SNestor

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.  

6 minutes ago, solver said:

This is one I did for a project. Used the stock image, edited to look how I wanted.

 

 

Nice...but tell us how you accomplish this.  

Thanks...that tip helps!

2 hours ago, joey_martin said:

It's...in my opinion...nowhere near that complicated. In all the years I have used Chief, back to v9, I can probably count on 1 hand how many times I have used the point to point dim tool. Using CNRL D works the best for me.  

What is CNRL D?  

25 minutes ago, BenPalmer said:

What Glenn said.  it's all about the snaps and angles.  however, it would be nice for these to work a little easier, they definitely take getting the right settings.  often times i need to create a dimension between two lines then drag to the home for it to work between a line and the home, since the home's corner is not necessarily parallel to the lines.  good luck.

In a way...it's heartening to know I'm not the only one having trouble with dimensioning a plot plan.  

Thanks everyone for the tips and advice.

Just now, Alaskan_Son said:

We could keep guessing all day long but you'd probably have an accurate answer in mere minutes if you were to just post the plan.

I don't think it's a "plan issue"...I think it's a user (me) issue.  I think Glenn may have nailed it.  It's probably an "angle snap" issue.  I could not get the dim line to snap from the setback line or the property line.  They were parallel.  Just wouldn't snap.  The lines are just simple Cad Lines...so...nothing complex.  

14 minutes ago, glennw said:

Steve

 

Toggle off Angle Snaps.

Just to simplify things, toggle off all other snaps except On Object and Perpendicular Extensions.

Drag an End to End dimension between the 2 lines.

 

The On Object snap ensures you snap to the lines, and the Perpendicular Extensions does just that.  

Think you have figured it out...

Thanks all...I appreciate the help.  

Why don't the dim tools seem to work?  Why can't I just grab the end to end dim tool and get a dimension.  It doesn't even find a place along the line to "select".  

51 minutes ago, JiAngelo said:

That's the simplest answer.   I spent half an hour Sunday trying to verbally outline all the steps,  gave up and just did it in the other half hour.

 

First step is to draw the perimeter per the North/South vectors shown on a survey.  The radius edges will drive you nuts until you've practiced it a few times - I can't explain it,  I just know how to do it.   Then snapshot the Pdf image and paste it into chief.   Then scale it to match the perimeter you drew,  lock the image layer,  copy the perimeter in place a few times,  convert one copy to a terrain,  then draw the elevation splines,  making sure they cross the edges of the terrain.  Add trees and a house.

 

Once you've rotated the entire terrain,  you can draw the house inside the setbacks and chief will auto set the first floor to a standard height.   If you have a walkout,  you can modify the terrain to show it properly as well. 

 

I'd hoped this would save you some frustration and give you something to play with and try to match.  

 

 

 

John - I know how to create the perimeter...just wondered how you created the elevation lines?  Did you just trace the PDF?

Thanks for helping out...

1 hour ago, DRAWZILLA said:

You can use the same tool for perpendicular and it will give you 90d to the other line, as long as it's close to 90d to start

Sorry Perry...you lost me.  What tool?

I should add that I am trying to dimension the site plan in a "Cad Detail" window...maybe that is the problem?

1 minute ago, DRAWZILLA said:

Make sure the lines are parallel using the make parallel tool 

Thanks Perry...the S/B lines are parallel.  Just double checked.  I used concentric mode when I created the setback line...so, they should remain parallel.  

Is there a way to force a dimension type to be "perpendicular"?  Such as using either tab or some other method?  

Good choice...you won't regret it.  

I never used the "Magic Mouse"...as I didn't feel this device would "point" as accurately as is needed when working in Chief.  I purchased a wireless Logitech mouse...it works perfectly...and it's fast.  

Also...I have the slider along the bottom of my Chief window to move the screen horizontally...but Apple does not use the buttons on either end.  I have found that if I need to move the window...I use the arrow keys on the keyboard.  Or...I press down and hold the scroll wheel on the mouse and I can move the page anywhere I want.  

On 2/12/2017 at 10:56 AM, JiAngelo said:

Steve,

 

Here's your plot plan.  It's in Chief X9 Beta.  You can delete the box house I drew on it.  The Audio/Video layer has the image of your PDF locked on it.  You can turn this off/on.  A copy of the initial plot plan and image (minus the elevation data are on a CAD detail named "PLOT".

 

On the plan I added a terrain large enough to include the roadway, then drew elevations 2140', 2132', 2130', 2120', 2110', & 2100'.  The 10's are in blue E/L line type.  The 2132' is red.  Chief's then drew in the 2' natural gradients which closely approximate the lot's fall, but if you want, you can copy and past the 2132' elevation over any of the other PDF elevations and then adjust the spline, adding break points as necessary to get the proper curves.  Remember to open the line and re-enter the correct elevation for any new locations you add.

 

I've drawn a 3 sided fence around the perimeter, a road with a cul-de-sac and for fun I dropped in some trees.  I drew a 1st floor box set of walls so that I could look at the elevation in 3d.  Without the box chief wings it and you'll need a lot of luck to find an empty terrain in 3d view.

 

If you take this plan, unlock the Audio/Video, select all, and open the transform/replicate object tool, you can rotate everything 158d3'0"  (enter that in the rotate angle box.)

This will rotate the lot so that it is facing downward and everything you draw is parallel to the N68d03'0"E front property line.  Meaning the house will directly face the road.  I've shown this in the PLOT cad detail.  you can practice there first.

 

Once you are done drawing the house, you can place a footprint on the PLOT cad detail (turn off the Audio/Video layer) rotate the footprint to match up with the plot plan shown at the true angle, turn on all elevation details and you will have a good representation to place on your layout pages.

 

I've included some isometric views of the lot and a zipped file of the plan.

 

Let me know if this works for you.

 

 

 

MCC28.zip

Thanks for taking the time to work on this...

Did you just trace the lines on the PDF?

How do you dimension the distance between the property line and the setback line?  I can't seem to get any of the dimension styles to "click" onto these lines.  Do I have to draw a perpendicular line and add arrows to the line...and show the dimension?  

Surely I'm missing something simple...

Thanks

6 hours ago, Alaskan_Son said:

Here's a video going over a few pointers that might help you out Kenneth.  It goes over...

• Creating your own custom column library object using a cabinet instead of the pre-made column symbol
• Modifying the pre-made column symbol to work like you want it to. 
• How to dimension to those items that have no plan view snaps by stealing snaps from a CDFV (CAD Detail From View)

 

 

Very helpful...thanks!

6 hours ago, Chopsaw said:

Steve, It is not likely that the surveyor went out of business even if he did not get paid for this particular job.  Also I noticed that the date on the survey is 01/18/17 so it looks like maybe your friend maybe hired him quite recently and has already paid for the services.

Does the name Patrick Barder mean anything to you?

 

And yes if you are absolutely stuck you can trace the PDF but it is a painful process and not likely necessary this time.

 

If you trace then it is your work, and if you import then you can use the surveyor as a reference.

 

Good Luck,

Pat is my friend.  You might be right...I might be able to get the file.  I've asked...we will see.  

Thanks!

Thanks guys...I'm not sure that will work for this job.  It's a lot my friend just purchased in North Carolina.   I will ask him if he can get it.  The subdivision went belly up in 2009...most of the companies are most likely gone.  

Other than getting the topo...do I just trace the major contours?  This job does not require perfection.  

I need to create a site plan for a lot that is on a steep hill.  The only document I have is a PDF topo.  It shows the elevation counters.  

Is there anyway I can import this data?  If not...is there a place I can get the data...such as a local government agency website?  

If not...would I just have to trace the contour lines on the PDF?

Thanks!

LOT 28R - 1741 Grassy Meadow - TOPO Survey.pdf

5 minutes ago, dshall said:

 

This is an interesting suggestion.  Suppose you made the first floor a BALCONEY and the second floor a DECK?

 

What is the difference?  Do the floor joists frame the same?  Take a back clip cross section and study how the floor frames.

 

i think you will find that the floor/deck joist frame differently and you will also notice that if the deck/balconey is lower than the main floor, the wall may frame on upper level or lower level depending on what the lower platform is defined as.....   a deck or a balcony

 

I am sure everybody understands this.

Scott,

I've been screwing around with this on and off all day...

I did what Joe suggested.  I have the balcony over the deck.  

I learned that a balcony floor is defined just like a "room" floor...so, I changed the joist to 9 1/4 treated.  For the floor finish I used the decking material.  I also had to remove the "ceiling" in the floor DBX so that I could see the joists from below.   I also had to change the material for the rim joists to treated.  It's really a clumsy solution.  

If I had my "wish"...it would be nice if the "Balcony" floor could be defined as a "DECK"...or maybe we need a new room type in Chief called a "BALCONY DECK"?

You could do a video?

25 minutes ago, Joe_Carrick said:

Just make the 1st floor room a "Deck" and the 2nd floor room a "Balcony".

Joe...that did it.  I had to change the floor joists and floor finish.  Thanks much for the tip!

36 minutes ago, johnny said:

I think you need to make the lower deck a "deck" but then the upper use "railings"....something along that line.   Use the post to beam option as well for the supporting structure above.

Johnny...thanks for the "post to beam" suggestion.  That helped.

I have a house where there is a deck on the main level...and a deck directly under it on "level 0"...or lower level.  

If I build the deck on the main level...all is good.  Handrail and structure works as per the defaults.  However, if I copy the "railing walls"...and use "paste hold position" to place the exact same rails on the lower level...well, the deck is created but the Main Level deck gets all screwed up.  The railing wall moves out beyond the edge of the deck (or maybe the deck is being reduced in size?).  The structural posts of the main level deck also disappear.  

So...can someone give me a clue how to build something like this?  Maybe I should turn off "auto deck framing"?  Or just build the deck manually?  

Thanks!

See attached pics of the "before" and "after"...

6 hours ago, solver said:

Via Chopsaw

 

 

Drew wall in attic. Placed transom window in wall. Adjusted Absolute Elevation to move window to lower wall. Selected attic wall and pulled the top down so it's 1" tall. It has to remain visible for the window placed in it to show.

That looks like it could work...thanks

11 hours ago, DRAWZILLA said:

put the upper windows on level 1 in the window DBX, the label will still show but the window gets grayed out.

Perry, thanks for the info.  That is exactly what I did.  

I was really hoping that there was a way to completely hide the transom windows in plan view...but I don't think there is.  The wall is tight with doors and windows and when the transoms are also showing...well, they hide the wall "fill".  It just looks messy. 

There are (3) transom windows in this wall mounted above windows and doors.  See the attached pictures.  

I really don't want to see the transom windows in my plan view...is there a way to turn these off?  I put them on a unique layer...and turned the layer off...but the jambs still appear and the wall "fill" is still gone.  

9 minutes ago, Alaskan_Son said:

Okay, I got it.  I knew something had changed...The new feature is that you can now control the pitch and overhang using the Gable/Roof Line tool.  In previous versions it did not work that way.  The pitch and overhang could not be set independently of the rest of the roof and could only be controlled via the Built Roof dbx. thus severely limiting the way that tool could effectively be used for auto roofs.  Sorry for any confusion. 

Your the man...thanks for the update.  I saw that when you did it in the video and I said to myself..."why haven't I ever done that before..."