DHerb2014

DB Cooper, you're a genius! Thank you for the tips on this. I don't care for Chief Blueprint font and use Arial or Arial Narrow, as it's cleaner for what I use it for.

With X18, how can we change the font type and size for electrical fonts? E.g., moving a GFRC outlet from interior (a nice Arial style font) to the exterior wall causes it to produce a hand-lettered front like City Blueprint or similar. I've tried everything on changing the exterior weather-proof symbol to an Arial or similar font without any luck. The default settings for fonts in electrical symbols should be simple to change. Why has this never been fixed? Attaching a simple example with arrow showing moving from interior wall to exterior and how the font changes.

Chris, thanks for the explanation of this in detail, with links. I'm trying to utilize Layer Sets and the ability to have only one working model, with many layers to turn on and off for sending to Layout. I've been using CA since 1998, and have been using multiple Plan files (sometimes 10 or more to send to Layout) for a project. I still prefer to build sections from CAD lines vs. cutting sections from a working model. I need it to be within 1/16" accuracy. CA is amazing with its ability to generate great renderings, and export the .DAE model to Twinmotion for true realism. I came from AutoCAD and the "command prompt", so CA was a welcomed addition in 1998.

What are your recommendations for adding specific Keynotes to each Layer Set? For example, when creating a Floor Plan, it will have its own dedicated Keynotes; an Electrical Plan will have its own dedicated Keynotes, Sections will have its own Keynotes, and so on. I'm attaching a simple example of a Floor Plan and Electrical Plan. I'm encountering a challenge when adding Keynotes to a Floor Plan, switching to the Electrical Plan Layer Set, and the same notes from the Floor Plan are showing up in the Electrical Plan? I've been using the "old school" approach and creating 12 or more plan files on a project for - Site, Demo, Floor Plan, Elevations, Sections, etc., and not using Layer Sets. Trying to use Layer Sets and am encountering a challenge. There has to be a work-around. QRS Project 101226.caproj

Thanks Shayne. I agree on the ecosystem. For example, I take a lot of photos and vids when doing an as-built or site visit to ensure every detail is captured. When returning to office, I use AirDrop and transfer the small/large files to MBP laptop. With my PC, it's cumbersome, as you have to use flash drive and transfer from iPhone to PC, etc. Windows 11 and MS making a mandatory upgrade, made my decision easy. I've used a PC since 1989, DOS, and first iteration of Windows 3.0, etc. Clunky OS at best, and I don't want CoPilot watching every move, as it sounds too much like Big Brother. I don't want to gravitate toward Linux, as Chief doesn't have that option, plus I don't know enough about that OS. The M5 Ultra looks like a safe upgrade for the next 5-years or longer. Going with the base system, 96 GB memory and with 2TB SSD. I use Twinmotion a lot, and will keep the PC handy just for that task, as Parallels won't work friendly with TM 2026. It's expensive at $6K but great tools for our line of work are needed and will save time.

I tried searching without success, for a discussion thread on the new M5 Ultra vs. M5 Max...for those running the Mac OS platform, and price difference set aside, what are your thoughts on these machines? I'm investing in the future and am leaning toward the Ultra with standard core and 96 GB of RAM, just for shear horsepower. I used to build PC's from scratch every three or four years, but abandoning that platform (i9 13900, Win 10) entirely for Mac ecosystem.

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.