Ed_Orum

Thanks, that did it. Now I'll try the text.

Ok, I will do that next.

hmmm, ok trying again with the plan 12-10-2023 Revised Floor Plan.zip

Here is the 1/8 saved plan view.

Here is the plan. 12-10-2023 Revised Floor Plan.zip

I drew this plan with 1/4"=1' for both dimensions and text. I saved the plan view. Then I duplicated the plan view, and gave it the name "1/8". I changed the default dimensions to 1/8"=1' for both dimensions and texts. I changed the text and dimensions from 1/4" to 1/8". I saved the plan view and closed it. When I opened the 1/4" Saved Plan View (the one I duplicated to make the 1/8" Saved Plan View) all of the dimensions and text were at 1/8". Even thought they are different saved plan views with different properties for the text and dimensions, they will not operate independently of each other. What did I do wrong? Thanks in advance, Lane

Glennw, yes, thats it. Thanks, Lane

Hello Mark, I am just down the road from you in Newburgh. I'll give that a try tomorrow, thanks.

Thanks, I tried that, but the program will select all rows, but not let me edid the new dimension row. Maybe I need to call technical support. Lane

In past versions there was as option to make all the offsets from marked objects the same. In X15, there is a chart which lists each dimension string offset and the ability to control each one. I liked the old way better, is there an option in X15 to change all of the distance to the marked object at the same time? Thanks in advance. Lane

I've only done one so far, and it was for an addition. I have to check to see if the same applies to New Build as Additions/Alterations. Thanks! Lane

Is anyone familiar with the New York Stretch Energy Code? I know it has requirements for window and door U values, hook up for electric vehicle charging, increased insulation requirements, but what else? Thanks in advance, Lane

Thanks Gene. It has to stay at two risers because the existing stairs are two risers. If I was doing it from scratch, I would make the difference 14" so the risers would be 7" and the treads 11". I'll change the walls back to the default top wall height as you suggested.

This plan has two different floor elevations, but the top plate elevations should be the same. One floor is 16" higher than the other. The ceiling height in this floor is 97-1/8". The lower floor ceiling height is 113-1/8" (97-1/8"+16"). Everything shows up correctly in the structure dialog box, but when I do a cross section the floor elevations are correct but the top plate heights are different. How do I correct this before I put the roof on this building? Zip file attached. I am using X15. Thanks in advance, Lane 12-10-2023 Revised Floor Plan.zip

Thanks!

I can't find the search feature in my Library Browser. I don't even know what I did to lose it. Any suggestions? Thanks, Lane

Thanks for clearing up the windows label and callouts.

The plates are ordinary 2x6 PT run through a planer so the tops of the new joists align with the tops of the existing ones. The concrete contractor matches the existing foundation height for the foundation wall, then the framer makes the adjustment to the sill plate height.

Great question. When I refer to Labels, I mean the designator generated by the Window Schedule....W-1, W-2, etc.

Oh, I did that. I selected the windows in the plan, but still no change.

Thanks, but no luck. I changed the window labels default to "relative" and changed the label orientation. It shows correctly in the dialogue box, but not in the plan.

I want to change the orientation of the window labels so they are parallel, not perpendicular to the Windows. This occurs where the windows are on the sides of the building running top to bottom. The windows running left to right are aligned properly. I tried to change the angle in the Window Schedule Label dialogue, but nothing changes. Next, is there a way to control the height of the sill plate for a given section of foundation wall? I have a continuous wall and in one section the span will call for I joists. The other sections of the wall call for 2x10. The 2x10 are actually 9-1/4" tall, while the I joists are 9-1/2" tall, so I want to use a 1-1/4" thick plate where the I joists will go. Do I need to create a new wall for that section? Using X15 Thanks, Lane

I would rather not say because I do not want to give the impression (maybe I already have) that it is superior to Chief. I actually use two other programs, depending on which Architect or Engineer I am working for at the time. Chief makes me more money than the other programs, but it also gives me more agita. Happy Thanksgiving. Lane

Well you are a better man than me. Elevation views are always popping up errant lines, missing something here or there. Having said that, when I called Tech Support I was told they only help with issues concerning the products performance, like if the program is not working properly, they are not there to help with teaching how to perform operations in ther program. I do a lot of CAD details, I probably have at least 500 I have drawn for different municipalities here in New York, some for CT, and some for PA. Chief does a great job in that respect. I can do a section view in Chief, convert it to a CAD Detail, then annotate it and correct whatever Chief left undone or done incorrectly. Chief is probably the best when it comes to CAD Details and annotating them. But, I use it because for simple drawings, it is a good money maker. I have done pretty well with it over the years and have learned a lot of my own workarounds. Nothing is perfect, so I will continue to use it. However I am not sure I could encourage anyone who is starting out in residential blueprints (and some light commercial) to go with Chief. I think Revit would be a better choice. In the final analysis, I have to keep in mind that some of my problems with Chief can certainly be because I do not fully understand the program and how it functions, in spite of using it for over 20 years. So I need to take some of the blame too.

Chief is a great 2D program, but trying to figure out it's 3D limitations is nothing but a waste of time. So often in Chief I find myself drafting the 2D, then generating the 3D exteriors which I then convert to CAD where I can fix them without Chief insisting I don't know what I actually want. Even in 2D, wall intersections, especially in foundations where a new one connects to an old one becomes an issue. So what I do there is have no fill for the walls, then in 2D create a polyline, assign a fill pattern to distinguish the new from the old and adjust the polyline to show the correct wall intersections. This precludes an automatic wall schedule for the foundation walls (since it will not automatically generate the polyline fill patterns), but that is and easy work around. I also use another program, which is much, much, much better at getting the model correct. The other program allows for everything to be independently controlled..wall heights, widths, offsets, top, bottom...all can be easily set to reflect the actual construction. Especially helpful in remodeling and additions. The other program also addresses one of my pet peeves about Chief, which is the foundation sill plate is part of the foundation. In the real world framers put down the sill plate and it really has no business being part of the foundation. It is like Chief was programmed by someone who read a book on construction but has no real construction experience as opposed to the other program which seems to have a much keener insight into actual construction practices. Having said that, for all more or less new construction simple plans I prefer Chief, as long as everything is one or two levels, no split levels, no split roofs, and no stepped foundations. Garage slabs can also be sloped (as can foundation walls, footings, whatever) in the other program. Earlier I asked if a slab could be sloped in Chief 15, but alas, no such luck. For remodeling and additions, unless it is simple and straightforward, it's the other program.