LeeDrafter

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  1. LeeDrafter
    thank you! I'm always happy (and a bit embarassed) when there is such an easy solution to one of my questions.
  2. LeeDrafter
    Hello, I'm drawing a plan with a finished garden-level basement for the foundation. I have used pony walls for the basement walls which are 8" concrete on the bottom and 5.5" framed walls with siding on top. In the wall specification dbx, under display in plan view, I have selected "upper wall and lower wall" for my basement level floor plan saved plan view which shows the interior walls and finishes and things. I want to make a different "Foundation" saved plan view for the foundation and plumbing contractors with other information and without all the extra detail. In this view, I would like the pony walls to display the lower wall only (8" concrete). I don't think there is a way to do this because it looks like display settings need to be the same in all layer sets, but I thought I would put it out there and see how the rest of you might handle this scenerio. I tried making the wall a very light color in the foundation layer set, but it's not having the effect I was ideally going for. Thank you!
  3. LeeDrafter
    Thank you! good to know there's no way to see the actual elevation point in camera view.
  4. LeeDrafter
    Yes, I suppose you're right. That's how I have done it in the past when using this method from my own elevation data. On this, job, I was trying to be very accurate, but I'm sure if the terrain height is within a few inches of accuracy, it will work out fine during construction. I can probably just eyeball it so it looks about right. On another note, I'm trying to mimic what you showed dimensioning to those terrain elevation points in an elevation view, but I don't know how to see those points in elevation view. I have the layers turned on, what am I missing? Thank you!
  5. LeeDrafter
    Thanks, and I agree. This is a work in progress, and I will be adding a few flat areas after I get my heights figured out
  6. LeeDrafter
    Thank you @SH_Canada2! That makes a lot of sense that those negative numbers in the terrain elevation points are causing the unusual heights for the subfloor above terrain. I got those numbers from my field measurements in relation to my laser instrument height, so nothing related to sea level. I can change the numbers as long as they stay the same in relation to each other. I'm going to try to fix them so zero matches the absolute zero of the plan and see if that helps. Thanks again!
  7. LeeDrafter
    Hello, I'm working on the attached plan which is a tri-level home on a sloped terrain. I have defined the middle level floor height as absolute zero and have adjusted the other floors from there. I have made my terrain with elevation data. But I don't know how my terrain elevation (subfloor height above terrain) relates to the floor plan absolute zero. By trial and error adjusting the height until it looked about right, I ended up with a subfloor height above terrain of -40", but that doesn't make logical sense to me. On a sloped lot, which part of the terrain is this height referring to? I'd like to be able to adjust my terrain height in relation to my plan absolute zero, but maybe they are not relational? Thanks in advance! tri level Modern 2.zip
  8. LeeDrafter
    Thank you, this will work! I appreciate it!
  9. LeeDrafter
    Hello, I'm back on this thread after @LevisL taught me a great solution in this thread 5 years ago! Now I am trying to achieve something different, and I don't think it's possible but thought I would ask the community. I have different wall types (eg. siding-6, interior-6, interior-4, fire-4, etc.) all defined with different fill colors (not by layer). I'd like to control the fill of these walls by layer so that I can make them different colors in different layer sets. But they are all controlled by the Walls, Normal Layer, so I'm pretty sure they have to all be the same color if the fill is controlled by the layer. Is that right? Or is there a way to make them all different colors in different layer sets? Or is there a way to turn on the fill by layer in some plan views and not others? I'm looking forward to suggestions or ideas. Thank you! Lee
  10. LeeDrafter
    Hello, I have a LandXML file that was sent to me by an engineer for a development I am working in. I am designing homes, and I had asked him if he had a 3D CAD file he could send me for the terrain. He sent me this XML file. How can I import this into CA? Thank you for your help, Lee X16 3D Terrain 200917 - PH1-Design FG & EG.xml
  11. LeeDrafter
    Hello, I am trying to decide if I want to start using the materials lists in CA for takeoffs and estimating or if it would be more efficient to buy another software. I have been working for a home builder and drafting/designing in CA for a 10 years now, but I never took the time build the framing or other components exactly accurately. I just needed plans. I didn't need details stud layouts or anything like that which would be required to generate an accurate materials list. Now my role has changed a bit, and I am now the estimator as I train a new drafter. I have been shopping for a takeoffs/estimating software. Although it seems logical to use CA since we already use it for design, it seems pretty complicated with a lot of steps required for accuracy. From reading this thread, it sounds like most people don't really rely on it for accurate takeoffs. Do I want to do the work to make all the floor plans super accurate, or is it better to use a different takeoff software that is a bit simpler even though I would have to input the plan data? Does anybody out there work for a builder and need accurate takeoffs in order to buy materials? Do you use CA materials lists? Or, what other software do you like? I would appreciate any advice! Thank you!!
  12. LeeDrafter
    Thanks! I will make an account!
  13. LeeDrafter
    Hi Eric, thank you. I don't have an account with 3D Warehouse and can't view the link without one. Before I make an account, I'm wondering if this is a texture that can be downloaded and imported into Chief? Thanks!
  14. LeeDrafter
    Hello, I would like to use a metal siding similar to this picture, and I can't find a similar material in CA. The closest I see is vertical paneling. I can adjust the angle so it's horizontal and change the scale for wider boards, but I don't know how to get rid of the wood grain look and change it to a metal texture. Any advice on a material texture that would work well? Also, does anybody know what this type of large scale horizontal metal siding is called? Perhaps there is more information on Chief Talk already, but I didn't know what to search for since I don't know the technical name for this material. Thanks so much! Lee X12
  15. LeeDrafter
    thanks so much! You listed many things I have never done before, so this is a good learning experience. There is so much to know! thanks
  16. LeeDrafter
    thank you so much for sharing this method along with the grass file!! This is so helpful! I have been wanting to create the look of real grass for years, but I haven't been able to achieve the look I want even with high-res grass and bump maps. But this works! I think other people use photoshop or other software, but I don't have experience in those. thanks again.
  17. LeeDrafter
    Thanks, here is a plan along with the ray trace I have done. I'm pretty happy with it except for the window glass and the grass. I put window treatments in to hide the interior while still allowing some transparency. AERIE.zip
  18. LeeDrafter
    Thanks, I will play with that too. Some of these words are new to me and confusing, haha. It takes a lot of trial and error.
  19. LeeDrafter
    The picture I posted was not done in Chief (also not done by me). I am trying to use chief to get close to that kind of look.
  20. LeeDrafter
    Thank you, I wish there was a reflectivity setting I could adjust. I will mess around with the grey shades a bit more.
  21. LeeDrafter
    Hello, I am working on an exterior ray trace, and I would like the windows to be slightly reflective instead of transparent. What is the right material and properties for this look? I tried to make the glass a mirror, but it turned out really dark in my ray trace. I attached a picture (not mine) that shows the look I am going for. I am using Chief X12. thank you!
  22. LeeDrafter
    Thanks All, these are some great methods for me to explore.
  23. LeeDrafter
    Thanks, that is easy enough to create the room polyline. But I don't know how to create the macro to display the area. I'll have to research that.
  24. LeeDrafter
    thanks, that would be better for accuracy, but it seems like it would take quite a bit of time to do that for 15+ rooms in every plan I have :). I'll ask the flooring people how accurate they need.
  25. LeeDrafter
    ok, that's easy. I'm embarrassed I asked. I didn't see the interior area option and just went with standard area. thank you.