SNestor

Nice debate guys...fairly civil. Let's not forget the "hidden" cost that has been regulated upon the land we build on by our wonderful EPA...and others. The tyrants at the EPA haven't been asleep at the wheel. Where I live we are now compelled to protect every stream from silt created by disturbing the earth during construction. We must now install hundreds of LF of silt fence on every lot. Typically these lots are not near any stream or river...but yes, the silt can travel down the storm sewer pipe to a pond...and then out of the pond to a stream...and then on to the Ohio river...then on to New Orleans...where it becomes a delta. Yes...the silt fence works. The silt does stay on the lot...so, it's hard to argue the benefit...but, there is a cost. And...of course the silt fence get's trashed. Nor does it not add one penny of value to anyones new house. We also have to place straw bags around storm inlets...and design and build ponds large enough to allow the silt to enter one end...and then have time to settle before reaching the discharge end. It all costs money. Just a note for those of you who don't live in a flat prairie like we do in Indiana. Every subdivision...no matter how large...shall have a sediment pond sized to collect storm water and then release the water down stream at the same rate it did before the land was developed. We have thousands of ponds now in central Indiana and of course...millions of Canadian geese who never fly south. Lovely... The regulations never stop...people in government must continually justify their existence. Yes...some regulations do benefit the masses...but these are rare. Less...is more.

So - transform/replicate does not move the line? Really? Scott - I did see your video on moving a line in elevation...but I could not remember how it was done. Thanks.

So...what is the process you use...maybe I'm doing something wrong. I draw a line in elevation view. Select the line. Click "transform/replicate". Select "Move"...set "Z" elevation to "0". Hit enter. Yes? Thanks,

If you draw a line on an elevation view...can't you use transform/replicate to set the line at "zero" elevation...so, you can establish the first floor elevation line? I have tried to do this...but no luck. Line does not move. So...what am I doing wrong? Or...how do you establish elevation lines on your drawings? Thanks...

I recently had a 2-hr "one on one" training session with Joey Martin. I learned more in that 2 hours than I learned in a year. Joey is extremely knowledgable...he knows how Chief works...inside and out. He has years of actual working experience using Chief and has become expert setting things in Chief so that Con-docs are produced quickly and efficiently. He makes a living using Chief...which of course is what we all would like to do. Joey knows how to produce great looking plans, quickly, using Chief Architect. He is patient and explains concepts and techniques very clearly. Without any hesitation - I highly recommend Joey to anyone in need of Chief Architect training...from beginner to advanced.

I've recently experienced something similar. I created a foundation pony wall. I assigned this wall in defaults as my default "foundation wall". I selected "auto build" foundation. When I draw walls in plan...the foundation walls are created automatically...however, the walls do not align properly with the frame wall above. However, if I delete the foundation walls, and manually draw in the foundation walls...using the same pony wall type as is my default foundation wall, the wall aligns perfectly. I've changed almost everything...more than once...no matter what I do the foundation pony will not align properly with the frame walls above. I'm sure it's a user error...but, it really shouldn't be this difficult. In the Midwest...an 8" poured concrete foundation wall with a 4" brick ledge approximately 8" deep...is typical. I think this wall type should be part of the standard wall types that ships with Chief. For us in the Midwest...it's as typical a wall type as Siding-6.

Thanks for all the help. I think I got it. It's not perfect however. See attached. Seems to be something sticking out of the roof...not sure why. At least I was able to build the darn thing. Thanks again for all the comments and efforts.

Well...not quite. It seems the solution is to name the boxed out window space a "balcony". However, the floor of this balcony is connected to the porch ceiling below. So...if I build the box window area...it raises the porch ceiling to the bottom of the floor of the boxed out window. The solution to that is to use a polyline solid for the porch ceiling? On the plan attached I used a PS for the porch roof...and porch beam. Let me know if there is a better way to accomplish the same result. I'm not sure if this is a glitch...or if it's newbie user error. When I place a roof on the 2nd floor...I get flat soffits. However, the moment I cut the roof plane and pull the roof out past the boxed window the softit slopes. Actually, the flat soffit board at the front of the boxed window is still horizontal...but it's sticking up through the roof plane. You can see this in the attached plan. Just an absolute PITA. Boxed Out Window 2.plan

Well...that's it exactly. So...how do I accomplish this? Maybe it is simple?

Attached is a PDF showing the box window detail I am trying to create. This window is in the second floor closet. The "floor" of the box window is about 42" or so above the floor...and the ceiling is dropped to hide the header. The "box" extends out about 12"...and floats above the roof. Why...after 20 years of software development is this not easy-peasy? Chief...please fix this or at least post a video how you expect us to complete something so simple. Box Window Example.pdf

Well...I want the boxed out window floating above the roof. The bottom needs to be roughly 18" above the roof so it can have some corbels under it.

Perry - Cannot open the file. It says it's a different version than what I have. I am running 16.4.1.20OSX Do I need to upgrade...or are you running version 7? Also...the reason I created the bump on the 2nd floor is because the house I am trying has a porch roof under the bumped out window. The roof cuts off the walls....which is another issue. This is such a typical detail...I am really surprised how difficult it is to create. Chief...fix this please! ---- Chief software engineers seem more interested in cabinet design that house design.

Well...I tried the auto box window but I don't know how to get (2) separate windows on the front of the box. Is this possible?

I want to create a box (or bay) type window. The walls of the boxed out window extend out 12" or so. I want the floor in the boxed out window to be raised up about 36". I want the floor structure of this boxed out window to be 2x6's...and there needs to be a finish on the bottom side...such as 3/8" soffit. The window I'm trying to build will ultimately have a couple of corbel brackets under the box out. I've attached a basic plan to kind of show what I am trying to accomplish. Why don't I have a ceiling on the porch roof? I had one...then it went away. So...I did something...but for the life of me I can't figure out what. Do I need to have a room under this boxed out window in order to create a finish on the underside? Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated. Box Window - second floor.plan

Stair tool...

To clarify...I do feel paying for SSA is worth it. My hesitation stems from the fact that the cost of my first year of SSA was somewhat "buried" in the sales price of the software which I purchased last December. I think the cost was probably stated clearly...but I just didn't remember. I was under the illusion that the cost of SSA was around 300.00...not sure where I got that number...just too many numbers in my head I guess. I'm sure if I decided to pass on SSA...about a week or so later I'd have some terrible technical issue...and then I'd be kicking myself. Cheap insurance...and it does help with product development. Now...let's see if Chief programmers can improve the stair tool...

Is the price for SSA (445.00) the same as last year? I purchased the software last Dec. and the SSA was included so I had no idea what one year of SSA cost. I guess I was somewhat shocked by the price...I never had the need to call support. I did download "fixes". Seems pricey to me...

I don't know how you guys stand all the government you have...geez. Oh yea...maybe it's the weather? (right now it's 42 degrees in Indy...wind is about to howl 20-30 mph...lovely)

OK...got it. Thanks for the clarification....

I use a Mac. So...when I find an object at 3d Warehouse I wan and click download..."collada" is typically not a choice. So...how do I get this object imported into Chief? I guess I don't know what you mean when you say "Export to Collada" (.dae).

Got me. Is the shingle texture a layer that I can control the color and line weight. I will try that. So... The bottom line is set all line weights and color before sending to layout? Obviously I don't know what I'm doing...yet.

So...I send an Elevation view to layout. How do you control the weights of specific lines so for instance...the edges of the roof are bolder than say the shingle texture on the roof? Or...the trim on the building stands out from the brick or siding veneer? Is this something I need to setup in the plan file before I send it to layout? I know you can edit line weights in layout...but this seems tedious to have to do an entire elevation this way. If there is a good tutorial on this somewhere please point me to it. Thanks!

OK...well I'm glad I asked. I doubt I would have done it that way. Thanks!

Ok...I'm sure this is a simple question and I'm certain my "newb" status will be firmly cemented by this question. When an elevation is sent to layout...is all the text that describes what is on the elevation placed on the drawing in the layout view? Text that describes the size of the trim, roof pitch, details, floor elevation markers and dimensions. Is all this text placed on the layout view? Thanks

Jon - the wall has brick veneer. The trim is 2" thick. I can see the trim if I don't mind in laying on top of the brick veneer...but, this isn't how it's built. The trim attaches to the sheathing. The brick abuts the trim. In the overhead door DBX - when I select recess to main layer the exterior trim disappears. I believe this is occurring on entry doors as well. Some sort of glitch in the software I think... I did figure out a way to create brick soldier/sill etc. There is a decent article in the CA help files. Still fiddling around with it...but basically once the object is created I can attach it to a molding polyline and boom...brick sill. Not sure how to get the brick object the same color as the brick I'm using. It's always something. Thanks