SNestor

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...

I have experimented with building a screened porch with p-solids vs. using a defined wall and making mods...such as adding screen and details as needed. I think if the plans called for a very custom porch...the P-Solids would work best. No doubt you can get much better details (see Michaels porch above...very nice). However, for a basic screened porch shown on the con-docs - where all the client requires is that the porch is shown on the plans and located with dimensions - using a wall and adding detail as needed is the way to go, it's much quicker...at least for me. Thanks to everyone for ideas on how to create screen material. Lots of good ideas. I would never have thought to use the muntin bars. It still surprises me that after all these years CA just hasn't added screen material to the database. Using the fabric material they suggest requires the user to modify it so that it appears somewhat translucent. Why not just add a screen material (or two, or three) to the Chief database?

I've searched the forum for "clues" on how to create a screened porch wall. There isn't much out there...so, it must not be the most complicated issue. The suggestion by CA to use windows and change the glass to screen just does not create the most realistic porch wall. It really doesn't allow for the correct showing of the posts etc. I'm also surprised that CA does not include a screen material specifically for this application. The material suggested for use is listed under "Fabric and Wall Coverings>Sheers and Shades>Screen>Screen". I just don't think of this material as a "Fabric". This material also does not look very accurate in vector view (IMO). You basically need to create your own material...there are a number of methods. For my porch walls I decided to use the railing wall type. Railing is "open" type. Spec'd Post to beam in Newels/posts. Included a bottom rail (2"). I have a railing set at 32". Newels are 4". The post is just a square post I modeled and saved as a symbol. Not sure I really had to do that...but it works. I set the spacing to 48". In "Plan Display" I checked "draw newels". When creating the wall type I wanted the wall to sit in from the edge of the patio slab edge about an inch or so. So...I added a layer in the wall definition with a fill of "opening - no material". This works...but what confuses me is why the wall lines drawn are wider than the 4" post? The lines represent the overall width of the wall. I tried a lot of things and could never get the wall to draw just 4" wide. Any ideas? The wall works well enough. I wish there was a way to include the screen material...so that when I draw the wall the screen would just be there. So...for now I use a molding polyline and attach the screen material to this...and drag this polyline into the center of the screen wall. I wish there was a way to save this "molding" profile? Does anybody have a better method for creating screened porch walls? Is there a way to create a custom wall that would draw the posts and the screen at the same time? I've attached a small plan that shows the porch wall and screen materials. Screened Porch Wall.plan

Yes...summary would be very helpful. Thanks.

How do you assign a specific layer to a 3D Symbol? I'm attempting to create a closet shelf/rod symbol. I want it to be on it's own layer. However, the symbol always is assigned to the "Fixture, Interior" layer. Of course this layer does not have the line style/color that I would like the symbol to have. The cad block I assigned to the 3D symbol does have the layer I want...which is light gray and has a dashed line. So...what am I missing? Seems like when you create the symbol and the DBX asks what "type" the symbol is...that is the layer the object is assigned to.