glennw

Try Preferences>Reset Options>Reset Side Windows

Auto Interior Dimensions changed with X11. The Auto Interior Dimension tool is now also available on the Edit Toolbar when you select a room.

Just for those that aren't aware or are interested, it's possible to create 2D graphical linestyles using cad blocks and the Distribution Path tool. This method may not be 100%, but it's an OK tool to enable creation of graphical 2D linetypes until we get a dedicated tool. You can create the path and assign a 2D Cad Block - it doesn't have to be a 3D symbol. This allows for drawing the insulation as long as needed (as well as drawing arcs etc) without the pattern stretching, which is what happens if you just place the block and stretch it. Here is a quick insulation one I created very quickly using a standard insulation cad block from the library, in conjunction with a Distribution Path. And another using a Marker with Text (just for demo purposes)

You can create the floors you need with the defaults you want and then save the plan as a template.

Are you talking about a material list or a framing schedule? - you mention both. You can change the units on a line by line basis in a material list by double clicking the line item in the Count column. On the right of the popup there is a drop down list of possible units available. Select the one you want. There are also formatting options available.

Easy to do if you want a sloping, non parallel ridge - but you want a parallel, level ridge. Chief can't do a twisted roof plane with the standard roof tools. You may be able to use some of the other modelling tools, but you won't end up with a "smart" roof. I did this one quickly using the Terrain tool. It's a bit hard to see but this is a twisted roof getting steeper as the walls converge, with a level ridge parallel to the rear wall, which is what I understood you to mean. It is easy to Convert Selection to Symbol once you have it built.

Mike, Yes, I can confirm this behaviour. And, like you, the off-set selection only seems to happen if the layout box label is dragged to the left. All seems OK if the label is dragged to the right. Definitely worth a bug report.

Shape the top and bottom of the wall in an elevation view by using the Break Line tool and then dragging the various segments to form the profiles you want.

Your description is a bit of a riddle without knowing where north is. As Chopsaw says, you could go the symbol route, or, what may be better is to use the new 3D reference feature to reference the second terrain in another plan. This would have the advantage of avoiding a static object like a symbol for the second terrain. This would allow the second terrain to be edited dynamically and have the changes reflected in the main terrain model.

Joe, If I am understanding what you mean.... I have done several projects where I have used absolute elevations for the whole model. It can be done - but with some problems. ie, you cannot change the default level 1 floor level to anything but zero. This means that you have to set all room levels on level 1 on a room by room basis. Often, when you place objects, they default to zero height which means that you need to go down to zero height and move them up to the absolute level you want. The advantage of using an absolute reference for everything is that all levels relate to each other - eg, roof heights will relate to absolute instead of Chiefs default level 1 = zero. Some things like terrain fences get confused. There are problems with footings and stem wall heights whereby they build down at zero height and need raising up manually. If you have an alternative way of doing things to get the macro to report absolute elevations, I would do it. Otherwise, setting everything to absolute can be done as long as you are aware of the shortcomings. Try playing with a test plan before incorporating this method in a current project.

Same answer as the other thread: I know how to easily resize the schedule in both directions at once if that helps. Select the schedule, shift select the symbol again. Grab the small top centre grip and drag it down.

I know how to easily resize the schedule in both directions at once if that helps. Select the schedule, shift select the symbol again. Grab the small top centre grip and drag it down.

Some really funky stuff going on there. I got things to work a bit better by opening the polylines' dbx's and on the Arrow panel, unchecking Attach to Tail Of Other Objects and Attach to Head of Other Objects. There are still some problems. Turning off the display of arrows seems to help further. Probably a good one to send into Chief. Do you know what you did to get that result?

A cad block is a collection of cad items that have been grouped together so they behave like one object. When you have a cad block and Explode it, you are changing the cad block back to it's original individual objects. I didn't investigate too far, but there where a whole lot of cad blocks in the file that seemed to only contain a single contour line. I just went through and blindly exploded as many blocks as I could find.

Here it is in Chief format. Is it a metric plan or imperial plan. There are reference to feet, but other things look metric. I saved it s an imperial plan. I deleted some blocks, but there may be some I missed - I am not quite sure why they were there in the first place - they just seemed to be contours. Do you have the Explode Cad Blocks tool in your version? You may have to rescale the drawing to suit. This may be enough to get you going. Contours.plan

I believe that would be normal unless you have changed some settings. Have you tried View>Toolbars? Have you tried Preferences>Reset Options>Reset Toolbars or Reset Side Windows?

I doubt if the 2 different types of dimension strings are "all one entity". They are most likely 2 separate dimension strings. Select one of them and drag it out of the way by using the main grip.

Something like this? This is a 2D drawing. Once again, a bit of a fiddle, but easily do-able.

Did you use Rotate Plan View at any stage?

You can draw an ellipse by defining both (or one) axis dimensions while dragging the ellipse. When dragging the ellipse, press the Tab button. Make the End Point "Relative to Start" and uncheck polar. You can then enter both axis lengths that you need. Or, another easy is to draw a Rectangular Polyline the size you want the ellipse and the drag the ellipse from one corner to the other diagonal corner.

Easiest way is to just type it into the label box.

The included Object Specific, Formatted Size macro will give you this, but I am guessing you probably don't wand the thickness. (and the spacings are bit off)

No need for autocad, it can be done easily within Chief in a couple of seconds using Convert Selection To Symbol . This shows the whole wall slanted, but you may want the inside face vertical, which would involve other techniques. All this gives you is a symbol with no wall "smarts", but may serve your purposes. There are several different techniques available, depending on what functionality you want the wall to have and how the wall is constructed.

Like this? A bit of a fiddle, but not too hard to do.

Chris, Open the bow window dbx and on the Options panel check Use existing Roof. Make sure you are in the floor plan view and go Build>Roof>Fix Roofs.