SNestor

Perry...yes, you can control the line weight of the layer "roofs, trim"...but, this does not change the weight of the board that the gutter attaches to (called a gutter board in my area of the country).... Also, if you use "shadow boards"...which you define in the roof dialogue, I don't see a way to control the weight of that item either. However, it's the weight of "patterns" in vector view that really has me pissed off. I know how to change the weight...and the color of these lines, but if you turn "color off"...then there is a default color and weight that appears. I think... I've beaten this horse to death...I think I'm going to call Chief tomorrow...and get one of their gurus to tell me what I'm missing. Thanks again for responding and trying to help me out with this issue. It may be I'm just too dense...

I don't know of a "special" layer (or layerset) that will control the line weight of the gutter board fascia or shadow boards...if you know how to accomplish this let me know. Same goes for material pattern lines in vector view/color off. Does not seem to be a way of changing the color or the line weight. If color is "ON"...then there is control. The Chief Example plans always have the elevations sent to layout in "COLOR"...is this typical? Upon close inspection of Joey's elevation...it does appear that he is using CAD LINES to emphasize the rake fascia and gutter boards. Maybe that's the answer...but, seems like a lot of work...and if the plan changes there goes a lot of work down the drain.

Michael...yes, refreshed views. I know where to edit the lines/colors of materials. However, the lines do not change if you have "color off". See attached. Thanks again for taking the time to help me out...very much appreciated. This exercise has at least helped me to get a better understanding of things... - What's typical: Elevations in vector view sent to layout with "color off"? Live view, update on demand? These are the settings I'm using. I've attached an example of an elevation produced by Joey Martin (an expert...). Notice that his fascia boards on the gable ends have thicker lines. Also the light pattern fill of the roofing. I have a feeling Joey used a "fill pattern" to get this look. Which means you have to change the material definition from "shingle" to maybe "Area"? Maybe Joey will chime in and fill us all in.

Perry, My pattern lines are black. I edited the lines of the brick and siding material...and changed the line color to a light gray. Nothing changed. I gather that Chief just defaults to black when "color off" is selected. I changed the preference to "gray scale" when "color off". Nothing changed with "color off". What am I missing?

Michael...thanks so much for the tips...and taking the time to respond. Very much appreciated. The info provide helps a lot...but not completely. I've been experimenting with line weights and elevations...and unless I'm missing something, there really isn't much control, especially of the pattern line weight and color in vector views. If I'm wrong...please, someone enlighten me. You can control the line weight via the layer set of "roof planes"...you can make the line thicker so the roof is bolder, same for walls, windows and doors...and related casing. If your elevation is set to "line weights on", "color off", and you send it to layout via "live view, update on demand"...then you don't really have control of the pattern color or weight. Pattern line weight can be controlled via the material definition DBX. Also...knowing what layer turns material patterns on and off in elevation views is not transparent. I only discovered the layer via trial and error - turning layers on and off. It took me a while to learn that "Patterns, 3D views" is the secret layer that turns on your siding and brick and roof patterns. In hindsight...it seems logical, but the "3D" was confusing...since my elevation view wasn't "3D". Also...if you change the line weight of this layer...it doesn't seem to have any affect on the pattern. I'm not sure what it does...maybe it controls the line weight in plan view. I have no idea. Things I haven't found a way to adjust... - Fascia boards - Shadow boards The BIG question is...why is this so confusing. Also, why doesn't CA have a tutorial video on sending elevations to layout with different techniques that shows the relationship between layers, layer sets, line weights etc. It would help. I can't be the only one struggling to learn this... Attached are two views showing the gable edge of a roof plane. In one view (close in) you see a normal gable edge line. In the next view...just a couple click further back, you see another gable edge view...only this time you see the "shadow board" on the gable end. There is no way to turn this layer off. The only way to get this line off of this view is to delete the shadow boards. Is this a quirk with the software...or is there a way to control this line/object that I'm missing.

Ok...I'm still messing around with line weights, layersets and elevations. Perry stated that he controls all line weights via a specific layerset...ok, that's what I've done. I created a specific layerset for "Elevations". I specifically edited all the weight to be in the range I want them. However, "patterns" related to materials (brick, roofing, siding) are not controlled by layersets. These have to be edited in the specific material DBX. However, I did that...but it doesn't really change the line weight (with color off). At least for me it didn't. I've attached two pics. The first is the view I get in layout...heavy lines...kine of blurry, which I gather is ok because it does clear up when I print to PDF. I've also attached the PDF printout of the elevation from layout. - I'd like to know how to make the lines of the FRIEZE thicker/bolder. How do you do that? - How do you control the edge line weight of the roof planes? Is it the weight you assign to the "roof planes" layer in the layerset that controls this? - Patterns...those lines controlled by materials. I have no idea how to control the color or weight when you turn color off. I sent the view to layout using "Live View"...update on demand. Any tips or clues would be greatly appreciated.

Michael...thanks. I would have never thought of that...probably like a lot of folks. I love this forum...sure makes my job much easier.

Scott...that did the trick. Thanks. Actually...I'm not sure I want to do this anyway...but, just wondered if it was possible...and if so, how to make it happen. I did have to change "Display Options" to "Draw Reference Floor First"...in order to get the 2nd floor roof to sit on top of the lower roof plane. Not sure why...but it works .

Is there a layer of setting that can be turned on to allow the roof fill pattern to show via a REF SET? Basically...I have a two story home...roof planes on both the 1st floor level and 2nd floor level. I'd like to show the roof fill pattern in the roofs that are on the 1st floor level. I know I can move the lower level roofs "UP"...then I wouldn't need a "REF SET" to see the roof planes...but, is there a way to achieve the same without moving the roof planes? Thanks... Here's a pic...

Perry...thanks, I know how to control most line weights...it's the patterns in vector views I'm wondering how to control. Also...does it matter if show line weights is on or off when you send a view to layout?

Michael...yes that helped. So...just to confirm things. There is no way to pre-define the line weights of materials like roofing, siding or brick in vector views? These lines are material "patterns" correct? And...you cannot change the color? What about the line weight of something like "Facia" or "Frieze" boards....can these be controlled? Attached is the material DBX for a siding material. What does the line weight field in this DBX control? I've entered large numbers in this field to test things....but I never really see any difference. Thanks again... Sorry...one more thing. Should "line weights" be on before the view is sent to layout...or does it matter?

Regarding elevations sent to layout. What controls the line weight (in vector view) of the line patterns that create the siding, brick or stone, roofing...etc. How do you control the color of these items...and the weight. Do these items have a specific layer assigned to them...or, do you define these properties in the material dialogue box? Therefore...once you define a material...the line weight for the material (such as roofing) is fixed...and cannot be changed? I typically send my elevation views to layout using vector views...and I know I can control line weights via the specific layer set...but for the life of me I cannot figure out how to control the lines for materials. Thanks!

To eliminate the line in Vector View...all I had to do was adjust the material definition using the "rainbow" tool. I adjusted the "vertical position"...moving the brick down 1.5"...and BOOM...the line was gone. Not sure why...but it's fixed and that's all I needed. So...if you ever encounter this...start with the "pattern" in the "material definition" dialogue box. Make a small adjustment to the "vertical or horizontal position". It may take trial and error to find the correct amount of movement needed to "fix" the line issue. Before: After:

Wondering why I get this line showing in vector view where the brick on the gable wall meets the wall below? The two walls are aligned...I checked this. Is this typical...or is there something I can do about it? Let me know if I need to post the plan to get a good answer to this question... Also...regarding Vector Views. When I'm in a camera view with the Vector View setting...and I turn a layer on or off...the screen re-draw is kind of like a movie...it fades in or out depending on what I've done. Is this normal behavior? Also...is it correct that the vector view would be slower than standard view when scrolling on screen? Thanks!

Great info Richard. Thanks.

Richard - Thanks for your comments. The thing is...I don't want to keep my "standard" notes and detail plans in the same directory as the JOB.plan file and JOB.layout files. I would prefer to keep them in a separate directory...like Joe suggested...in my documents directory...or, maybe out on DropBox. I don't intend to have a specific JOB NOTES.plan file in one of my job folders. Although, I can see I may need a specific JOB NOTES.plan file...so, I think the key is to name the "general notes plan" something like GENERAL NOTES.plan...and the specific job notes file...JOB NOTES.PLAN. This way I can link both files to the layout...without confusion? Yes? Feel free to comment...I can't say with any certainty I know what I'm talking about. I will be experimenting over the next few days as time permits...so, I'll know more in a week or so.

I think every cross section and detail has been created from a "Cad Detail". It appears to me that section cameras were sent to a "Cad Detail From View"...then edited (made to look better?) and then sent to layout. As such, these views aren't "live"...which might be ok if you knew 100% there wouldn't be any further changes made. Based on the limited responses...I gather this set of plans really isn't typical? And...not very interesting to most people. I personally like the overall look of the plans...the 3D renderings and framing perspectives...I think things like this can make your product stand out in the "design/drafting" world...maybe not. Of course you still have to find a client willing to pay you adequately for such workmanship - and that may be the bigger problem.

I have been watching the videos Chief put together concerning the "Grandview Plans" they created. The plan set is impressive...good use of the 3D capabilities Chief has. Also, the details are very nicely drawn using color fills to enhance the details. First question: - I'm wondering how much you would charge to create a similar plan set...I realize the cost will vary depending on where you work. Or...better yet, how many hours should it take to create a similar plan set once the design work is complete? The Chief plan set is extensive...and impressive. Very well detailed. Second question: -Does this set of plans represent the type of plans you typically put together for your clients? I ask...because it seems to me to be a bit of overkill...but, maybe not. I'm wondering if your builder clients would want to pay for a set this detailed. Or...even a more detailed set. Just curious. Thanks.

Thanks for the info...very helpful

Thanks Joe... One more question about other plan files... What do you do with those files when Chief issues a new version of the program? If you open and save them to the new version...what happens to older plans that are linked to them?

Well...thats good news. I wonder if I was the only one who thought that these plan files had to be stored in the same directory as the layout? Thanks for the info Michael.

Question for the gurus... If I create a plan file that includes general plan notes...such as framing notes, roof notes, siding notes, general notes etc. Does this notes plan have to be stored in the same directory as a new job plan set? I know it is suggested that the plan files and it's layout file should typically be saved in the same directory...but what about other plan files, such as a "details plan" or a "sections plan"...that houses just typical drawings. Do these plans have to be located in the same directory with the job base plan and layout? Thanks!

OK...I was unaware of that issue. Scott is right...Chief, fix that.

I feel your pain Perry. However, if you have a job with both conventional and truss roof framing...how can you make both work. Every time you rebuild the roof to make it work for trusses...the conventional roof will also change. If it were me...I'd give the conventional roofs a "fill" or a "line style" and maybe put them on their own layer...then check "retain roof framing"...then go to work on my truss roof. You can always go back and "uncheck" the "retain roof framing" box... How else can you do it? Inquiring minds want to know... Just my two cents...I don't have much experience with "as-built" drawings.

Scott - if you have multiple structures...with different roof types. Why not build the conventional roofs first and then lock those roofs with the "retain roof framing" option. They won't rebuild or move. Then build your truss roofs where they are needed. This method would keep the conventional roofs from "rebuilding". And give you the flexibility to adjust the truss roof condition as needed to get the design the way you want it to look. What do you think?