SNestor

I need to create a screen porch that looks similar to the attached plan. There will be a lower wall with siding on both sides about 30" tall. It will be capped with a 2x piece of trim. The porch posts will be 3 1/2" square. The ceiling will be the underside of the rafters. In the attached plan I used a half wall...then added the posts using P-Solids. I used a molding line to create the beam above the posts. The problem I am having is the porch needs a screen door...and I don't think I can insert a screen door into a "half wall". When I insert the door...it only allows the door to be as tall as the wall (which makes perfect sense...). So...I don't believe I can create this porch using this approach. I thought of using a railing wall with solid panels that look just like the attached porch with the wall design....however, the panels break in between each post. Maybe this method will work...but I'm not sure how to make it work. Any suggestions would be very appreciated. Screen Porch with half wall.plan

I have an iMac...bought specifically for use with Chief. It works flawlessly. A windows machine will be less costly for similar specs no doubt. However...my Mac is the first Apple computer I have ever owned and I have been using a computer since 1990. I have to say...its the best computer I have ever owned.

I think you can also use the spray can...using the DBX is probably the best method but the spray can works.

I like this idea. I will give it a try. Thanks.

I actually took the original suggestion...use a pyramid and truncated...added a "box" solid to the bottom to give it some depth. Voila! It works well enough...if I could figure out how to use the stretch zones it might work better. As it is...the chimney cap distorts as you change the size of the cap. But...it's good enough for what I need at the moment. Chimney Cap.calibz

Unless I'm missing something...(most likely)...the pyramid tool only allows for equal sides. Typically a chimney cap is rectangular. The one I was trying to make is roughly 50"x32"...with a 10x10 flat spot in the center. I guess you could make the pyramid, truncate it, then turn it into a symbol with correct stretch zones? Am I on the right track?

How would you make the pyramid shaped chimney cap shown in the attachment? Would you use the pyramid tool...then subtract from it using other solids and create the shape? I've tried with the solids...and made a little progress but nothing looks quite right. Also...working with solids is tedious. Any suggestions would be welcome.

I was attempting to create a vanity as per the instructions in the CA Knowledge Base. So...it's a single vanity and you use the DBX tools to divide it into sections etc. Fairly basic. When I went to add the sink...I couldn't center it because each end cabinet is not a separate section. Also, I am only allowed to install one sink into this unit. So...to create a vanity cabinet that looks like the attached...do I really need to use separate cabinets and join them together? The picture shown in the knowledge base topic shows two bowls...so, I would guess there is a way to do this that I don't know about? Thanks.

Jerry, I see your point...and I've gone ahead and mades some adjustments. The window in my model is supposed to be a vinyl single hung. The window has a jamb...but the opening is drywall wrapped. I want to case the window....but I would always have a "reveal"...even if the jamb of the window is just drywall. If the jamb of the window "fit the wall" then there would be a positive number for the casing location...probably 1/4" or 3/8" so that the casing overlaps the jamb. I did have the exterior casing set wrong...so with your help I have fixed that. Thanks for helping me out!

Thanks all...I knew I had missed something. I very much appreciate all the help. As far as the negative entry for the casing...This gives me a 3/8" reveal on the jamb. If it's set to zero...then the casing finishes flush with the interior surface of the window jamb. A positive number moves the casing inward....past the surface of the jamb and into the window opening...so, I think I want to leave it as a negative number.

If I have a brick-6 exterior wall and I set a window into it...why doesn't the trim around the window recess back against the wall main layer? Is this a setup issue...or user error. Or...is it a "bug-a-boo"? Window in Brick Wall.plan

This forum is incredibly valuable. Not sure I could ever fully utilize the software without this forum.

Well...when you know what you are doing...things are simple. Thanks...

The attached wall cabinet shown is the default from the Cottage Plan Template. I'm wondering how you get two different doors on the wall cabinet? I don't see anything in the cabinet DBX that allows you to select different doors.

In my case...the crown did not align by rebuilding the 3D view. Also...the 1/16" difference shown in the DBX was deliberate. This is the only way I could find to get the crown to appear on the wall cabinet. Thanks guys...appreciate the info.

I opened a new plan using the OOB Cottage template. I placed a base cabinet, wall cabinet and full height cabinet just to examine how the cabinets were constructed...etc. Right off the bat I noticed that the crown molding on top of the wall cabinet and full height cabinet did not align...so, I opened each DBX and looked at the height of the cabinets...and where the crown molding had been placed. Is this a bug or what? If both cabinets are made the same height and the crown is located in the exact elevation for each cabinet...well, the crown on top of the wall cabinet disappears. However, if you make a 1/16" adjustment to the the elevation of the crown on either cabinet - then the crown reappears. I've had this happen to me before...so, I'm wondering if this is a bug or am I doing something wrong? EDIT: I attached the plan...just in case you want to take the time to inspect this issue. I also did a search...and found that others have had similar problems. I guess it's just easier to use a molding polyline. Cottage Cab 2.tiff Cottage Cabinet 1.tiff Full Height Cab DBX.tiff Wall Cab DBX.tiff Cottage Plan Cabinets.plan

I'm wondering if this is a glitch...or more likely a setup issue? Here is the setup; - The exterior walls are Siding-6 - The sill plate size on the Foundation DBX is set to 3 1/2". (this is what I want) -- Then why does CA automatically set the plate in 1" in front the exterior surface of the foundation wall. Now...if I change the exterior wall to Siding-4...and build the framing again...with a 3 1/2" sill plate...the plate is correctly aligned. Why can't I use a 3 1/2" sill plate on top of the foundation...and still use 2x6 exterior walls above? The plate should build to the exterior surface of the foundation no matter what...right? Foundation DBX.tiff

Oh...I see. So...it doesn't matter what layer is assigned to the block when it's saved. The block will be assigned to the current cad layer of the open plan...no matter what the layer is.

What I've done is blocked the text...and then assigned the correct "text" layer to the block...then saved the block to my library. In my current layer set I have defined a specific CAD layer that I want to use for CAD object...but I don't want my text blocks assigned to the CAD layer. I guess I could change the current CAD layer temporarily while I'm defining the text blocks. Doing this I wouldn't have to open the DBX for the text block and change the layer.

I blocked some text that I had on a specific layer...but, when I blocked it, the text was put on a "Cad" layer. I guess I'm asking this question just to be sure this is correct. When you create a block of anything the block is placed on the "current cad layer". Is this correct? So...if I want to create blocks of typical text that I use all the time...say for foundation plans or sections...and I want these the text to be on a specific foundation text layer...when I block the text it is automatically placed on the current cad layer...and not on the text layer I assigned to all the text? This seems odd...what am I missing?

Joe...your method is fabulous. Very quick and with a couple of clicks you can change the design. Genius. Thanks. If I had some type of video software I'd make a video... Basically...use a railing wall; spec it as "Panel" type. Create a screen panel use P-Solids to create the screen and the rails you want, apply the correct materials. I made mine 36" wide. Save it as a millwork symbol. Draw your railing wall, open the DBX and spec it as panel type; Post to beam; in the newel/balusters section under panels, click library...go to your library and select the panel symbol you created. You probably will need to specify the height of railing...this sets the overall height of the panel. You can create as many screen panel symbols as your imagination will allow. See my pics below.

So...are you saying I should create a mill work symbol that includes the screen and horizontal rail...save this symbol to my library...then attach this symbol to the "post to beam" railing? Sounds like the way to go...if I understand what you are saying. Thanks for commenting Joe.

I have experimented with the window method...I just don't think it looks correct in "plan view"...but I'm not an expert. Still learning.

Good point. However - each section would be identical. P-solids allow you to customize each section as needed. Maybe the spacing of the posts is unequal...or a couple of sections have arched trim.

Just some follow up...attached are two pictures. One is of a screened porch constructed with walls. The other (with the different colors) is constructed with P-Solids. Obviously...using P-solids you can do a lot of things...if your intent is to create a very customized screened porch. Both methods work...