glennw

Scott, If all you want is a layer with the filename in it, use the label with the %referenced_filename% macro for the label. But I guess you are going to say you already use the label for something else. So..easy way, just select the layout box and use Match Properties tool. It will tell you the filename and path, select one and all the layout boxes on that layout sheet that use that same plan file will be selected for editing or deletion.

Scott, Isn't that the file name up in the title bar of the dbx? The windows one looks like the attached where the file name is in the title bar and down the bottom in the File Name dropdown box. Edit: I just had another look at your dbx. Is that the Filename box below the title bar that also has the filename in it?

Joe, Isn't it great that there is nearly always another way of achieving something in Chief. Mainly, I wanted to point out the beauty of using Match Properties to select all the particular matching layout boxes on that sheet and be able to edit them (including deleting) all in one go, without having to edit each one individually.

Or you could try View...Toolbars

Joe, This way may be easier. It's not perfect and can only do 1 layout page at a time. So, although not perfect, it may help. If you know a layout box on a page is from a plan file you need to match, click on the layout box and then click Match Properties. The dbx has Referenced Filename and a Referenced Full Filename properties that you can use to select all the layout boxes on that layout page that match that criteria. Or you can just use the Match Properties to quickly find out the file name and path.

Select the bay window. Tab will then select the window where you first selected the bay. This works in plan and 3D.

Yusuf, I found one of these in the Bonus Green Objects.

Dennis, I'm coming over a bit early to get some training from D Scott in San Diego and then driving up to San Francisco.

Larry, Maybe we could go on a date when I come over there.

Larry, You almost got there. Open the Define Material dbx - easiest way is the rainbow tool. On the General panel, select strip. I think you got up to here correctly. Set Height to the board width (we will rotate pattern next). Go to the Pattern panel and set Angle to 90deg. Done. You only need to use the Pattern Source section for complicated patterns like paving, complex brick patterns etc. Simple patterns you can control with the Material Type (Strip).

or...another way. in elevation, select the polysolid, on the Edit toolbar select Create Hole. Draw a hole on your polysolid

Or... Select the rail in a cross section/elevation view. Set it's height using the Temporary Dimension. Or, in a 3D view or cross section, you can temporarily uncheck it as a railing, drag the top down and then check it as a railing again.

It is probably here: C:\Users\YOURNAME\Documents\Chief Architect Premier X7 Data\Database Libraries\User_Library.calib You should be able to use the Import Library tool in the Library menu.

OK, I think I get it now. Yusuf is using the ramp elevation to set the height of the rails, or rather, set the bottom height of the piers.. I figured I can do this directly with the railing. In section, temporarily define the wall as a normal wall (no railing) drag the bottom down as far as required (you can't drag the bottom of a railing wall down) and then nominate it as a rail again. This would seem to be a lot simpler than using ramps - if I am understanding Yusuf's suggestion.

Yusuf, I am still not following your suggestion. Can you please post some pictures or do a quick video of what you are suggesting.

Dan, Yes, that works.

Yusuf, I'm not sure I follow you 100%. The Ramp railings don't have as much functionality as a Railing wall - such as auto spacing for the Newels (or ANY spacing for the Newels/Balusters). Can you post some further information on your suggestions?

You can do a symbol with a pier and footing for the balusters, but you can't control the height because the footing is part of the baluster and wants to sit on the floor and the foundation wall footing. ie, you can't have a level zero floor below the footing. It may be possible to do by inserting another floor and building the bearer/piers on that floor and then have the foundation walls/piers under on level zero - but is it really worth the effort? I'll have a play.

Perry, Yep, can do. Uncheck follow Terrain and the piers then sit on the level zero floor (even if there is no floor), which you can adjust as needed. You can also use a predefined combination pier/footing symbol from the library (Newels/Posts) if you need to show the concrete footings under the piers. Also works with odd shapes like tapered stumps, etc.

Select the roof and on the Edit toolbar, use the Break Line tool to add break points and shape the roof around the dormer.

Down here in Oz (or at least my work, and I have done hundreds of these), the owner usually stays in the house (95% of the time) while the upper floor is constructed. So it makes for a very clean job to leave the existing ceilings and framing and build a new timber floor platform over the existing ceiling. The other consideration is waterproofing the job asap. We remove the roof, build new floor platform (new floor framing and flooring). We then cover the whole floor platform with a custom welded poly tarpaulin that stays for the whole building time and the new walls are just built over it. At the end of the construction, the tarp is cut out room by room around the walls and taken away - rubbish and all. This process provides minimal disturbance to the owners living there - the only real disturbance is when the stair opening is cut through and that doesn't happen until the roof goes on and the new upper floor is waterproof.

Nick, Are you aware of the Follow Terrain and Step Terrain settings for railings/fences?

Mick, It uses a railing wall. Have a look at the attached plan - sorry about the metrics. Brick Piers and Bearers.zip

Mick, I'm not sure what dvx is - you would have to ask dscott.

Perry, The changes were all done automatically - well, it depends what you mean by automatically. I just didn't show the opening and closing of dbx's (sorry, dvx's), but the spacings, etc, were all automatic - I didn't do them all individually!