Hard time building split-level stairs

[SenkoTwiik]

Hopefully someone can help me.

I'm trying to make a duplex and I want my stairs split level. I found a tutorial that said to use the ground adjustor and make the terrain 4 clicks higher, and then put foundation there, to get my stairs to start at 8 clicks, half a floor (since a whole floor is 16 clicks).

I did that, but when I tried to put a wall around my stairs, it wouldn't let me. It kept saying it was "Covered by floor-tile" so I put the "boolProp constrainFloorElevation false" cheat in. But when I tried to build the wall around my stair well again, the platform at 8 clicks gets all funky! It's different leveled, and the stairs can't possibly work like that.

I don't know how to fix this. Does anyone know how? Or is there possibly an easy to understand tutorial on how to make it work. The one I looked up didn't work well.

Here's a picture of what I mean about the stairs:

See what I mean?

[ancienthighway]

If I remember right, it's best to place split level stairs like you want adjacent to an external wall.  Before you start to add anything else too.  CFE is used constantly during the process, making walls shorter and taller, so until you get to the final stages things will look a bit funky.  I used the technique a long time ago but stopped using it because of all the steps that are needed.

I notice you have the "stage" foundation.  An alternative for a split level would be to use the stage, with the modular stairs running from the upper level to the stage, then the stage to the ground.  That may or may not fulfill your needs.

[SenkoTwiik]

I tried the stage idea, but I still can't get it to work. I have the stairs and platform understood, I just need to figure out how to get non-warped, level walls around it and how to get the platform not to funk out. I've been all over like 6-7 tutorials today and none help. Even Jonesi's tutorial at MTS doesn't help, or I just can't make sense of it.

[caffeinated.joy]

Have you tried using the level terrain tool when you're done? I find it's something I always have to use whenever I'm messing around the CFE cheat.

[SenkoTwiik]

I haven't really gotten to the point of being "done" persay, because I can't get my project to work enough to build a house around it. I have tried the "level terrain" tool while building, when I think it may level the walls a little, but it doesn't.

I have really been trying hard at this one, over and over again, and I did everything the tutorials told me to do. I'm thinking of just cutting my losses and putting the house in the request sections so maybe it can be done by someone that knows what they'r doing.

[Sita]

edit; - added missing link argh! 

I have some stairs tutorials starting from this page http://www.simechoes.org/simechoes2/sims2/sims2info/tutorials/stairs/stairs.html that might help. You need to be using the boolprop constrainfloorelevation false cheat. And even with that stairs are difficult - I usually build stairs BEFORE the rest of the house, if I can.
The key is that you level the walls from ABOVE. You have to put a floor above where you want to change the walls, even if you are not going to keep it there, and then use the above cheat on the UPPER tiles. With that you can draw all the walls to the height you want them.
I have still found it impossible to recreate certain layouts of RL staircases though.
Good luck!

[ancienthighway]

I'm thinking Inge has a mod for split leel starts  Take a lod.

[SenkoTwiik]

Thanks guys. I couldn't figure it out, so I just used Inge's lifesaving stairs.