DRAWZILLA

I also did a lot of turning off startup's and cleaning, and no change for the lag. I think it's a Chief thing.

Rich text has never given me any of those problems but I'm on X7.

Jon, I don't have the topo info in my google earth pro, do I need to download something?

Copy a layer-set that's close to what you want, re-name it "roof plan reference set". Turn on and off the layers you want to show on your reference set. Also adjust line styles and line-weights. Bring up your roof plan and turn on the reference icon. Double-click on the floor number and choose the reference set you just made, then you will see what you referenced to the plan. This could be confusing. Let me know and I can do a short video for you.

Jay, putting the basement on level 1 lets you provide a clean foundation plan, without having to turn on and off any layers.

Joey, I have never put the basement on level 0 and it work great for me. I'm not saying any way is better, he just seemed to be having a problem or was asking, so I gave my opinion that's all.

Yes basement should be on level 1

Funny, I always use rich text, except for room labels. I am able to change the size color and font in the text style of the layer display, not sure if I understand you correctly.

Like to help but I'm also a little green with google earth, I would also like to know how they get the topo's off that site. Please include me if it happens.

It still doesn't change the fact that, I want my foundations on its own level because of the clutter that can get to be quite a mess trying to combine the 2 levels. Too much info jammed on 1 level is just not good for professional work. Joey was that all automatic? or did you use slabs.

But, Jon, there is a way to do it, like I said earlier. Copy your layout to create a second layout linked to the same plan, and just add or delete page as needed. Use the second layout whenever you need just those pages.

I don't experience that, it only re-draws for me if I press a mouse button, but I can freely move it around the screen without any problems. You might want to update your mouse driver or just use the generic windows or mac. drivers.

For me a workaround is when Chief might have a bug or non-functionality of a task and you need to find a way to make it work. It happens. I feel most people call some task workarounds when it is really just user error. Some people use the term workaround when a task just doesn't work like they want it to work, or they never learned how to use it correctly..

For me, reference sets are one of the most important things Chief has to offer , What it means is "Draw it once and never draw or copy it again". One example is, showing shear wall , holdowns and anchor bolt placement on the foundation plan, very simple to set up and saves time. I actually take that info from my framing plans and show it on the foundation plan. Another is showing 1st floor exterior walls and roof on the 2nd floor plan, you don't have to add cad lines to show that , just reference that on any plan. the All red line reference set is just how Chief set up that reference set. You can have any color, line weight and style you want. I will usually copy another layer-set, that's close to what I want, and add the word "reference" to it. There you go, you have created a reference set. Then change it to what you need to show. It is a huge time saver for those that use and understand it. .

yes, but for me I still want the different levels for for basement and foundation plans, not saying your system doesn't work for you , it just wont work for me. Reference sets work better for me I have one on every view sent to layout. and you can change those within the layout alone without having to open the view and change the anno-set.

Yes but I don't want to have to turn on and off many layers when I could just put it on level 1 and have a separate foundation with one click. Also we have to put a lot more info on the foundation plan then you do and it would get very messy. looking at your foundation plan , it wouldn't pass here. All Holdowns and Shear walls Anchor placement have to be on the framing and the foundation plans.

Remove the floor and floor finish in the room DBX

There is no workaround for it, it's the only way the program was intended to do.

Call the room in the middle a "Court" or "Porch" and you can have exterior walls with windows, but not sure if that's what you want.

Of course anything can be done, but I don't think you can do it automatically, I think you would need to do it with p-solids or a molding p-line with multiple moldings and maybe some cad work to get the plan view correct.

It a method, not a workaround to me.

You guys thinking O.O.T.Box is great.

Not a workaround when it's the only way, until Chief gives you what you want

I would delete the attic extra attic wall and keep the balloon framing

If the layout templates are set up correctly, you wouldn't need two open at the same time.