4hotshoez

The trial version does not allow drag and drop. But it did show a plus sign when I tried. Must be disabled. Does the import keep its textures and colors and scale and layers?

Sketchup has an enormous, ever-growing library called the 3D Warehouse (https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/?gclid=CjwKEAjwpcGfBRDni__JqrTIqx4SJAB9BpSOq2ea69HYrlDCoql_jdmGElORPGMW2MeUZd0gJBX8iBoC7T7w_wcB) I have been told that Chief will import such models such as cars and furniture. Any body tried yet?

Thanks Lew. This was what I needed.

Or any 3D files like .3DS or .DAE or .VRML? How about a web link that gives all of Chief's accepted import/export file formats?

What about through Sketchup?

I know that some users have both Softplan and Chief. What is the best way to transfer a project file between the two? Assuming that you can. Because I would like to propose our office to transition from Softplan to Chief Architect, but I need to offer some assurance that the to can communicate if needed. Like for an old project.

What does SSA stand for?

1. If I purchase a copy of Chief, can I use that same license at home and at work on different computers? 2. What is SSA? 3. Is there a model viewer for Chief for clients or contractors? Thanks

What is this "Viewer" and where can I get info on it? I have been looking for it but I see not links.

OK, from what I am hearing from you all is fairly consistent despite your uncertainty. For a committed, dedicated user it should take about two weeks to get through basic training with a simple project to work with. Then that person should feel pretty comfortable getting around Chief and know most things within a month. Then to become a strong user that can deal with some of the unique feature with ease and be quite proficient producing designs and documents within 2 to 3 months. Anything after that depends how far the user wants to go or what type of projects are done on Chief. Does this seem like a fair assessment of the comments so far?

They don't grab what you need while sticking to stuff I don't want. Is there a setting for this or a key combination? At times I am trying to run a string of dimensions across a room but it grabs wing walls. At times I do want the wing walls or whatever and it wont. What is the trick? There must be one or two. I know it is about proximity, but I want control. Thanks, Todd

Should I be considering a 2D cad program for details or does Chief have good tools?

If you were to hire a new person, how long is a reasonable range of time you might allow to produce the first project from knowing nothing through learning with help to completion? Hours? Days? Weeks? or Months?

I tried some stuff and it worked satisfactorily. I found an intersection clean up tool and moved a few grips, but this was after moving the interior wall over a few inches to line up with the corner to remove the bump. But then I had a vertical strip of 2x4 showing in the wall surface. That is when the wall intersection tool helped. Glad to know it is possible to clean up with out too much trouble.

BTW, I am finding Chief to be fairly easy since it is very similar to Archicad in concept. And the other people know Softplan fairly well.

I would like to get a rough idea of how much time is need to learn Chief before someone is able to put together a residential design with with normal construction methods and then produce plans (Site, Foundation,1st, & 2nd floor, roof) building section and wall section, elevations and a few schedules. I am talking about learning and not time to produce. I realize the learning never stops, but I need something to go on to share with the company. Thanks, Todd

I started at the corner that is causing trouble. One exterior wall is 6" stud and the other is 4"stud with brick. While the interior wall is 4" stud.

CA X6 trial version on Mac OS. I don't think the trial version will allow me to send a plan file because I cannot save. I am just learning still. But I would like to know if there is a fix or work around. I have the screen shot now.

I have two different wall types meeting on an inside corner where an interior wall intersects. But the interior wall does not connect properly unless exterior material are the same. I tried making them the same then changing them back after the interior wall is properly placed, but the exterior wall jumps over as shown in the screen shot. Is there a work around for this problem? How do I show images/attachments?

Joe and Barton, It is the browser. Just tried both pages of the overview video on Firefox (does not work) compared to Safari (does work) on my Mac OS.

I have been interested in knowing the differences between Softplan and Chief. I Googled for a softplan forum, because that is no link readily available to the forum and it is http://splash.softplansplsh.org/members/dcforum/dcboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=100. It is archaic and like a ghost town as many post go unanswered and might get a post once a week. It does not look healthy. I do not mean to be critical of the other company. I was just making an observation to help make a choice.

This is a valuable discussion for me. I would like to hear more from Softplan users and even better, from Archicad users. I get a sense that Chief is very similar to Archicad. Is that right? I went from ACAD 1 to 2000 then to Archicad 5 to 9. Archicad was a steep learning curve but not nearly as steep as ACAD was when I started using it in the 80's. I use to train people to use ACAD, so I know the frustrations people had. I spent 6 hours (so far) learning Softplan and got further by just playing with Chief for less than an hour. The learning curve is not as steep for Chief as ACAD or Archicad was. Does anyone else have a similar experience to compare? I would love to know if there are any former Archicad users lurking. I loved that program, which had its quirks, but much better quirks than ACAD.

Amazing! I go an run some errands and look at all the great help I get.

In most drawing programs, CAD or otherwise, the sequence for drawing is click-release-drag-click-release, which is what I am use to. While trying CA for the first time I noticed that it is not so easy to get used to CA's sequence for drawing, click-hold-drag-release. It is less "action", but I find myself having to erase little stub walls created by my click-release method. My question is, is there a setting that can change this input method to the "Autobad" method?

The overview video found at http://video.chiefarchitect.com/?playlist=39 does expand to full screen, although a little fuzzy. But the same video found at http://video.chiefarchitect.com/overview/premier/ does NOT expand to full screen, which is the one I first viewed. I like the chapter menus on the side. In any case the video presentation is very well done and is nearly capable of being a full training video as well as a promotional video.