Displaying 2-story windows properly

[Dave Jochum]

I know this has been discussed before, but maybe just in terms of the wish list--anyway, I couldn't find anything searching. What's the best way to handle a 2-story window so it shows properly on both stories with a minimum af messy workarounds?

[Anonymous]

My preference is to make a wall on each story with a "real" window in one (usually the lower) and a dummy window in the other. (This assumes that the window is tall enough that you want it to show on both stories - otherwise just adjust the wall heights and use only one window.)

The dummy can be an empty opening and an exploded copy of the window below. For a little bit fancier job you can make a copy of the window library part and delete the 3D script to make the dummy version.

If the window changes from floor to floor then it is probably best to align two windows, one in each wall.

Hope this helps.

[Dave Jochum]

That sounds like a good way to get both plans to show properly, but I'm not sure how to make the model show correctly in 3D. Since the wall on the upper story doesn't contain the window, it will obliderate the second story portion of the window. (SketchUp view below)

[Anonymous]

In your case the "real" window will need to be in the upper floor to create the correct wallhole. Put the dummy in the floor below since the empty opening can only have square corners.

In case you are not clear on the technique:
The real window above will have a negative sill height to place it at the correct elevation to the wall below. Fit the empty opening (or dummy window part) in the wall below to the downward protrusion of the window.

[Dave Jochum]

Worked great, Matthew! Thanks for the help.