Rpadge

Steve Nestor has some good videos on dormers, heres one

You didnt mention which graphics card, but if I do a search it appears you may have a RTX4060 gpu. Thats not a bad card, so I wonder if you have something else going on. I am assuming these problems happen with all your files, (not just one) so you may try updating the graphics driver.

GPU will be one of the most important features to look for.

Personally, if I were buying a new laptop, I would look for a 4080, or a 5080 gpu, and maybe drop down to a 5070. I would stay away form any xx60 card (4060, 5060). I have a 4070 and it still performs pretty well. Theres a lot of good laptops with those specs for less than 2K.

What do you have now? When are you seeing lag currently? Do you use PBR (3d renderings etc)? What’s your budget?

In the Window Spec DBX theres a setting for Opening Indicators  (between shutters and rough opening), you can also turn them off in ALDO

the 2,413 of the plank flooring is not sq feet (I think), not sure if thats what your referring to or not, but you may want to check the material definition. I believe that is a linear foot quantity

You can enter the dimensions in inches ( 122 instead of 10’-2”)

Specs appear to be pretty good, but 5 years is a lot to ask for a computer to stay "current", especially a laptop.

I Changed the roof pitch of the shed dormer to 1.75/12 I believe in order to allow it to join properly.

Take a look at how I made some adjustments,

Garage-21x31-forum (1).plan

I probably wouldn't use the dormer tool in that situation. Just draw the upper section like you did the lower and add a shed roof over it.

Is it possible that the mounding is coming in below the ground (obstructing it from view)? 
 

Nice job!

I changed the floor structure in the room dbx to be a 4" conc slab. 

I dont think you want to do the slab in the foundation menu. I created this with a slab for my floor system (first floor), then built a foundation underneath.

Probably should post the plan.

I have a similar Lenovo system and it performs well.

Definitely suggest taking a class, Chief has some (free?) at the International Builder Show in Vegas I believe. You could also do one-on-one with Chief. Or one of the many secondary guys that do training - in addition to the one listed above is Dan Bauman, I did a class with him when I first got Chief and it was vey helpful.

I saw this article that had some good deals . Btw I have a Lenovo and like it.

https://www.pcmag.com/news/best-early-gaming-laptop-desktop-black-friday-deals-2024

@RenerabbittThats a nice looking material, thank you for making it available. BTW I subscribed to your Youtube channel and I am impressed with your content. Thanks again.

In a situation like this, I don't use the dormer tool. Just build it using the regular wall and roof tools

I'm in Marietta Charles, let me know if you would like to chat about your project.

I started with Datacad in the 90s (Version 3.6e), its a great program for 2d work, and I liked having the ability to get the final output to look exactly the way I wanted, but a few years ago I began feeling more and more pressure to adopt a BIM type program with full 3D capabilities, estimating, etc. I tried a few different software programs (Archicad, Softplan, Revit) but ended up with CA, it just seemed to work the way my brain could understand. The conversion process was one of my concerns, previously I had tried taking a gradual approach, but found that if I got frustrated, it was too easy to just go back and draw the plan up in DataCad, so I picked a date (Jan 1, 2018) and never looked back. I watched all the training videos I could find, and did a few practice plans ahead of time, but I was pleased with how the transition went.

While it is possible to learn it that way, it would not be a bad idea to invest in some training, CA has some classes (they also offer one-on-one training). Initially, I took a class form CA when they came to Atlanta, I think it was 2 days of training. There are also several private individuals that offer training. Later on I took a class with Dan Bauman which offered a little different perspective, and was very helpful. And of course there is an annual Users Group Meeting which is at the end of August. Its a great way to get training, meet other users, and network.

As far as information that you can put on the plans, it would be far easier to detail out a set of construction documents than with DataCad. I can produce a set of plans in far less time, that is more accurate, and offers more features, in half the time. There are a couple of users that have taken it to the next level, I would suggest looking at some of the plans from Joey Martin ( I believe he won the best construction documents category in one of the AIBD conferences), also CA user Rene Rabbit has a lot of tools he markets that may be of interest to you.

DataCad is a good program and has its niche, but if you want 3D capabilities, smart building tools, etc, I think CA is a great option, and I think you will be pleased with the results.

Heres one way to do what you want. 

You just had a couple of areas with polylines that didnt close. Try this.

bracket.plan

bracket.plan

Pretty sure you can stack mouldings. Place your trim profiles in a cad detail, group select them, and then there is an option to save in the library as a stacked moulding (in the toolbar)