SNestor

Well...that was simple. Holy cow... Thanks Michael!

Believe me...I really no idea how to explain to anyone how to ray trace. With me it's just trial and error. I don't know how to create or use bump or normal maps...and I only use Chief. But...I think a ray trace like the attached would be good enough to help sell a job to a client. I wish I knew more...but, ray tracing is time consuming and I only do these for my own enjoyment and training...or, if a client really needs something to help them understand a final design. Here is one of my latest...all Chief. Basic settings. For me...I think adjusting the sunlight makes the biggest impact. But...keep in mind, I don't know what I'm doing.

I watched a Chief video this morning about their recommended method to save "versions" of a plan...it was interesting. I was wondering if those of you who use the software regularly use this method....or not. My method has been to just save a file with a version designation...but, I do like the tracking ability of the CA recommended method. What do you all think? Here is the video...https://www.chiefarchitect.com/videos/watch/1951/file-management-sharing-collaborating.html?playlist=81

I have a wall between a bedroom and a bathroom where the wall is only 9' tall...but open above. The vaulted ceiling travels over the wall into the bathroom. If I designate this wall as "no located"...then the vaulted drywall ceiling above works fine, but I lose my room definition. Plan attached: Nestor House Plans X9.plan

Mike, For the "exercise"...I worked on your plan. Take a look. Maybe it will help. It's a nice elevation... Rancher (056) v05.plan

See my signature...specs are listed. My MAC is 2 years old...so, not sure it's the same today. But my MAC works fantastically with Chief.

I didn't construct the dormer...but this should get you started. David Michael has got it right. I built the roof manually....I just find it easier than messing with auto build. Also...I didn't not change the plan...but to get the house to look like the "plan"...you will have to make some changes to the porch etc. Rancher (056) v05.plan

Just FYI...it appears that the front porch should extend out in front of the garage face. You have the porch wall and the garage wall aligned. It will be difficult to create the look shown in the attached PDF. So..I think you will need to modify the floor plan. Maybe I'm wrong...others may chime in.

Turn "OFF" the "Framing, Wall" layer...in the Camera View set...weird. But, it works. Thanks Michael...(I would have never figured that out)

I'm wondering why sometimes I don't see the "fir framing" when I'm working in the wall dialogue box (this walls happens to be the OOB Interior-4 wall)....see pic attached. Do I have to have the "framing, wall" layer turned on in the layerset being used?

Michael...thanks so much for taking the time. That was very helpful. It's weird...to get the software to build a ceiling (and not a floor) in the garage...a space with no ceiling dividing the two areas was required. Now...I bet that isn't in the manual. Thanks for pointing out that I needed a "bearing" line to clean up that weird intersection. I had no idea why that was being created... Final pic...

Michael...I gave your method a shot. No luck.. I did get the cantilevered floor to build correctly...but only if I specify that the garage has no ceiling. I cannot figure out how to NOT get the 2x10 floor joists to build in the garage ceiling area. The area above the ceiling is not a defined room...so, I'm not sure where the software is getting this specification. This is the kind of stuff that I guess is just easier to do manually...

I have another question related to the same plan... Can one of you gurus tell me how to frame the 2nd floor where it cantilevers into the garage. Why won't auto framing put a rim joist under the cantilevered wall? I put a "bearing line" under this wall...but that doesn't work. Any ideas? Maybe I just have to frame something like this manually?

Maybe someone could do a video on this topic. I have generally built boxed/bay windows manually...but, it's difficult to say the least. At least for me...I'm no guru. I hadn't realized that the "box window" tool was so limiting. Thanks for posting Joey...learned something new...again.

I'm not using "trusses"...it's all stick framing. I was using 3 1/2" rafters because this job is going to use Trusses...just haven't gotten to the point of putting the trusses in. All that is showing is "auto roof framing"... BTW...I've watched your framing color videos...and remember you talking about the "soffit" controlling colors...but in all honesty, I don't remember the how or why. Also...I learned all this from your videos...which are required viewing by all those new to Chief. Believe me...you will/can learn a lot.

The "mud sill" width is controlled by the foundation wall...but, the location of this "mud sill" is centered on the wall above...as Alaskan_Son stated this sill plate is then centered on the "main layer" of the wall above it. This behavior is "dumb"....but it is what it is. The options are to change the mud sill width to something wide...like 6" or 8"...it will then align correctly...but, it won't appear correct...and it won't flow to a material list correctly. Therefore...the solution is redefine the wall definition as the Alaskan_Son pointed out above...or manually fixing it. Or...just make the mud sill wider as Scott suggested and live with it. Scott mentioned that I didn't use different colors for my rafters/trusses etc. I really hadn't messed with the roof...but, attached is how it could look. White is 2x4 rafters, purple is 2x6 rafters. Orange is 2x6 ceiling joists. I wouldn't normally frame the roof this way...it's just an example of what you can do. Also, I named the materials specifically so that when they flow to a material list (if I ever need to have a material list) each item would be specifically called out...as opposed to a general material like "Fir Framing".... I've never used a material list...so, I cannot say with great knowledge that my strategy actually works....someone may chime in to let me know. Thanks guys for helping me out.

Here is the plan...the wall is between the laundry and the garage... House_Plan_Ex_-_Wall_Plate.plan

I have gone through the wall definition...to no avail. Changed the wall type to OOB "Fire-6"...reframed...same result. Below are pics of the wall definition...which is basically an OOB Interior-6.

I have a 2x6 wall that separates the house from the garage...when I build the auto build the framing it places a 2x4 sill plate under the wall on top of the foundation but the plate is aligned to the inside of the wall. I've tried flipping the wall from interior to exterior...that doesn't work. Is this just a quirk in the software or is it user error? It's no big deal to fix it...just pull it over into the correct location...but, every time you rebuild the framing it moves it back to the incorrect location.

Thanks guys...both methods work but I like Scott's method a little better because choosing "General Framing" puts the item on a "Cad, Framing" layer...and the "beam" method puts it on the "Framing, floor beams" layer...which works better for me. But...both ideas are great and helped me learn something this morning. Thanks much!

Is there a way to manually draw a flat 2x4 plate? I know I can create a plate using a P-Solid...but, is there a way to do this using a framing tool? Thanks

Thanks Joe...I had not seen that menu item. Appreciate the help!

Never mind...I figured it out. I had placed a door from the "coachman Collection"...and then I tried to replace the door using the "door dbx"...clicking "library". Well...that does not work. In order to use the panels as a garage door...just click on the panel you want and place the door into the wall. Voila! Works as designed....

How do you use these garage door panels? They are individual panels...do you have to use them to create a new door "door symbol"? When you select one to be the garage door...it becomes one single "distorted" panel...not a multi-panel as you would suspect it would. - Is there a simple raised panel garage door in the library? I can't seem to find one.

I have a Mac with Sierra. X8 worked well...just installed X9 - so haven't used long enough to know for sure...but, so far no problems. Scott Hall has a Mac...don't believe he's had problems. He may chime in.