Decks are simply platforms with optional skirting, railing and posts. They may also contain DeckSteps, which are staircase attachments to decks (exclusively). Note that the only way to create true decksteps is to click on the edge of a deck and Steps->Insert Now button on the deck properties bar. Any other steps, created by using the tools on the deck toolbar, for example, are not decksteps, they are staircases as discussed previously.
Decks, like floors, can be shaped with any number of sides. They are a constant 6" thick There is a post in each "corner" (handle point) that extends downward to the deck's height. Options include per-side skirting that covers deck sides from the top of the deck downward for the deck's height, per-side railings that extend upwards from the surface by the railing height, and decksteps, which may be open or closed and which may have one or two railings themselves. The dialog for setting selected path properties is displayed below on the left.
Deck finish sets the finish for the deck's top surfaces.
Skirt finish sets the finish for the decks' skirts.
Railing finish sets the finish for the decks' railings.
Height sets the decks' heights. The height defines how far downward the post extend under the deck and how far he skirts extend.
Elevation sets the vertical distance from where the skirt would be to the zero reference plane. Another way to put it is that the top of a deck is a distance above the zero reference plane defined by the elevation plus the height plus 6".
Baluster space sets the center-to-center spacing of the balusters supporting the railing.
Railing Height sets the height of the railing, and in addition the height of the posts.
Autodimensions? sets the decks' edges autodimensions. This is new in Punch! version 10.
Open Steps? sets whether decksteps added to this deck will have open steps. Why this isn't in the decksteps itself, I don't know.
The following two options are generally specified per-side. If you use them in InSync, they will either turn the option on or off for all the sides of the deck.
Railing? selects whether railings will be shown around the deck periphery,
Skirt? selects whether skirts are to be displayed.
Deck steps differ significantly from stand-alone staircases. They only exist attached to a deck edge; they do not have a centerline; instead there is the line along where the steps and the deck meets, so they cannot turn. The dialog for setting selected path properties is displayed above on the right.
Left/Right Rail? sets whether either or both railings are to be added to the steps.
Width sets the steps' widths.
Height sets the steps' total height.
InSync and the contents of this help file are
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