Hi there,
Originally Posted by: X0mb13 
1) for some reason, it keeps trying to automatically add a roof to the basement level. It's not poking up through the main floor, but every time I change a height or elevation in the basement, it recreates it again. I've deleted the "roof" several times, but it keeps appearing.
Check the settings => by clicking on the exterior part of the exterior walls you will see a yellow band => click on the band => Properties bar => Options => the settings menu will open => the option "Automatically generates panels when changed" must be unchecked.
Originally Posted by: X0mb13 2) somehow, grass seems to be hiding the ceiling of the basement. I attempted to put a cutout in the main floor so that I could add some stairs up from the basement. I enlarged the cutout thickness and can now see it on both levels, however, where the hole should be, there is grass instead. The basement ceiling and hole look as they should whenever I'm navigating in 3d or changing my viewing angle, but as soon as I stop and it re-renders, the grass covers the ceiling and hole again. I've verified that the walls are all connected. Everything renders as I would expect a normal room to do, but every time I stop moving the grass hides the basement ceiling or when looking down the hole from the main floor, it appears to be under the floor.
Two important settings:
- Check if the exterior walls are forming an enclosed perimeter
- While you are flying or walking, the program considers that it is preparing the project and when you release the mouse, the program delivers the results, therefore if all is OK when you release the mouse, then you don't have problems.
Originally Posted by: X0mb13 3) *bonus question* is there a way to change between floors in 3D? I thought I used to be able to freely move between them, but changing floors in the dropdown doesn't change my viewing position unless I reset the 3D view.
You must change the elevation of the yellow man or chopper. For these tools you can define their elevation using the right button of the mouse or manually by double clicking the tool. So for example, double click the chopper tool => the default elevation is 1000" => if you wish, you can change the flying elevation to 800" or another desired value.
Punch, as any program, has a learning curve. The best way to learn the program, IMO, is practice + practice + practice => Read and follow the User Guide (this is important), see the videos => In order to get started, try to create elements or a simple plan not related with your project, so you will become familiar with the commands and how to manage the different components and solutions.
If you are interested, my eBook for V21
Learning Punch! Software: Training, Tools and Tutorials for V21 for Windows includes more than 610 pages and more than 1300 color images (showing all the features, tutorials, screen guides, tables, examples, rendering results and screenshots as well as the updates). Topics and tools are linked on the screen using more than 2300 hyperlinks.
You will find full chapters regarding topography, elevations and navigating in 3D.
Also, the purchase includes a gift.
Hope this helps.
