Michael_Gia

You would think that that's how it should work but it doesn't. I'll go one step further and say that if you change any layer visibility there should be a "save" box before you close the Layer Display Dialogue Box to allow for temporary off the cuff changes to the visibility of an item that won't change your layer set. I'm constantly babysitting my layer sets. I'd prefer the extra step of clicking "save". Or instead of that checkbox at the top for "affect all layers" there could be a second checkbox for "save as permanent".

I export a chief 3d model to the free online version of Sketchup and share the Sketchup file so they can play around in 3D. I've found that even firms that use Autocad have no idea how to generate a 3D model from a plan in dwg, hence the Sketchup solution.

On top of that, if you were looking to have a bit of concrete wall below your railing then use a pony wall.

If you send your architectural plan to layout and then use copy paste hold position on each subsequent page all you have to do is edit each page and select the appropriate plan view (Architectural, foundation, framing, electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, etc) Is your way quicker? What is the advantage with your method?

The guy said boulders not potatoes. Impressive use of Chief but it might not be what OP was looking for.

Talk about, looking for a solution to a problem that doesn’t exist… I applaud the initiative, however.

Yes, export Chief 3D model as 3DS or Collada from the file menu and import into Lumion or Twinmotion, enjoy. A lot of us do this here. Search the forum or YouTube for, Export Chief Architect to Lumion or Twinmotion. example… (Keep in mind René did not use Twinmotion’s pathtracer on this video so the rendering quality could’ve been improved immensely with the flick of a switch, but I believe he said that his client wasn’t willing to pay for that)

Very nice, and I’m sure this was lightning fast to produce, and all at $0.00 cost. You would immensely improve the renders by selecting a Skydome and a reflection probe. An additional 3 seconds of work but well worth it. Check out René Rabbit’s YouTube page. I would also say that before Twinmotion got pathtracing, Lumion was miles ahead but I think they are a lot closer today.

They blamed it on Dropbox, in my case. I only use Dropbox for my plan and layout files. All Chief data and resource files are on the default local drive as per Chief’s recommended installation.

Better to use AutoCAD and import the PDF. Or any other CAD/DWG software for layouts that include raster images.

We can only pray…

still waiting for: left click and drag = select contained right click and drag = select intersected or vise versa or shift click? Whatever, but this needs to be fixed.

It might not be that simple even though developer tools have been around since early 2020. I say this because even TwinMotion hasn’t adapted yet and they are definitely committed to MacOS, and their parent company, Unreal engine had been pumping out Metal games for quite some time if I’m not mistaken.

This is why I wish Chief could just shed its cutesy naming conventions and simply have one tool called a mesh, and let us name it whatever we want. That’s what a terrain is anyway. This way we could have multiple “terrains”. I realize Chief simply wants the program to be less intimidating but in the end it just adds to the confusion. So much duplication of tools, for what?

I’m on X14 with no issues Here's what I’m using…

Works great for me and I’m on a lowly 2019 MacBook Pro. As mentioned above, take care of what you bring in from older versions and update you template. I actually use Chief’s X14 template as a starting point and then import layer sets, defaults, etc…. Although I’ve barely noticed any issues, when I have on occasion, it’s always been from an older file.

As a result of unstable toolbars on a Mac I’ve learned to rely on hotkeys extensively. The good news - It’s really sped up my workflow. I took a page out of Revit’s hotkey convention and use their two letters assignment system. You’d be surprised how easy it is to remember them since they closely mimic the name of each command. p,i = paste in place d,m = dimensions manual d,a = dimensions angle r,l = reverse layers r,a = reflect about r,d = reference display. etc… Using 2 letters gives you a wider range and helps group similar tools. When your toolbars randomly disappear you need to get creative. I only use Chief’s default toolbar.

Go to archives file in Chief X10 data folder for a previously saved version?

To get rid of the “stickiness”, I’ve developed the habit of clicking on a folder in the library or the top of the folder window in order to cancel out of that item. It’s annoying since even pressing escape or the space bar doesn’t get rid of the item trying to place.

Around here most architects/draftsmen simply add a note that says, “all exterior face measurements are taken from the outside face of the foundation wall” regardless of floor. Don’t show the brick ledge sticking past. Have your brick veneer finish flush with the exterior face of the foundation wall. This way it’s only your brick layer who worries about hanging his brick over that 3/4” or so. Bricklayers don’t care about our pretty 3D images. Carpenters will place their exterior wall framing according to where you indicate on the plan or in a detail (preferably). That leaves you to define your exterior wall so that the framing falls where it’s supposed with respect to the outside face of your foundation. (my opinion, of course)

Twinmotion or what most guys do is to put up a giant screen by using a p-solid and stretching your image onto that. That way you can scale the image and move it around. Make copies of it and put the solid on different layers so you can adjust per render view.

True, so what I do is after I set my rough ceiling height (which messes up the stemwall height) Then, I tab to the stemwall height and set it to “0” (which now messes up my ceiling height) Then, I go back and re-enter my rough ceiling height, at which point Chief will automatically correct the stemwall height. Give it a try.

Back to the basics with ya… https://www.chiefarchitect.com/videos/watch/322/creating-a-split-level-structure.html

Unless I just developed colour blindness, they all look like brass to me?

Alternatively to what Chopsaw mentions, is to raise your entire roof using the transform/replicate tool in the “z” direction by the appropriate height so that the bottom chord of the trusses cantilevers over your top plate. (sits on top) - Like 99.999999% of homes in the northeast. It’s important to check “trusses” in the dialog box that Chopsaw is showing, regardless of which method you use. I hope one day there will also be a checkbox for “auto-cantilever trusses”, because calculating the “raise from ceiling” box is anything but trivial. Nasa has yet to solve it.