Nicinus

That is great, but it is also convenient with ready made definitions to start off from.

Is there a way to see what differs between different templates? I find that the templates that I've looked in seems a bit thin on wall types, I would for example expect to see some examples of basement Foundation walls with water proofing membrane, etc. Do wall types differ between templates or where are they defined? Is there perhaps a master template that contains all definitions? It is kind of tedious to compare them to see which one would fit my project best.

Don't know about any link, but if you're talking about a light well I made them by extending the foundation/basement wall to where I wanted it and then created a regular stair that I defined as solid with concrete material.

That is ridiculous! One should be able to edit a spline much easier than that, spline editing is a key function of a CAD program.

But how do I group select points? I've converted to plain polyline, chosen edit object parts tool, but I see no difference in the way I can manipulate the spline? I can't seem to move the various line individually.

So I've played more with this now and come to the following conclusions: - The only way to erase a point is to drag it over another one? - There are no multiple points operations, everything is done point by point?

But surely I must be able to edit multiple points, no? I'm getting a bit discouraged though, it doesn't seem as if I can choose/lock the spline and then edit its components without risking to select other objects. I would like to isolate the object I'm working on and then choose multiple points for simultaneous editing. Is that not possible?

I've created a custom Island countertop shape consisting of about ten points. I would now now like to change the shape by selecting 4 of those points and move them to make the Island longer. How do I do that? I can't seem to figure out how to multi-select points on a spline. I then tried to instead stretch my spline shape in one direction, but I can't find a way to do that either. The transform tool does not allow for resizing on one axis only.

I'm kind of a beginner but I would guess that dbx regards the polyline and not the actual solid? Have you tried clicking Next?

Well, yes and no. I found it in a plan but I didn't find it in the library so it seems as if I have limited control over it. Thanks for your suggestion on bending the trellis. I will try it. Very cool idea! It never cease to surprise me how clever users finds way to get software to do things that wasn't intended or net yet implemented! (On the other hand it kind of becomes a bit frustrating as well when you need too many work arounds to get things done in a package. ;/ ) PS. Don't know about dinosaurs, but it seems as if Beckham may come back.

However, I get the same 'Improper Format' error even if I truncate the file names. It just doesn't work.

It seems as if the problem is immediate, i.e. Max doesn't even start to load it, so there must be something in the file header that doesn't look the way Max expects it to.

I'm half way there, I did find a plan where I used it and it was in my user library! I still can't find which library it came from originally though. However, I noticed something while searching for it. If you have a symbol/object (is there a difference?) in you user library, but it is not referenced in a core/bonus/man library, it doesn't get the thumbnail and size specifications in it's property box? This confuses me. So objects in a user library are always dependent on the one in a Chief library?

Follow up question on the export. Is it possible to export an individual object/symbol for tweaking in another program such as Max? When I tried to export a selected object in 3ds, the export was for the whole scene. There was no option to only export the selected.

I have two problems here: First, I found this very nice trellis in the library earlier, but now that I want to come back to it I can't find it in the library anymore? Anyone that recognises it? This is from an earlier screen shot and I never saved it to my user library it seems. I was just playing around so unfortunately I didn't save the plan either. Since then I've reinstalled Chief on an SSD so it could be that I've missed the particular library it came from. A bit frustrating Chief can't tell me if there is a library missing. I had a crash, and had to download all bonus and manufacturer libs one by one. Second, assuming I ever find it again, how would I create a slight 15-30 degree bend on it? Oops, forgot to include the picture.

So I tried with truncated checked, but unfortunately get the same result. Max says that it is an improper file format. The file is 37MB and took over 30 min to generate. On top of it I'm not entirely sure CA did it correctly, as although the truncate option was checked the texture files in the folder have long names, which I assume they shouldn't. Since the other software in question is the latest version of 3ds Max Design, 2015, I'm not sure what to do if they aren't keeping it up on their side. It seems as if Collada is maintained by a relatively small organisation though, with no updates since 2008 according to their web site. Blender had no problem reading it so it seems Autodesk is the one to blame here. However, the Collada file did not seem to include any layers in Blender, and when I did succeed export to Max from Blender in FBX format it didn't contain any layers either, it was all one gigantic object. Hate to say it, but given Autodesk's massive dominance with the dwg/dxf format the last 20 years, would it be worth considering FBX? Looks like I'm stuck with dwg.

I think I tried both unchecked and not, but will test again to make sure. Have you had issues with models being to big? I understand 3ds only supports 65,000 triangles but perhaps that is enough for Chief. Have you had any problems with truncating texure names? I wish Collada would work, it was dramtically faster to create that format in my case, and it also respects layers which almost is a must.

I can print ok to a pdf, which respects the paper size, so CA does it properly in my case. I have however had issues with the printer cutting off the right side when I create a user defined paper size like 13x19. Whatever I tried the printer self-imposed a margin of 4.5", effectively stopping the printout at a width of 8.5". However, when I by chance tested the 'Super A3/B' predefined size, which happens to be 19.02x12.95 it all worked like a charm. I don't know where these definitions reside, if it is in the registry or a inf file somewhere, but something becomes different between user and pre-defined sizes.

This seems to be a topic that comes up now and then, but since it is probably version specific I hope no one minds if I bring it up again. There seems to be different alternatives: DWG/DXF - this appears to works relatively well but the format doesn't support textures 3DS - doesn't work for me with my model, 3ds Max gives error message 'Improper File Format' DAE (Collada) - this would be ideal, but Max gives error message that it can't parse the xml/dae file. I've tried using Sketchup as an intermediate, and it can open the DAE file, which I then export to FBX and into Max, but it obviously a bit cumbersome to have to go that extra step and be dependent on a third program. Given that Sketchup can in fact read the Collada file one would assume the problem lies with Max, but it doesn't even seem to be able to open it. Is this supposed to work, or is there some form of partial dae/collada support?

Good tip about a camera view set that only has exterior items! Btw, would love to see some pictures of your 1920's house with all that detailing.

Super beginner here, but as an alternative I think I solved that issue recently by putting in the wrought iron as a panel instead.

Thanks, but still, it would be really useful to be able to overlay the vector view on the standard, wouldn't it? Or I guess the same thing, a vector mode that allows for textures.

Good feedback, thanks to all. Manual it is then, unless the lot is flat. Kbird1, in my case it does show the automatic as 20 1/8" so it does considers the sill plate, with the mentioned 6". What confused me most was that it didn't seem logical to set the pad elevation in the terrain, I felt that setting belonged to the individual building. As discussed above, it becomes messy with several buildings. Since 'automatic' was checked I assumed there was a default setting somewhere that I couldn't locate. It's funny how it takes a while to understand the 'thought process' of different software packages. One of the concepts I find most different to what I'm used to in Chief must be the way it handles floor levels. I don't mind it and am starting to get used to it, but it seems as if it must be simpler to define the different levels, than having this done on a room by room basis.