country

Glad to hear you applied Johnny. You seem to have many of the same issues that I have encountered and with your experience on different programs, should be an asset to the panel.

I have Dropbox files that are on the hard drive and synced with cloud storage. I can work on my current drawings when the Internet is down. I have never had a problem with it.

I spent last Saturday morning having an on-line training session with Joey. If I even adsorbed half of what I had explained it will put me ahead by weeks in my learning curve. I am actually looking forward to putting out some construction docs. wheras before the session I was dreading making the leap. His methods made total sense and were very clearly explained.

Thank you Joey.

I am doing the same type of addition now. I am doing the addition roof with the existing and noting it on my roof layout (with a transparent fill for the new section). It all looks the same in elevation and the truss guys do a detail with their package.

I am listening to Joey and trying to work with what we have and not spend hours doing something I don't have to.

The wall is probably drawn (outside) left to right so you are moving it in the opposite direction. I would think it should work with x and y directions but it looks like it works with the wall direction instead.

I'll give it a try tomorrow. Thx

This is a giant gold nugget for me!!! Now all I have to do is figure out how to assign a toolbar icon to a library item. A weekend project.

I think many new users are like me, coming over from another program while still trying to keep up with all the jobs. I am constantly trying to study up on this program and all its abilities and quirks. When doing a job though, searching through videos, reading/figuring out written directions, trying desperately to find the right post in the forum, all take a huge amount of time. I keep having to go back to the old program to finish jobs in order to meet my deadlines. I have read a lot of comments telling people to find something themselves and they will learn but I have clients and contractors that can not wait for my learning curve and if I am stuck on an issue I will ask. Hopefully one day I can help someone else in return.

And do not forget viewports (layer sets) on Sheets that are automatically in the same file as the plan. Elevations and cross-sections that tell you they need updating. Those I already miss but there are many other awesome things that Chief is so much better at for residential.

I have more callouts than I use in any one plan but I could easily add more to one and put them all in a plan text class (VW class). That sounds like a great solution. Thanks. Oh and yes, I know about using layers not sheets as I do DWG transfers to my Engineer all the time.

Johnny

Would I put all of my available call outs into a new plan file in VW and export that, then sort once they are in A Chief plan?

Richard

That may work well, as long as I set up the chief file properly to match the original.

Thanks for the suggestions. Lots to learn and do but very little time.

That's what I thought might be the answer.... At least there is lots of help for scaled PDF imports.

Any chance of an easy way to move the numerous callout notes over. I imagine these issues are some of the reasons why your staff didn't want to switch.

Could any of the VWs users explain how to take a design drawing from VWs and put it into Chief so I can model it? Do I have to export a DWG/DXF and then import it into Chief and trace?

I could always redraw if that is the simplest option but I was hoping for something fast but accurate.

I had the exact same problem. All I had to do was go to NVIDIA and turn X7 on in the 3D selection just as I had done for X6. The integrated Intel card cannot run Chiefs graphics.

Much easier doing a screen capture from plan.

Larry

I am really new to the program and use this detail (usually with 14" I-joists and 2x6 extensions) a lot. I am unclear how to put in the extension rafters and attach them to the fascia so all looks correct in section & elevation. Sounds like I may have to work on my framing layers more diligently....

Many dogs later, I always opt for the kindest decision. It's always heartbreaking to me but peace for them. My thoughts are with you Lew.

I have always drawn the "pocket" so closet, cabinet builders, etc. all know they have to do extra framing if something is against that area. Plumbers are notorious for planning to use any wall close by for the stack or vent even if a stack is clearly shown somewhere else. They seem to notice if the wall looks different.

Is it not possible to make a new "stair" layer to do this instead of the electrical layer? Just a newbie question as I'm trying to use layers and annotation sets properly right from the start.

Thank you, thank you, thank you Scott. I could not figure out how to link the layout to the current sequentially numbered plan. It's a good day.

Thanks everyone for all the info. It will be a great help as I go through the pain of changing over to Chief. My first project is well on its way and no major bumps so far. All the training videos have helped tremendously.

Curt

Would you be willing to share your cheat sheet? I am just starting to use Chief as my main drafting program and doing the roof structure for our area is one of my main problems. Energy heels are a must when it is -32 C.

If you are using Home Designer, I think there is a seperate forum.

A. My "dumping" on CA is my passion to see them improve an otherwise could-be spectacular program.

 

B.  Autodesk is the industry leader by focusing on GUI first....you nearly prove my point.

 

I honestly believe my critique of CA is what is truly holding this app back.  Like it or not, CA is an app selling to persons of STRONG DESIGN background who want their tools to be designed well - look and function.  The last thing you should be doing as a company selling to such design professionals is making them work in an antiquated environment.  I even want to "feel" cool when I am designing a home or building..... (maybe too far, but still)  Why do you think people spend more money on an Apple phone/tablet/computer?  Design and function...

I soooo agree.

I believe that you shouldn't just start drawing walls and roofs and learn as you go. Layersets, annosets, proper default setups, etc., etc. should be part of your thoughts on a plan right from the start if you are going to do a professional job. I look at it the same as a college course that teaches you all the proper basic setup and techniques before you do a full job.

My clients and contractors expect a quality plan and I have to make money while doing it. I am using most of the resources mentioned above and picking the style from each of them that works the best for me.

Terry Munsons books are great if you like a printed step by step but it is good to check out the others for additional input and help.

This forum is the absolute best for practical solutions from experienced users.