scottharris

Chief Architect X17 is Available Today 

Michelle, can you post your plan?

Can you post the plan or export the wall type?

X17 beta is available now; the full release of X17 is expected by the end of June

I opened your plan, made some adjustments to your render settings, most notably the number of max samples.  Then, I noticed you are using X13 on a Mac.  We added real time raytracing for the Mac in X16.  You might download the trial version and see how it looks.  Be sure to lower your max samples on the Mac since they are slower at rendering than the PC (on my PC 4080 laptop these were about 10 seconds; on my MacBook Pro M4 laptop for 250 samples it took 90 seconds).

Can you post your plan (.zip file with the backup of textures) ?

Joe, on the chief academy event page, there’s a pdf with a break out of the specific events.

Here's an article that may help -  ChiefBlog article 

You can also do online personalized training.  We screen share and it works pretty well.

On 4/6/2025 at 6:58 AM, Skip_D said:

....Just this morning - I tested a simple 'update material list'.  In an active project, created a material list, I added the cost of concrete, updated master, saved the file, created a new blank file, made a quick box building with a foundation, created material list ... and the concrete cost did not appear.  I checked the master, and the cost is there but it didn't populate in the job material list.  I did click 'update from master', no luck.

thoughts?

thanks

 

Once you have created a price in your master list (attached image - right side, $150/yd for concrete), generate a materials list.  Select the component (in this case ‘concrete’) and then the option update from the master list (lower edit menu).

There maybe a few ways you can address it:

1.       You can import a folder of texture files (photos) into your Library. 3D> Materials> Convert Textures to Materials.  This will put all the photos into your User Library.

2.       You can restore your photos to a folder.  When you open a plan/layout and you get the message “missing image” point it to the folder

Quote

If I were able to import photos from photos backup, where would I put them into the Chief Architect file structure so that these would become recognizable?  I do also have a backed up Folder labeled with Textures that still has many in it, but not all of them.

I usually put these in a folder under the specific client project (see attached).  If they are not client specific, you put them a level up where you manage your plans/layouts, e.g.,  \myDocuments\ChiefPlans\Photos

Larry, if you cannot find the specific shaped skylight in the chief library (search 'skylights'), you can make your own (3D solids, then convert to symbol).

Adam, does a light set work by using specific lights by room?

Check the Options panel on the door

I like Joe’s suggestion to use custom ceiling planes.  Here’s a video

https://www.chiefarchitect.com/videos/watch/309/

Importing terrain dwg files can be an effort if you do not know how the surveyor mapped the layers -and- if they have all the data.  I successfully imported your dwg file; it appears that the ‘V-PROP-BDY’ is your permitter; it well extends past your CONT-MAJOR / MINOR lines.  I did not see any actual elevation data in those lines so it’s a flat lot.  You might go back to the surveyor and see if they can re-export the file.

Have you tried using the molding polyline tool? It might be a better option than a pony wall. 

Can you post the plan?  And, maybe a diagram of the walls you are trying to build.

Can you post your plan?

See if this helps:  to rotate freely - without bumping & snapping - hold down your control key (mac = cmd key) and then click and drag for free rotation.

Here's another article that might help you 

https://www.chiefarchitect.com/support/article/KB-00001/backing-up-chief-architect-content.html

Is your camera a PBR-RT camera?  Denoise only applies in that type of view.

I'm not sure if this is what you are after; I often build slab foundations using a stem wall (wall attached).  The brick wall above has a brick ledge that then extends down to the footing.

Foundation-Wall.calibz

We have a free on-demand Residential Introductory course.  That may be a good place to start.