SNestor

Ross - I don't think you'd have any issues...give it a try on a project that isn't that important. I believe Chief works across platforms seamlessly.... There are probably others on this forum that know better...I don't use any windows products currently.

My iMac is 5+ years old and still works just fine for creating plans in Chief...a new iMac would be faster but not a whole lot faster. Apple computers are expensive but they work. I don’t believe a new Mac Pro will really run Chief any faster than a much lower cost iMac. I’m waiting for the next generation iMac...which should come out in a year or so. Hopefully...

I made a couple videos about pony walls and plan views a while ago...might help somewhat.

Manual only. You could use auto dimension and then edit...but that is probably as much work as just putting the dimensions where you want them.

Maybe use the wall corner edit tool? Or if you painted this material on...then you may have to open the wall DBX and go to the material tab...click on the material and check the “use default material” box.

You are correct! Hadn't thought of that...

Draw the existing plan. Save it as "existing". Now open it and save the plan as "new"...or proposed. Simplify the plan view to just walls/doors/windows....create a "Cad detail from View"....go the this view....select all, change the lines to dashed, change the color to a light gray, block the entire plan and save the block in you library (not really necessary...but, if you ever want to see the existing plan it's quick to grab out of the library...you can always delete it when you are done) Place the block into your "new" plan....put it on it's own layer...something like "Cad, plan existing"...make sure to set the layer to the "back". Now you can change walls/windows/doors/cabinets to your hearts desire. In X11 you can use a reference set and just reference the "existing plan"...there are videos Chief has on the subject.

Unless you have no other way to control a wall height...then grab it and pull it down. However, this is not a very good practice. Rooms control wall heights...if possible create a "room" using invisible walls and then change the room height. This of course will change the ceiling height also...which you may not want...but, you can just adjust the ceiling height in the room DBX. My two cents...

Bob...this is just a quick idea...but, I created the cloud ceiling using invisible walls to make small rooms and then set the ceiling in each room to be a shelf ceiling. The black ceiling is just a thin layer added to the room ceiling layer...and the black on the walls above was created by using "pony walls". You could also use a very thin molding to add the black paint to the walls above the cloud ceiling. Just an idea. Someone smarter than me will have to clarify...but, if you use a ceiling plane under a room ceiling...I believe the lower "cloud" ceiling plane will delete/replace the room ceiling in that area...so, not sure using a ceiling plane will work. Maybe the plane can be manipulated in the structure panel to work...I haven't got time to try this right now. Plan attached so you can see what i did. Good luck. Bob's Cloud Drop Ceiling.plan

It's not your MAC...it's understanding how Chief handles the display of pony walls. Plan Views as I recall are the key. Here is a video I made a while back...hope it clears things up for you.

Lane... I did a couple of videos on this topic a while back...you might want to watch this one.

Bill...that is a creative solution. Thanks! Not sure that will get me exactly what I want...but it's close enough to start a conversation!

Is there a way to create either a window or door symbol where the bottom is arched...I want to create an arched bottom transom over an arched door. I've given it a try...without much luck. Seems creating custom window symbols in Chief is hit or miss...but, I may not know what I'm doing...so, there's that. Thanks... Complex example of what I'm trying to do...I just want a clear glass arched top/bottom transom.

You might check out my videos on dormers...this is an oldie but covers a lot. Hope it helps...dormers can be quite frustrating.

Check your floor finish in each box (room)...they are different. I set them to default and the sill disappeared on the one box where it was displaying...

Genius!

I knew about the smoothing angle but forgot to make the edit....thanks so much for your help!

Is there anything I can do to either reduce or eliminate the lines the column moldings are producing in vector view? I did convert the curve to a polyline...and divided the circle into very small parts...but it doesn't seem to help. Any ideas would by great. Thanks. Here's a couple pics...a sample plan is attached also. (Column Molding in Vector View.plan)

I’ve done a few videos on Dormers...maybe one will help you out.

Excellent work!

It's really easier just to use both a room molding polyline and a 3D molding polyline and combine them at the floor. Trying to bend a 3D molding is a pain. So...I made a quick video. Maybe it'll help someone.

Perry - thanks. I never knew that. Everyday I learn something new.

I just think it's all in the execution...I doubt there is any issue with the software. I drew a rafter tail is section...made the polyline match the roof pitch. Drew the tail design. Then, copied and rotated it so it was "level"...no longer at an 8/12 pitch. Saved the tail design as a molding into the library. I then selected this tail in the roof DBX and changed a few setting so that the fascia was plumb and attached a gutter.

This view (see picture) was created by using the 3D Floor Overview camera, then selecting 3D/View Direction/Top View; Then I used the cross section slider to cut down into the view...then I applied the "line drawing" technique. Yes...placing room labels and sizes...and dimensions gets a little complicated. I added text to this screen shot using Snagit...so, that's a possibilty.

Just Create a new Annotation Set and Layerset...it's that simple. Layersets control what is displayed...Annotation Sets control the color, size, font, of all text objects.