We've created this short video for you to create split-level floors in Planner 5D.
For those who prefer written instructions, you can find those below.
In this tutorial, we'll explore six different designs:
A raised dining area with steps.
A bathroom platform with wide steps.
A raised floor with a thin intermediate step.
A sunken living room surrounded by higher flooring.
A stone-finished bathroom platform.
A stepped seating area with built-in ledges.
You can follow any of these methods separately, depending on your project.
Before you start
There are two main ways to create different floor heights in Planner 5D.
If you want to raise the entire floor of a room, select the room in 2D and adjust its Flooring Height setting. This changes the height of the room's floor as a whole.
For more information, see How to Elevate the Floor of the Room.
If you want to raise only part of a room, you can use the Magic Cube tool to create custom platforms and steps without changing the rest of the floor.
That's the method we'll use for the examples below.
How to use Magic Cube
Open your project and switch to 2D mode.
Go to Build → Forms.
Select the Magic Cube and place it in your room.
Select the cube to adjust its Width, Depth, Height, and Levitation.
Resize it into a platform or step that fits your design.
Remember that Width and Depth determine the area covered by the platform, while Height determines its thickness.
You can also use Levitation to raise an object above the floor.
For more information, see How to Use the Magic Cube and Forms on Web.
To position objects more precisely on surfaces at different heights, you can use Object Snapping. Learn how to enable and use this feature on Web and iOS in our Object Snapping guide.
Tip: Before creating a raised area, check your room's ceiling height and leave enough space for furniture, doors, and movement between the levels.
Method 1. Create a raised dining area
A raised dining area is a great way to visually separate the dining space from the rest of an open-plan room.
Step 1. Create the platform
Switch to 2D mode.
Add a Magic Cube.
Resize it into a wide rectangular platform.
Position it in the part of the room where you want your dining area.
Adjust its Height to create the desired elevation.
For example, you could create a platform 45 cm high.
Keep Levitation at 0 cm if you want the platform to start directly from the existing floor.
Step 2. Add the steps
Add another Magic Cube.
Resize it into a smaller rectangular step.
Place it along the entrance side of the platform.
Adjust its height to create a comfortable-looking transition.
Add more steps if needed.
For example, for a 45 cm platform, you can create three visual rises of 15 cm each by using two steps with tops at 15 cm and 30 cm, followed by the platform at 45 cm.
Switch to 3D mode and check that the steps lead naturally onto the raised area.
Step 3. Add dining furniture
Once the platform is ready, add a dining table and chairs.
Use Levitation or Above the floor to raise the furniture until its legs rest on the platform surface.
Tip: Furniture doesn't necessarily move automatically onto custom platforms unless you hold Shift to see areas to elevate object to highlighted. Always check the position of the furniture in 3D and adjust its elevation if needed.
Method 2. Create a bathroom platform with wide steps
You can also use Magic Cubes to create raised bathroom areas with wide decorative steps.
Step 1. Build the raised floor
Open your bathroom project.
Switch to 2D mode.
Add a Magic Cube and resize it into a wide platform.
Position it in the area you want to raise.
Adjust its height to match your design.
For example, you can place a raised area at the end of your bathroom where the bathtub or other fixtures will go.
Step 2. Create wide steps
Add another Magic Cube.
Resize it into a wide, shallow step.
Position it along the front of the platform.
Add additional steps if you want a gradual transition.
Adjust each step's height so the top surfaces rise progressively toward the platform.
You can create steps that span the entire width of the raised area or use narrower steps on one side.
Step 3. Finish the bathroom
Apply your preferred floor or tile material to the platform and steps.
Then add the bathtub, shower, or other bathroom furniture.
Adjust the fixtures' elevation so they rest correctly on the raised surface.
Tip: Check the design from the side in 3D to make sure the steps connect properly and there are no unexpected gaps.
Method 3. Create a raised floor with a thin intermediate step
If you prefer a more minimalist design, you can use a thin floating-looking step between the original floor and the raised platform.
Step 1. Create the raised platform
Add a Magic Cube.
Resize it into a large rectangular platform.
Place it in the desired area of the room.
Adjust its height to create the raised level.
Step 2. Add the intermediate step
Add another Magic Cube.
Resize it into a long, thin slab.
Position it along the front edge of the raised platform.
Use Levitation to raise the slab between the original floor and the platform top.
Adjust its thickness and position until it creates the appearance of a thin intermediate step.
For example, if you want the top of a 5 cm thick step at 30 cm, set its Levitation to 25 cm.
Switch to 3D mode and inspect the step from a low angle.
Tip: A thin raised slab creates a floating visual effect. If you prefer a solid step that connects directly to the floor, use a taller Magic Cube with Levitation set to 0 cm.
Method 4. Create a sunken living room
Want to create a cozy sunken seating area?
You can achieve this effect by keeping the living room seating area at the original floor height and building raised surfaces around it.
Step 1. Plan the seating area
Open your project in 2D mode.
Decide where you want the sunken living area.
Place a sofa or other seating furniture to help define the space.
Leave enough room for access and movement around the furniture.
Step 2. Build the raised surrounding floor
Open Build → Forms and add a Magic Cube.
Resize it into a raised platform along one side of the seating area.
Duplicate and resize additional cubes to create the surrounding floor sections.
Leave the center of the seating area uncovered.
Leave an opening where you want the steps to enter the sunken area.
The central seating area will remain at the original floor level, while the surrounding platforms create the appearance of a sunken room.
Step 3. Add the steps
Add a Magic Cube at the entrance to the seating area.
Resize it into a step.
Adjust its height to connect the lower seating area with the surrounding raised floor.
Add additional steps if needed.
Switch to 3D mode and make sure the seating area remains open.
Important: Magic Cubes don't automatically create cutouts. To create a sunken area, use several separate platforms around the center instead of covering the entire room with one large cube.
Method 5. Create a stone-finished bathroom platform
You can also create a raised bathroom area with a more architectural appearance using stone or marble materials.
Step 1. Create the platform and steps
Add a Magic Cube to your bathroom.
Resize it into a raised rectangular platform.
Add one or more smaller cubes along its front to create steps.
Adjust the heights and widths to match your bathroom layout.
Step 2. Apply stone materials
Select the platform.
Open the Materials menu using the paint roller icon.
Choose a stone, marble, or tile texture.
Apply the same or a matching material to the steps.
Check the top and front faces of every piece.
If needed, adjust the texture scale to keep the materials consistent.
Step 3. Add bathroom fixtures
Place the bathtub or other bathroom objects on the raised platform.
Adjust their elevation until they rest correctly on the surface.
Switch to 3D mode to check the completed design.
Method 6. Create a stepped seating area with built-in ledges
This technique allows you to combine raised flooring with decorative seating ledges around a lower central area.
It's useful for creating modern lounge spaces or built-in seating arrangements.
Step 1. Create the surrounding platforms
Switch to 2D mode.
Add several Magic Cubes around the intended seating area.
Resize them into rectangular platforms or ledges.
Position the pieces to create a raised border around the center.
Leave space for an entrance or steps.
You can use different heights for different sections, depending on whether they serve as a walkway, seating ledge, or decorative platform.
Step 2. Add the steps
Add a Magic Cube at the entrance to the seating area.
Resize it into a step.
Adjust its height to create a transition between the lower and raised sections.
Add additional steps if needed.
Make sure the steps connect the intended levels.
Step 3. Add seating and decorations
Once the structure is complete, add cushions, pillows, and other decorative objects to the seating ledges.
Adjust their elevation so they rest correctly on the raised surfaces.
Apply matching materials to the platforms and steps.
How to calculate the height of platforms and steps
When creating different levels with Magic Cubes, remember that the top of each object depends on its height and elevation.
For example, if you want to create a platform that's 60 cm high with three intermediate steps, you can use the following measurements:
Object | Height | Levitation | Top level |
First step | 15 cm | 0 cm | 15 cm |
Second step | 30 cm | 0 cm | 30 cm |
Third step | 45 cm | 0 cm | 45 cm |
Main platform | 60 cm | 0 cm | 60 cm |
In this example, each step is 15 cm higher than the previous one. You can adjust the dimensions and number of steps to fit your project.
These are example measurements for visual modeling rather than a specification for constructing real stairs.
Check your finished design in 3D
Once you've created your raised floors, platforms, or seating areas, switch to 3D mode and inspect the design from different angles.
Make sure that:
All platforms and steps are correctly aligned.
The steps connect the different floor heights.
Furniture rests on the correct surfaces.
No objects float or disappear inside the platforms.
Doors and windows remain accessible.
There is enough space between the raised surfaces and the ceiling.
Materials are consistent across connected platforms and steps.
If an object appears too high or too low, select it and adjust its Levitation or Above the floor setting.
For more information about resizing and positioning objects, see How to Edit an Object.
Once you're satisfied, you can create a realistic render of your design.