ChiefApprentice

The use of annotation sets is probably what you need to consider. CA ships with several annotation sets already set up, one being Electrical Annotations. Its layer set is specified as the Electrical Set. All of the annotation properties are specified to be on the Text, Electrical layer. So by switching to the Electrical Annotations all your text will be on the Text, Electrical layer. You can easily create a different layer, such as Text, Ceiling Electrical, and have that be specified instead for the annotation properties. Or you could create a different annotation set. Annotation sets are a great tool. You could also just change to a different default layer in the text default dialogs, but you would have to do that everytime you wanted text to be on a different layer. To me it is so much easier just to change to a different annotation set.

Once you have framed the walls, select a wall, and the edit tool (called the Open Wall Detail tool) will become available in the edit toolbar. You could also select any wall from the Wall Details folder in the Project Browser. Again your walls must be framed before this tool is available. Once you click on the tool you will get a CAD detail of the wall where you can easily edit the framing.

I believe Perry hit right on the point. Getting to know the software well and how it works really makes a difference in how proficient and productive you can become with any software that you care to use. There are many ways to do this with Chief Architect such as training videos offered by CA or at www.chiefexperts.com., or www.chieftutor.com. classes (several members and CA offer classes), books (www.munsonhomedesign.com). I've looked at SoftPlan, Envisioneer, TurboCAD, many others, and in my opinion CA is the best home design software out there.

I have been using Chief Architect since version 9. I came over from AutoCAD. In my opinion, nothing comes close to CA in residential design. It has everything a designer needs to complete a set of professional working drawings, and you can make great presentation renderings and walk-throughs to show your clients. CA X6 can now also be used with MAC. To find out for yourself you can get a free trial of CA on their website.

Need some help mastering Chief Architect? Want to know all about the new tools and enhancements for CA X6? Go to www.chiefapprentice.com to find tutorial step by step books for CA X3-X6. Even experienced users have found the books to be a great help and a great desk top reference. If you are new to Chief Architect, your learning curve will get much, much less steep and you will be creating home plans quickly with step by step learning. You will be taught how to handle the interface, then quickly advance to creating floor plans, and then adding foundations, roofs, framing, elevations, cross sections, schedules, construction documents, 3D presentations, and much more. The new X6 book, "Residential Design Using Chief Architect X6" will quickly catch you up to this latest version of Chief Architect which is now also available for MAC users. Get the new Workbook, also available at www.chiefapprentice.com. The Workbook will give you a chance to apply the skills you acquired from the main book. Get solid learning that will stick so that you can get on with the business of designing quickly. So if you want a tutorial home study course for Chief Architect that is very reasonably priced go to www.chiefapprentice.com.