4hotshoez

It is true. I do like to complain... Nevertheless, the settings on my computer or resolution must be set different. Yet nearly all videos will stretch out to the full screen. This one does not, which is frustrating because it is an excellent video. It was this video that convinced me to seriously consider CA. After watching it I felt that I could almost know the program. But I cannot see what they are clicking on. I have a Mac Mini and the display is set to 1040p. When I expand it to full screen, the video sets in the upper left quarter of the screen. If you say it works on your I will experiment more. I noticed that there are two locations for the video, which are presented differently. One is 55 min. while the other has a side menu to select chapters in the video (this one was the problem). BTW, Joe Carrick, my background is commercial architect. I am transitioning to residential on my own. I know Autocad (27 years), Archicad (7 years), Sketchup (sporadically). Joedesign30, Softplan might be great software, but the training manual is over 700 wordy pages and the videos sound like they are narrated from the 60's and will put you to sleep in 10 minutes with long periods of silence while they move the mouse around on the screen. Also, Softplan has settings hidden away in many places. So far it has not been a positive experience learning Softplan. I am leaning toward CA. Thank you all for the links. This forum is one other good reason to consider CA.

The Overview video is almost good enough to learn from except on my computer the video is so tiny that I cannot see the icons of the text on the screen. It will not go full screen. I am considering the user manual as my guide first time through. Nevertheless, CA should present that as an option for learning too. I stumbled upon that on my own by poking around. I prefer videos as they tend to be faster than reading. I think that 90% of the videos in the "Trial Version Videos" is useless to a new user. "Home Designer" videos may work for the basics, but it is a different program isn't it? Why are not the Chief training videos free too? And why is there no drop dead easy way to have them in front of the new user? It would seem that all of this is just a small step away from being simple as all the parts are almost in place. Why stop short of doing it better? This is my challenge to CA, because I am almost convinced that CA software is better than the competitors, but I am a busy "Joe business person" and need quick and easy info to make a choice. CA, you are not far from making it happen. Get it together and make it happen.

But there should be an simple "Getting Started" video as the first thing any new user would see when opening CA. That should discuss the interface and basic drawing of a shed or something. But the "Trial Version" collection of videos is more of a random sample of videos. For example, what would a new user want to know about "Adding Ridge Caps to Roofs" when they have never drawn a wall yet? Why should a new user have to Google Youtube videos and sort through stuff that is five years old to learn the basics. The basics should be free and on CA website or obtainable from the start window of CA. Thanks for all the great help and links, but CA is failing on this one big time. I am trying to make a purchase choice. The more I time have to search the internet for basic help, the less time I am productive. And more likely I will fall back to what I am familiar with. Am I wrong in saying all this? Have I misunderstood what I have been seeing so far? Are you (CA) interested in new customers? BTW, how much does training cost and is it worth paying or is the free online stuff adequate?

I just downloaded Chief Trial version on my Mac to see if it worth my time, but where is free training to help me evaluate it? I tried a link that was given in email, but after making an account I got a message that means nothing to me accept that I cannot see the training video. Message: "Sorry, you need SSA to play this video." I do not know what SSA means, but I could guess it cost money. What is the point of "free" trial software without some sort of free trial training to go with it? At this point I am not ready to pay for evaluation/training until I know more about how it feels. Any other options for learning where to start? I want to know how easy CA is to learn. So far not so easy. Sketchup has loads of free training available, which helps to sell the product. Hint-hint. I am also evaluating Softplan, which has really BAD training material, which also gets in the way of making a sale.