SNestor

Tommy...thanks for the tip. I may have tried both methods. The bigger problem is that it sits on the surface of the brick...which does not look realistic in 3d. I suppose in a 2d elevation it would look ok. How about attaching a brick arch above the trim board...in the same radius as the trim board. I have no clue how to do that... I'm also experiencing the garage door trim issue I've read about. If I attach 6" trim to the overhead door...but recess the door to the main layer the 6" trim disappears behind the brick. So, the only way to get trim along the side of the garage door is to use a polyline solid...but again it sits on top of the brick. Not very realistic.

Can anyone explain to me how I would accomplish drawing a brick arch over a garage door (or any opening for that matter). See the attached pdf example. In the example...the trim over the garage door is a 2x that is arched. The brick sill sits on top of the trim board. I have tried to accomplish this by using a polyline converted to a polyline solid...but if I push the object back to the wall...it disappears behind the brick veneer. This is such a common detail (at least in Indiana it is) that there has to be a simple way of accomplishing this. CA is a great program but it seems simple things like attaching a brick sill to the bottom of a window or adding a simple brick soldier to a window.door opening should be a much simpler task. I think it should be something in the window/door DBX that could be selected. Thanks. Garage Door with Brick Arch Example.pdf

If I download the free version of sketchup for Mac can I open a sketchup 8 object and save it as a collada file type?

I understand I can't import sketchup files directly into a Mac...but, is there another source of 3d objects that can be imported...or a way to import a sketchup file? Thanks

Control + Tab should do it...but it doesn't. I'll try it again to make sure. But that didn't work for me yesterday.

If I have 2 or 3 windows open of a drawing...such as a plan view, full over view and an elevation...isn't there a keystroke that will allow me to switch between these quickly? I know you can do it on a PC...but, can't figure out how to do it on my Mac. Thanks...

The brick shown above the garage door is what we call a "jack arch". Typically you have to order these custom made by your brick supplier. However...this home is actually a high end (450K) production home and as such...we tend to rely on the skill of our mason to construct these. I can tell you...they do not look like the drawing. Personally I would never use a jack arch in a home that cost less than a million dollars. Just FYI. This drawing was created by a cad program called Vertex BD. It's a cad software that a lot of production builders use.

Well...upon further inspection. I guess you can run it on line. Wonder if it will work on a Mac? Probably.... Thanks for the tip.

Well..."masonry designer" is a windows program - and I have a MAC, so it won't work for me. However...that piece of software sure does look to be quite a time saver. Might have to pull my old PC out of the closet just to use it.

Can anyone tell me how I would create a brick soldier course as shown in the attached PDF? Thanks. Brick Soldier Course Example.pdf

The suggestions are helpful to me just for learning how certain things can be accomplished....such as using the cabinet tools to create the mantle and the soffit tool to construct the hearth. However, the example is simplistic. The fireplace I am trying to model is outside the structure and has basement walls under the 3 outside chase walls...which have brick veneer. I did not know how to create the opening for the fire place itself...use a window. Cool. I used a door opening. But, with a door opening you have to be happy with a flush hearth as the firebox will be on the floor. Using a window opening you can have a raised hearth. Between Scott's videos, comments here in this post and the CA help I feel I did get the chimney modeled correctly...and learned a lot of tricks that could help me in the future. Thanks. I'll be back for more I'm sure.

Brinkbart...believe me, I know the feeling!

I would love a video tutorial on how to create something like this...

Victor...thanks. For someone new to a MAC...that's a great help!

Thanks...I'll give it a try.

Attached is the CA plan file I am trying to build the chimney chase in. Also, I've attached a PDF of the plan file I am attempting to duplicate. This plan was created with Vertex BD...a supposedly high-end cad software for production builders. It's the software used where I work. The walls on the outside of the chase are 2x6 with brick veneer. The wall between the living area and the chase is a different wall type. I have the walls built on the first two floors...but, not sure how to build the top of the chase above the 2nd floor top plate. I have read the comments on this thread...maybe building a 3rd floor is the answer. Have not tried yet. Estridge Plan 1.plan.zip

Ok...so, I'm using a MAC for the first time...and of course this is the first version of CA to run on a MAC. Can someone explain to me what the hotkey symbols refer to? I got the command key...but not sure what key most of the other symbols are referring to. I keep trying combinations...but things don't work. Maybe I should just change the keys? Thanks.

I know this has been explained before...but, for us newbs, can someone tell us all once again how to upload a plan file. Thanks...

Wondering how to construct a fireplace chimney. According to the CA help you can use the soffit tool and apply materials to it. However, this would not "frame"...would it? Is it typical to construct chimneys in this manner? I have an outside chimney chase...3 walls. The house is 2-story on a basement. The basement extends under the 3 outside chimney chase walls. The chimney is brick veneer. The chimney needs to extend above the 2nd floor top plate maybe 8'-10'. 1st floor has 10' tall walls; 2nd floor 9' tall walls. Floor system for both floors are I-Joist...14" deep. I have drawn the walls for the chimney on the 1st and 2nd floors...but not sure how to go from there. I know...I need to post the plan. I can't do this right now...I'm at my day job. I will try to post (if I can figure out how) - although it will probably be tomorrow. If there is a thread or two somewhere that will help me please let me know. Thanks!

I've been trying to understand layer and anno sets...and how they relate to the reference layer set. Thanks to Scott Halls videos...I think I have at least a basic understanding on how to create and use these powerful tools. Just wondering...all through Scott's videos related to anno sets and the MRLS he states "Chief...fix this". I'm wondering if Chief did fix it? - When you select an anno set...will the reference layer set also change? - When you double click on a view in layout...will Chief take you to the plan with the anno set assigned to the view selected...or does it replace the anno set with a temporary set (as shown in a number of Scott's videos...) Also, if you create a bunch of layer and anno sets in a plan file...are these related just to that plan file, or...are they saved somewhere so they can be re-used in the next plan file? Maybe you have to import them into the new plan file? I'm asking because I haven't got that far yet. Thanks

I'm a newb...so, I'm sure this may have been discussed previously. So...just send me the link to the topic if it's easier. In Indiana we have basements. The basement walls are typically 8", 10" or 12" thick poured concrete...the wall height varies but typical nowadays is 9'-0" tall. Very often there is brick on the home...at least on the front and maybe down the sides. Therefore, we need a brick ledge. The brick ledge size can vary...but typically it is 4" wide and steps down from the top of the wall 4"...or 8". So...basically a 4"x4" or 4"x8" notch at the top of the wall. I need the brick ledge (outer edge of the 4" wall at the top) to align with the main layer of the frame wall above. Not the outer edge of the 8" wall. I figure this basement wall needs to be a pony wall? Is this correct? The lower wall being an 8" concrete stem wall...the top half of the pony wall being a 4" concrete stem wall. Am I correct so far? One problem I have is how this looks in plan view. Pony walls only let you show either the top or bottom of the pony wall...so, I am able to see a 4" wall...or an 8" wall. This isn't what I need. I need to see (3) lines in the plan view...the inside and outside edges of the 8" wall...and the outside edge of the 4" wall. I need it to look like this so that it shows where the foundation wall has brick ledge. I'm somewhat surprised that this wall type isn't standard in Chief. It is the main foundation wall type used in Indiana. So...can anyone help me with a few tips or suggestions on how to create this wall type? Thanks much! I can't post a plan or pic right now...probably not until Sunday. I will as soon as I get back home to my computer.

Is there a hotkey in the Mac version to split views...such as the Shift+F6 command used with windows software? Or...is this something that has to be customized in the Hotkey section of the software. Thanks!