WendyatArtform

If you put a short invisible wall segment, using the Room Divider wall type - you can place it far enough from a corner that the main wall will take the break, then move it so the remaining segment is the length you want.

I would like the anno set to trigger a different "current CAD layer". 

it can and does.    Right here.  

Well, I've tried to help a bit.  

https://chieftalk.chiefarchitect.com/index.php?/topic/6824-annotation-sets-wendys-oob-mods-and-instructions/

First set of videos had no sound!  "doh", didn't check before uploading....  But redid - first one is up, second one is loading - and sample files are in that thread.

Ah-righty - one more try here.  I'm uploading some videos to Youtube that I think will be more helpful.  What I did was start with a Chief template as shipped and modify it to provide what I believe is missing and fix what's confusing - but without wholesale changing the Text layer, Dimensions, Manual layer etc.  iow, I tried to correct and build, not do scorched earth.  The first video examines Chief oob and one of mine.  But the "how" video stays close to oob. 

I'll add the link when I have it.  I'm doing this post first, so I can get this link to post there - 'cause this is where I'm uploading the accompanying files.  

And here are the Youtube links.  Let me know if these are better, if I missed anything I hit in the first group...?

OK - they are up, with sound:

The tour:  https://youtu.be/D32bipNM4Nk

The How: https://youtu.be/raY14hun7j4

Wendy Anno Lesson YouTube.zip

I am not sure what the problem is,  CA has already set up anno sets for you.  Use them,  they are for users who do not want to be bothered with customizing their own.

 

Please,  use the anno sets that CA gave you.

Actually - I do know what the problem is.  Chief's oob Anno Sets are confusing.  Very Confusing.  Anno Sets can be used following either of two perfectly valid systems - using Anno Sets to drive Layersets, or not.  They mixed the two.  They have 3 sets that are by scale, and "Use Active Layerset".  Then they have some that are by type.  So you use the Electrical one followed by the 1/4" one, and you're going to seriously be confusticated.

And they've only provided some of the needed layersets - it's not so much a truly complete set.  They did separate out Roof from Plan, but not roof framing from floor/ceiling framing.  NKBA is in the group that's by type, but is set to "Use Active Layerset", where the others are not.

For oob to be truly useful, and understandable - it should, imnsho, be complete and consistent.  It's not complete.  It's not consistent.  "Other than that, it's fine!"  ;-)

I've made some new videos that I hope are less chopped up and will be viewable on Macs (better capture software) and accompanying plan, layout and AnnoSet files for import.  I'm uploading to YouTube.  Let's see if I can figure out how to do a link to my new little Channel!  (Sometimes I'm really thmaht, and sometimes not so much!)    Anyway, when it's done I'll post all back in Tips again.  

I'm thinking your X-rails will also need to be symbols.

For part 2 - you can probably do that with a Molding Polyline, so it can expand if you change spacing.  Avoid 3D Molding Polyline any time you don't actually need a Z direction. 

You make a closed polyline that's the profile in section.  Then draw a line in plan, Convert to Polyline - Molding Polyline - assign your profile - and experiment a little with inside v outside (Molding tab, bottom of screen, box checked or not).  

Again - read Help and/or check out videos for how to use it in detail.

For the columns, you'll probably want to make symbols.  You could do it with parts and pieces, but then you'll have to manage them with any edits.  

I would do this is a clean empty plan file.  Just use whatever tools you are comfortable with to make these columns, then make a symbol.  Look in Chief's videos for how to make a symbol.  It's pretty easy.

Basically you use any parts whatsoever to make the shape or shapes you want.  It makes no difference what you use - polyline solids, molding polylines, cabinets, window louvres, windows, doors, railings, fences, other symbols - quite seriously, it doesn't matter.  I've even cheated using terrain for stuff that's kinda mushy.  

Then with it on screen in 3D - Tools - Symbol - Convert to Symbol - and take a good look at Advanced options while you go.  And, of course, read the Help section for details.

Here's how I see it:

Yes, Anno Sets could be a hair simpler.  Maybe.  And maybe not.  Making them "simpler"  would have deprived some of function.  Simpler exactly the way the OP suggested - by having a single layer for all annotations, that are listed separately at the main Anno Set definition screen, just like Cad Layer.  That's actually the way I work!  But not everyone does.  I was a tester during that development cycle, and I know they came down on the side of power.  The ability to import and export Annotation Sets and Layersets was provided specifically because of that.  With that greater amount of control and power came a longer setup time.

So yes, it takes time to set them up.  But it's also "one and done".  And that "really long time", even accounting for some fumbling and false starts - we're talking maybe a half an hour.  Ok let's add in a generous amount of trial and error figuring out how you want your layersets to work - so not just Anno Set setup time, but planning time (which you'd need to do anyway btw, even if Anno Sets were "simpler").  So let's make that setup time a whole day!  Once in your entire Chief career.  And maybe an hour's tweaking per release.  

And - having been a tester since version 10, and having had a great many personal discussions with the Chief Chief Dudes since then, I don't see any way they are going to change this now or in the near future.  The Wish List contains an almost limitless supply of things that are a far bigger PITA that they will address first - things that we either can't do at all right  now or things that suck up buckets of time daily, not once per user.

I'll never tell anybody to hold back on feedback, delivered however makes sense to you.  Many a good change has happened because of some rabble rousing.  At the same time ask yourself what's really the best use of your time and even of your emotional capital.  Is staying in this particular state of aggravation going to get any positive result for you?  Or just an ulcer?  Does it take time away from other whining with more potential.   Trust me, I got really stuck on some issues are various points in my Chief usage - been there, done that, t-shirt's full of holes.

Personally, I can find a whole lot more things in Chief worthy of the Knotting of Knickers!  Hmmm - stair railings comes to my mind!   (oops, my evil motive for this post just surfaced... - I'll start a new thread and not hijack this one!)

Thank a lot guys, by the way how to you use the Skectup program in your design specification?

Personally, I don't.  I can do everything I need in Chief.  But a lot of people do.  Chief can import from a really wide variety of 3D sources.  Sketchup exports to the extension SKP.  You can see that listed here.  This is not the full list of supported imports, indicated by the "..."

I do the Perry method.  If my terrain is making too many lines at the top grade, I also add the Cad Mask.

Yep.   Just make sure you download the relevant Bonus libraries - that's where you'll find office equipment and furniture.  The Bonus libraries are included with your SSA

Our OP seems to have vanished.

So...Identify material name using the Adjust material, click on material painter (spray can), click plan material, find name in plan material list (unfortunately plan material dbx doesn't have a search box or we could past the name instead of searching down a list of 500).  copy and adjust this material  then spray?    

 

That's the fastest method that I know.  Anyone other ideas?

 

Thank you, Kevin,

Barry

That really is THE way.  I do a lot with materials.  You might find other ways to get the look you want for a brief shining moment.  But this is the way to do it correctly and have control.

Thanks Johnny

Markllc,

So you don't like the way it's set up by default.  And there's a tool provided where you can change it to what you do want, but you don't want to use it?   Well, since I have very serious doubts that they will actually change the way the program works to the way you wish (my doubts stem from experience - I've tried that - didn't get very far - well, the changes I have succeeded in getting made took an average of 5 years each, and required the consensus of thousands of other users..., sounds like neither applies here.) - how can we help you?

I had problems with HP in the past with incomplete prints etc.  It had to do with memory in the printer, and drivers.  I bought a Cannon.

If material painter is not working, you probably have wrong setting.  After you select the painter, look at bottom of screen and make sure "C" for Component is the active choice

There are some options, but not for including or excluding object types

Our system - THE plan always has the same name.  Smith Residence.plan maybe.  The Saveas's get the longer archival name.  Smith Residence first roof design.plan maybe.

Well, that's theoretically the system.  We do end up with Smith Residence try this roof.plan and Smith Residence the other roof.plan.  

Hence my warning about being careful!  If you go down this road, pick a system for naming and stick to it relentlessly.  And watch your layout plan attachments.  Chief will appear to attach your Saveas'd plan if the layout is open, but not so much.  

And the counterpoint to my own point....  

Be careful about Save-As-ing yourself into utter confusion!  It's not just the space.  You can end up with version-itis.  So as with many superpowers - use it wisely!

Something else that might be helpful:

You can copy and paste/hold roof planes between plans.  Do a Saveas to create a second copy of your plan.  Then you can always go and get a roof plane back that was redone.

Where this can be useful is if you're not sure exactly which roof planes were edited.  Or just as a fail-safe.

"what he said"  ;-)

He sent me a PM that he did find Puffin.  Thanks for posting that here though.

It'll be another week before I can get to Sane Terrain etc.  Work, dad, etc.....

I also reactivated my Camtasia, so I'll try to do "real" videos for the next round.

Bonus library - beds

CAD scaling is a departure from normal font scaling. What it does is to scale the text such the letter A is the height that you desire when measured from the bottom of the letter (baseline) to the top of the letter. Normal scaling goes from the baseline to the ascent which is often, but not always above the top of the A. This varies greatly depending on the font so is a very confusing topic. This sort of scaling is what most people who came from a hand drafting background would use. However, it is not at all like what someone coming from a background of publishing would use. Most people who use Chief probably want the CAD scaling, but we do offer the other option if that is your preference. It is much harder to get different fonts to look the same size if you are not using CAD scaling.

Thanks for 'splainin'  

I do think it's good to have both options.  For instance, we use Chief for any graphic layouts!  Hey, it's the tool I know.  ;-)

As with many things, know how something really works can make all the difference.