joedesign30

hardware lock isn't a bad way to go!  Pop it out of the desktop and into the laptop and your sailing!

ibuttery yes I was referring to Revit LT (lite version) which is about $1,200 but geared more towards light commercial.  Having the AutoCAD background I tried it out and its pretty simple to use but just didn't have the residential automation like CA or softplan. 

If you don't have internet connection the yeah a USB key would be the way to go.  Now adays most anyone has internet access unless you live out of town.  AutoCAD licenses everything online now.  Autodesk is making it mandatory to have a subscription otherwise you have to buy the software at full price!! That's crazy.  So if someone buys AutoCAD 2014 and doesn't have a subscription then they have to pay full price for any later version!   I see most software companies going this route in the future which makes sense from a business stand point.

thanks for the input everyone...still on the fence tho lol.   Softplan uses a "usb key" which is sooo old school!  What happens if you loose the usb key? Then your out of commission for a week waiting for snail mail?  Some one the features in softplan like automatic cabinets, speed notes, and custom roofs seemed really cool tho!  I will update in the next few weeks after I try softplan more.

Also there is revit lt which seems like a decent program for around $1,200.  it can do residential or commercial but isn't nearly has automated has CA or softplan.  It wont do framing plans or anything.

The thing I didn't like about chief architect's trial version is that it won't let you save anything and limits you on what tools you can use. If I were you I would try soft plan and really look at that software, seems to be the best residential software out there. Google sketch up seems great but is not geared for residential just to draw a floor plan would take you 10 times as long.

@ gawdzira I have been using the ssa training videos and they are ok ...the help menu is better for finding specific answers to questions.

I tried it for an interior remodel and found it hard to set up layers to show existing demo and new walls then make a demo plan and proposed plan with several different options. Autocad has refs which make life a lot easier. That way you can reference in existing and draw new over the top and create several different files (that reference the existing dwg).

I'm used to the ribbon interface (not tool bars) CA toolbars they seem so small and hard to recognize what they are. Softplan has a ribbon which I liked.

Maybe I'm giving up to early but it was wayyyy hard to learn and I ended up just getting frustrated every time I tried to do drawings.

I've tried chief for several weeks and and frustrated with the lack of cad tools, lack of remodel features (existing, demo, new walls), and the hard to use "user interface". Softplan looks like a better interface and has the features I'm looking for overall. Anyone else have the same problems?

I drew my floor plan and want to change all interior doors to have no casing.  If I change the default setting of interior doors they don't update the existing doors automatically?  how can I get the existing doors to update automatically?

Thanks!

I noticed when I use auto interior dimension there is duplicate dimensions? really annoying? See 2nd pic. Thanks!!

Also Lenovo makes really good computers.  They are cheaper then HP i believe and have really a good reputation.

Brand new to chief - Can someone share a good remodel template with me? Trying to learn how to show existing, demo, and new walls. Watched a few videos but learning :-)

Thanks!!!

newegg has some great deals that's for sure.  I guess I just prefer a desktop (im old fashion) but to me having a full keyboard, mouse, and double screens is more efficient.  I usually meet clients at Starbucks and bring hard copy's to review.

Hi Kbird1, I actually mis-wrote my post, i want to download all the bonus catalog items at once   But i think those may be pick and choose only.

So im new to chief and downloading each section of the core catalog.  is there a way to download everything at once? :-)

-Joe

ok thanks Lew, I will give them a call Monday. 

I press F1 and it pops up menu that says "the page could not be found please make sure that you have all documentation sets installed"

please help :-)

Perry - I misunderstood your last statement, yes you are correct about gaming cards I looked up your cad and its rated #2 on PC magazine.

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2422133,00.asp

Perry - I disagree, Quadro is AutoCAD certified for 3D rendering and either Quadro or Firepro are the only 2 cards they (autodesk) recommends.     

heres how I fixed it: 

1. open Nvidia control panel software
2. manage 3D setting
3. program settings
4. select chief architect

see attached picture for setting I changed. 

I have a Nvidia quadro FX 380 (which is a entry level card).

why laptop?  desktops are SO much cheaper and work better for this kind of work.  You can get a tower for $500 and throw a graphics card in it and your screaming fast.  Laptops everything is size dependent so it drives the cost up.

I open editor to edit a hatch pattern, when I select the drop down menu for a hatch pattern the whole menu disappears - see attached.  Not sure why this is happening.  It reappears if I click in the program.

**fixed*** was a setting on the graphics card (not sure which one) but I went into the quadro program and changed something not having this problem anymore :-)

Thanks for the great responses guys!!

Former autocad user of about 8 years.  Now using chief architect premier X6 (has of monday). 

How do i get a .dwg title block into a chief architect layout?  How would i use my existing autocad block in cheif architect drawings? 

Thanks for the reply guys!  This was my first post on the chief architect forums and i am impressed with the helpful replys. 

I still have a few more questions.  DJP- if i rebuild my foundation then will i loose any interior walls, doors, windows, or stairs i have created in the basement?  Mgabriel - thanks for the heads up.  I was wondering how the walls will align themselves (if its to the exterior siding layer, or to edge of concrete layer etc).

Oh and were is the spell check button on this forum text editor? :-P

New to Chief architect.  I have created a 1 story with finished basement floor plan.  I generated the basement walls from the first floor plan.  Later on in the design i changed the 1st floor wall dimensions slightly.  will the basement footprint update automatically?