The Design window in depth

Amending the stair design

Amending the basic stair dimensions

Edit the dimension, then press the ENTER key. Sometimes when you edit a dimension, other dimensions turn yellow or green. These are the “take-up” dimensions. After you edit a dimension, you can left-click a take-up dimension to tell StairBiz how you want what you have edited to affect the rest of the stair. This saves having to do double or triple edits. For example, you have five treads in the upper flight and you want to reduce it to four; click on the “5” and change it to “4”. The yellow and green dimensions are asking where you want to “put” this tread. You have a choice of the landing, lower flight, or risers. The risers dimension is green, meaning it’s the default take-up dimension (pressing the ENTER key is the same as clicking on this green dimension). Or, click either of the yellows.

Clicking a green take-up dimension is like saying “do not take-up” (e.g. don’t put the extra tread anywhere). If you don’t like what you’ve done, click the Undo button.

Dimension Tags

In some cases, instead of setting a dimension, you set a tag (by right-clicking the dimension and selecting the appropriate tag).

A tag is a calculated dimension. For example, when setting the position of a newel to be centred on the associated string, if you set the actual dimension, then changed either the string width or the newel width, the string would no longer be centred. However, if you right-click the dimension and select the “C: Centre String” tag, StairBiz would automatically calculate the correct dimension to keep the newel always centred (the dimension would show as “C”). To see the actual dimension of a tagged dimension, left-click it. To see the actual dimension of all tagged dimensions, right-click a tagged dimension and select Show Values. To override a tag with an actual dimension, simply edit the dimension.

When you select Show Values, the tags are not deleted, they’re just not shown (select Show Tags to revert to the tags). Also see Tags; where they get their values

Dimension Calculations

Anywhere in StairBiz where you enter a dimension, you can enter a calculation (plus or minus only). For example, if you have a dimension as 36.7 and you want to add 4.4 to it, you can set the dimension as 37.7 + 4.4. On committing the dimension, StairBiz will do the calculation and post the result. This can be done in any measurement system.

Tips for amending the stair

The trick to amending the stair is to approach the task in the same way you always did. The only difference is that, whereas the brain can juggle many things at the same time, the computer has to go one step at a time. The following are not rules, simply suggestions which may, at times, keep the situation clearer in your mind.

• Decide on what you are trying to do Prioritize the design issues. Come up with a game plan before you start amending. • Deal with issues directly In most cases an amend will ultimately have a corresponding take-up. Both dimensions will change - the amend because you typed in a new dimension and the take-up as a direct result of the new dimension. Make the most important change the amend, and the less important change the take-up. For example, if you want to reduce the number of treads in the upper flight (and feel that the best way to deal with the spare tread is to put it into the lower flight), make upper treads the amend and lower treads the take-up, rather than the other way round. Ask yourself WHY you want to amend something, and if the answer is to change SOMETHING ELSE, then amend the SOMETHING ELSE directly. • Upper flight first Upper and mid flights are less flexible than lower flights. So, generally speaking, deal with upper and mid flights first. Also, if you want to amend something that is likely to affect the upper flight, amend that aspect of the upper flight directly. For example, if you want to increase the riser number and add the extra tread to the upper flight, instead of trying to amend the riser number, amend the upper tread number and select the riser number as the take-up. • Riser numbers and tread numbers a priority If the riser number or tread number is to change, it is often better to make it the amend, rather than the take-up. For example, amending the riser number or tread number can use the going as a take-up, but amending the going CAN’T use the riser number or tread number as a take-up (because you would have to amend the value by exactly the distance of one going).

Angles; Viewing and editing

Angle Mode

In the Design window (except for the Well Design pane) if you right-click any dimension which shows an angle you can choose to see all angles displayed in different forms (called angle modes), as follows:

Relative Angles

This is the default; the angles are relative to some nominal direction (usually the zero angle of the unit – if it’s other than this the discussion on the relevant angle will advise you).

The angles are not influenced by rotating or flipping the design, and are usually more convenient to work with than absolute angles.

Absolute Angles

Here all angles are shown relative to the zero angle for the entire design. With no rotate or flip of the design, zero degrees is directly to the right, however, angles in this mode also account for design rotate or flip.

Offset Per Metre/Foot

The angle becomes the hypotenuse of a right-angled triangle, where the adjacent side is one metre (or foot if you use imperial) long, and the dimension shows the length of the adjacent side. On-site measurers may find it more convenient to record angles in this form,

Offset Per Run

The angle becomes the hypotenuse of a right-angled triangle, where the adjacent side is the length of the run, and the dimension shows the length of the adjacent side. On-site measurers may find it more convenient to record angles in this form.

Angle Limits

In many cases (string angles, tread angles, etc.) there are limits on the extent of the angle you may enter. In many cases the limits are from -46 to 46 degrees. In some cases you can override this by holding the SHIFT key down while you press the ENTER key down to effect the amend.

Bezier curves – transitions in string rake

The top and bottom edges of string can be curved through transitions in rakes (e.g. at a hockey join, or where strings level). The curves can be radii or Bezier curves.

Open the String Setout window and click the ‘Edit Curves’ checkbox in the left panel – transitions which can take a curve will show a small selection box.

Click on the box to select the options:

Bezier Curve: Creates a Bezier curve, ready for click-drag editing

Radius: Creates a Bezier curve, ready for click-drag editing

Same as top edge: Makes a curve on the bottom edge of a string with the same centre as that of the top edge.

Delete: Deletes the curve

When editing beziers, there will be a large and small circle either side of the transition point. Drag the larger to move the start and/or finish points of the curve. Drag the smaller ‘shape’ controls (Beziers only) to change the shape of the curve.

These shape controls are always ‘percentage’ based rather than a set distance (i.e. they maintain their ratio with the start/end when you drag the starts/ends). The start/end controls are distance based unless you right-click them and change them to Percentage Basis (in which case they are saved as a percentage of the length of the line – the start/end changes with changes in the length of the line).

You can right-click the shape controls to select Set 50% (a Bezier curve with equal distances to the start and finish, and shape controls set at 50%, is a radius arc).

For a radius you can right-click the shape controls to select Set radius dimension, which allows you to set a specific radius (rather than dragging to what looks about right).

You cannot start/end a curve within 10mm (3/8 inch) of the end of a line. These curve settings are contextual for the join type, they save with the unit and stair templates, and they save with the job. They translate to the CNC bed.

The resolution of Bezier curves for CNC export can be controlled by properties in the CNC Preferences window (Optimize tab).

Combo Balusters

Overview

Combo balusters are when you have more than one baluster style in a balustrade.

A “basket” baluster is one that is somehow special. It is usually bigger, wider, or more elaborate than the “regular” balusters. They are most commonly used in the context of wrought iron balustrading (but not necessarily). A “panel” is a (kind of) basket baluster where the width is such as to be more like a panel than a baluster.

In the following discussion, a normal baluster is indicated with an “A” and a basket or panel is indicated with a “B”. The sequence of “A” and “B” balusters is referred to as a “scheme”.

Automatic Mode

Most combo baluster schemes can be accomplished in automatic mode, as follows:

For box strings (or sawtooth strings with a raised shoerail): StairBiz allows one basket baluster to be combined with a specified number of regular balusters in a repeating pattern. For example, two regulars for every basket would give a pattern of “AABAABAA“ etc.”. Alternatively, in the case of a panel, StairBiz allows a specified number of panels for any given balustrade section, and the gaps between the panels are filled with the appropriate number of regular balusters (e.g. for two panels; “AAABAAABAAA”.). Unless overridden, StairBiz attempts to calculate spacing to be consistent with your building codes and each baluster’s Minimum Diameter value.

For sawtooth strings, StairBiz allocates one basket baluster per tread (plus the required number of regular balusters to keep within code). You can specify which position the basket baluster is on the tread, or delete the basket entirely, for any given balustrade section. Panel type baskets are not allowed on sawtooth strings.

To set up:

Create one or more basket balusters in the Styles window (Balusters category) by creating a baluster in the usual way and then setting the new “Combo Bals” field. For regular basket balusters this setting is the number of regular balusters that would normally combine with this one basket baluster to form the “combo” (e.g. “2”). Note that this setting can be changed on a job-by-job basis (in the job’s Style window). To specify a “panel”, this setting must be “P”.

In the Components window (Styles tab) there is a category called “Baskets”. Your baskets and panels will be listed, plus the [None] item. To specify baskets or panels in a job, select the basket or panel from the list. User control:

In the Balustrade pane of the Design window, select the Amend Spacing menu item. Various dimensions/values appear, depending on the situation. The easiest way to work out what these mean is to right-click the dimensions – in most cases you’ll get a pop-up explaining the nature of the dimension. For box strings; either side of the (non-editable) spacing dimension are two (editable) text fields. For baskets, these are Extra Bal dimensions (on for the top of the section and one for the bottom). Editing these adds or removes balusters from the top/bottom of the section (e.g. “-2” removed two balusters, “1” adds one baluster). For panels, the one on the left adds or removes regular balusters, and the one of the right sets the number of panels you require for this section.

For sawtooth strings, there is a double dimension above (or below) the (non-editable) spacing dimension (e.g. “0 ; 2”). The first dimension is used to override the number of balusters on each tread (“0” means auto-calculate to stay within code). The second dimension is the position on the tread of the basket (by default it is “2”, i.e. the second baluster on the tread).

Manual Mode

There may be times when you need more control over the baluster schemes and/or you need to apply different schemes on a section-by-section basis. For this StairBiz has semi-manual and a fully manual modes.

In the Balustrade pane of the Design window, select the Amend Spacing menu item. Right-click the relevant balustrade section and select “Manual Baluster Scheme” – you’ll get a text box showing the conversion of the current (automatic) scheme to the manual scheme; you can edit or change this scheme as follows:

Characters representing a scheme:

A baluster scheme is a piece of text made up of combinations of "A" and "B" (and optionally a few other characters) indicating the pattern of combo balusters.

"A" = Normal baluster "B" = Basket baluster For example: "AAB" means two normal balusters following by one basket. You can optionally indicate the number of balusters using numbers. For example: "2A1B" or "2AB" is the same as "AAB"

Non-sawtooth and landing schemes:

Semi-manual (repeating):

For example: "AAB" means a repeating pattern of two normal balusters and one basket (StairBiz automatically ends the repeating pattern with whatever comes before the “B” – in this case “AA”). "2A2B" means a repeating pattern of two normal balusters and two baskets.

Semi-manual (floating):

A question mark ("?") means a floating number of "A" (i.e. fill the space with as many “A” balusters as appropriate). Any scheme which includes a "?" is a non-repeating scheme. For example: "?B?" means one "B" with as many "A" either side to make legal spacing "?B?B?" means two "B" with as many "A" before, between and after to make legal spacing "?BAAB?" means a "BAAB" with as many "A" either side to make legal spacing Fully-manual: A "#" prefix to a scheme means a fully manual scheme (i.e. we are spec'ing the position of every baluster in the section).

For example:

"#ABAABAA" means that "ABAABAA" is exactly what there is in this section. "?" (floaters) are not allowed in an fully manual scheme. All non-sawtooth manual schemes should start with a "A"; results are unpredictable if you start with “B” (especially where there is a mitred corner).

Sawtooth schemes:

Note that sawtooth only includes straight flight main sawtooth strings (landing strings, even if sawtooth, use non-sawtooth schemes).

Semi-manual (repeating):

You can specify a scheme for one tread and have it repeat for each tread.

For example: "ABA" means ABA for each full tread "B?" means start with a "B" then fill the rest of the tread with "A"

You can specify a scheme for two adjacent treads and have that repeat for each two treads. For this you use a single "/" (indicating a tread nosing) For example: "AA/B" means one tread with "AA" then one tread with "B", repeating for each two treads (the forward-slash "/" indicates separate treads). "?/B" means one tread with as many "A" as appropriate then one tread with "B", repeating for each two treads

Semi-manual (with fixed mid-section):

You can use brackets to specify a fixed middle section. For example: "AA(B)" means put a "B" on the middle tread, with "AA" on each tread before and after. Other examples: "AA(B/AA/B)" means put "AA" on the middle tread, a "B" on the tread either side, with "AA" on each tread before and after that. "?(B/?/B)" means put A's on the middle tread, a "B" on the tread either side, then A's on each tread before and after that. “AA(/B/)” means put a single “B” mid section but it will span three treads (the two slashes assume we are using up three treads, but there is nothing before or after the “B” so those treads remain blank).

Fully-manual:

A "#" prefix means a fully manual scheme (i.e. we are spec'ing the position of every baluster on every tread). For example: "#AA/AA/B/AA/B/AA" means 6 treads with these balusters (not accounting for dummy treads). Note: The above is not technically accurate. Note the following situation (i.e. the “partial” treads above and below the mid newel”

To handle this (and similar situations, like at dog-legs) StairBiz creates a dummy (invisible) tread below the first full tread and above the last full tread. It fills these dummy treads with balusters as if the tread were real, then “crops” the balusters that run past the “limits” (in this case the newel face). When creating fully manual schemes for sawtooth you also need to include the balusters for the first dummy tread (and perhaps the last, if necessary), whether or not a partial tread exists.

Nose to Baluster dimension:

For manual schemes the “Nose to Baluster” dimension only applies for repetitive schemes (i.e. semi-manual and same scheme on each tread), otherwise the “Balanced” position is applied automatically.

Feathered Spacings:

For non-repeating sawtooth schemes (i.e. where you can have different schemes on different treads), the baluster spacings can be calculated two different ways. In the first example below, each tread is considered in isolation (which means that the spacings will not be the same between every baluster, unless the baluster widths were coincidently appropriate).

The second example (above), the spacings have been “feathered”, meaning that in calculated the spacings for one tread the balusters on the next tread are taken into account. Here the spacings between all balusters are consistent. The setting for feathers spacings is in the Setout window (Balusters category).

Parts and Filters:

Baskets and panels do not have their own category in Parts, Part Filters or Labour Filters windows – they use the regular baluster’s category.

Contextual setouts

Overview

Contextual setouts allows you to use a unit from your unit templates list in a number of different contexts, and StairBiz will automatically apply different setout values depending on the context.

The Contextual setout option can be set by right-clicking a corner unit in the Stair Setout pane of the Design window.

What are “contexts” There are three contexts.

1 Unit Position context

Applies only to corner units. There are two position contexts … a) The unit is a top unit. b) The unit is not a top unit.

2 Winder Count context

Applies only to corner units. There is a winder count context for each number of winders, e.g. … a) The unit has one tread. b) The unit has two treads. c) The unit has three treads. …. etc., up to the highest number of winders you have ever created in that unit

3 Newel Position context

Applies to any unit. There are three newel position contexts … a) The newel is the top newel in the stair. b) The newel is the bottom newel in the stair. c) The newel is neither top nor bottom.

Unit position and winder count contexts apply only to corner units and only if its Contextual setout menu-item is selected. Newel position contexts apply to both corner and straight units. They are contextual at all times – you cannot switch it off.

Which dimensions are contextual

There are three groups of dimensions which are contextual

1. Corner Setout dimensions (corner unit only) In the Stair Setout pane of the Design window, Main Setout mode; In the corner unit, there are two corner setout dimensions, which we call CornerHi and CornerLo (these have an id of 514 and 515, which you’ll see if you hold the Control Key and click the “?” button to the right of the dimension buttons – click any empty space to return to normal mode). You’ll also note that these two dimensions are red (indicating that they are contextual dimensions).

2. Winder Setout dimensions (corner unit only, and only if more than one winder) In the Stair Setout pane of the Design window, right-click an empty space and select the Winder Setout mode. In the corner unit, there are winder setout dimensions (these have an id of 501, 502, 503 and 505).

3. Newel Position dimensions (top and bottom newels only) In the Rake Balustrade pane of the Design window, right-click an empty space and select Show Newels and Amend Newel Position. Top and bottom newel dimensions with an id of 1174 (i.e. the dimensions that position the newel in the direction of the line of the going) are contextual.

How do contextual setouts work

The above dimensions (i.e. setouts) are saved with the unit. This applies when saving to either unit templates, or in a job. StairBiz saves a copy of the dimension for each different context. Unit Position Tread Count Dimension Context Context

	                | 1 tread
                    | Top Unit ----------	| 2 treads

Setout | | 3 treads Dimension ----------- | | etc. | | | 1 tread | Not top unit ------ | 2 treads | 3 treads | etc.

    Newel Position	| Top Newel

Dimension ----------- | Mid Newel | Bottom Newel

The best way to explain these is with examples …

An example

Create an L-shape stair (straight – corner – straight).

Right-click the corner unit and tick the “Contextual Setout” menu-item.

In the Stair Setout pane of the Design window, right-click an empty space and select the Tread Setout mode.

In the corner unit, there are two corner setout dimensions (the red ones).

Amend the corner unit to give a single landing tread, then set these two dimensions.

Amend the corner unit to give a two landing treads, then set these two dimensions to something other than for the ones you set for the single landing tread.

Amend the corner unit to give a three landing treads, then set these two dimensions to something else again.

Save the corner unit back to the unit templates list, either replacing the existing or creating a new one (i.e. go back to the Stair Design pane of the Design window, right-click the corner unit and select Add To Unit Templates).

Result …

Delete the current stair.

Create a new L-Shape stair, using the corner unit template you just saved.

Firstly you’ll notice that the “Contextual Setout” menu-item is still ticked (i.e. it saves with the unit template).

In the stair you just created, if you set the winder count to one, the setout dimensions you set for one winder will automatically apply. If you set it to two, the setout dimensions you set for two winders will automatically apply. Etc.

Bear in mind that in this example, we did not consider the unit position context.

The trick in setting contextual setouts is to first sit down and think about which of your contextual dimensions vary according to the context. Based on that information, work out a strategy for setting each of them. For example, to set a “Top Unit” position context, the unit must be a top unit. If you’ve been working on the unit in a mid position context, you will need to save the unit back to the unit templates, delete the current stair, then create a new stair with that unit at the top.

Don’t forget to save your changes back to the unit template, otherwise all your good work goes to waste.

An alternative to Contextual Setout

If you use different winder setouts or newel positions for units when they are top units, bottom units or various tread counts, you could save each situation as a different unit template, then simply use the unit template appropriate to the situation. The disadvantage of this approach is its inflexibility – for example, switching from a one-tread landing to a two-tread landing would not be as simple as editing the tread count. It also means you may have to deal with numerous unit templates.

Unit-By-Unit

The contextual setout option applies on a unit-by-unit basis. Setting it for one unit does not set it for any other unit.

Newel setout

Consider the position of some newels in a stair - for example, the newel at the tenonside corner of a corner unit. If this corner unit is the very top unit in the stair, you might want to position the newel a little differently to how you would if it had a straight flight above it. The same might apply if it had no unit below it.

StairBiz will save a separate set of position dimensions for any newel that could possibly end up as a top newel, or could possible end up as a bottom newel, and then automatically apply those dimensions to the appropriate context. In the case of newel positions, contextual setouts apply whether you have the Contextual Setout option set or not.

The way to set the these alternative positions is to create a stair where the unit in question is the top unit, and set the position of the top newels (in which case StairBiz knows they are in a “top newel” context and is setting the “top newel” set of values. Then send the unit back to the unit templates (thus saving those positions to the template). Then create a stair where the unit in question is the bottom unit, and set the position of the bottom newels (in which case StairBiz knows they are in a “bottom newel” context and is setting the “bottom newel” set of values. Then send the unit back to the unit templates.

What is a top/bottom newel?

For the tenonside side of corner unit, this can be confusing. Imagine a stair comprised of a single corner unit. The tenonside side of a corner unit can have three newels (depending on amount of room provided by the Corner Setout). Let’s call them N1 (the bottom newel), N2 (the newel right at the corner) and N3 (the top newel). If N1 is selected, it is the bottom newel. If it is not, then N2 becomes the bottom newel. If N3 is selected then it’s the top newel. If not then N2 is the top newel.

The rule is simple - the top newel is whichever selected newel is the top newel, and the same with the bottom. So StairBiz is saving the position of N1 and N2 for both bottom newel and mid newel contexts. And it’s saving the position of N2 and N3 for both top newel and mid newel contexts.

Identifying contextual dimensions

When you use the Contextual Dimensions option, all dimensions which are contextual are shown in red in the Design window. Thus, when you amend a red dimension, be aware that you are only amending it for that particular context. If you want to amend it for other contexts (i.e. you might intend to create a unit template from it and use that unit template in a variety of contexts), you will need to put that unit into each different context and (in the case of position contexts) save the unit back to the template between each context.

Contextual Strings

String Setout dimensions are also contextual. For example, the bottom of a straight string can come down to a landing, or a winder, or a floor, or a bullnose, etc. etc., and the values for each context are saved independently and applied for the relevant context.

Actually, it's not the string that is contextual – it’s the setout of the JOIN between strings or (where there is no join) the TEMNINATION.

For example, the high end of an upper wall-side landing string has four contexts; 1) Join between a 1-tread landing and a straight flight 2) Join between a 2-tread landing and a straight flight 3) Join between a 3(or more)-tread landing and a straight flight 4) Termination at the upper floor

Any change you make (in the String Setout window) to a dimension at that join or termination will apply only for the current context of that join or termination. That same dimension for any of the other three contexts will not be affected (in case that join or termination finds itself in a different context in the future, especially likely in the case of unit templates).

See String Setout window > Contextual Setouts.

For example; a landing unit as a top unit:

Strings; The setout at the high end of the upper landing string is contextual, and "at upper floor" is one such context.

Newels; The position of the inside newel is contextual, and "at upper floor" is one such context.

Corner Setout; This comprises the two dimensions that dictate the horizontal distance from 1) the corner to the top-most riser in the landing, and 2) the corner to the bottom-most riser in the landing. These are contextual, and "top unit" is a different context to "not top unit".

Winder Setout; This comprises the dimensions and angles which determine the setout of the winder treads. Each winder count (1, 2, 3, 4, etc.) is a different context, and top unit vs not top unit are different contexts.

Copy/Paste in the Design window

Also see Changing a StairBiz drawing, Copying a drawing to the clipboard, Processing non-standard stairs You can copy a design (which includes all stairs and wells), a stair, a particular unit of a stair, a well or a bullnose from one job to another (even between projects). You can even copy/paste within the same design (e.g. copy a unit in the stair, then paste that unit to the bottom of the same stair, or copy a bullnose from one side of the stair and paste it to the other side.)

Open the Design window (Stair Design pane) of the job you want to copy from. Right-click the relevant stair, unit, bullnose etc. while holding down the SHIFT key.

Then open the Design window (Stair Design pane) of the job you want to paste to (if you need to close the current project and open a different or new one, that’s OK). Right-click the relevant item in the drawing (or on an empty space in the window) while holding down the SHIFT key.

Dimension Tools

Dimension tools can be found in the Design window, the CNC Bed window and the Custom Drawing window. Allows you to click-drag between two points on the drawing, and draws a temporary dimension between the elements on the drawing closest to those two points, depending on the dimension mode.

The dimension mode is determined by which of the four buttons is clicked.

(Line to line)

The start point of the dimension is the closest imaginary point on closest line to the clicked start point. The end point of the dimension is the intersection of the line closest to the clicked end point with an imaginary line starting at the start point and at right angles to the start line. The dimension will be perpendicular to the line at the start point (if you don’t want this, hold the SHIFT key down while dragging). If you want the dimension exactly horizontal or vertical (depending on whether your drag is more horizontal or more vertical) from the start point then hold the CONTROL key down while dragging.

(Point to point)

The start point of the dimension is the line-end closest to the clicked start point. The end point of the dimension is the line-end closest to the clicked end point.

(Point to line)

The start point of the dimension is the line-end closest to the clicked start point. The end point of the dimension is the intersection of the line closest to the clicked end point with an imaginary line starting at the start point and at right angles to the end line.

(Co-ord)

Shows the co-ordinate of the intersection closest to a single click.

(Anywhere to anywhere)

The start point of the dimension is a point on a line closest to the start of the drag. The end point of the dimension is a point on a line closest to the end of the drag.

Handrail Fittings

Handrail fittings are selected in the Elevations pane of the Design window. Click the arrows and select as required.

In the following discussion we refer to “nominal” newels. A nominal newel is a position on the stair where a newel “could” be (whether or not it’s selected). This is because fittings can occur even if there is no newel (so long as there is handrail above, below, or above and below the nominal newel. Selections are contextual, meaning that the options you are presented with depend entirely on the circumstances.

For example, in the above illustration, the bottom nominal newel has up to 16 contexts, being various permutations of …

i. Is the rail raked or level ii. Is there a newel or no newel iii. If a newel, is it OTP or PTP iv. Bullnose or no bullnose

What options are available to you will depend on the context.

Default Selections

StairBiz can remember what fitting selections should be the default selection in any given nominal newel context. When you save a stair template or unit template, your selections for EVERY context for EVERY nominal newel are saved. For example, if you make a selection when there is a bottom OTP newel with a bullnose, then delete the bullnose and change the newel to PTP and make another selection, BOTH selections are saved. The next time this newel is OTP with a bullnose, by default your fitting will be the one selected in this context, however if this newel becomes a PTP with no bullnose, the default fitting will be the selection you made in that context.

So to create default fitting selections, you place the bottom newel in the various contexts and make your selection, then save the unit back to the unit templates or save the stair to a stair template. The next time you use that template, you can put the nominal newel into any context and your default fitting selection will be appropriate.

Override of rail fittings

If for any reason the rail fitting selections offered do not quite satisfy the situation, you can manually delete or override the selection. When you make a fittings selection there is an extra “Override” menu-item. Select this item for a list of alternative fittings (or choose [None]). The override does not impact the drawing (which remains as per your last valid selection).

An override will be processed in the materials and parts/labour filters as normal, however the Joins, RailCuts and FittingCuts properties of the fitting (if filtered) will show zero (StairBiz cannot anticipate what your application is). Overrides are saved with the job. If you have fitting requirements in addition to your override selection, you can spec them in the Materials window as a Loose Item (the main advantage being that you do not need to put the Materials window into Manual Mode to delete the previous unsuitable fitting).

Fitting Types

Fittings are grouped (i.e. there can only be one of the following fitting types at each nominal newel). The fitting type includes all fittings at or directly above and/or below the nominal newel.

You don’t need to remember the following – they are a reference (but are largely self explanatory). They essentially indicate what is below, at, and then above the nominal newel. For example, you can assume that GNeckTandemCap has either nothing above it or a straight handrail above it (if there was an upease above it would be GNeckTandemCapUpEase).

In the following, where is says “sent to the filter”, it means that either the fitting, or several fittings being a breakdown of the original fitting into its constituent parts, is sent to the Handrail Fittings category of the Parts Filter and Labour Filter for conversion into parts and labour items. In the following, where it refers to “breakdown”, “assembled” or “disassembled”, see the next sub-heading for a fuller explanation.

Note that the following fittings are organized or described the way they are so that the filters are able to get a total and accurate picture of exactly what is happening. This way labour can be accurately allocated, and regardless of how you purchased or manufacture your fittings (e.g. assembled or disassembled, with hardware or without, etc.) the filters can accurately deal with the situation.

BullTurn	At bullnose PTP newel – the rail comes out of the block and does a 90 degree turn up to the straight section of rail (no upease). This is sent to the filter as a Turn.
BullTurnUpEase	At bullnose PTP newel – the rail comes out of the block and does a 90 degree level turn up to an upease up to the straight section of rail. This is sent to the filter as a Turn and an UpEase.
ButtJoin	Two in-line handrails butt join (assumes no newel). This is sent to the filter as one ButtJoin.
Curve3D	A raked handrail runs into a curved raked handrail (assumes no newel). This is sent to the filter as one Curve3D.
GapReturnEnd	Adjacent handrails (either in-line or at a corner) are separated by a gap and both have return ends (assumes no newel). This is sent to the filter as two ReturnEnd.
GapTerminate	Adjacent handrails (either in-line or at a corner) are separated by a gap and neither have return ends (assumes no newel). This is sent to the filter as two Terminate.
GNeckBlock	Gooseneck up to PTP newel block termination. It can be sent to the filters assembled as a GNeckBlock or disassembled as an UpEase (or UpEase90) and a Vertical.
GNeckBlockRail	Gooseneck up to PTP newel block up to straight rail. It can be sent to the filters assembled as a GNeckBlockRail or disassembled as an UpEase (or UpEase90) and a Vertical.
GNeckBlockUEase	Gooseneck up to PTP newel block up to UpEase. It can be sent to the filters assembled as a GNeckBlockUEase or disassembled as two UpEase (or UpEase90) and a Vertical.
GNeckReturnEnd	Gooseneck where the horizontal section terminates in a return end (assumes an OPT newel or no newel). It can be sent to the filters assembled as a GNeckReturnEnd or disassembled as an UpEase (or UpEase90), a Vertical and a ReturnEnd.
GNeckReturnEndCap	Gooseneck where the horizontal section terminates in a return end with cap (assumes an OTP newel). It can be sent to the filters assembled as a GNeckReturnEndCap or disassembled as an UpEase (or UpEase90), a Vertical and an OpeningCap.
GNeckRosette1	Gooseneck up to a type 1 rosette (assumes no newel) Note; “type 1” and “type 2” are nominal designations – what you do with them in the filter is completely up to you. It can be sent to the filters assembled as a GNeckTerminate and a Rosette1 or disassembled as an UpEase (or UpEase90), a Vertical and a Rosette1.
GNeckRosette2	Gooseneck up to a type 2 rosette (assumes no newel). It can be sent to the filter assembled as a GNeckTerminate and a Rosette2 or disassembled as an UpEase (or UpEase90), a Vertical and a Rosette2.
GNeckTandem	Gooseneck up to a tandem (short horizontal section) termination (assumes OTP newel or no newel). It can be sent to the filter assembled as a GNeckTandem or disassembled as an UpEase (or UpEase90), and a Vertical.
GNeckTandemCap	Gooseneck up to a tandem (short horizontal section) termination with cap (assumes OTP newel). It can be sent to the filter assembled as a GNeckTandemCap or disassembled as an UpEase (or UpEase90), a Vertical and a TandemCap.
GNeckTandemCapUpEase	Gooseneck up to Tandem Cap up to UpEase (assumes OTP newel). It can be sent to the filter assembled as a GNeckTandemCapUpEase or disassembled as an UpEase (or UpEase90), a Vertical, a TandemCap and a UpEase.
GNeckTandemUpEase	Gooseneck up to Tandem (no Cap) up to UpEase (assumes OTP newel or no newel) . It can be sent to the filter assembled as a GNeckTandemUpEase or disassembled as an UpEase (or UpEase90), a Vertical, and a UpEase.
GNeckTerminate	Gooseneck up to a termination (i.e. runs into wall, no rosette). It is sent to the filter always as a GNeckTerminate.
GNeckTurn	Gooseneck into a turn (no cap) into straight level rail (assumes no newel). It can be sent to the filter assembled as a GNeckTurnL/R or disassembled as an UpEase (or UpEase90), a Vertical, and a Turn.
GNeckTurnCap	Gooseneck into a turn (with cap) into straight level rail (assumes OTP newel). It can be sent to the filter assembled as a GNeckTurnCapL/R or disassembled as an UpEase (or UpEase90), a Vertical, and a TurnCap.
GNeckTurnCapUpEase	Gooseneck up to turn (with cap) up to upease up to straight rail (assumes OTP newel). It can be sent to the filter assembled as a GNeckTurnCapUpEaseL/R or disassembled as an UpEase (or UpEase90), a Vertical, a TurnCap, and an UpEase.
GNeckTurnUpEase	Gooseneck up to turn (no cap) up to upease up to straight rail (assumes no newel). It can be sent to the filter assembled as a GNeckTurnUpEaseL/R or disassembled as an UpEase (or UpEase90), a Vertical, a Turn, and an UpEase.
MachinedEnd	This is a rail termination with some special machining required. StairBiz is not concerned with what kind of machining, or what it looks like – it’s just something that you can trap in your filters and do with it what you like.
Mitre	Adjacent straight rail sections join with a mitre (either in plan view or elevation view). This is sent to the filter as one Mitre.
NewelBlock	No fittings – straight handrail section(s) terminate at PTP newel block. If there is rail on only one side of the newel, this is sent to the filter as one NewelBlock, otherwise it is sent as two.
OpeningCap	Opening Cap at OTP newel (level rail). This is sent to the filter as one OpeningCap.
OverEase	Straight handrail up to overease. They may or may not be straight handrail above the overease. This is sent to the filter as one OverEase.
OverEaseReturnEnd	Straight handrail up to overease with return end termination. It can be sent to the filter assembled as a OverEaseReturnEnd or disassembled as an OverEase and a ReturnEnd.
OverEaseRosette1	Straight handrail up to overease up to rosette (type 1) termination. This is sent to the filter as one OverEase and one Rosette1.
OverEaseRosette2	Straight handrail up to overease up to rosette (type 2) termination. This is sent to the filter as one OverEase and one Rosette2.
Reducing	This fitting is an option for the lower tenon-side rail in a U-Tight stair (where it will cause the handrail to return down the underside of the string above) and at a top newel (where it will cause the rail to return along the underside of the level of the ceiling). See also Chapter 11/ Reducing Balustrade.
ReturnEnd	Straight handrail terminating with return end (assumes OTP newel or no newel). This is sent to the filter as one ReturnEnd.
Rosette1	Straight handrail up to rosette (type 1) termination. This is sent to the filter as one Rosette1.
Rosette2	Straight handrail up to rosette (type 2) termination. This is sent to the filter as one Rosette2.
StartEase	Start ease up to straight rail (assumes no newel). It can be sent to the filter assembled as a StartEase or disassembled as an UpEase (or UpEase90) and an ReturnEnd.
StartEaseCap	Start ease up to straight rail (assumes OTP newel). It can be sent to the filter assembled as a StartEaseCap or disassembled as an UpEase (or UpEase90) and an OpeningCap.
TandemCap	A tandem with cap. This is sent to the filter as one TandemCap.
Terminate	Straight rail simply ends (no fittings, assumes no newel). This is sent to the filter as one Terminate.
Turn	Level rail up to turn (no cap) up to level rail (assumes no newel), or as a component of a gooseneck disassembly. Either way, the hand (L/R) is not relevant. This is sent to the filter as one Turn.
TurnCap	Level rail up to turn (with cap) up to level rail (assumes OTP newel), or as a component of a gooseneck disassembly. Either way, the hand (L/R) is not relevant. This is sent to the filter as one TurnCap.
Turnout	Turnout up to raked rail (assumes bullnose and OTP bottom newel). It can be sent to the filter assembled as a TurnoutL/R or disassembled as an UpEase (or UpEase90) and n TurnoutL/R.
TurnoutSmall	Small turnout up to raked rail (assumes bullnose and OTP bottom newel). It can be sent to the filter assembled as a TurnoutSmallL/R or disassembled as an UpEase (or UpEase90) and a TurnoutSmallL/R.
UpEase	Two rail sections joined by an upease (assumes no newel), or as a component of a disassembly. This is sent to the filter as one UpEase.
UpEase90	A 90 degree UpEase. This fitting is not a user option in the Elevations window, however StairBiz will recognize where a standard UpEase will not suffice and an UpEase90 is required. This is sent to the filter (instead of the UpEase) as one UpEase90. See Forced Disassembly (below).
Vertical	The vertical (handrail) section of a disassembled gooseneck. This is sent to the filter as one Vertical.
VerticalTurnout	Ramshead up to raked rail (assumes OTP bottom newel). It can be sent to the filter assembled as a VerticalTurnoutL/R or disassembled as an UpEase (or UpEase90) and a VerticalTurnoutL/R.
Volute	Volute up to raked rail (assumes bullnose and OTP bottom newel). It can be sent to the filter assembled as a VoluteL/R or disassembled as an UpEase (or UpEase90) and a VoluteL/R.
VoluteClimb	A climbing (ascending) volute up to raked rail (assumes bullnose and OTP bottom newel). It can be sent to the filter assembled as a VoluteClimbL/R or disassembled as an UpEase (or UpEase90) and a VoluteClimbL/R.

Assemblies and disassemblies

In the Elevations mode of the Design window, the appropriate fitting can be selected for each nominal newel. You will find all the available choices listed above.

Automatic disassembly

In some cases, StairBiz will automatically disassemble this fitting and send the components of the disassembly to the filter one piece at a time, as follows:

BullTurn > Turn (not really a disassembly – just a conversion)
BullTurnUpEase > Turn + UpEase
GapReturnEnd > 2 x ReturnEnd
GapTerminate > 2 x Terminate
GNeckBlockRail > GNeckBlock + NewelBlock
GNeckBlockUEase > GNeckBlock + UpEase
GNeckRosette1 > GNeckTerminate + Rosette1
GNeckRosette2 > GNeckTerminate + Rosette2
OverEaseRosette1 > OverEase + Rosette1
OverEaseRosette2 > OverEase + Rosette2

User disassembly

In the Fittings window (Defaults menu), under the Disassemble heading, you will find the following settings:

Goosenecks

With this set to true (T), StairBiz will disassemble goosenecks into their individual components (upeases, vertical, turn, tandem etc) and send and these components to the Part Filters window one at a time. With this set to false (F) StairBiz will send the goosenecks to the Part Filters window as a single assembled unit.

Start/End Easings

With this set to true (T), StairBiz will disassemble start and end easings into their individual components (upease/overease and return end/start cap) and send and these components to the Part Filters window one at a time. With this set to false (F) StairBiz will send them to the Part Filters window as a single assembled unit.

Volutes

With this set to true (T), StairBiz will disassemble volutes and turnouts into their individual components (volute/turnout and upease) and send and these components to the Part Filters window one at a time. With this set to false (F) StairBiz will send them to the Part Filters window as a single assembled unit.

Forced disassembly

In all fittings that include an UpEase, and the angle of the UpEase is more than the maximum angle shown in the Fittings window for the particular fitting, StairBiz will understand that an UpEase90 is required and will send an UpEase90 to the filter (instead of the UpEase). If the UpEase is part of an assembly (goosenecks, start and end easings and volutes), then StairBiz understands that the UpEase90 is not included in the assembly and will force a disassembly. In other words, StairBiz forcing a User disassembly (see above) for that particular fitting.

Fittings and Filters

Much has already been said about filters, and pretty much all of it applies to fittings in the same way it does to other categories. Here is a revision and a few extra tips.

Parts Window (Fittings category):

In the above parts window, the Width, Depth and Description columns have been hidden (for clarity). If we imagine that a 6810 rail comes in only one size, the Width and Depth columns would not be relevant and any sizes you enter in them would be redundant (providing you didn’t filter for them). The Description field is simply not relevant to filtering.

Parts Filters Window (Fittings category):

The above part filter is an auto-filter (although it doesn’t have to be) - note the {AUTO} in the Part column. In this case, if a GNeckTurn is selected in the Design window (Elevations pane), then this would be sent to the filter (as a GNeckTurnL or GNeckTurnR – let’s imagine it’s a right hand).

The filter is set up to filter only for Style, Timber, Fitting Type, Length and TurnAngle, so when the GNeckTurnR is sent to the filter it will take with it this information about itself.

Being an auto-filter, StairBiz will let the Parts window do the filtering. If the Style of the handrail in the Components window is “6810”, and the timber of the handrail is set to “Mahogany”, and the length of the gooseneck vertical is 10 inches (as calculated by StairBiz under the circumstances), and the angle of the turn is 90 degrees (as calculated by StairBiz under the circumstances), then StairBiz will return the part in the second row (F6810GNTNR18Mah). It would skip the first row because the vertical length needs to be more than 9. It would not return the third row because it can find a part that matches all criteria with a vertical length less than 36.

Note that for all parts in the Parts window that do not include a turn, the value in the Turn column should be zero or nothing (if the filter is filtering for Turn, otherwise it doesn’t matter). Also, for all parts in the Parts window that do not include a vertical, the value in the Length column should be zero or nothing (if the filter is filtering for Length, otherwise it doesn’t matter).

Head-height

Show Head-height

Where you have one or more stairs going up to a well, StairBiz can show the head-height situation.

Well Design and Stair Setout panes:

Right-click a blank space in the Well Design or Stair Setout panes of the Design window and select Show Head-height - the head-height situation will be drawn adjacent to the stair so that you can see the effects of your changes to the stair or well in real time. Note that here the head-height is only shown for the first such stair/well (otherwise see next paragraph). The walkline is drawn on the plan of the stair, and a circle indicates where this walkline intersects the well.

Elevation pane:

Right-click a blank space in the Elevations pane of the Design window and select Show Head-height - the head-height situation for all relevant stairs will be drawn (one over the other at the correct height for stair-over-stair).

Understanding the head-height drawing:

In elevation, the tread outlines shown depict the situation along the walkline of the stair (imagine the walkline unwrapped to form a continuous line from left to right). The bulkhead shown is at the same position along the walkline as where the walkline intersects the well in plan view. The bulkhead depth is as set in the Levels pane of the Design window (or the default setting if not changed there).

Head-height alerts

StairBiz automatically alerts you to any head-height issues regarding a stair’s relationship with the associated well. There is an alert in the Alerts window, and (if there is a head-height issue) in the Stair Setout pane of the Design window at the top/right of the window the actual head-height is shown (with the horizontal distance required to set the situation right shown in brackets).

StairBiz does not alert to head-height issues involving stair-over-stair (i.e. heathenish issues between the two stairs).

Stair-over-stair head-height issues

StairBiz does not alert to head-height issues involving stair-over-stair (i.e. heathenish issues between the two stairs). This is because the issues are too complex for StairBiz to resolve automatically (are the walklines aligned, are there string depth issues, etc.).

However, using the Show Head-height feature in the Elevations pane is ideal for manually checking the situation.

Note that to accurately assess stair-over-stair head-height issues obviously the walk-lines of both stairs must follow the same path in plan view (but not necessarily have same start and end points). StairBiz automatically offsets the head-height drawings relative to each other by the amount of any X-offset to the stairs.

Note that there is a dimensions tool feature that will help in this regard: Select the line-to-line dimensions tool; If you want the dimension exactly horizontal or vertical (depending on whether your drag is more horizontal or more vertical) from the start point then hold the CONTROL key down while dragging. This can be useful (for example) for dimensioning vertically between strings etc. in elevation.

Newel options

Stair Newels

For stair newels, right-click a newel in most panes of the Design window to select its options.

Hide Newel Dimensions

Sometimes newel can be so close that their dimensions collide. This hides the dimensions. Select again to show.

Floating

Sets a newel to “float”, meaning that it is no longer part of the stair structure but is (most likely) attached to the stair subsequent to its installation. String setout ignores a floating newel (i.e. pretends the newel doesn’t exist).

If any string coming into a newel does not have BOTH inside and outside edges intersecting the newel, StairBiz will force a float on that newel (called a forced float). The menu-item will be ticked but disabled.

Also see No Force Float (below).

Delete Mid Newel

Deletes a mid-string newel (which would have been set using the Insert Mid newel menu-item in the Rake-Select pane of the Design window).

Full

Sets the width and depth of the newel to the dimensions shown for this newel in the Components window (assuming the user has previously overridden these default widths). It’s a shortcut to manually setting the dimensions in the Rake Setout pane.

3/4

Sets the width or depth of the newel (depending on its location) to the 75% of the relevant dimension shown for this newel in the Components window. It’s a shortcut to manually setting the dimension in the Rake Setout pane.

1/2

Sets the width or depth of the newel (depending on its location) to half of the relevant dimension shown for this newel in the Components window, less half of the Half Newel Cut Width setting shown in the Setout window (i.e. so that you can get two half newels out of a full newel). It’s a shortcut to manually setting the dimension in the Rake Setout pane.

Normal Height

Sets the height of the newel to normal (assuming you have previously manually overridden this default).

Up to Ceiling

Sets the top of the newel to the level set in your floor to ceiling dimension. Not an option for some newels. Any acorns are deleted.

Up to Floor

Sets the top of the newel to the level set in your floor to ceiling dimension. Any acorns are deleted.

Up to Top of String

Sets the top of the newel to the level of the top of the highest string making contact with it. Turning setouts become irrelevant.

Up to Under Outstep

Sets the top of the newel to the level of the underside of the outstep at the top of the stair. Turning setouts become irrelevant.

Up to ...

Sets the top of the newel to the level you enter into the dialog window that opens when you select this option. The dimension is the height above the floor. Any acorns are deleted.

Down to Floor

Sets the bottom of the newel to the level of the lower floor. Not an option for a top newel.

Down to Stg Bottom

Sets the bottom of the newel to the level of the bottom of the lowest string making contact with it.

Down to Landing Top

Sets the bottom of the newel to the level of the associated landing.

Down to Top Tread

Sets the bottom of the newel to the level of the highest tread in contact.

Down to Top Tread + 1

Sets the bottom of the newel to the level of the highest tread in contact plus one rise.

Down to Top Tread + 2

Sets the bottom of the newel to the level of the highest tread in contact plus two rises.

Down to Bot Tread

Sets the bottom of the newel to the level of the lowest tread in contact.

Down to ...

Sets the bottom of the newel to the level you enter into the dialog window that opens when you select this option. The dimension is the distance from the bottom of the lowest string making contact with it.

Wrap Start

Applicable only where balustrade sections terminate at a newel, and both edges of the balustrade section do not butt the newel. These menu-items overwrite the default Wrap Type setting in the Balconyplate section of the Setout window. By default, the selected setting (Start/Mid/End) comes from the Setout window. You can change this default setting here on a section-by-section basis.

Wrap Mid

See Wrap Start (above).

Wrap End

See Wrap Start (above).

Wrap Manual

See Wrap Start (above). However, Manual means that rather than StairBiz calculating a wrap, you can set both the extension and the end angle in the Show All show mode and Amend Offsets/Ext/Ang amend mode.

Notch

Not yet enabled.

No Force Float

Where you have an inside corner landing newel, if both upper and lower tenon strings do not enter entirely within the newel faces StairBiz will force the fixed newel to become a floating newel. This is because in this situation things can become too complicated and confusing for StairBiz to resolve. If you don’t want StairBiz to set this newel to floating under these circumstances, select this menu-item. You’ll get a message saying that StairBiz doesn’t support this feature – this is because of the potential can-of-worms, but you probably find in most cases it works just fine.

Outside Drilling

When drilling the newel on the CNC bed for tenon dowels, the default is that we drill from the inside of the newel. This switches it to the outside.

Send to CNC

Sends the newel to the CNC bed.

Newel Tags

Shows the stair newel tags (as created in Custom Tags) with their current settings, and allows you to change those settings.

Balcony Newels

For balcony newels, right-click a newel in the Balcony Balustrade pane of the Design window (not all the following options apply to balcony newels).

Align Prev

Aligns the newel with the previous section (useful for corners not 90 degrees)

Align Next

Aligns the newel with the next section (useful for corners not 90 degrees)

Align Split 1

Sets the angle and position of a corner newel to be centred on the section before and after.

Align Split 2

Same as above but slightly different method.

Align Towards Prev

No idea what this does – will get back to it.

Normal Height

Sets the newel top to normal height

Up to ...

Sets the newel top to something other than normal height

Default Bottom

Sets the newel bottom to normal height (depending on a variety of factors)

Down to Floor

Sets the newel bottom to the floor

Down to Plate

Sets the newel bottom to the top of the balconyplate

Down to ...

Sets the newel bottom to a specified dimension below the floor.

Wrap Start

If the newel is at a section termination and has balconyplate that wraps around it (rather than butts directly into it), this sets the balconyplate to terminate in line with the front face of the newel.

Wrap Mid

Same as above but sets the balconyplate to terminate mid-way along the newel.

Wrap End

Same as above but sets the balconyplate to terminate in line with the rear face of the newel.

Wrap Manual

Not enabled yet

Notch

Not enabled yet

Set as Default Fitting

Allows you to set a default through rail fitting (if pin-top newel).

Make Half/Full Newel

Allows you to toggle between full and half newel (at a section termination) without needing to set the newel size in the usual way.

Newel Tags ...

Shows the balcony newel tags (as created in Custom Tags) with their current settings, and allows you to change those settings.

Newel Setout

Select the Show Newel Setout menu-item in the Elevations pane of the Design window (enabled only if Show Balustrade is selected). Here you can view and edit newel turnings.

Default turning lengths come from the relevant Style window for the newel.

Tags

The dimensions for turning and flat lengths can hold dimensions, or tags as follows:

D: Default

Means use exactly the values shown in the Style window for this newel

A: Auto Adjust

Means if the default values don’t work (according to the Min flat below rail and Min flat above string settings under the Newel heading in your Setout window), allow StairBiz to adjust the newel setout so that it works. This tag is useful where you turn your own newels, or if the newel is a part and has many different turning variations in your Parts window (so that whatever StairBiz comes up with is likely to be satisfied by something in your Parts window).

If a newel has (in its Style window) the Force Default Turnings checkbox ticked, even if ‘Auto Adjust’ tags are used StairBiz will ignore them and pretend they are ‘Default’ tags. See Style window.

We suggest that you use the Auto Adjust setting unless you have a specific reason to do otherwise (this allows StairBiz to calculate the most appropriate turning setout, which it can feed into your parts filter to select the most appropriate newel part – all without the need for a multitude of different newel styles to cover all turning setout possibilities).

Alternatively you can simply enter a dimension (to override the tags).

Tags (if used) are saved with unit and stair templates.

Setout dimensions are contextual

Note that turn length overrides (tags or user dimensions set in this window) are contextual, as follows: If you override lengths for a top newel, the override will only apply where the newel is a top newel; if you override lengths for a inside-corner newel, the override will only apply for the current number of treads in that landing. Each newel saves the override values for each different context and applies them automatically depending on the context.

Two other dimensions in Newel Setout specify the top and bottom heights of the newel. Note that when a newel is set to “floating” the tags for the bottom height of the newel include:

To Tread High; The newel goes down to the top of the highest tread it is in contact with. To Tread High + 1; Same as Tread High, but adds one riser. To Tread Low; The newel goes down to the top of the lowest tread it is in contact with. Note that to send the newel a specified distance below the top of the tread, see Setout Defaults window / Floating newel into tread (~60).

Newel position flush with string (string newel)

Where you have a newel where one or more faces are flush with the inside of a string (like a string newel), and your setting for TreadsIntoNewel is more than your setting for TreadsIntoString, be mindful of the following: The shape of treads (including landing treads) are calculated before considering any newels (i.e. they are first cut according to the strings). When you add a newel StairBiz cannot make the tread BIGGER (i.e. on the basis that the trench into the newel is deeper). So in those cases it’s safer to make your settings for TreadsIntoString and TreadsIntoNewel the same, or otherwise take care that all is good.

Processing non-standard stairs

Also see: Changing a StairBiz drawing, Copy/Paste in the Design window, Copying a drawing to the clipboard. When you need something extra or different than what StairBiz allows you, you can (in most cases) do as follows:

1. Select and process the stair most like the stair you are needing.
2. Manually modify the drawing(s) for that stair in a Draw window, and then a) In your Job sheets, use annotation to override the existing drawings. b) In your Custom sheets, use draw override to override the existing drawings. See Manually modifying a StairBiz drawing.
3. Make any necessary adjustments to the Materials window. These adjustments will impact the cost of blank items and the specifications shown in all cutting lists. a) To simply add some materials to the existing list, use the Loose Items tab of the Materials window. b) To change existing materials, first tick the Manual Mode button (which makes all materials loose items), then amend these loose items any way you like.
4. Make any necessary adjustments to the Labour window (first tick the Manual Mode button). These adjustments will impact the cost of labour.
5. If necessary, or as an alternative to steps 3) and/or 4) above, make any necessary adjustments to the Quote Calculation window.

Reducing Balustrade

Reducing is a Fitting

Reducing is a fittings option (Design window/ Elevations pane). It is an option for:

1. The lower tenon-side rail in a U-Tight stair (where it will cause the handrail to return down the underside of the string above), and
2. The rail along any unit where that rail either hits or is above the level of the ceiling (where it will cause the rail to return along the underside of the level of the ceiling).

U-Tight Stair

For this option you need a U-Shape stair where the lower tenonstring is vertically aligned with the upper tenonstring.

Rail Under Ceiling

By default, this option includes the level rail (along the ceiling) in drawings and specifications, however, if you have your own special component to replace this level rail, set the Setout Window/ Handrail/ Ceiling Rail Override (~34) with the depth dimension of this component (or set “-1” to have raked rail and balusters simply run into the ceiling). StairBiz will not spec or draw your special component (invariably it will be an irregular length, so you can create this in Loose Items in the Materials window), but it will make the allowance.

Also, there is a property called “CeilingRail” in the filters for handrail. It returns True if a piece of handrail running along the underside of the ceiling comes through the filter. Note that this won’t be useful if you use the “Ceiling Rail Override” setting because the rail won’t go through the filter (StairBiz is expecting that in most cases this ceiling plate would be the full length of the well, and as such is better spec’d as a loose item).

Following are the conditions required for a Rail Under Ceiling option:

These relate to the section below the newel position holding the "Reducing" option. • There must be handrail (not wallrail). • It may not be the lower flight of U-Tight stair. • There must be a well associated with the top of this stair. • The highest part of the rail must be above the ceiling. • The lowest part of the string must be below the ceiling. • The rail must normally be raked.

Fixed Turning Balusters

Where a fixed turning baluster is not possible in a reducing situation because it leaves the bottom flat less than zero StairBiz deletes the turning for this baluster. Note that it is preferable to use a fixed lower flat baluster for reducing balustrade.

String options

Right-click a string in most panes of the Design window to select its options.

Sawtooth

Tells StairBiz to treat this string as a sawtooth (cut) string.

Also see: Chapter 21/ Strings: Sawtooth/ In-line adjacent strings

Use Frets

If the Frets category of the Components window is not showing “None”, then by default StairBiz will include frets for all sawtooth strings in the stair. This menu-item can exclude frets (i.e. override the default setting) on a string by string basis.

Riser Mitres String

If the string is sawtooth, and frets are not used (see the Frets category of the Components window, and the Use Frets menu-item in the previous paragraph), then the two alternatives are that the riser runs to the end of the tread, or the riser mitres the string. Use this menu-item to specify which.

Note that for the riser to mitre a fret, the Non-mitred checkbox in the Style window for the Fret must not be ticked (otherwise the riser will finish at the outside face of the string).

Use SideNosings

If Use Sidenoses is ticked in the Components window, then by default sidenoses (tread returns) will be used for the tread-ends of sawtooth strings. Use this menu-item to switch this off on a string-by-string basis.

Dog-Leg

Applies to straight units – inserts a dog-leg into the string. Only one dog-leg is allowed on each string side of the unit. The position of this dogleg can be amended in the Stair Setout pane, Main Setout mode and String Setout mode.

Skirt or Skirt/Bearer

Where a corner unit is flagged as an existing platform, this setting indicates whether you want StairBiz to include skirting. If the corner unit is not an existing platform, but is comprised of a single tread, this setting indicates whether you want StairBiz to replace the string with skirting and bearer.

Sand

Tags that the outside face of this string is exposed and needs to be sanded. By default, StairBiz sets the Sand tag for all strings where there is a newel at the top and bottom of the string. You can override this behaviour using this menu. Once you override it, you can only reset the “default” behaviour by holding down the Shift key while selecting this menu. StairBiz doesn’t use this setting in any calculations, but it can be shown in your Custom sheets and in the Strings category of Parts and Labour Filters.

Ignore Top Nosing

Applies only where there is a curved string with a straight section at the top which is not curved. Under this circumstance, the run (going) of the treads along the straight section is not the same as the run (going) of the treads along the curved section. To get the string margin (i.e. distance from nose to top edge of string), StairBiz draws a line from the top nosing in the string to the bottom nosing in the string, leaving string margins that are inconsistent from nose to nose (except for the top and bottom nosings). This may not suit you – you may want the string margin to be calculated only from nosings along the curved part of the string. To achieve this, right-click the string and select “Ignore Top Nosing”.

Delete String

Sometimes there may be a very short string running from the inside corner of a corner unit to an adjacent in-line string above or below it (it depends on the distance involved). If you want to force StairBiz to ignore this string and run the adjacent string all the way through, select this option. It can also be used to delete a dog-leg string.

Revert Delete

Reverts the Delete String setting mentioned above.

Self Supporting

Tags that this string is self supporting. StairBiz doesn’t use this setting in any calculations, but it can be shown in your Custom sheets and in the Strings category of Parts and Labour Filters.

Slice Corner

Applies to corner units – Cuts the outside corner of a corner unit, inserting an extra string. The position of this string is set in the Stair Setout pane, String Setout mode.

Round Corner

Applies to corner units – rounds the inside or outside corner of a corner unit. The setout of the curve is set in the Stair Setout pane, String Setout mode.

Especially for the inside corner, obviously there must be sufficient room for this curve – room can be created in the Stair Setout pane (Corner Setout dimensions). If subsequent modifications reduce the space available to less than required by the current radius, the radius of the curve will be auto-adjusted and you will be alerted.

String Newel

When you have a U-Shape stair with a short tenon string between the upper and lower flights (less than 12”/300mm long), this menu-item gives you the option to make the string a “string newel”. A string newel is a string which is vertical and behaves half like a string and half like a newel. This is especially useful for a U-Shape stair (with winders) which is wrapping around a wall. You can adjust the length of the string newel (plus other options) in the String Setout window. You can have balustrading with a string newel (an unlikely scenario), but the elevation of it is not likely to be accurate because rail rake generally follows the top of the string.

Insert Mid Newel

Inserts a mid newel (floating) at the location of your click.

Add Stair Up/Down

Use to create tee-stairs

See Chapter 11; Design window is depth/ Tee-stairs

Show String Setout

Opens a window in which you can amend the string setout.

Send String to CNC

Sends the string directly to the CNC bed window.

String Tags

Displays a menu for showing/setting your Custom Tags for the string’s category.

Override String Style

Allows you to override the style of clicked string with that from the Style Override pane of the Components window.. See Style Override in the Components window.

Hijack Carriage String

This tells the string to use your style selection under the Carriage String category of the Components window. It may save you having to use a separate Components Override window and normal component override. Obviously it will only be useful if your design does not use a Carriage String, in which case it may be useful if (for example) you want just one of several landing strings to be different to the existing selections in the Components window. Also see Style Override in the Components window.

Setting design defaults

Stairs are created from unit templates, bullnoses from bullnose templates, and wells from well templates. Stairs created from unit templates can also be saved as stair templates. Therefore, all templates need to hold your factory’s own settings.

Unit templates

For the purposes of this discussion, we will select a single template (the Corner unit template); all other templates will follow the same process. 3. Delete all templates except the Corner and Straight (these two are the basic building blocks of all stairs – any other unit templates you currently have been created from these two). 4. Create a dummy stair using the Corner unit. 5. Within the stair, adjust all settings for this corner unit to suit your requirements (use tags as often as you can – tags are far more flexible than hard values). 6. Right-click the corner unit within the stair and select Add To Unit Templates, and replace the existing Corner with this modified Corner (by saving it using the existing name). If you have not closed the job since you created the stair from the unit template, you can select Update Unit Template as a shortcut to the above. 7. If you are using the Contextual Setout option – different settings are saved depending on the context of the unit, be sure to adjust the settings for each context. See Modifying unit templates using Contextual Setouts below. 8. Now create other corner templates from this modified template. For example, if you want to create a 45 degree corner unit, create that stair using the standard Corner unit, then change the settings to suit and 45 degree unit angle, then create a new template from this unit. Because you had previously set the Corner unit’s setout to your liking, only a couple of changes were needed to create a 45 degree unit. And so on …

Modifying unit templates using Contextual Setouts

See Contextual Setouts.

A single corner unit using the Contextual Setout option can save multiple sets of setouts, one for each context. Subsequently you can use this single template in a variety of contexts, and StairBiz will apply the setout appropriate to the context.

Use the template to create a stair with the unit in the context you wish to save (top unit, mid unit, bottom unit, one tread, two treads etc.) Adjust the setout for the unit. Save the setout back to the template.

In the case of a position context (top unit, bottom unit etc.), you will need to save the unit back to the template for each different position (i.e. create a stair with the unit as a top unit, adjust the setout, then save the unit back to the templates; then do the same with this unit as a mid unit, then a bottom unit).

In the case of a tread count context, you do not need to resave the template between each different tread count; set the tread count to one, and adjust the setout; set the tread count to 2, and adjust the setout, etc. When you are done with all tread counts, save the unit back to the templates.

Well templates

There is not much in the way of setouts that apply to well templates – they basically just hold shapes. Delete any existing templates that you don’t want. Create any number of new templates with shapes approximate to ones that you are likely to use on a regular basis.

When you use that template for a job, in most cases only the dimensions will need to be adjusted to suit the particular job.

Well templates do not hold any balcony balustrading.

Bullnose templates

Delete any existing templates that you don’t want. Create any number of new templates as required. Be sure to make extensive use of tags – if you set hard values in many cases you will need to adjust the bullnose in each stair with a different going.

Stair templates

Delete any existing templates that you don’t want. Create any number of new templates as required. The templates are created from stairs that you create, so be sure that those stairs are created using unit templates that have the correct setouts (i.e. set up your units templates before creating stair templates.

Tags; where they get their values

Coming soon

Tee-stairs

     etc.

To create a Tee stair you need to start with a ‘parent’ stair that includes (at least) a single corner unit with a straight flight both above and below it (the ‘parent landing’). A Tee ‘child’ stair can start at the lower string of the parent landing and run up, or start at the upper string of the parent landing and run down.

There are two ways to create a Tee stair;

1. Right click on either string of the parent landing and select ‘Add stair up’ (for the lower landing string) or ‘Add stair down’ (for the upper landing string).
2. Create a separate second (child) stair in the design and drag either the bottom arrow of the bottom unit (which must be a straight) or the top arrow of the top unit (which must be a straight) until your cursor is directly over a string of the parent landing, at which time you release the drag.

The parent and child stairs have independent going settings – if you change the going of the parent stair it does not automatically change the going of the child stair, and vice versa.

The child part of a tee stair does not have to end at the same floor level as the parent. To have them different, create a new level (not mezzanine) in the Levels pane of the Design window. You will notice a small circle at the top and bottom of each stair – drag the circle to the required level.

StairBiz will automatically set as “Fixed” the floor-to-floor levels of Tee-stairs (or others) that span multiple floor levels.

Any parent stair can have a child, which can itself have a child (making it the parent of that child), and so on, but any one parent stair can have only one child.

Temporary Separations

The above button in the Design window (just above the Zoom button) allows you to create temporary separations (spacings) of stairs and wells. Where you have stair over stair, you could use the layers window to hide some stairs/wells while working on the visible ones. The downside to this is that you cannot view or work on the hidden layers. The solution is to use this Temporary Separation tool. This allows you to temporarily separate (move) the stairs/wells apart in the design so all can be viewed and worked on at the same time, then with a single click they return to their original positions (stair over stair).

The Temporary Separation button is a graphical check box. With this checked, you can move stairs and wells around in the Design window using the following methods:

1. Click on the stair or well (to select it), then use your arrow keys to move the stair/well in the direction of the arrow. The movement will be 500mm/24” (or 100mm/6” if Control key is held down).
2. Drag either of the up/down arrows of a secondary stair to place the stair where you want.
3. Drag a well line (with the Control key down so that StairBiz knows you’re wanting to drag the whole well) to place the well where you want. Note that dragging a well junction (with Control key down) moves the well permanently (i.e. it does not relate to Temporary Separations).

When moving stairs/wells in this way, when you untick the Temporary Separation button the stairs/wells snap back to their original (actual) positions.

In terms of any relationship between a separated stair/well and other stairs/wells in the design, the original relationship is never broken – the separation is only done in the output to the screen, not to the actual positions (so this is quite a different thing to offsetting a stair or well in the normal way).

Note that whether you move a stair or a well, it’s the LEVEL that moves. In other words, if you move a stair you also move any well at the top of that stair (and vice versa).

To permanently revert all current temporary separations to zero, hold the CONTROL key down while clicking the Temporary Separation button in the Design window (note that this is not the same thing as hiding temporary separations, which you can do simply by un-checking the Temporary Separation button).

You can show temporary separations in drawings in Custom sheets: In the Custom Editor window, click on the drawing boundary rectangle with the Set Field tool to open the Drawing Definitions window – there is a check-box to set the drawing to show separations.

You can show temporary separations in the Custom Drawing window: Tick the Separations checkbox.

Temporary separations save with the job.