Multi-level Ceilings

When designing an interior layout, it is often necessary to create a multi-level ceiling: with a recessed center, lowered elements, or a cove for hidden lighting. In the Planoplan app, such solutions can be implemented in several ways, depending on the ceiling design and whether a ceiling molding is required.

This article describes the main methods for creating multi-level ceilings and explains step by step how to implement each option in the Planoplan 3D editor.

Method 1. Using a Primitive as a Ceiling

This method is suitable if a ceiling molding is not required.

1. Add the primitive Cube ID 12774 to the room.
2. Set the required overall dimensions for the primitive.
3. Raise the primitive above the floor to the floor height defined in the project.
4. Set the primitive height equal to the thickness of the ceiling element.

For example, if the room height is 3 m and the ceiling should be at 2.9 m, place the primitive at a height of 3 m from the floor and set its height to 10 cm.

To create a cove, move the primitive away from the wall. By adjusting the primitive height and the offset from the wall, you can control the size of the cove.

If the room has a complex shape, use several primitives and carefully align them together.

Method 2. Creating an Additional Floor for a Cove

This method is recommended if a ceiling molding is required.

1. On the first floor, build walls with a height of “0” along the boundary between different ceiling levels.
2. Create a copy of the floor and adjust its height.
   The minimum floor height is 10 cm. The thickness of the inter-floor slab is also 10 cm, so the minimum cove depth is 20 cm. To make the cove deeper, increase the height of the second floor.
   You also need to adjust the overall floor height in the project. The final wall height consists of:
   • the first floor height,
   • the inter-floor slab thickness (10 cm),
   • the second floor height.

   For example, if the original room height is 3 m and the ceiling should be at 2.8 m:

   • set the first floor height to 2.8 m,
   • set the second floor height to 10 cm.
3. On the first floor, disable the ceiling display in the cove area.
   To do this, left-click the floor area corresponding to the cove and disable the ceiling in the room settings.
4. Switch to the second floor.
5. Select the walls with zero height and set their actual height to the floor height (10 cm in this example).
   The wall will immediately gain thickness.
6. Move the wall so that its outer edge aligns with the inner edge of the wall on the first floor.
7. Select the room corresponding to the cove and disable the floor display in the room settings.

   After switching to the 3D view, you will see the completed cove. All that remains is to add a ceiling molding.

Ceiling Molding Along the Cove Wall

If you need to add ceiling molding along the wall behind the cove, follow these steps:

1. Build a false wall along the line of the wall with “0” height.
2. Set its height equal to the floor height in the settings.
3. Add a rectangular opening to this wall, for example ID 575.
4. Set the opening height a few centimeters lower than the floor height.
5. Stretch the opening across the entire width of the false wall.
   The opening will not exceed the wall boundaries — adjust its position if needed.

   After switching to the 3D view, the ceiling molding will appear at the beginning of the cove.

This method can also be used to create ceiling moldings along the contour of furniture installed flush with the ceiling.