Slab vault types

With the ARCHLine.XP Slab tools, you can create not only regular, rectangular slabs, but also various vaulted slabs.

In previous versions, we often recommended editing the slab profile to create vaults. In version 2026, vault types are placed under separate commands, making their creation and placement faster and more transparent.

The expanded modeling options offer greater architectural freedom with dome, ribbed, cross, cloister, basin or Bohemian vaults. For each vault type, you can select the subtype that defines the cross-section of the vault: e.g. semicircular arch, pointed arch, basket arch, etc.

Location:  Building > Slab  > Vault types

Available vault types:

Tunnel	Cross
Cloister	Trough
Bohemian	Dome

Vault Properties

The Vault Properties dialog box allows you to set the main parameters of a vault, ensuring that the project includes the correct type with the correct size and display.

Vault cross-section (subtypes)

After selecting the vault type, the vault cross-section can be specified by selecting from the subtypes. The parameters of each subtype can be set individually.

📝 Note: The vault type (e.g., groin vault) and its associated parameters (e.g., length, height) can be modified later, so changes that occur during the design can be easily tracked.

Keep Top Plane

If the Keep Top Plane switch is on, the vault appears as a cutout at the bottom of the slab body, while the top plane is preserved. The position of the top plane can be adjusted with the Top Plane Height (h_top) value.

Shell or vault cutout

Therefore, vaults can be created from the slab in two ways:

• With shell: the slab only displays the shape of the vault with the specified thickness.
• With vault cutout: the vault is created as a cutout from the bottom of the slab body, while the upper plane is preserved.

By selecting the appropriate option, the vault type can be adapted to the design needs in each case.

Shell                                                                                                 Cutout

Step by step

1. Select the following menu item:  Building > Slab > Vault Types.

2. From the list that appears, select the basic type of vault to be created.

3. On the floor plan, specify:

   • the first point of the vault

   • the second point of the longer side,,

   • finally the third point, which determines the width.

📝 Note: Not all vault types use the 3rd point to specify the width. For example, the cross vault, where the 3rd click specifies the direction of the vault placement.

4. In the Vault Properties dialog box, select the appropriate subtype (cross section) within the selected vault type.

5. finally the third point, which determines the width.

📝 Note: Different subtypes may offer different parameters. For example, some types describe the geometry using multiple dimensions (radius, rise, arc), while others require simpler dimensions.

💡 Tip: The base type defines the “logic” of the vault. You can modify this later if the concept changes during the design process.