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Hi Dan, Thank you for reaching out. Yes, this is definitely within my wheelhouse. I regularly work with Chief Architect plans and can assist with moving doors and non-load-bearing walls, updating cabinets, and exploring different colors and finishes while keeping the existing project intact. My process is simple: you provide the current .plan file and the list of changes you’d like to visualize. I’ll make the updates, provide visuals for review, and make revisions as needed. I’d be glad to discuss the hourly rate based on the scope and requirements of your project. You can also reach me directly at ethanparker@gmail.com. I look forward to discussing the project with you. Best regards, Ethan Parker

Hi Michael, I've since changed the macros for the columns that needed to reference certain values which were previoulsy created as $Globals by other columns. Now all the columns are independent with the critical columns getting and calculating everything internally. I'm including a copy of a plan with schedule that shows what I'm doing. The plan is a "Braced Wall Plan" with a Schedule. Columns 3 & 4 of the Schedule indicate the required lengths of panels for seismic and wind. Columns 4 & 5 show the lengths of panels assigned to each wall line. Previously columns 8-13 created $Global variables that the macros for columns 3 & 4 used to return a value. Those $Globals were supposed to be used in the macros for required panel lengths but they jst didn't work. With my current implementation there are only a couple of $Globals needed and they are created elseware in the Layout and/or Plan.

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Can you post a simple example of what you're talking about Joe?

Foundation Plan: Basement Plan: Basement Plumbing Plan (1/2" scale dimension text): Same! Nah, once the SPVs and LSs are set up it's mostly auto... unless there's a very unusual situation, which I hardly ever run in to. The type of walkouts in my example are super common for me. I'll agree with you here. I try to not include anything on the foundation plan those guys don't need to see.

Here's an example of how I did it on one of my projects The Saved Plan View uses unique layer sets to display the needed information. I included the plumbing so that proper location of waste lines would be available before the foundation is poured.

Agreed! From my previous post: I've had some more complicated projects with multiple foundation wall types or multiple foundation floor elevations where moving everything up a floor was practical and helpful. As for the bakeoff, competing on number of steps never crossed my mind...no foundation pun intended, simply what makes the most sense for all parties who are actually involved. And I am ALWAYS interested in exploring and discussing new methods to see if there's a better way of doing things. BUT, what one person finds to be simple, another person may find confusing and there's room for that, right? Drafting standards and graphic representations vary by region (and sometimes by builder). And I adapt my plans to ensure a builder and their trades have the information they need in a way they can understand and that is reasonably familiar to them...at least that's what I aim for. In summary, I don't think there's really a one-size-fits-all approach to foundation plans. That hasn't been the case in my own office. Each project has to be evaluated on its own conditions and there are a lot of factors involved to determine and implement the best methods to achieve the desired end product. And I would agree that posts in a forum are not the most effective way to have a thorough discussion.

I create stunning design presentations for designers, builders, architects and homeowners— rendered elevations, floor plans, material palette, interior scenes — . Designers use it three ways: - to close the sale. - super client/people friendly - to lock in finish selections. - It also doubles as a website and social graphic. Sample plan attached. Bob Shofner — RMS Design Build Services 973-897-5013 | rmsdesigngroup@gmail.com Project Layout Marketing.pdf

I’d recommend setting the foundation level to match the Level 2 structure and using a separate foundation plan for the garage/porches. This should allow Chief to generate the required foundation walls correctly.

I haven't been able to wrap my head around this logic, Chief is fully capable of dimensioning on a per-floor basis...0 is a fictitious number, 109.125 is no more true than 0..there is nothing keeping someone from throwing a rock on the ground on site and saying thats 0 , same goes for chief...objects can reference a finished floor, including windows and doors and framing members. I don't think you currently tell a framer the head height for the basement level is -29.125, haha. But also...there is nothing stopping you from setting whatever floor you want to 0" Also not a combative tone...im not autistic..but im some thing...some kind of dummy more likely..which is to say that some things confuse me, and i get frustrated when I am confused..this is not subjective..I am confused and frustrated with myself I wasn't going to come back to this thread until I just got commissioned to bring forward a plan into my templates that had a walkout on level 0. The amount of work it took this person to "make it work" trying to depict foundation walls crawlspaces and footing alongside living space was nuts to me....and it still looked very sub-par. I would be curious to see anyone's plan printout of their foundation plan and their walkout plan. Not directed at you rob, but I think maybe I have a hardheaded expectation about what I want my plan to look like, and it just wouldn't be up to my standard trying to get it all on one level. The image Jason posted earlier in this thread..that is not a foundation plan to me, nowhere near one. I'm really curious why this has been such a point of contention in my work as a trainer in this software. It makes so much sense on paper to me. Why wouldn't someone want this simplest approach? Isolating by level, isolating two systems that should be isolated from one another, not requiring any new defaults or layer sets or workarounds. Just the fact that you have fenestration interrupting a stem wall that for all intents and purposes does NOT belong on a foundation plan is not to my level of acceptable plan documentation. I don't think there is another program out there that would allow you to show a door opening in your stem walls where there is not a door opening. What about foundation vents? Couldnt be simpler, place them on level 0 using louvered windows. Isolated area analysis, no problem..I could keep piling on the reasons if I thought about it more. Stepped foundations, mixed floor structures, keyed stem walls, sunken floors, auto rebuild foundations throughout the design process, showing a brick or stone stepped pony wall. I'd bet my years salary I it's less steps in almost every scenario...starting from chiefs OOTB template I would also bet its less steps starting from my template vs anyone else's. Fairly certain we are arguing over long standing preference, not fundamentals. One method simply has more capabilities, and that's in inarguable fact. It has its draw backs, which would largely all go away if we had a dedicated foundation "floor" Also my note to Rob is meant for you as well.. I'm just being passionate, and using a competitive tone..mixed with this inexplicably weird discomfort with this convo, haha. I'm not trying to be in a pissing match though my language might say otherwise You quoted me mentioning a buckout so I'm not sure if you meant to quote a different part? this is a buckout or blockout This is caused from drawing a door on level 0. this is a common condition where the plan-north facing wall is daylight, meaning there is no pony wall assembly. This buckout will be in your foundation plan. This would confuse the uninitiated framer and form workers. The only way to avoid that is lift the door above the height of the ponywall, or the ponywall below the height of the door..my forms crew would call me up and ask me if thats supposed to be a crawl access or something. my plan checker would kick that back We have to draw the same walls in both approaches...level 0 requires an extra step of designating a wall as a foundation wall, thus turning off auto build foundations. It also requires that you make a new layer set to isolate your footings as well as your pony wall. In some cases it requires you draw a pony wall whereas I would not need to draw that pony wall. This would be in the case that you need to represent the stem wall construction separate from the upper wall assembly. Another major draw back on daylight basement sections above grade...don't you have to manually draw in floor joists? Floor joists on level 0 would only show if you have it set to have a floor but even still, chief always shows floor joists for the current floor on the floor below. I dont think it will even generate floor joists, am I mistaken? Setting a room in the OOTB template to Has Floor with a wood frame I-joist and auto framing produces no perceivable floor joists on level 0 Yes, for drawing a walkout on level 0 you would have to adjust the floor heights of the room that supplies the garage footings/stepping, keep in mind that there is a lot less liability keeping auto foundations on and working for you as opposed to manual foundations. You would also need to copy the walls, if you had turned off auto build foundation before drawing your top level. Correct, but you are still having to manage the room height since you dont want your stem walls 8' under ground We are arguing steps for a single use case but fundamentally one approach has more options. How does one handle using the post footing tool if I do not want a room divider in my walkout level? Especially if its within allowed deflection and offset Two levels of pony walls, isolated floors means you can use one set of defaults across the board, text/callouts/notes/dimensions/layer set etc. How are people showing crawlspace vents? Crawlspace access? This is automatic foundations, automatic dimensions, same layer set/text defaults as the walkout. I got to use a hotkey to change floors, didnt need to change the plan view, windows dont kill auto foundations. This is the floor above, same auto everything Even the depiction of a raised slab butted to a mono slab is difficult. and then again there are just some things you simply couldnt get chief to do without splitting the level CMU wall U block ledger? etc. etc.

Hi, I’d be happy to help with this project. I work directly in Chief Architect X17 and have 10+ years of experience in architectural drafting, 3D modeling, and residential design. I can build a complete, accurate, editable Chief Architect .plan file from your DWG/DXF files, including both floors and the exterior—walls, doors, windows, stairs, roof, ceiling heights, interior details, and cabinetry as required. I understand that the model needs to be clean, accurate, and true-to-scale so you can continue making design changes and later export it to Twinmotion. I can start right away. Once I review the CAD files and reference materials, I can provide a clear turnaround time and cost estimate. I’d be happy to share samples of my previous Chief Architect projects as well. Best regards, Dm Engineering Solutions choyal.anil1990@gmail.com

Hi Dan, Yes, this is definitely within our wheelhouse. We work with Chief Architect X17 and have more than 10 years of experience in architectural design and Chief Architect drafting. We can work directly with your existing .plan files and help you visualize and implement the updates, including moving doors and non-load-bearing walls, cabinet changes, material/color selections, and other revisions. Our process is straightforward: you share the current plan and a list of changes, and we update the model while keeping the existing project details intact. We can work hourly and keep you updated throughout the process. I’d be happy to discuss your project and our hourly rate. Best regards, Anil c choyal.anil1990@gmail.com

reach out renerabbitt@gmail.com Rendering artist for 30 years. Seasoned designer and chief architect technician. 10 years in e-design with infrastructure for seamless file and screen sharing. Fast enough in this software to work with you live

did you set to to replicate to the cloud onthe as built app?

We have a Chief Architect (.plan) files for a permitted project currently underway in construction in full swing However, we're currently making some updates (moving doors, moving non-load bearing walls, making color choices, removing / adding cabinets etc) and are looking for help visualizing the changes. Our current designer quit and we need help to continue to visualize the changes If this is in your wheelhouse, I'd love to learn more about your process for working with clients and your hourly rate. -Dan

When I try to import my As-Built file into Chief Architect X18, I see no option to import from Chief As-Built. Any ideas?

They don't even have training videos for 3D Cladding yet just in the what's new

I’m a solo designer and I’m not sure if when I would collaborate with someone, using project management, if I had a custom high-speed $$$ template that I had bought from someone, would that all get wrapped up in the .caproj file (zip) or not. I would hate to collaborate with someone, and inadvertently they would get a template that they should rightly purchase. from the original template builder. It would depend on how proprietary the information is and what it might do if it got shared around too much. I can’t really imagine a way around that issue when collaborating.

Thanks Gene, that woulda saved me a lot of time earlier... worked great for aligning the planes. Alas, the second plane is still 2x6... I think that'll have to do for now.

Try this.

Thanks for the feedback guys, sounds like it's pretty stable. Do you guys tend to collaborate with other people on chief files? I remember when I first jumped into Chief x17 they introduced the Project management feature and it was causing a few issues that we decided to not use it at all. Have you guys ran into any similar issues? Completely off-topic, How is it working with the Project Management tool? Is it useful?

This sounds useful, especially for projects where the permitting requirements aren’t obvious upfront. How much of this information can typically be determined before contacting the local permitting authority?

Hi, I work in Chief Architect regularly and have a strong background in residential remodels, kitchens, baths, additions, and permit sets. I’m comfortable jumping into an established workflow, following your standards, and handling the drafting/modeling without a lot of back and forth. I can also help with cabinet layouts, interior elevations, sections, details, and revisions. Part-time remote contract work is a good fit for me, and I’m available to start right away. Thanks,

hmm, and you click on it then clicked rebuilt framing for object?

I'm typically not a good example of a safe use case because I've been using the public beta of Chief Architect X18 and the public beta of Mac OS Golden Gate, and everything is working fine.