left.

It's not the ideal way to create a Coffered ceiling, but if it works in your model, why not. And remember, the lumber required to build this soffit will NOT be included in your materials list.