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There's only one floor 0 in which to model the foundation. So no.

check with @Renerabbitt. he is in socal I believe and sells templates

Balcony plan 3-22-25 348PM.pdf

I don’t usually include jamb sizes in my schedules so I never noticed this. Wondering if I’m doing something wrong. The side jamb is 3/4” & top is 1-1/4”. The schedule only shows the side jamb size. Is there a way to show the top also?

New user. Is it possible to create multiple foundation types in the same saved plan? Mono, crawl, basement Currently I do a save as with a different name to do this. Any help would be appreciated.

A.I. generated Interior design from a Chief Architect plan with Ashley furniture Mahoney Couch and accessories; Benjamin Moore Bonsai wall paint color in addition to A.I. generated artwork ...

I would say the SPV allows one to stay more organized as it is a collection of defaults, layerset. It is one button instead for 2 or more everytime you want to change to a different default set. I have most of the SPVs for instance to put text and dimensions on their own layer, and then the layerset for that SPV matches it I still occasionally override the layout box to use a specific layerset if the one I want does not match the SPV. If you are setting up SPVs you need to also decide how far to go. I do not have an SPV for every scale, nor do I have one for every floor level. I do have default sets for every scale, so in theory if I want to use different size fonts, when I first start a project, I will change the defaults in the SPV to be the scale I want and then save that SPV. A lot of time I am lazy and just change the font size of the default set (which then changes everything made with it) I do not use the _working plan view. I have the following...but the Elevations one is new for this project. it is the same as the plot plan view but with a different layer set. Basically if I am going to spend time going back and forth between a layerset, I will typically create an SPV for it(because that is my navigation between layersets) If it is a new layerset with just one layer turned on/off to differentiate itself from another, then I will typically just set that in the layout box

Yeah. Being annoyed is part of the process. Chief is a tool and learning to use it for your particular application will take time. I think what you have there looks good so far. If you want a slab on grade foundation you will select that in the rooms or under your floor defaults. Click the wrench on your tool bar. Scroll to Floors and Rooms >> Floor Levels >> 1st floor. This will open the defaults for this floor. Under Structure scroll to the bottom under floor. Most of my plans or raised so I have never used this option. When I build my foundation on my plans I select the defaults for my slab there.

Far more efficient, far more dynamic, list is a mile long and certainly too much to explain An SVP does not need to be associated with a floor. Send an SPV to layout, then in layout you can copy paste hold position on the next page and change the floor reference. You could copy paste on the next floor and change the SPV reference...basically you only ever need to create SPV for each scope and only ever send one view to layout. The rest is just copy paste and change the reference

Have jumped in (1st pic). Type of defaults I would like to have pre-set for our typical builds (pic 2). What I've got so far and am annoyed with LOL (pic 3). Thanks

Welcome to Chief and to the group! You can do most anything in Chief. I have used Softplan and I prefer Chief. I'm from Alabama where it's all of the above foundation-wise. My approach is different than most, I would suggest for you to pick a plan and start drawing it in chief. Watch some of the tutorial videos.... Learn a little and do a little. Some of the concepts can be overwhelming until you experience why they are the way they are. I would be happy to talk and share my experience. I started using Chief at the end of December so I am just over three months in.

Hi, new user migrating from 2020Design/Design Live. Have X16. Would like to set-up a template for our Build/Design company. Located SoCal which leans towards slab foundations, stucco exteriors, red tile roofs, one and two-story, etc. Chief seems to default to mid-west east coast basements and raised foundations and attics. Would like to start off on the right foot. Advice or direct me to existing threads on this topic? Thank you, glad to be here.

I get it..... Hard to appreciate the videos if you don't know what the views are for. Once I learned how plan views worked, I realized just how powerful they are. Essentially, the views are for the particular ways you want to view the plan such as for presentation, layouts for construction drawings, for quick reference, etc. While the "Working Plan view" is your work space and can be manipulated layer wise however you want ... for me it's a hot mess because everything is on but it's how I work.... it doesn't affect any of your layer settings in your views.... Also, you can have your views set up with a default set drawing tools, text, etc. For instance, my mechanical drawings are all 1/8" scale so my settings in that view are set to draw in the standards (layers, text, scale, etc.) that I want for my mechanical views AND that doesn't affect any of my others views unless I turn those layers on or off. Once you get them set, you can send them to your layout to look the way you want. I would be happy to talk to you more on the phone if you have the time.

x16 yes, i have watched all the videos about this and what ive gleaned is that the plan views are essentially a shortcut. not sure that is reason enough for my coworkers to uproot their current workflow. i was hoping people could provide insight from personal experience as to why or why not using plan views might be worthwhile.

I did it!!! Thanks all! I use molding lines/polylines quite a bit but didn't realize they could be used to make doors - this is way more streamlined than what I've been doing until now. So much wasted time lol...

Thx Jim,

Step lights also in a Bonus Catalog here:

I switched from the trial and didn't have any issues. So you shouldn't either. You will just go from not being able to save to being able to.

Welcome to the group. Where specifically are you located?

In versions past, I remember temporary dimensions displaying for electrical fixtures. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to get them to display? It was super handy! Thanks, Jake

You left out Chief version. Find out how to do a signature script in your profile like almost all of us here have done. You can get much better help when your info is up for all to see. Are you aware of the tutorial videos Chief has available on SPV? This feature totally revolutionized construction docs prep with Chief. Here is a link for you. https://www.chiefarchitect.com/videos/#playlist-100 That takes you to those that Chief produced. Search YouTube for even more on SPVs uploaded by Chief users.

Tubular skylights are from a bonus catalog:

I joined a new office as a drafter and they want me to revamp their plan template and chief standard practices. I am new to chief so I'm learning as I go. Until now, they have not been using saved plan views AT ALL. they just use Floor Levels and manipulate the Active Default Set Control (which is linked to the layer sets too), and they switch them around before sending to layout for each type of drawing. I want to start to use saved plan views since I know it is best practice and feels more organized to me to know how many different drawings I'm working on for each project. But old habits die hard, and since (as far as I understand) the saved plan views are essentially just a shortcut to save a click from the way they were operating before, I don't know how to pitch this new standard operating procedure to the rest of the team. Also, if we do implement saved plan views, should they still be building models in the floor level modelspace? I don't want to tell them the wrong thing and confuse everyone. TLDR: what are the benefits of using saved plan views vs just toggling the different default/layer sets in Floor Levels?

Hi, I am a student who is currently testing out Chief Architect's Trial Version software. I have made a couple of designs that I like, and recently, I found out that there is a Student License available for students who want to use the program's fuller features. I am worried that if I suddenly switch over from the Trial version to the student License, I will lose all my progress. But I have not closed any of the tabs so far, so is it possible to still have my projects there? Any advice would help, thanks!

hmmm not sure I understand, can you elaborate? i.e. are you doing this on top of the layout box?