CAcygrymus

23 minutes ago, steve_stuart said:

check your clip distance in your camera defaults

Ah, thanks, that solved it. Is that a new setting in X12? I cannot recall it clipping like this in the past.

The default for a few of the camera types is 24". Just curious, but in what scenario would that be desired?

I have noticed of late that when zooming in near objects in Perspective Full Overview, I can only get so close before it clips the object. For instance a wall may suddenly be clipped through to show it's layers when the camera gets too close. Say you put an object like a mirror or such on a wall. If you zoom in on it in perspective view to see detail of the mirror, you can only get so close before the clipping occurs.

See below, a simple brick on a wall. I can only zoom so close to objects before the camera completely clipps them out of the view.

6 minutes ago, HumbleChief said:

Yeah a railing offset setting would be awesome.

A similar issue is attempting to shift a window within a frame (so it can be flush with the exterior, "inset" does not work well). For the person trying to adjust such things it seems like it would be a no brainer to have such settings, and a good head scratcher as to why it is not in the program.

But "break stairs" makes this a bit easier to work around.

On 1/12/2020 at 8:39 AM, Richard_Z said:

Besides general construction I build custom stairs, custom cabinets and Chief is getting close to let me present my job. At last I'll be able to show cabinet interior without workarounds.  But I have hard time to accept new feature as "break stairs" when it can not present it right. All it needs is to be able  to move center of rail/baluster to the center of wall it pointing.  To make it code compliant without rail on the other side, there is S connector required to upper rail to get it continuous. The video about new features clearly shows the issue and I'm surprised CA let it go. Isn't it all about presentation we are after. To draw construction plans Chief 10 (not X10) was ok.

I am glad it is not just me who is frustrated trying to center a stair rail on a wall end. I wonder how hard it would be to simply be able to select a section of rail and be able to numerically shift it in or out?

On 1/7/2020 at 10:46 AM, TheKitchenAbode said:

Personally I would like to see CA offer a monthly subscription program. Forget the annual SSA fee, just charge say $40 per month and be done with it. I think they loose out on potential ongoing revenue as every time their SSA is due for renewal many users evaluate whether or not the new release features are worth the $550 cost. On a monthly subscription fee this yearly evaluation would be eliminated. For new potential users this would eliminate the possible price shock of $3,000, it's just say $95/month. Many software companies have realized that this is the best way to go and now focus their efforts on promoting subscription based services.

But isn't that what the "rental" cost (rent to own) is already offering? Perpetual renting has been realized as a better revenue stream, not necessarily what is best for the customers. I feel the rent to own of CA is as things should be. After the program is paid off, one can decide to continue with monthly SSA, which covers those who prefer a sub.

On 1/7/2020 at 8:38 AM, lbuttery said:

I think $3,000 price scares off some customers

 

I they can get software focused on the job they do they might go for a lower cost

 

why would a landscaper buy Chief? if they don't do new construction or remodels etc

 

break Chief into its 3 or 4 major components - yet continue to offer Premier for those who want it all

 

Lew

I tend to agree with this. It would be akin to Adobe's creative suite. If you could not obtain photoshop, or illustrator, without buying the whole bundle, a lot less people would be able to work in just the specific fields that go into publications. Of course Adobe lost me as an upgrader (past CS4) due to the subscription model. I am a fan of perpetual licensing, not so much as a sub.

22 hours ago, GeneDavis said:

Have you used the HELP function in Chief, that explains all the features of the window spec dialog, and then tried things out, changing settings to see results?

 

If not, then why not start now?

The help function brings up the very same information I am looking at in this 5 pound manual I have already been looking at and spent a chunk of change on. I figured out that the setting I need to adjust is the frame's inset.

One of the issues with the existing windows is that they are nearly flush (the upper, static window pane) with the exterior. Doesn't appear to be away to reduce that excess frame in CA without also losing the frame from the interior side of the frame.

Updated attempt after quite a bit of settings poking:

10 minutes ago, joey_martin said:

In the pictures you show, those windows are most certainty mulled together. They are simple butted with a mulling kit. Set Chief to have 0" separation and you can achieve the same thing.

 

EDIT: Probably arrived to the job site factory mulled.

Ah, separation then. Looks to of gotten rid of that part of the question.

9 minutes ago, solver said:

Looks to be what I am going for. How are the windows themselves moved outward?

See attached. I am trying to get rid of the framing between the window sections, and also to "push" the windows themselves outward toward the exterior, as seen in the photos.

combinedwindows.plan

I am trying to wrangle X11 into combining windows into single units and I am either missing something obvious or the tools available are severely lacking. Attached are window units I am attempting to replicate. Some have hung windows in the middle with fixed narrow windows on the ends. The other has fixes windows on the ends and 2 casement in between.

As you can see there is no frame between the window sections beyond hardware, so simply mulling individual units does not cut it. I need the units to be combined within a single frame, such that window treatments can be within the frame.

Edit: If only a window unit could be manipulated with options akin to how cabinets are configured. Choosing horizontal/vertical separations, what each section of the unit is (hung, double hung, fixed, sizing, etc)

Am I missing an obvious setting?

Weird. I've done no exterior beyond the ground. (and the home itself of course)

Seems that fabric shades are the issue.

I think I figured out a somewhat decent compromise, by making it opaque, yet giving it a 250 emissive value so it appears to be lit from behind and cast the resulting diffused light beyond it.

Ack, looks somewhat decent in physically based camera mode, but like hot garbage in standard. And if I place it in front of a window, the exterior seen through the window shows right through the lamp's shade. Egads.

4 minutes ago, solver said:

 

Yes -- Copy to user library and make your changes.

The transparency of that original lampshade is a default of 3%. Does that seem right, judging by the first screenshot? Anything above opaque translucency is showing up as if it is 100% translucent.

2 minutes ago, solver said:

Use the Adjust Material Definition tool.

 

Ah, there it is. In "Plan Materials" I can edit it. (I imagine I can probably change it permanently as well)

Thanks!

51 minutes ago, DougMaddox said:

Hi CA

 

Try opening the fixture, materials (globe), properties and adjust "translucency" setting.  Can not find the "Ulna" fixture however, so didn't try that particular one.  If that doesn't work, try changing material of globe to "glass white" which can be adjusted.

Doug,

There is a "Shade" component in the materials tab, but no globe and no properties tab for it.

Have been placing some lamps, sconces and such. Noticed a number of them seem to have little to no transparency. I have gone to the materials tab, and while I can select a different material entirely, I cannot seem to be able to find where I would adjust the transparency of the material. In the attached example, I placed the default "Ulna" floor lamp. Not only can you clearly see the bulb, but also the metal socket and shade support through the shade. The light cast on the wall seems unobstructed by the shade.

This is likely something very simple that I am overlooking.

Thanks, Alaska. Not quite at the point where I know of creating/modifying symbols though.

Really hoped this was an option somewhere that I had forgotten to checkmark. Again, the software has trained my brain to expect things to just "work". 

Tooling around with more of the tutorial and am running up against another oddity. When a knob is in the "recessed" part of a drawer face or door of a cabinet, the knob "floats" at the distance it would exist if located on the frame of the door/drawer:

Shows in camera views as well as renders as floating, and the shadow falls as one would expect with a floating object:

Is there a setting I am missing? I am getting a little used to allowing CA to do it's thing (most often it "just does" what needs to happen.). Even more odd, it shows in the tutorial text's pictures as floating as well.

This is in X11.

56 minutes ago, Archnot-Boltz said:

I don't understand that. I thought the Beta had an expiration date when the final version comes online? BB

Here's what I was told in chat:

Quote

It looks like your payment just went through today and in order to have access to the beta you would need active SSA through the end of march. If you call our Sales Department we can charge your card for the month of march now giving you access to the beta

Which makes me wonder how anyone at all has SSA through the end of march. Isn't SSA month to month for everyone?

My rent to own with SSA is current up through march, should I not be able to see the early update option in my digital locker?

edit: Bummer, beta unavailable unless SSA is paid through end of march.

Maybe this will be addressed in X11.

Received an email offer to buy out my rental for a discount, so I suspected X11 will be right around the corner. With tne beta announcement it appears I was right.

22 hours ago, Randino said:

I too was working through the tutorial and discovered the same problem. I read through the post and I'm confused. I unchecked the pony wall option and the stairs created an opening, But when I convert to pony wall the opening does not extend through the top creating a square hole. what did you do to fix?

Tech support were going to look into it, but hasn't been resolved. I simply changed it to a railing to get past the issue. Was unable to get it to work as described. Followed up via the contact I made previously via email but never got a response to see if it was resolved.

Tutorial Guide.

Just now, Kbird1 said:

Auto Porch foundations were an upgrade in X10 but I am not sure they work in all circumstances?

A couple screenshots early in the text appeared to be X9. I noticed the auto porch foundation box (unchecked), but figured the tutorial was just getting me up to speed with doing it manually.