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Scott - I have watched...but it was a while ago. Back watching again. Thanks for these videos. Us newbs would be lost without them.

Starting to create some custom annosets. As I work with them questions arise that I know can only be answered here. I'm creating a roof plan annoset...that I would use to send a roof plan to layout. Do you guys create separate layers for the objects on each floor? Such as...doors 1st floor; windows 1st floor, headers 1st floor; casing 1st floor...etc. Then create the same for the 2nd (or other floors). This way you can turn on/off what you want. Am I thinking about this correctly?

Johnny...here is the link. Hope it works. https://chieftalk.chiefarchitect.com/index.php?/topic/3507-boxed-out-window-help/?fromsearch=1

Yep...I had forgotten that I had asked about this before. The link didn't work for me...but I did my own search and found the topic. Making the space a balcony seems to be the key. Thanks.

Johnny...I know about the color on/off button. I've been playing around...and I guess CA sends elevations to layout as B/W by default. They aren't in color. However...this isn't the same for floor plans. Attached are two examples...just using the toggle button. I'm wondering why my walls have no fill if I turn the color off. I would like the fill to be at least a gray.

Johnny... How do you raise the floor in the box window to create a "seat". Also...how do you add windows...it doesn't seem possible to have more than a single window in a box window?

I was looking at the "Riverstone" plan that Chief created. I opened the layout and the elevations are a nice crisp black and white. I double click on the layout box to view the elevation view and it's in color. How do you send color rendered elevations to layout in black and white? I almost hate to ask this question...because it should be obvious...but, not to me. Do elevations just go to layout in B/W? What about floor plans? See attached pics. Thanks Riverstone Elevation.tiff Riverstone Elev Layout.tiff

Attached is a simple plan that shows 2 methods (that I know) used to create a boxed window on the 2nd floor. Neither version works perfectly..both have their own issues. Can anyone shed some light on this subject...where am I going wrong or right? Why are simple things like this so confusing....I mean, a boxed out window is a typical detail and should be a piece of cake to construct. Well...maybe it is if you know what you are doing? Box Window Trouble 2.plan

Scott - is this the video. If so...you didn't make a column with the cabinet tool. Great video...learned something new.

In my search for the perfect Porch building solution I came across a thread about how to build columns. The consensus was to use the cabinet tool to make columns. I'm using p-solids...or a moulding. Never considered the cabinet tool. Is there any possibility I could get one of the experts to do a video on this. I'd love to learn how this is done. Thanks.

Scott - yes, all great points. Most everything I do is custom. However...the porch slab will typically hang past the face of the foundation wall 1.5". Some items change all the time...like the size/shape and the number of columns...also the height of the columns. Building the porch manually probably works best for me.

So...the bottom line is just build porches manually. I figured out by trial and error to just build the foundation manually. I think it's probably just easier to build the slab using the countertop tool...adding an edge is easy. Then just pull in columns I've created or from the library and manually build a roof.

I've done it the way you suggest. The molding for the slab edge works well...but, the molding line appears in the plan view and there appears to be two lines creating the slab edge. Is there a way to correct this?Also - I'm just amazed that CA won't create a foundation under a porch...especially if there are load bearing walls that define the porch. Weird.

Porches in CA are just way to complicated...well, for me they are. I would like a fast and easy way to construct a porch that has a ceiling and a roof over it. It would have columns that sit on the slab. The columns might be 12" square...or larger. The columns and the column base need to be inset from the porch slab edge a couple of inches or so...and still align with the structural beam above. I have tried a number of ways to construct this porch...and I find the simplest way seems to be to use a countertop for the slab...this way I can put an edge molding on the face of the slab that makes it look like the corners have been rounded off. Also...I found I can manipulate this edge thickness to get the slab/countertop to extend and inch or two beyond the edge of the columns....like it would actually be constructed. I then build the foundation and roof manually. I found that if I build the porch with invisible walls...then define the space as a "porch"...the slab will only extend to the outside edge of the wall. The roof baseline is constructed right above the outside edge of the wall...etc. For some reason...CA will not build a foundation under an invisible wall. I tried to "trick" Chief...built walls, then build a foundation...then defined the walls as invisible and boom...the foundation went away. It's crazy.... I've attached a simple plan that shows what I mean about columns extending beyond the edge of the porch slab. I used a deck railing to create this porch...and a column right out of the Chief catalog. Am I missing something...are there simpler ways of doing this? Thanks guys/gals. Be kind...I'm still learning. Porches and Porch Slab_2015_07_28.plan

Joey - I do have your template and it's what I'm using for the most part. It works well...but I was confused because I was reading posts on the topic and I hadn't realized that my lineweights were different because you had modified them...with the 1/700 ratio...as compared to the std CA setting of 1/100. I think I have a grip on this...at least I think I do.

Thanks for taking your time to help. That plan helped me. I was on the right track - but mostly due to pure luck. I don't think designing pony walls in CA is a very intuitive process. The entire interface could use some improvement. Thanks again. I'm one step closer to being able to say "I have a a clue" when using CA.

Yea - that section is common in Indiana...has been for decades. The 4" stem on the foundation wall can be up to 24" tall. I don't think it's good practice...but yes it's legal. If you look at the plan I posted you should realize that I do know where and how to use the wall DBX to set the alignment of the pony wall. I messed with these setting quite a bit and eventually got the brick to align as well as the conc wall. I'm just not sure which thing I did actually caused the wall to align. Actually the wall still does not match the section I posted...in the section the brick actuall hangs over the ledge in the conc wall. The section truly represents actual field conditions. However...getting the pony walls to align in CA is good enough. I can live with the result.

Trying to figure out line weights. My initial thought was that the OOB default line weight was for the most part workable...and new layers would only need modest tweaking. Uhh...no. regarding line weight - - am I wrong...can OOB line weights work? - if not, what's the best way to figure out what does work. Why hasn't CA done a training video on something so important to the production of CD's? I have searched the Forum and I've read a lot of posts concerning this topic...but none answer the question completely. I'm sure this is "basic" knowledge for those of you out there using Chief everyday to make a living...but I only use Chief occasionally and as such I struggle at times with the simple things. Thanks

I should have said..."which layers" you want as "main layers". I played around with this and eventually the walls aligned. Again...I'm not sure as to why.

Well...I guess I figured it out. Not sure what I did...I just kept clicking different alignments until I got the walls to align. I guess it has something to do with what walls you want as "main layers". I saved the wall type to my library...I don't want to do this again if I don't have to. If anyone can give me insight as to why/how on these type pony walls I'd be thankful. Plan attached. Pony Wall Section.plan

Does this question really need a plan? I mean...for us in Indianapolis...this wall section is just basic/standard...done every day on almost every home...and it should be simple to create in CA. I guess everything is simple if you know how to do it...

Can someone show me how to build this wall assembly...which is constructed using 2 pony walls. I cannot get the brick veneer to align... The 2x6 frame wall sits on top of a 2x6 brick veneer wall....which then sits atop a foundation pony wall. The top section of the foundation wall 4" concrete with a one inch air gap...and 3" of brick veneer...or what ever is needed to align with the brick veneer above it. The lower section of the foundation is just an 8" concrete stem wall. I've had difficulty getting the brick veneer to align...I've tried everything I know...which isn't much...without luck. I've attached a section...If I need to attach a plan I'm sure someone will let me know. Thanks much! Pony Wall Section-Layout .pdf

Thanks. I just wondered if I was doing something wrong. I know I can shift select and make changes...but I was playing around with the match properties tool and was surprised to learn that it would not work on walls. Not a big deal...

So...is there a way to "match properties" of walls? I've tried the match properties tool...and it doesn't seem to work on walls. Am I doing something wrong...or is this just the way it is? Is there a tool where you can select a wall...and then drop its properties on to other walls?