michaelgia

Good point but seeing that I wait until the absolute end of the drawing process before I dimension an elevation it shouldn't be an issue. Nor does it seem too time consuming to redo if the model changes. That's what's great about your approach. Thanks again!

Yeah, video please. I know it's the weekend, but as soon as you can...

Well, your method should be in the Chief reference manual. Not even kidding here.

Hey Michael! Thanks a million. I thought I was simply going about it the wrong way. Kind of comforting to know that a work around is required. Your approach seems quite simple and precise. Especially the isolating of the point markers and placing them on their own layer. (Not sure what you meant in your response to Gawdzira, but are you saying to **** select the cross section lines and then paste them into the elevation view for dimensioning?) thanks again

Can someone please make a video of the settings and strategy to get the best possible functionality in dimensioning an elevation view? I still struggle with this... a lot! Problems are as simple as not consistently being able to snap to exterior wall surfaces. It's a hit and miss. I wish it worked as in Archicad where simply hovering over a wall or other items, highlights the wall and snaps exactly to the edge - consistently. Thanks in advance. (It really is my only gripe with Chief. And Chief's efficiency in all other aspects of residential design ar second to none)

That's really cool but why do I lose my red default pitch indicated arrow, when I add that surface area macro?

so much for the theory that veteran users are somehow coddling Chief... lol

Or conversely, you should be able to get a pretty good raytrace with an image size of 1080x730 with ten passes, somewhere between 2 and 5 minutes depending on your cpu. If you're not, then you're doing something wrong.

It really is the same for both. When I see 250mm I immediately think 1/4. 500mm is 1/2. 1000mm is 1. You see? The difference is that when I add 250(1/4) + 500(1/2)- 625(5/8) I can easily get a nice whole number like 125mm. There are no fractions or even decimal places in a plan since the mm is the unit of measurement and the smallest unit. Trust me when I tell you, you're doing it wrong. (No trolling) just the truth. And I sir will leave it at that as well.

....hey, how about you guys doing the world a favor and finally switch to the metric system. Let's start with that. Baby steps. lol then you could move to BIM. As a Canadian who's forced to work in that archaic imperial system only because your manufacturers and suppliers all still follow imperial. Really sucks. No disrespect. Just saying. And it's not that far off topic by the way.

I guess that's why they always tell us to set up our defaults BEFORE we draw a plan... I knew it was my fault all along. But I do wish more of the default settings were "live" or retro active or if we could be given the choice.

If you've created a door schedule and its buried somewhere in the plan, then the program will always override your %width% %height% door label macro and display an annoying label callout that it gets from that long forgotten schedule you created. Delete the schedule and your macros will magically reappear. If you need the schedule in a layout, then create it, send to layout and go back to your plan and delete it. (This drove me absolutely crazy one night) I can't understand that if you uncheck "use callout for label" in the Door Schedule Defaults, the program should NOT use the damn labels when I have specified a bloody macro!!!!

Use of elevation views and schedules have made me less concerned about how cabinets look like in plan view. As a builder I used to try too hard making everything viewable from a floor plan only and I would avoid schedules and elevation views (was too ignorant or lazy). I've evolved, thanks to Chief

Ok I found the problem. If you're bringing in a plan into X8 from an earlier version you have to retake the elevation view in order for the opaque window option to work on the standard render view. Otherwise the Windows will not change to opaque and this seems to allow door labels to poke through your exterior elevation views. Vector and even Glasshouse view doesn't have the same issue which is funny on the Glasshouse view, where you'd expect transparency to be an issue...

So?.... Does anyone know how to fix this problem? If you take an exterior elevation view and have door and window labels turned on, then not only do the labels on the elevation show but so do those that are on the inside behind the exterior walls. Am I taking crazy pills or does no one else have this problem?

Nice style by the way!

If you post what you have up to date and what version you're using then the folks around here will let you know in various ways what "percentage" your plans are complete. There may even be a Good Samaritan in the midst...

These kind of comments are making me jittery about upgrading from X6 to X8. I have noticed that there are is a lot less static over X8 as there've been quite a few posts regarding X8 sluggishness. I guess it's still an issue. What system are you using? Have you gone through all the necessary video card tweaking etc.?

Select your roof planes from a 3D overview and click on the "Transform/Replicate" tool. Check the "move" box and enter 12" in the "Z" dimension. I also use this method to get my cantilever trusses so that my bottom chord always sits at top of my top-plate. Pretty sure there's a more elegant way to do this but it works for me... I also use this method to drop my roofs over garages that stick past upper floors. I always hate it when there's an inordinate amount of wall between the top of my garage doors and its roof.

I thought it was just me... It truly is maddening that the program seemingly randomly decides to NOT snap to an object while dimensioning. This happens especially in elevation or cross section views but also happens on occasion in floor plan views. I need to close and reboot to correct. I do love how how this program automatically generates floors, trim, ceilings, and finishes when drawing walls to enclose a room but quirks like this make me want to go back to Archicad sometimes. (just venting) I guess there's a trade-off with every choice. I would love to upgrade to X8 but knowing that this issue still persists, what's the point? Story poles and shaded elevations are not as attractive when the program still struggles with something so basic as dimensioning? Dimensioning?!? In an architectural CAD program? Really?

Nice to know someone else prints on sheets exclusively 11x17. I've personally widdled it down to 8.5x14, and I print in color. Of course I only do residential and houses are max 3000 sf livable area, so I can get away with this. Customers and all interested parties are able to print out copies to scale. Carpenters appreciate the small size plans etc.... 11 X 17 was ideal because I could fit just about anything at 1/8" scale but 8.5 X 14 works as well with a little bit of cramming. Anyone else do this? Just curious. (I also like that I only use one scale in annotations, 1/8")

...also make sure you "update view" if not checked to be done automatically before printing.

It's most probably an urban plot of land with 0 side setback so he's probably fine there. I'm assuming neighbors on either side sandwiching him in. Northern European row housing I'm guessing. Would be nice to hear from OP again. I'm intrigued

You could put in a an elevator to save space, with an exterior emergency spiral staircase. Then the, trailer or even container floor plans would be a good place for inspiration.