Evolution

You need to post this on the forum in the "seeking services" section, as well.

This usually happens when your plan and layout link is broken (one or the other was saved in the wrong place). I assume you're saving the files on your hard drive (using the SAM) save as method?   You may try re-linking the layout with the plan files. Open the layout, go up to Tools>Layout>Referenced Plan Files.....this should open the plan reference files, you select the plan file you were using to send to layout, select it, and that should re-link layouts with the plan.

If that doesn't work, then you can go to the CA archives, and select the latest plan / layout you were working on when last saved, and hopefully you won't have to do a lot of work - over. BTW it would benefit all if you would fill out your signature with the software version and computer info. You go up to the right corner and select open your profile, then select account setting, then select signature in that menu. Oh, and it is also a good idea not to save PDF on the forum so we don't have to open them. You can do screen captures saved as png and (I usually save them on my desk top) then select and drag into the post so all we have to do is just clink on them.

17 hours ago, JJohnson said:

Hold down the X key as you grab and drag corner

If holding the "X" key down as you left click and drag the corner handle doesn't work Holding down the "C" and doing the same function should work.  At least it is the "C" on my machine. 

13 hours ago, Alaskan_Son said:

This...

 

I think you might just want to note which of the receptacles is supposed to be the hot one.  Not sure there's any proper way to note top vs. bottom with a symbol.  Although I suppose you could add this to your legend and make left filled = top hot and right filled = bottom hot.  Just a thought.

I created my own symbols where none exist in CA library then add it to my library. Works fine so far.

46 minutes ago, Nauti1 said:

Thanks Doug,Although helpful it's not quite what I had in mind.

 

I found this image via Google. It is similar to what I had on my earlier designs, i.e. on the master  "Notations/Specifications" layout page. This image below is a PDF file & I don't know how to copy it onto the layout I'm working on. If I could do that & be able to edit it, then that would most likely solve my problem. As it is now I cannot simply copy & paste - it doesn't work. Actually, I've found other PDF files that could work with some editing, but my real problem now is how to get it onto a layout page & be able to edit it.

 

Oh well, the search continues.

 

Thanks again,

Al

If I remember correctly, in CA 10 you need to save the PDF as a png since it will be smaller than a PDF, in an easy location like desk top. Then open your layout file, the sheet you want the cad detail on, go to file>import> and near the top of the list you’ll see import pdf, png image, import it to your layout. You can crop the size but I don’t think you can edit it . You (should be able to) can draw over it with the cad tools though.

On 12/2/2019 at 10:47 AM, ChiefUserBigRob said:

Thanks guys. I watched the video on CA and it was explained well. However the offsets the narrator used doesn't perain to all designs. She never even explained how she got her offsets.

Rob, are you speaking of the border tiles for the perimeter border?   If so, per my post above, this is the way I determine what the off-sets (border tile) are to be.  If I knew how to make a video I would.  I can usually do a room with average layout (other walls projecting in the room like closets etc) in just a few minutes.  If you are using the library material Rectangle Ceiling Tiles with Lights, that will not give you what you want. Thus the reason I do lay-in ceilings as I do. 

Try this article. I think it is pretty straight forward. You'll definitely have to experiment. https://www.chiefarchitect.com/support/article/KB-03093/message-unable-to-perform-photon-mapping.html

and this Training video. https://www.chiefarchitect.com/videos/watch/1910/

https://www.chiefarchitect.com/videos/watch/1911/

Rob, with most commercial ceilings, the ACT mechanic will find the center of the room each way (assuming the layout as a square or rectangle), then layout so they have equal borders at the wall angle. Here where I build, if a border is 3" or less they will use a 4' tile and cut it to the over sized border (most architects / owners don' like those little slivers of tile at the walls). So, that is how I usually model a lay-in ceiling. I use the room poly-line for the wall molding, convert it to the wall molding in the library, and a polyline to set the centers , converted to a molding poly line using the "T" mold from the library, and work off them using the multi-copy both directions. This may not be what you are asking? 

On 11/23/2019 at 12:07 PM, raltd9245 said:

I set all my layouts at "D" size and then use chiefs half size plot to a PDF. I now have d size and a pdf that I can print at 13X19 and get a 1/8" check set. Works well.

Haven't thought of this. I'll give it a try. I did get all my layout sheets updated to 24X36 and it didn't take much effort.  This suggestion sounds like the way to go for all future projects.

15 minutes ago, Chopsaw said:

That seems like you did not miss anything Bob.   If you think you may be doing that a lot in the future you could format for 12 x 18 and then just tweak some of your scale indicators and print at 2x for Arch D.   Also possible to have more than one title block/border per layout file using layout anno sets.

 

Also it is possible to open more than one layout but you must be careful and it is not a recommended thing to do.  Bad things can happen. 

Thanks Chop and David.  It seemed to work ok, but I just wasn't sure if his subs will be able to "scale" anything accurately.  I usually include in my notes "DO NOT SCALE DRAWINGS"  "NOT RESPONSIBLE ERRORS CAUSED BY THE USER ASSUMING OR SCALING MEASUREMENTS". Generally the sub can find the info he needs, and can ask questions when he can't find what he needs (RFI).

This project was set up for paper size Super B 13X19 (because I can print that here in this office for ready check). The client (builder) has decided he wants me to change my layout sheet size to Arch D 24X36, so his subs could read and scale the drawings. I wasn't sure I did this right (after reading what few post I could find), I opened my layout>page "0" reset the print to page size to Arch "D" 24X36, which of course changed how my layout template set to 13X19 fits. I then edited my borders and title block etc., to fit the new layout size.  I then went to each additional sheet that I had added notes, additional info for title block, most everything else fit the new paper size ok.  I can't print a trial drawing but the PDF's I printed with the new sheet size appear to be ok. Does the method I used make sense? I'll send him the PDF set of construction drawings, and he can have them printed. I had previously set up a layout template formatted to Arch "D" but I wasn't sure how to get all my plans and details transferred to the new layout template, since you can only have one layout open at any given time? 

43 minutes ago, solver said:

 

Bob -- help us by saying what you need to do and what you cannot figure out.

 

----

 

Take a back clipped cross section. Switch to the 3D Framing layer set.

 

Eric, what I need to do is what I've done, but I did it by piecing / pasting, the different framing wall details.

5 minutes ago, solver said:

 

Bob did not say, but it looks like he is trying to do multiple walls at once -- doesn't the Wall Detail tool only do a single wall?

that's correct Eric, and I can do wall details all day long with no issues, edit them modify the framing etc., that is what I started out with but the client didn't want his framer jumping from page to page to see one wall at time and BTW, don't usually have to provide so much detail ( at least for local codes here) is just for him and his crews and suppliers to bid by.

I think for the time being I'll just move on the way I'm currently doing it, since it works for him. 

51 minutes ago, SNestor said:

Why not create a framing overview...select 3D in the top menu bar...choose an elevation (like right side, or left side).  Then, create a "cad detail from view"...and edit and annotate.  

 

Just a quick idea...I've actually never done this before...but give it a try and let us know if it works for you. 

 

Steve, I had actually thought about that, but hadn't tried it.  I've nothing to lose but (a little) time

I'm not the sharpest (CAX11) pencil in the box, but if you set your default ceiling height, correctly, and if you change the pitch of the roof by selecting the specific wall, (not by the roof plane itself) as Glenn Woodward taught me, the ceiling height should remain as you've set it?  Am I wrong? This is one he may chime in on once he gets out of bed! 

Scott Harris does a great job in these training video's whilst they are designed for the Professional user (in my humble opinion) the ordinary user (one who does not make their living using the software) at least for me, miss the important details (they may be subliminally placed) the specific tools. Scott uses the Back Clip wall camera very well, and it looks easy (if you know how you need to set it up to get the results he does?)

I know I'm leaving myself open for negative criticism, and I'm not being critical of the training videos. The Lake Point and Grandview videos Scott did are really great, and If I could get the same results after watching them both (really) a couple hours the last two nights, I still can't get the tools he used to work for me the way he did. 

My client on this project is also the Contractor building his new home to live in, and (ask Glenn Woodward) I always seem to get the complicated projects. He is about to let the permit drawings out to his lumber supplier and framers for pricing and asked me to detail exterior walls and some interior walls in particular for their use.  I've improvised putting a few together but I know if I could figure out what I'm missing setting the tools up to use properly, it would be faster than copying and pasting the different wall framing elevations into one large elevation. So bad mouth me if you must, but if you can point me in the right direction I would love to learn the correct way to do this. BTW, I'm framing the walls the way he wants (says his crews are accustomed to, framing them).

Thanks in advance to those of you who have mercy on me! ( he said holding his breath while he hit the submit key)!

A leak looking for a place to happen! If this is for a client you do need to advise them of the very high likely hood of roof leaks and this gutter will most likely be the cause! If it is for you, no design is worth the trouble THIS will cause you. Maybe not the first or second rain, but boy, if you get one of those DOWN POURS, (maybe you're in a dessert climate) the night-mares will begin.

On 11/9/2019 at 3:26 PM, Kbird1 said:

 

 

FYI : there is a text corruption Issue in CA which CA has not Solved yet with text getting truncated etc , opening and closing the text's DBX is usually enough to fix that though.

 

M.

 

 

Mick, when I have text that "truncates" I select the text and just drag the text box slightly and that fixes mine so far (when it does happen). 

Several Architect friends advised me (since 2015) to use all caps (except for basic code info sheets and the like (but keep the headings at all caps). I've always used Chief Blueprint.

On 11/9/2019 at 10:52 PM, Kbird1 said:

 

 

Thanks for the Ft-in Header height Macro BT ....................

 

Just FYI :  the macro's result is incorrect for most Nth Amer. Framers - ie Headers are normally measured to their Bottom so the 2nd to last line should be

 

result = ftin(obj.header_elevation)                                  not:             result = ftin(obj.header_elevation + obj.header_depth)

 

ie : the +obj.header_depth is not needed as it is not measured to the Top of Header usually as the Header depth may vary ie 2x8 or 2x10 etc etc but the bottom is usually the same throughout the home , regardless of Header Depth.

 

 

Hey, Mick, I'm using the built-in macro (%header_height%) and it appears to me to dimension to the bottom of the header (i.e. on a window (DBX) set 96" to the top, the header height is 96.5) so, that would be to the bottom of the header, correct? Assuming the macro ignores the casing, and is based on top of the window head jamb, allowing 1/2 for shimming / adjusting the window for square and plumb?

I know most framers in our area work using the same framing conventions (for the most part), and this client is using a framer (he has used on several projects) and has reviewed the window schedule and is satisfied with the information provided.

Thanks.

Just now, Alaskan_Son said:

 

Just a quick tip, but don't limit yourself to simply searching the Help files.  You can also:

• Click the Help button in any one of the dialog boxes and it will typically take you straight to the section regarding that specific dialog.
• Click Help with an object selected and it will typically take you straight to the most relevant section on EDITING that particular object type.
• Click Help with only a tool activated and it will typically take you straight to the most relevant section on USING that particular tool.

 

Help is by far the most underutilized resource at our disposal IMO.

Thanks Michael. This is stuff "I should know" and hopefully the more I get to use the software, (I might likely retain some of this great information)! It isn't because I don't study, watch the video's and search the KB...…..my wife will vouch for that. 

3 minutes ago, Joe_Carrick said:

dPer Michael,

Thanks Yoda! I used the wrong search word missed this help! 

2 minutes ago, Alaskan_Son said:

Default Settings>Schedules>Custom Object Fields

Thanks Michael!

On 7/12/2019 at 2:38 PM, solver said:

See if this helps.

 

Eric , how do you delete a custom field once you've entered it and decided you don' t need it or want to rename it? 

Not sure this is what you're after? https://www.chiefarchitect.com/support/article/KB-00603/saving-changes-and-prices-entered-into-a-materials-list.html

https://www.chiefarchitect.com/support/article/KB-00510/controlling-the-information-in-a-materials-list.html

1 hour ago, Stephen999 said:

Hello sorry if the title sounds confusing but i have noticed that in Chief when you make a wall it makes numerous wall Layers now i only want the wall outside and wall inside as the inside layers are never seen is this possible because it make the mesh very hard to work with once exported into a 3D Application such as Blender 

Need to know what version of Software you're using? Kind of hard to understand what you're wanting to accomplish.