Stair Building, software and techniques

April 7th, 2012


WANT TO DESIGN OR BUILD YOUR OWN STAIRS?

 

LOOKING FOR STAIR PLANS OR HELP TO BUILD STAIRS?

 

FIND HERE THE SOLUTIONS TO YOUR STAIR PROBLEMS:

  • TRAINING VIDEOS AND PDF DOWNLOADS
  • SOFTWARE AND TOOLS FOR STAIR DESIGN
  • TIPS AND TRICKS TO HELP  YOU BUILD BEAUTIFUL STAIRS
  • STAIR DESIGN SERVICES, SUPPORT AND TRAINING

FILL IN THE FORM IN THE RIGHT MARGIN TO RECEIVE:

  • FREE STAIR DESIGN SOFTWARE
  • FREE TIP AND TRICKS FOR STAIR BUILDERS
  • FREE EMAIL MINI COURSE IN STAIR BUILDING

 

Who am I?

My name is Ness Tillson and I’m a professional stair builder based in France.

Me in my workshop

Me in my workshop

I have been making stairs for over 30 years and have built this web site to share my experience and a few of the tricks and tips that I have acquired over the years.

Over the last 30 years the world has changed a lot and the art and craft of stair building is no exception. Once a job reserved for professional carpenters at the height of their craft, modern day techniques, computers and power tools have made stair building accessible to many professionals as well as amateur woodwork enthusiasts.

My hope is that this site will provide the information necessary to help smooth out the path to your stair building ambitions.

If you would like to see a few stairs that I have built please visit my professional web site:

http://www.ntdesigns.org

Some tips for using this site:

I suggest that you start by inscribing yourself to my mailing list. You’ll receive some free stair software and some useful tips and advice to get started. Just fill in the form on the right hand side bar.

The “Free Downloads” page that you can access from the top menu bar will take you to a lot of free software and documentation that will be of great help to you.

To access specific stair building information you can browse the “Recent Posts” list  or use the “Categories” side bar menu.

Whether you’re an amateur or professional stair builder I hope that you will find this site useful and informative.

Have an enjoyable visit.

Thanks to all.

Ness

Here’s a review of the free software that I use to build my stairs:

Stair Building made easy with StairDesigner

From site dimensions to workshop plans in a few minutes !

  • Gain time and money
  • Cut out design and mark up errors
  • Stop unnecessary work
  • Easy to learn and even easier to use

Take a look at this this video for a rapid over view of StairDesigner possibilities:

xxx

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To read my review of StairDesigner and see a video demonstration click below:

<Click here to see my StairSoftware ReviewPage>

A brief over view of StairDesigner software

 

StairDesigner is a versatile stair design software. You can build spiral stairs, straight flights, turning stairs with winders, curved stairs, central cut string stairs and more. stair Designer can be used for wood, metal or stone stairbuilding. Special functions are included for drawing stair parts (wood or marble) covering concrete stairs.

 

StairDesigner enables you to quickly input stair dimensions and automatically calculates the stairs to standard building regulations.

 

StairDesigner uses special algorithms to calculate and optimised stringers and step shapes and positions. This makes turning stairs with winders easy and safe to use. Stair Designer can build stairs with cut strings, boxed strings, straight, curved and wreathed.

 

StairDesigner calculates automatically all the stair parts, strings, steps, risers, newel posts, spindles and hand rails. The plans, parts and cutting lists can be printed out in a workshop folder and full size part templates can be printed as workshop mark ups for cutting and machining. DXF files can be exported for CAD/CAM programs and CNC routers.

 

StairDesigner builds real 3D models with wood textures and lighting and transparency.

 

A Few StairDesigner features

Stair wells & Flights

  • Calculates spiral and helicoidal stairs.
  • Up to 7 Flights per stair.
  • Each flight can have its own length width.
  • variable angles for first and last steps.
  • Variable angles between each flight.

 

Automatic calculations and verifications

 

  • Calculates step height, going and tread line.
  • Verifies des 3 paramètres H, G, et Tread line, with Mini et Maxi values.
  • Quick wizard Fonction optimizes the number of steps and flight lengths.
  • Automatic and optimized dividing of balusters for closed and cut strings.

 

Balancement / winders and dancing steps

 

  • Automatic step balancing function. Gives optimized steps and stringers.
  • Fully parametric balancing function , work on groups, fix steps, works on any shape staircases.

 

« S » shape stairs:

cad software for s shaped stairs

 

With StairDesigner draw any shaped stair with up to 7 flights at any angle, any turn, each with its own specifications.
Draw S shaped stairs, L shaped stairs, U shaped stairs, any shaped stairs.

Steps and Risers

  • Move and rotate any step individually.
  • All assembly details are parametric, thickness, overlaps, recesses, etc….

 

Strings, Newel posts, and Handrails

  • Fully parametric straight, curved, wreathed, closed or cut strings.
  • Parametric newel posts, handrails and balusters
Example of Stairs built with StairDesigner

Calculate and draw a quarter turn stair with winders:

Starting from on site dimensions that are input into StairDesigner. The program calculates the stairs , optimizes the number of steps, the step height and going and draws the plan.

  • Design time : about 30mins

stair calculator plans

Building a 3D model and printing out different 3D views:

StairDesigner builds automatically the 3D model. you can view the model in all its details to verify the design and export different views for commercial documentation.

Time to build the 3D model : 0mins

stair calculator 3D perspective drawing

Workshop drawings and folder :

Once the plans drawn up StairDesigner creates automatically :

  • workshop folder with a plan drawing and separate drawing for each stair part..
  • full size workshop templates
  • DXF files for CAD/CAM and CNC machining

Time to print workshop folder : 5 to 10 mins

stair building software drawings

Workshop templates:

cad software for stair builders templates

 

Cutting lists:

StairDesigner automatically prints out the cutting lists with :

  • Dimensions of each part.
  • Total weight and price of the raw materials.
  • Total volume of wood.

Time to print cutting lists : 1 mins

stair building software cutting lists

and here’s the finished stair,

cad software for stair builders finished stair

You can down load all the drawings workshop documents and DXF files for this stair from my free download page “Stair drawings”

Test Drive STAIRDESIGNER for FREE :

Just fill in the form below and click “Submit”

x

If you would like to buy StairDesigner :

<Click here to buy STAIRDESIGNER>

If you need more information and a demo:

<Click here to read a StairDesigner review and play a video demo>

Don’t forget to look at my complementary stair software “download page” and the other posts for more information on using StairDesigner and other related free software downloads.

Here are some other articles on stair design:

Civil Engineering Softwares Books: STAIR DESIGNER
StairDesigner
Pro is a polyvalent straight, helicoidal, and balanced stair design software , used in the wood, marble, stone, and metal industries.It allows a quick stairway parameters entry.

Beautiful Stairs
But we came across a stair designer who does this brilliantly. Watch how the stairs from Scale Nilur not only just gel with the rooms but also become design elements themselves. stair design. If you need more on stairs.

Design soft myhouse 7.51.090
Stair designer with the new stair designer it is very easy to design and place stairs in your design you can use the various templates or start from scratch and design your own custom stairs. roof designer the myhouse roof designer.

  1. Rose
    March 18th, 2009 at 18:49 | #1

    Hello,

    This is Rose writing from http://www.huliq.com. I visited your blog and liked your content.

    Would you be interested to send us a guest post on any of the issues related to the topics that you cover in your blog. We will publish it in our site http://www.huliq.com

    In return with each guest blog we will give one link in the author’s biline back to your blog. We only ask that the guest post ( we prefer it be a news coverage, sources can be Google News, CNN, MSNBC, Yahoo News, BBC and others) be a unique story and not be published in your blog.

    HULIQ is indexed by Google News and Google requires that the length of the unique news is at least 5 paragraphs. We desire it to be at least 6 paragraphs if possible. And that all need to be a unique content. Once you send us a new story totally unique we will immediately publish it with you link in it, and within 15 minutes it should be indexed by Google News.

    Please let me know if you may have any questions about http://www.huliq.com.

    If you want to consult the topic with me first that’s perfectly fine as well.

    Many thanks

  2. March 26th, 2009 at 00:41 | #2

    Your product looks interesting.I have a stair business selling and
    installing balustrade parts.This could be a good tool for my business as
    I could give better visuals to my customers.My main question at this point is do I need any other software (autocad?)to use your software?
    Also what are the computer requirements to run this program.
    I look forward to a response soon.
    Thanks,Garrett

  3. admin
    April 3rd, 2009 at 19:54 | #3

    StairDesigner doesn’t draw all the stair parts that you might want to put into your design. The best way to add other parts is to open the 3D draws in AutoCad or any other 3D software, you can use a free 3D program like SketchUp if you want although you get better images with other software, and then add pre drawn parts to your design. If your orgaise your work well this works very well.

  4. April 15th, 2009 at 15:50 | #4

    If you ever want to see a reader’s feedback :) , I rate this article for 4/5. Decent info, but I just have to go to that damn yahoo to find the missed bits. Thanks, anyway!

  5. July 30th, 2009 at 16:05 | #5

    Hi, what is the price for your staircase software. And does it have to work with AutoCAD or not? Looking forward to your soonest reply.

  6. admin
    July 30th, 2009 at 16:41 | #6

    The price of the international version is 1230 euros or approx: $1700 US. StairDesigner is a stand alone software package that doesn’t need AutoCad but can be interfaced with any standard CAD/CAM system using DXF files.

  7. Luke
    September 5th, 2009 at 12:56 | #7

    Hello!

    First of all I have to say that your blog is a great resource for StairDesigner software and I like the content that is available.
    I recently started to use StairDesigner myself and love it for it’s simplicity to use and overall performance. The thing is there is always a need to edit the stair model in AutoCad. What I was wondering is do you maybe have any tips or tricks on how to edit for instance a stringboard from the initial 3d dxf export? I would appreciate any help. Thanks!

  8. admin
    September 10th, 2009 at 07:14 | #8

    Hi Luke,
    Thanks for the comment.
    To get workable construction drawings I usually only edit the 2d DXF (general viex and parts). It’s usually easy and straight forward.
    If you have any specific problems send me a email detailling your question and I’ll try to answer.
    To get an over view on DXF editing you can also download the “Using StairFile” document from my free downloads page.
    best regards
    Ness

  9. Timberman
    September 23rd, 2009 at 22:06 | #9

    Hello .( sorry for bad english i’m german)

    I’m using stairdesigner for a year or so and im still having one big problem with this software.

    This is whats not good :

    When you draw a stairs with a post in it , for example a stairs with two flights some of the steps end in the post.

    When i export or print al the parts for really getting started making the stairs from any wood, the steps don’t have a “nose” or something on the place the steps go in to the post.

    The steps do have a nose where the go in to the string on 90 angle but they dont go in on 90 angle into the post.

    So routing the post with a router can only be done in 90 angle and not following the step front.

    Did i make myself clear or is my english so bad no one understands my problem.

    thanks already

    A sad german carpenter

  10. Tom Luoma
    October 5th, 2009 at 21:54 | #10

    Hi,

    Looks promising but there is no form to fill out displayed on the page I see to download the demo version.

    Regards,

    Tom

  11. admin
    October 6th, 2009 at 04:30 | #11

    Hi Tom,
    Look on the right side bar at the top.Fill in your name and email and just click the Submit button.

  12. admin
    October 6th, 2009 at 04:44 | #12

    Hello, Thanks for your question. Its true that the step recessed into the posts do not have the nosing cut perpendicular to the post face. But the step recess is marked out on the post ok, and it is easy to apply a square on the step edge and mark out a perpendicular cut from the intesection of the nosing with the post face.
    I usually find that when marking out and machining by hand its easier to not activate the Perpendicular Step penetration in String Board parameter and cut the nosing “manualy” after machining.
    Hope this is of help.
    best regards
    Ness Tillson

  13. Darren
    October 6th, 2009 at 10:07 | #13

    Hi there, Im interested in trying out this software, what limitations does the demo version have?

    Thanks
    Darren

  14. admin
    October 9th, 2009 at 07:31 | #14

    Hi Darren,
    The demo version has all the functionality of the full version except printing and DXF export. Other wise it will calculate and draw the stairs and stair parts in 2D and 3D. If your would like to try the print outs and the DXF file exports you can use my StairFile service where for 50 euors you can send me the StairDesigner file and I send you back the print outs in PDF and the DXF files so you can build the stair.
    Hope this is helpfull
    best regards
    Ness

  15. Earl Tews
    October 22nd, 2009 at 04:30 | #15

    I would like to try your stair software. I’ve been building wood stairs for 10 years. I have a fair amount of automated (CNC) routing and “open” stringer equipment, but I need to gain a competitive edge by saving time and money on producing “cut lists” from “onsite” measurements for different stair styles.
    Earl

  16. admin
    October 22nd, 2009 at 05:57 | #16

    Hello Earl,
    StairDesigner generates automatically the cut list from the stair design. You can try the demo version by fillling in the form on the right hand side of this page. I you need to have the cut list and the DXF files you can use the StairFile service on the STAIR SERVICES page of this site. Hope this is helpfull; If you need any other information don’t hesitate to contact me.
    Best regards
    Ness

  17. john
    November 2nd, 2009 at 22:14 | #17

    Hi iwas wondering if you could help me. I am looking for a stair program that will enable me to quickly, on site be able to render a 3-d drawing and change the material on the stair ie: oak maple walnut etc and at the same time change the railing to glass wrought iron etc. I am strictly selling stairs and have very little to do with the manufacturing other than submitting the work order to any supplier i choose .Thanks for all the help you could give.

  18. admin
    November 4th, 2009 at 17:45 | #18

    Hi John,
    With the demo version of StairDesigner you can do nearly all of that for free. You can just type in the dimensions and StairDesigner will calculate the stairs and give you a 3D model that you can render with the wood you like. This gives a very quickly a good idea of the stair design but unfortunately you can’t add glass or wrought iron. All the other stair design programs I know are much more expensive ( 3k to 5k and +)than StairDesigner and organized around manufacturing and most will not give 3D rendering of glass or wrought iron. For quick on site modeling StairDesigner is very good. For more precise modeling with glass and wrought iron I suggest using the 3D model from SD and editing it in another design program like Autocad, 3D studio or even Sketch UP, if you don’t need very fancy rendering. This can be too long to do on site and you’ll probally have to do it at the office and send the rendered version on to your customer later.
    hope this is helpful
    Ness

  19. Paolo Cartosio
    December 20th, 2009 at 20:00 | #19

    I Ness.
    I want to thanks you for your email and your tutorial, it’s very useful. I build stairs only occasionally and i think that SD software and Stair File Service is wonderful for me.
    I’m studying SD tutorial and SD software, soon i buy a stair file service for a new stair that I have to make. I have some problems with the strings because I normally use only rough lumber, cut strings in chestnut, and here there isn’t prefinished panel in chestnut, but I’m studying this problem.
    Excuse me for my Italenglish!!
    Best regards and Merry Christmas
    Paolo Cartosio

  20. Rob
    January 14th, 2010 at 17:53 | #20

    What does this software cost for a full version ?

  21. admin
    January 15th, 2010 at 19:03 | #21

    Hi Rob,
    the software costs 1255.80 euros, with one years full support. Support includes helping you or making for you your own stair templates.
    To buy StairDesigner just go to the Stair Services page on this blog or click here:

  22. emilian
    February 18th, 2010 at 21:33 | #22

    i have one question … why the last step is smaller then the rest of steps?

  23. emilian
    February 18th, 2010 at 21:39 | #23

    emilian :

    i have one question … why the last step is smaller then the rest of steps? how i can remove it?

  24. admin
    February 19th, 2010 at 08:05 | #24

    Hi Emilian, The last step is a landing step and enables the stair to met the landing joist while giving an assembly point for the last riser. If you don’t need a last step just enter 0 in the Landing step parameter in the StairWell Parameter’s dialogue box. Ths stair will be calculated without the last step but the program will draw a 60mm step. This step is not added to the cutting list and you can just ignore it.

  25. emilian
    February 20th, 2010 at 07:47 | #25

    thanks admin :)

  26. Adam
    February 26th, 2010 at 02:51 | #26

    I have just downloaded your demo version of stairbuilder. I am a designer drafter/builder in Australia and could use this program.
    I dont build alot of stairs but weh I do this program will be handy for my cutting list. I have been working with a left angle dog leg stair but require a landing inbetween both flights instead of winding stairs. How would I do this?
    Cheers

  27. admin
    February 26th, 2010 at 08:52 | #27

    Hi Adam, To ass landings you have to right click on the step you want to change into a a landing and select “landing step” in the menu. Then right click again and select “step propertises” to modify the dimensions of the landing. Look at my article “Strair software to modify stair plans” there’s a video that shows how to add a landing to a quarter turn stair. You can also download the manual and tutorial from the download page.
    best regards
    Ness

  28. misbah
    March 5th, 2010 at 17:51 | #28

    thank u very much.

  29. Asiel M. Ashir
    April 1st, 2010 at 03:47 | #29

    Dear gentlemen:

    I have been learning and practicing with StairDesigner V6.04 software installed on an XP Professional platform. I am trying to understand
    and learn the art of designing and building stairs.

    I experiment problems as to including landing steps in a design.
    I have not been able to stablish the necessary conditions to include a
    landing step in a design, and therefore no landing step is created in the design.

    Please advice wheter there are special sonditions to include said
    landing step in any design. Otherwise, pleae indicate me how to
    proceed to include one or more landing steps in a designs.

    Thank you in advance.

    Truly,
    Asiel

  30. admin
    April 1st, 2010 at 05:47 | #30

    Hello Asiel, Installing landings is a simple operation when you know how. Take a look at the article “stair-software-to-modify-stair-plans” on the right side bar. There’s a video and I explain how to install a landing in a stair with winders.
    all the best
    Ness

  31. May 14th, 2010 at 08:46 | #31

    Hi Mr. Ness
    Thanks for sending mails. Ur mails are valuable and language is simple, so that a layman in wood workscan easily understand.
    thanks and glad to receive ur reply.

  32. Dave
    June 18th, 2010 at 21:46 | #32

    Anybody that has been around the US stair business knows there are only a few software packages available that will suit the requirements of the US market. And these are not free. All of the budget software I have seen is designed for the european market which consist of straight stairs or winders. And all Post to Post. (The lack of risers or use of safety risers in the visual display is a dead givaway to the european market.)

    Dont waste your time if you build stairs for the US market with cheap software. We use StairCon. They have an office in the US dedicated to how we build stairs. (curved, flairs, over the post, all fittings and connection.)

  33. June 24th, 2010 at 07:14 | #33

    Thelast step is a landing step that is flush with the flooring. It’s not really a step but just allows the transition from the stair to the finished floor level.

  34. admin
    June 24th, 2010 at 07:28 | #34

    Hi Dave,
    Thanks for your comment. I dont know how US carpenters build stairs and I think you are probably right in saying that StairDesigner is not perfectly adapted to your building methods. But this software reamains very versatile and can be of help in calculating and designing any stair. Of course specific details need to be added or adjusted using some CAD software but StiarDesigner is still of great help and is realy cheap in comparison to most stair software. It al depends on the time you need to spend on stair design. A small company making 1 or 2 stairs a month may not want to invest in high end software.

  35. Rosewood Remodeling
    July 1st, 2010 at 02:40 | #35

    What is the cost for this software.

    Vince S.

  36. admin
    July 1st, 2010 at 20:05 | #36

    HI Rob, StairDesigner costs 1255.80 euros for a full professionnal version. To buy a version you can use the PayPal button on the Stair Services page of this web site. Here’s the link: http://stairdesignsoftware.net/stair-services. Send me your user code and I’ll send you back an activation code.
    Best regards
    Ness

  37. Kenneth Beachill
    August 13th, 2010 at 11:32 | #37

    I am not receiving a link via email to access starwell software

  38. admin
    August 14th, 2010 at 10:39 | #38

    Hi Rob, the full version costs 1255.80 euros. You can use the “Buy StairDesigner button” on the Stair Services page of my web site. Here’s the link: . When you buy the full version I’ll send you an activation code for the démo version that changes the démo version into the full DXF Pro version and you get 1 years free technical support.
    best regards
    Ness

  39. Sindal Trappen
    September 29th, 2010 at 10:39 | #39

    Have just filled in the form for a free trial .. but the download did not start Please send the file

  40. John Fingal
    November 21st, 2010 at 22:17 | #40

    Have just filled in the form for a free trial .. but the download did not start Please send the file

  41. November 24th, 2010 at 19:40 | #41

    some cheap softwares does not offer good online technical support so i would caution about using them ;”‘

  42. admin
    November 24th, 2010 at 20:27 | #42

    Hi, The best way to guage support for StairDesigner is to test my helpfulness while using the demo version. I usually try to be as helpful and objective as possible .
    I have been selling StairDesigner from this site for 2 years now and had no complaints. Please freel free to contact me and ask questions. I can assure you that I support the demo version and the full version.
    all the best
    Ness

  43. January 25th, 2011 at 17:19 | #43

    :`. I am really thankful to this topic because it really gives great information ,`~

  44. admin
    January 25th, 2011 at 17:22 | #44

    Hello, Thanks for the comment. Do you have any specific ideas for articles?
    Ness

  45. DK
    January 28th, 2011 at 22:27 | #45

    Just working with the demo. Very good app. Can you use the software to layout elliptical stairs?

  46. admin
    January 29th, 2011 at 07:36 | #46

    Hi, Dave, To layout an elliptical stair you have to prepare the design in a CAD program.
    Firstly divide the elipse into arcs, draw tangents to each arc. measure le lines and angles and use them to set out the stair in StairDesigner.
    Then use the “Join” command to add arcs of the right radius. This will set out the general stair shape and stairdesigner will calculate the stair for you.
    Hope this is helpful.
    Ness

  47. February 21st, 2011 at 16:07 | #47

    hi the link for demo stair designer is not correct.
    please send me demo for my email: schodypalacowe@vp.pl.
    I’m interested in to by this software by I must try it first.
    Andrew Pecek

  48. admin
    February 21st, 2011 at 21:09 | #48

    Hi Andrew, I’ve just sent you the install file by email.
    best regards
    Ness

  49. February 21st, 2011 at 21:14 | #49

    hi I have just filled in the form for a free trial , but the download did not start please send the file by email schodypalacowe@vp.pl.
    Andrew

  50. February 21st, 2011 at 21:24 | #50

    thank you
    Andrew

  51. richard stent
    February 24th, 2011 at 21:45 | #51

    have tryed to get demo but no email has come with the link please help?

  52. admin
    February 25th, 2011 at 09:47 | #52

    Hi, Richard, I just sent you the demo install files by email. Hope it’s helpful.
    all the best
    Nes

  53. lionel a
    February 28th, 2011 at 23:29 | #53

    putting in a second floor in my home and have little space (10 x 6 )to build stairs..the demo you show on this page is pretty close to what i’am looking for..top of bsae is 10′with the same in tread lengh.

  54. March 19th, 2011 at 20:18 | #54

    bookmark your blog and have my youngsters check up right here frequently. Thumbs up!

  55. admin
    March 21st, 2011 at 09:49 | #55

    Hi Myrtice,
    thanks for your comment. Glad you find the information useful. Are you a teacher?
    regards
    Ness

  56. Patrick Hughes
    April 2nd, 2011 at 08:01 | #56

    Good day Ness,
    wow i marvel at your site full of skill and inteligence,thanks for you info (hot work). Im in Australia and am starting out on the more average stairs and was wondering if you have a scaled down (cheaper) software i could get my hands on? love your work mate.

  57. admin
    April 2nd, 2011 at 09:04 | #57

    Hi Patrick,
    Thanks for your comment and encouragement.
    To answer your question I don’t know of any cheaper software, I myself bought StairDesigner in the first place because all the competition was 3 to 5 times the price of StairDesigner. I think that if the full version is to expensive for you, you should use my- StairFile service for 60 euros I send you all the working documents and even revise and advise you on the project; so it will take a lot of StariFiles to reach the price of a full version; This way you can invest in the full version when your business gets underway . Hope this is helpful.
    Best regards
    Ness

  58. john hillan
    April 28th, 2011 at 14:50 | #58

    opened downloads page but there are no links on page – any ideas?
    thanks

  59. admin
    May 2nd, 2011 at 16:56 | #59

    Hi John, You can access the links by clicking the titles and pictures.
    Otherwise tell me what you want and I’ll try to send it to you by email.

    all the best

    Ness

  60. john hillan
    June 1st, 2011 at 18:00 | #60

    Hi

    Will try to access limnks again

    Apology for delay in response

    We have a 4.2M x 1.7M void to fill with a basement to ground stair and a ground to first stair

    Basement to Ground – floor to floor – is 2965mm
    Ground to First – floor to floor – is 3100mm

    Proposed design: Basement to Ground and Ground to First would be treads up to quarter turn landing (turn to left), treads up to quarter landing (turn to left) treads to floor level

    Would ideally like to get basement to ground to sit under ground to first but obviously need to factor height differential of 165mm so suspect even altering tread goings/risers between the staircases, might have to lose start treads on basement to ground stair.

    Does that help?

    Many thanks
    John

  61. ness
    June 2nd, 2011 at 06:03 | #61

    @john hillan
    Hi John,

    I just sent you a model by email that should fit your stair well. You can view and edit it in the demo version of stairdesigner. If you need the print out of the plans use the StairFile service that you will find on the StairServices page of this site.
    All the best
    Ness

  62. June 29th, 2011 at 04:59 | #62

    I completely agree with your way of thinking. It all makes complete sense finally, thanks a lot. :)

  63. July 14th, 2011 at 08:43 | #63

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  64. July 19th, 2011 at 05:28 | #64

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  65. July 20th, 2011 at 01:05 | #65

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  66. September 4th, 2011 at 03:03 | #66

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  67. September 8th, 2011 at 17:31 | #67

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  68. Anders Larsson
    September 21st, 2011 at 10:49 | #68

    Hi
    We have an CNC-machine today and we use a old version of Compass to
    calculate and creating .NUM files for our CNC.
    I wonder i you have any suggestion of CAM-program we can use with
    your Stairdesign software? Stairdesign looks great for the price.

  69. admin
    September 21st, 2011 at 11:26 | #69

    Hi Anders,
    I know of 2 CAM programs that work well with StairDesigner DXF files, these are EfiCad and Alpha Cam. But all CAM programs can read DXF files and I can assure you that the StairDesigner DXf files are very clean and well organised for CAM processing. You’ll find that it’s best to find a CAM program that gives output to your CNC machine with eventually the possibility to create macros to process the DXF files by layer or colour . StairDesigner allows you to organise your DXF in practically any way that suits what ever your CAM program needs.
    Hope this is helpful, if you have any other questions don’t hesitate to contact me.
    all the best
    Ness

  70. September 29th, 2011 at 03:23 | #70

    Hey there just wanted to give you a quick heads up. The text in your post seem to be running off the screen in Internet explorer. I’m not sure if this is a format issue or something to do with browser compatibility but I figured I’d post to let you know. The style and design look great though! Hope you get the problem fixed soon. Thanks

  71. October 29th, 2011 at 02:06 | #71

    I only wish that I had the ability to convey what I wanted to say inside the manner which you have presented this details. Thanks.

  72. admin
    October 29th, 2011 at 07:46 | #72

    Hello Garia, Thanks for your comment. It’s helpful feed back to know that I express myself in an understandable manner.
    Best regards, Ness

  73. November 22nd, 2011 at 12:10 | #73

    The technology about the stair cases described here with different diagram is quite impressive.

  74. November 22nd, 2011 at 19:31 | #74

    thanks for information i am really impressed ..i am civil engineer from india but i havent such a stair cases … foam generator

  75. Jim A
    December 29th, 2011 at 19:43 | #75

    Hi, I have followed your site for some time as I need to build a curved stairway for a new home we are building. I am a pretty handy guy building things, but not so handy with computer programs. Would it be possible for you to design my stairs for me with your software, and then I could use the plan to build them? I couldn’t see any place on the site for communication other than the blog. Hope this is OK to ask this question here. Thanks. Jim

  76. admin
    December 30th, 2011 at 09:34 | #76

    Hi jim,
    Thanks for your comment.
    Yes there’s no problem to do your design and deliver working documents to build your stair. Can you send me a plan or sketch and a description of you project so that I can see how much design work there will be. You can email me at: ness.tillson@stairdesignsoftware.net.
    I’ll send you an email too.
    While waiting I wish you all the best for the new year and hope that we will be able to work together.
    take care
    Ness

  77. January 3rd, 2012 at 00:46 | #77

    Thanks so much for help

  78. Dave
    January 17th, 2012 at 12:27 | #78

    Hi Ness,
    I am renovating a barn in France and need to build 4 sets of stairs. Due to financial constraints I will be building these myself and am looking for anything to make my job easier. Each of the stairs are different but in summary 2 staircases are opposite hand and consist of 3 steps straight 6 steps 180 degree turn and 3 steps straight. One left hand and one right. Each straight step has a going of 230 and there is an overall rise of 2550. The overall width of the staircase is 900. These will be open backed with a tie half way down each rise. The complication is that these may be suspended from above as they are a second storey pair. I may take supporting newalls to the floor.

    The bottom two sets of stairs are more straight forward having only one 90 degree turn each. The left hand set going up have 1 step to a 3 step winder then 5 steps up – overall rise is 2M each step has a going of 230. Overall width 900. The opposite hand set 3 before winder 3 winder 3 after winder step going is 250 and overall rise 2M.

    Can I use your software to give me a printout without having to pay the 1000 Euros as this is much to much for my project budget?

    Other info – Timber 250 x 50 for strings and steps
    Open backed restraining bar between steps. Steps in recess in string.

    Timber probably well seasoned pine

    Cheers

    Dave

  79. admin
    January 19th, 2012 at 16:27 | #79

    Hi Dave,
    Thanks for your comment.
    To get a print out you can use my StairFile service. To use this service you send me your StairDesigner sds file and I’ll revise your project and send you back the workshop documents in DXF and PDF format. You can use these files to edit and print your project’s working documents.
    This service costs 80 euros, you can buy from the Stair Services page of this web site.
    If you would like me to look over your stairs could you please send me a drawing so that I understand clearly your project.

  80. Oscar Botero
    February 5th, 2012 at 01:55 | #80

    Good night,
    Just download the software and have installed Fedora 15 via wine, but does not work, Could someone help me.
    thanks

  81. admin
    February 6th, 2012 at 09:34 | #81

    Hi Oscar,
    What’s the problem exactly?
    Ness

  82. Shawn
    March 9th, 2012 at 19:41 | #82

    Hello Ness. Nice software. I am contemplating acquiring your software for my company. I’m curious if StairDesigner can be set for current American stair building codes? These parameters include limits on rise, run, winder widths, rail height, baluster spacing, and others. And of course, these codes change every three years or so. Did you develop the software yourself?

    Thanks,
    Shawn

  83. admin
    March 10th, 2012 at 10:09 | #83

    Hello shawn,
    Thanks for your comment.
    I don’t know the building codes that you use but StairDesigner if fully parametric so you can design just about any stair to fit any code.
    You can set limits on rise, step widths, and run and the program will warn you if you are out of limits. For the other settings that you mention as well as all the others possible there are no limits so you just have to be careful.
    Practically the best way to work is to set up models or template stairs that contain all the parameter for a certain style of stair.
    When you build a stair you just take the model and adjust the shape widths and heights all the other setting staying the same.
    You can then just change the other parameters when the building code changes.
    I didn’t develop the software, it’s developed in Paris by a team of mathematicians. I think that’s why it’s so good very clean and rigorous code that makes it efficiently do well what it does, design stairs. StairDesigner doesn’t do everything but what it does it does well.

    Hope this is helpful.
    all the best
    Ness

  84. David Alexander
    March 31st, 2012 at 19:18 | #84

    Hi Ness,

    I enjoyed watching all of your videos, thanks for that. I have a somewhat odd exterior stairs that require to be rebuilt in a home built in 1904. The stairs are laid out, and this is the difficult part to explain, not circular or curved, but flat in a curved shape like half of a dinner plate. The original material looks like red fir, the stairs are made with straight boards that are 7/8″ by 8″ laid out and rounded off with a routed bull nose tread. Obviously this material is no longer commercially available. Can this software recalculate these stairs and a materials list based on what woods are commercially available today? I am finding this quite difficult to lay out as there will be considerable amount of waste.

    Thanks in advance

  85. David Alexander
    March 31st, 2012 at 19:20 | #85

    Also is there a way to send you photos of the existing stairs to more easily see the layout?

  86. admin
    April 6th, 2012 at 09:12 | #86

    Hi Dave,
    I got your photos but I don’t really think that StairDesigner will help with your stair that are really more just steps. I suggest you just use a free CAD system to redesign. You can contact me of you need help to redesign.

  87. Richard Dowd
    April 10th, 2012 at 18:43 | #87

    Hi,
    Could you please forward the demo files please, have tried via the link in the margin, but does not appear to be working.

    Kind regards

    Richard

  88. admin
    April 11th, 2012 at 07:39 | #88

    Hi Richard,

    do you mean the StairDesigner demo file or some other file.
    For stairdesigner I suggest you fill in the form in the right margin.
    If you have any problem send me an email describing your issue and I’ll see what I can do.
    regards
    Ness

  89. Richard Dowd
    April 11th, 2012 at 21:03 | #89

    Hi Ness,

    Yes please, I am refering to the StairDesigner demo file – I have tried several times to complete the link in the right margin – but have not received an email, wondering if there maybe a specific issue with hotmail accounts?

    Richard

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