DHerb2014

Thank you Mike. Appreciate you taking time for this!

No worries, appreciate all of your input as always.

Hi Mike, Thanks for your video. Very helpful. As mentioned, I don't have SketchUp and don't want to pay for this, as I don't use it very often. Can't justify $500 per year! Hoping the link to the large file transfers. I used WeTransfer (thanks Rene!) Link: https://we.tl/t-FIDkzUe1AP

Hi Rene, I can't open the YouTube vid. Attaching a screen shot of what I'm encountering - Member's Only Content

We're working on a new project where the client has sent a full model developed from SketchUp Pro. It's a huge file and I cannot upload it (178 MB). One I start a new Plan File, and select File/Import/Import 3D Symbol and select the file to import, it prompts with the "Import 3D Symbol" box. See attached (01.jpg). Once it loads, it shows the roof and vehicle in 2D view (02.jpg). Using the Camera Tool and Perspective Full Overview, it shows an exploded view of the roof and walls (03.jpg). My question is - how can we enable SketchUp to provide the 2D floor plan, 2D elevations, etc.? Do I need to further convert the file?

Many, many thanks for your comment! It worked. Solution is: 1. Marque select entire floor plan you wish to move 2. Select Edit (from top task bar) and select "Edit Area / Edit Area (All Floors) 3. Marque select floor plan again and hit Hot Key "T" for Transform/Replicate and select Copy,Move, then select the X or Y coordinates where you wish to locate it 4. Click OK and all floors are moved together. Double check by selecting the next floor above or below to make sure everything has moved Chief Users are awesome!

Is there a setting that anchors the entire house together from foundation, first/second floors? Attaching the screen shots for your use. When I moved the first floor (marque and move -200' for example), it moves it perfectly. When I select the second floor, it shows the original view but did not move the second floor. Hoping someone has a quick solution to this. Thanks in advance. I can't attach the actual model, as it's 41 MB and too large to send.

Thanks for your comments. I did this previously, but it doesn't change the default electrical block in Chief's Library. Once you explode and edit the block and re-save, it changes it to a standard block in the user library, but you cannot "Connect Electrical" and simply add to the wall switch. You must take additional steps for a workaround, and waste time. I just wanted to know if we could change the global font for electrical outlets and other items in our Chief Architect Core Catalogs folder, and not create separate blocks that must reside in our User Library. Crazy how they add all kinds of gingerbread items that we don't need in yearly updates, yet won't address simple issues like giving us the ability to change to our favorite fonts in these default items in the Core Libraries.

How do you change electrical symbols texts and add as a default in X15? E.g., when selecting an AFCI / GFCI symbol, it's default is the City Blueprint font and I'd like to make it Arial Narrow and add it back into the default library.

Shane, Chris, and DB...many, many, thanks for your comments. It worked perfectly and saved a lot of frustration. Chief is very powerful, you just have to know where the power is located!

I'm trying to add a new layer for the Layout documents in X16 and struggling to figure out how to copy/add a new layer? I'm trying to add a layer "Cloud Plan Checks" into the Layout. What I'm trying to do is add a layer "Cloud Plan Checks" into the Layout set. I want to assign all clouds in Layout to this layer, and thus turn them off and clean up the plan files. Attaching the Layout sheet with cloud highlighted. As you see, the clouds are assigned to DEFAULT CAD LAYER.

DB, Thanks for your thoughts, as always, very helpful. What I didn't mention is the fact that we've been using Dropbox for every project for the past few years with just a few hiccups. I access my colleagues' files with his password and credentials. I work on the project in various folders (Title 24, Structural, Plan Check Corrections, etc.) and it's been working exceptionally well. What we're perplexed with is that his file(s) have everything attached on his computer (PDF's, JPEG's, etc.), as he has created the project initially and uploaded into Dropbox. When he opens up the project in Dropbox, it's all together. In this case, I opened up the Layout in Dropbox, and it was missing some of his attachments. When I try to re-link the image, it's much more confusing, as I've been using Chief since 1998, and it was very simple to re-attach files into the Layout. You'd highlight the missing box, right click, and a dialog box would open showing where the former link was located. You'd select the new location, and the image would populate in layout. Now, there's a cryptic layer of drawings and various layers that make no sense at all. Why would I need options to find the file in "Sections, Site Plan, Title 24, Plan Views, New Plan Standards, etc.? See the previous PDF image for reference. I'm watching the various webinar's for X17, and there's a lot of fluff that I'll never use (3-D text, tile manipulation, 3-D plumbing, etc.). The project management option looks interesting and might have some nice features. In my case, I must design construction documents quickly and get them approved for my clients. I don't care if a water glass on a table has a more realistic appearance than before. Clients don't care either. Time is money. Take good care...

I'm working on a project for an associate, who didn't check the box "Save In Plan" after importing many documents. The Layout is missing three sheets of files. What is your recommendation on searching and re-linking PDF's in Layout? Attaching a cryptic Layout Box Specification menu that I cannot figure out. It shouldn't be this difficult to re-link files in Layout. Unfortunately, there are no videos from Chief to explain this. Layout Box Specification.pdf

DBC, many thanks for your description of what's taking place. I didn't know this, and your explanation is spot-on. Crazy that with all of the updates that CA provides, that something simple like this could be implemented. I've been using Chief since 1998, and always learning new tips such as yours. Again, thanks for all of your help!

Thanks for the response. I updated all libraries/catalogs in the Library. Thanks by the way... Still nothing when I'm on the Floor Plan and select various options in "Door Style:" - Use Default, Slab, Glass Slab, Library, etc.. Nanawall pops up in the search from Library, but doesn't populate and give me the different door types. See screen shot (No Nanawall Door). The only way I know that Nanawall catalog is available is by going to the Library. See screen shot (Nanawall in Library).