ACADuser

Off topic sort of, but why is there no Text Mask for dimensions?

Thanks, Glen, I'll try this in the morning. 11:37 here on the other side of the world. Met some very nice folks from your side when we went to Canada on vacation. Here is a look at the building View in Chief Architect’s 3D Viewer.

Good suggestion, point markers may be of use to me too. These particular columns justify to the exterior face of the wall and not to a center point. The marker could be still used on the outer face of the column I suppose. In Autocad you can edit the block in place, no explode & re-block. Then all blocks in the drawing are updated. Quite simple. No jumping floor to floor looking for the blocks.

Thanks for the replies. One thing is I do not want it to move in the plan except where I modify it. If the column is 12x8x120 tall and I move the north side 2" to make it 12x10, I would like the south side not move at all. Can that be done with the Insertion Point fixed on the middle of the south side? That way if I wanted it 14x10 I would move the east & west side 1" each & the north side 2". The south side would remain in its original place.

OK back working on 7 story building and I have a few questions about dealing with columns. I used psolids for the structural concrete columns. The one I am dealing with was 12x8 & now is 12"x10" and have 3 on the outside wall each floor on floors 2-5. They are on Layer 'Columns Plan View'. When I pick select one I see the layer at the bottom of the CA window. When I marque select one I see 'CAD Layer; CAD, Default' so I assume CA is not smart enough to detect a single object & display its layer. (more of an observation) It also gives me the option to Make Arch Block which is kind of what I was after. I actually want a Block so I can populate all the identical columns and change the size later in all locations at once. Say I want them all to be 12x12, I would remake the block and they all would change. Perhaps I chose the wrong object type for this process. This is just one of a series of columns I want to make identical for the purpose of being able to change them as a group. Some guidance would be appreciated. Sorry for the rambling. Thanks

Worked perfectly. Thanks Eric

I have 2 railing walls that are different type & height. They need to intersect but NOT JOIN. How can I keep them from trying to connect automatically? Also, I can't fix the rail cap at the other wall connection

That's good info. I have reused plans for other lots but can't imagine anything that could not be replaced. i.e. not that critical.

Thanks for the input. I told her to try HD to test the waters. If all goes well then upgrade.

I was asked by an acquaintance what software could she use to produce "As Build" plans for a builder who does remodels. Home Designer came to mind although I have never used the product. She is starting the business and doesn't want to spend a lot at this time. Any suggestions from those who have used Home Designer or other software?

Looks like a door modified will be fine for my needs

Looking for a small metal door that penetrates the wall. I suppose I could modify a regular door but thought there may already be one like this. Did not see one in the catalog but you know how that goes it is likely there somewhere.

Oh, that is a good tip. Thanks Dennis.

Thanks Eric that helps.

How do you keep up with current catalogs? With an SSA doesn't Chief check to see if you have the latest catalogs? How do you know if your catalog is not current? If you download a catalog does it overwrite duplicate items or does it make a copy?? Or does it ignore duplicate items?

Are you trying to insert a DWG file? That will not work.

You can also share screens with SKYPE if you have that.

And remember this http://screencast.com/t/kJvmrO1a2J

Thanks Glen Yes you can build it with invisible walls but you can not build the stair to fit that house. I'll sent to tech support.

Tried the WINDER option but no can do. Is the 2 stair objects the only method that works? I do not want the stair overlapping the garage wall in plan view. Davis.zip

Not what I was talking about, sorry to change subjects. Any dialog that needs a DISTANCE should have a PICK option Like attached Click the button and you are in the drawing for a two point pick to get distance. Otherwise if you do not know the distance you must dismiss the dialog. Start the Measure command & remember the distance. Open the other dialog & enter it. What if you are using fractions & the distance is not correct/. i.e. rounded off to nearest 1/4"

Thanks Michael. I appreciate you sharing your knowledge. You're short of a bajillion though. I like these three but the others are too much work. - Copy/Paste in place an already centered block and slide it into position. I like this the best so far - Placing your blocks in the front drawing group. Doesn't seem to work in this case - Centering on wall and then using the tab method to offset the item the appropriate distance. This one brings up a gripe I have with Chief. So many dialogs in Autocad that ask for Distance offer a PICK button. Hit the pick button & you are back to the drawing where you actually pick the distance like you do in "Point Move" I really miss that option in chief's dialogs.

Hummm, insertion point changes on ALL rebar blocks. I'll play with that. Why can't I snap to the edge of the window? Rebar.plan

I insert Rebar blocks into the CMU wall, mostly with the distribute tool but sometimes I drop them at intersections & Window. The do not center automatically on the CMU wall so I would like to use the "Center Tool" but it will not align with existing rebar blocks in the wall. The Wall takes priority and you can not select the block to center on. Please don't tell me to turn the wall off & on. The wall main layer would be OK but the center tool only uses the entire wall to center on. Any tricks?

Thanks Chris, I'm a member there. Not a good search facility but I did find some components. Looks like I will have to build it in pieces.