Chief_Content

Lots of good comments here! We're sorry we didn't see Joe's Workshop to compare notes! We've been planning on creating a video on this topic for quite some time, as we often hear confusion on the stretch planes topic. We had scheduled it to be release near the end of the year, but as the release of X7 public beta came closer we decided to re-capture it using the most current version of the software. You are right in recognizing 3DS Max's interface for part of the video. Our Content Team primarily uses 3DS Max and the .OBJ file format to create objects for our bonus content. We also rely on Photoshop to create custom textures. We use a guideline of keeping the objects we create within a 10,000 triangle limit. We find that once a plan contains multiple objects of high triangle counts there can be quite a performance lag. We do our best to keep the generic items we produce within this set of bounds, however you might notice that Branded Content may sometimes exceed these limits. This is simply because we try to work directly with the 3D Data that is provided by the brand so it will be accurate to their products. We chose to show the Origin and UCS in 3DS for this video because it is a good illustration of where the origin exists on objects. One can set his origin directly within 3DS and that value will be transferred into Chief at import. It would be great if the Origin Point, UCS, Stretch Planes, and Stretch Zones were visible references in the Symbol Specification dialog. For now we do our best to both document and illustrate the current functionality. We understand that users are able to learn in different ways and think that offering tutorials in written, audio, and visual forms help all ranges of users to learn the tools. Best,

For March, we will be featuring the deck capabilities of Chief Architect. You'll find on the 3D Library access to 4 new catalogs that are loosely deck related: Carlisle Wide Plank Floors Deck and Path Lighting Post and Pier Systems Wire and Lattice Material Download the catalogs and try them out on your next deck or exterior project. Also, check out this month's contest, Deck/Patio Design, and submit your own project to show us your chops and a chance to win some Chief Architect loot.

We put together a Brownstone Style design w/ 3 adjacent structures and room for multiple units. It may or may not be helpful for your design process, but you are welcome to download and experience the plan first hand from our Home Designer Website here: http://www.homedesignersoftware.com/samples.html

Hi Gary! We are trying to move toward making these objects behave in a way that is more realistic to construction/installation. My understanding is that you don't need a cabinet carcass in reality to install a Slide-in Range... we've tried to mimic that installation w/ the latest update of the objects. I hope that we will be able to go in the same direction with Dishwashers and Trash Compactors in the future, though those are slightly more complicated because it would be nice to have a countertop automatically cover the tops of those objects. What do you and others think about our adoption of this? I know there is a slight changing in learning curve since version 3.

We are featuring, for the month of November, the generic bonus catalogs Bathroom Faucets & Shower Hardware. These catalog are available to SSA account holders; visit the 3D Library to download them both! 3dlibrary.chiefarchitect.com

We have recently refreshed the DatTile® catalog to include their Ceramics product lines. If you have this catalog installed, automatically update it using the menu item "Update Library Catalogs" from within Chief Architect. If you don't currently have this catalog installed, you can access it here, from the 3D Library: http://3dlibrary.chiefarchitect.com/index.php?r=site/detail/684 We are continuing to add product lines to this catalog and plan on releasing additions and updates in the future.

Scott Hall is right! If you are current with your SSA, you have access to a catalog that has a few types of objects like these. Download it here: http://3dlibrary.chiefarchitect.com/index.php?r=site/detail/928 Creating custom symbols for those not represented in the catalog is a good option as well. You can always deconstruct the way we've created these objects to discover settings that we used, if you are interested in making something similar.

We are featuring, for the month of October, the branded catalogs Jenn-Air and TruStile Doors. The access for these catalogs is free to all users (excluding Chief Architect Lite and Home Designer Essentials); visit the 3D Library to download them both! 3dlibrary.chiefarchitect.com

Maybe one of these will be similar enough: http://3dlibrary.chiefarchitect.com/index.php?r=site/detail/943