Hello Please take a look at this attempt

[jasperstansell]

Screen Shot 2013-10-29 at 12.17.06 AM.png

I've copied in an upper level and lower level plan for review.

Thank you.

-JWS

[Mike-SE]

lower roof: turn joists 90 degrees
west side of common, delete beam
side side of common room, delete beam that does not have joists framing into it.

[jasperstansell]

Thank you for the comments Mike-SE. Please let me know if this solution satisfies your concerns. I've attached the upper and lower files.

[jasperstansell]

here is the upper

[jasperstansell]

From what I've read it looks like I need to place a north south beam at the east side of the common area / west side of the entry to hold up the wall above. Can someone confirm this and review this layout. Thank you. I'm testing tomorrow so wish me luck!

[archi2be]

How are you posting your attachments? I am being challenged with all the file size, pixel restrictions

[matte]

A good rule of thumb is to provide beams on the lower framing wherever the lower framing meets the upper framing.

For your solution, you can remove on of the columns at the seating area [I'd choose the one on the bottom left of the seating area], since the beam would be able to span that distance. Similar with the lower roof framing at the seating area - too many columns. On the bottom and top E/W walls, try placing the column in the middle so that beam lengths are as close to equal as possible. Here was my solution, if it helps any - viewtopic.php?f=8&t=2428#p6630

Use Photoshop or MSPaint to resize images for posting.

[jasperstansell]

Thank you this is good advice.

As for the sizing of the files. Screen capture the solution, bring it into photoshop and in image size resize the pixels to have a max of 600 on the larger dimension.

Good luck.