On the Architectural component tab, you will find a set of tools for adding additional levels to create multi-story buildings:

Before presenting these tools further, there are also a number of general properties in the Level Settings dialog. These are most likely settings that you only make at an initial stage and will remain in new drawings as well.

Each option has a very descriptive tooltip that is displayed when you hover with the mouse over the text. This is the information available in each tooltip:

• Only edit levels when the Architectural tab is selected: Levels can only be moved/edited as long as the Architectural tab is selected. When you are in another tab, levels are locked and cannot be moved or deleted.
• Show level boundaries: Displays a grey outline in the place where walls would appear at the edge of a level. Showing the Level volume in 3D makes it easier to visualize where one level ends and another begins. It uses the Ceiling height property in the levels properties box as a reference for where the bounding box will end.
• Combine in calculation: Identical components belonging to different levels are treated as the same line in the Calculation dialog. The Levels column will be removed.
• Only edit active level in 2D: For the 2D view only, enabling this prevents accidental editing of the wrong level. It also prevents moving components on any but the currently selected level in the level overview.
• Always move components with their respective levels: When enabled, all components will move with the level if the level’s location or settings change. When disabled, only the components selected together with the level are affected.
• Move levels when level above or below moves: When enabled, levels will automatically move when levels above or below change ceiling height or elevation.
• Only edit coverings when the Architectural tab is selected: Floor coverings from the Carpets and coverings section can only be selected, moved, and edited as long as the Architectural tab is selected. (They can still be painted with the Material Explorer, however.)

Add level tools

Further down, the following tools are available for adding and editing levels:

Rectangular level: The fastest way to create a basic rectangular level.

Circular level: The fastest way to create a basic circular level.

Custom Level: Define a level in any shape needed. 

Insert Wall on Edge: Hover at the edge of a level and click to insert a wall along that edge. 

Add Point: Insert a point anywhere along the level’s 2D outline.

Remove Point: Delete selected edit points along the level’s 2D outline.

Switch Straight/Curved: Convert a line or a point to curved and vice versa.

Slice Shape: Draw a line with two clicks across a level to divide it into two sections. All "slices" are still on the same level and are grouped together, i.e. in group select mode, they will be moved together.

Stretch Level: This tool has two functionalities; one for moving levels vertically (with or without moving the levels above) and one for stretching levels horizontally. You can switch between the two functions of the tool from its quick properties, after starting the tool. For more information, see this article.

Adding a level

To add a level, follow these steps:

1. On the Architectural tab, click once to select one of the components for adding levels (Rectangular level, Circular level, and Custom level). 
2. Move the cursor to the drawing area. The Level component is attached to the cursor. The default elevation is 0, but you can enter a different elevation in the property box. If you hover near an existing wall, the level will snap to the height of the wall.
3. Click once to set the starting point. Proceed as described below depending on which level component you are using:

• Rectangular level

  • Move the cursor to the desired width in the correct direction, or type in an exact value in the property box. Click to confirm.

  • Move the cursor to the desired depth, or type in an exact value in the property box. Click to confirm.

• Circular level

  • Click to place the centre of the circular level. Start moving the cursor in any direction to increase or decrease the radius, or type in an exact value in the properties box. Click to confirm.

• Custom level

  • Move the cursor in any direction and click once each time you want to add a point to the custom level.

  • Connect the endpoint to close the shape. The endpoint and the first point must meet exactly to complete drawing the level.
4. The tool stays on your cursor, and you can continue to place levels. Once you are finished, hit Esc on your keyboard, or move your cursor outside of the drawing area to escape the command.
5. To apply a cutout in a level, overlap another additional Level at the same level as an existing one, there is now an option in the quick properties enabling instant creation of a cutout: 

                                   

    

The tools in the Add level(s) section are different from the Custom Shape tools found in the Tools component tab. Components will place on top of a level but will not recognize a custom shape as a surface. Another difference is that you can control the visibility of a level and all objects on it. However, some tools can cross over between the two: Place wall on edge, Add point, Switch straight to curved, and Slice shape. Using the slice shape tool will convert the level into a regular custom shape which will remove all categorization and snapping functionality from it.

Creating a cutout

To create a cutout in a level, follow these steps:

1. Left-click one of the Add level tools (Rectangle, Circle, or Custom) and move your cursor into the drawing.
2. In the green Quick Properties box, check the box for Cutout, then select which level you want to place a cutout in.
   
   You can click on the quick properties or use the keyboard shortcuts to navigate. Press the Tab key to move from line to line. Use the Space bar to check & uncheck the box or move between the level names. 
3. Left-click in the drawing space to start placing the cutout. (The number of clicks will depend on the shape you chose.)

Editing a Level

After creating a level, you can select it in either 2D or 3D to open the properties box, where you will find many different options for your level:

• Level: Shows level name set in the Level overview.
• Elevation: Shows distance from base level (ground); not from the level beneath it.
• Thickness: Thickness of the level.
• Ceiling height: Distance from the elevation of the level to the top of any walls placed on the level, either manually or with the Insert wall on edge tool discussed above.
• Area: Automatically calculates the area of the selected level.
• Thickness direction: Decide if the Thickness is measured above or below the set Elevation.
• 2D fill: Determine the 2D appearance of the level in the 2D drawing view:
  
  • No fill: Only black outline appears around the edges of the level. Any objects below are shown in a dotted outline.
  • Follow 3D: Color fill will reflect the color that the level is painted with in 3D with the Material Explorer.
  • Custom: Click to show the Custom color 2D option, from which you can select any color.
• Texture rotation: Adjust the rotation of a material applied from the Material Explorer.
• Grow shape: Enter a value to equally increase the length of all sides of a level.
• Shrink shape: Enter a value to equally decrease the length of all sides of a level.
• Line style: Click Edit to expand and see options for the line style in the 2D view, such as Line, Width and Color.
• Hatch style: Click Edit to expand and see options for hatch style in the 2D view.
  • Hatch: Style of hatching.
  • Scale: Size of hatching.
• Solid: Affects 3D visibility.