kwhitt

Rob - thanks for the reply. By what method do you mean relatively quick? Shaping a rectangular polyline? If so, I guess that would depend on the complexity of the cross section. If I'm missing something, please speak up. Thanks again...

Is there a way to auto-hatch the entire clipped cross section when sending to layout? Or do I have to manually draw the outline and create my own hatch to fill in this area? I know I can use auto detail for insulation, etc., but I want the entire clipped area to be filled with a hatch of my choosing? Possible?

Thanks again for the tips. I've learned quite a bit from your YouTube Channel too. Kevin

Steve - I got it to work, but you're right about the corners. Playing around with room dividers at the corners is a lot of work, think it will be faster to place these newels manually. Thanks again for the all the help. Kevin

Thanks Steve. I'm getting there. The point called out by the black arrow in the attached is the point where the newel sits on the deck rim joist. Is this where I want the origin for my symbol? Kevin

Steve - thanks for the explanation. I will be working on this today. Was there anything special needed for the newel post origin? Do I draw the newels in plan or elevation view? I appreciate the time you took to illustrate this. Kevin

Thanks guys for the feedback. Michael - I know what you mean about it being just as quick to model it, but I'm on the 3rd revision for this guy (starting to regret taking the retainer) and could possibly have to do a couple more until he settles on a footprint. So, were I to have CA do the automation, the vertical members would be newel posts with short horizontal members attached to align with my horizontal panels (the seat and back)? I am unsure of where I place the origin for such a symbol so that the slanted back exceeds the outline of the deck. Also, I failed to mention that the deck has chamfered corners as shown in the attached. Does this present any problems with the automation (mitering specifically)? I am just getting into creating my own symbols and would appreciate any advice. Thanks again, Kevin

Is there any way to have Chief automate creation of the attached deck railing with built-in seat? I can get the horizontal boards, but is there a way to space the vertical supports during the process? Thanks.

You're right! Now that I think of it, I was never prompted to reveal this layer.

Thanks Mick. I knew it had to be something stupid on my end! Kevin

I am following the steps outlined here to create an undermount sink symbol w/ countertop cut-out: https://www.chiefarchitect.com/support/article/KB-03021/importing-symbols-with-custom-counter-holes.html After exploding the CAD block to insert my own counter cut-out, I select the rectangular polyline to draw the cut-out and the symbol disappears - not allowing me to complete the edit. Any ideas on what I might be doing wrong? The file is attached. Thanks. Baker Bathrooms_11-10-19.plan

Figured it out. I just saw the check box for global symbol mapping!

Got it. Thanks!

I created my own screened porch panel symbol that has a 1" perimeter frame. I used a technique I saw in a video by Steve Nestor for a screen material using CA's glass block texture with some added transparency. I copied and redefined a the material with 1" x 1" sizing. The width and height stretch planes are centered and the frame resizes perfectly. When I resize the symbol in either plan or elevation view, the screen material stretches (before & after stretch images attached). It works beautifully on the screen door placed by CA, but not on my panels for some reason. Can anyone tell me what I'm missing here? Thanks.

Thanks Michael. Very helpful.

Thanks everyone. Michael - I'll add on to those threads. Rob - thanks again for the tips on the invisible wall being perpendicular. Eric had suggested this in another thread regarding a full deck post (in lieu of half) near siding. I thought it was necessary to use both parallel and perpendicular invisible walls.

Eric - thanks... That's a brilliant solution. I didn't think of making a symbol with no relative height. So, I am assuming it is impossible to create a material that is invisible in vector view (other than glass)?

Thanks Rob. I didn't realize the invisible wall you were referring to was perpendicular to the railing. Are two invisible walls (one parallel & one perpendicular) necessary to get this "break"? Thanks again for the feedback.

Thanks for the replies. What I'm already doing works quite well and much simpler than what has been proposed. Is there no way to make something other than glass invisible in vector view? Rob - I tried this method first and the invisible walls at the corners kept getting overridden by the railing walls as the posts are only 3.5". That occurred even when I reversed direction.

I want to make my newel posts invisible in standard and vector view, so that I can insert my own 45° posts on a chamfered deck. I have tried creating a symbol and having CA insert them automatically to no avail. So, I created my own material using insulation air gap and all is fine in standard view, but it shows up shaded yellow in vector view. I know I can assign a glass material to the posts and uncheck "opaque window glass" in vector, however, I don't want my actual windows transparent. Any ideas on how to accomplish this?

Glenn & Chris - thanks for your input. Seems I have a couple options. Chris - liked your disclaimer about the framing dimensions. I've run into this a time or two myself...

Glenn - thanks for the reply. I'll give this a try as soon as I get to the office. Do you happen to know if there is a way to display in gray scale with all hatches and fills? As stated above, when I toggle color off, the fills disappear. Kevin

I was wondering if it was possible to have walls use different fills under different layer sets. For example, on working plans the standard walls showing all the layers out of the box are fine. However, on kitchen and bath plans I use walls, normal without walls, layers and want the entire wall volume shaded in a light gray. I can't seem to do this without changing the entire wall definition which messes up my other sets. Any ideas on how to accomplish this? Also, I noticed the color toggle removes any fills when deselected. What I'm looking for is a gray scale representation with the fills desaturated. This is something I thought the color toggle should do, but not the case. I'd appreciate any feedback on the above. Kevin

basketballman - thanks for the reply. I'll give it a shot. Graham - thanks for the tip. This should work!

Thanks Eric. Can you think of a workaround? I've even tried offsetting from second floor ceiling and since the ceiling directly above is sloped, it comes in on an angle. There's got to be a manual way to place these fixtures...