plannedRITE

You have a post in this forum but it would be extremely beneficial to add a forum specifically for AI implementation to discuss the topic. If it is all added to that one post, it will get lost and be much more difficult to search.

(to others reading, we are texting about this now. I'm going to be looking back into project management but I had issues with it when it was first being introduced, though I don't recall with what exactly, and I had to revert back to the traditional method) For now, is there a reason for this not working with the traditional method?

I've been experimenting with the new MCP server in X18 using Codex, and I'm pretty disappointed to discover how much functionality appears to be restricted unless Project Management is enabled. Codex can read room and object properties, retrieve dimensions and elevations, and even select specific objects. However, attempting something as basic as opening an object's specification dialog through the MCP returns "This tool requires Chief to be in project management mode." The same happens when attempting to use the MCP's keyboard shortcut functionality. I understand that certain project-related functions might depend on Project Management, but why would basic drafting commands and object interactions require it? I use the old file management intentionally. My entire workflow revolves around an established folder structure, NAS storage, and backup system. Switching to Project Management just to take advantage of AI automation would be a pretty significant change that I'd really rather avoid. (And honestly, my file management has been working just fine...I've never had a reason to change) Is there an actual technical reason these functions require Project Management, or is this simply a limitation of the experimental implementation? I'd really like to see full MCP functionality supported with Traditional File Management as well. Otherwise, it seems like a lot of the potential of this new feature is being unnecessarily restricted for those of us who don't use Project Management. Also, I'm shocked that this is being implemented - it's incredible! My head has been spinning with all of the potential, I'm beyond excited about it and to see what others come up with. But the file management deal is really odd to me...and a problem. I might be misunderstanding something as I'm mostly just communicating what Codex is telling me that it's running into. Thanks Chief team for bringing something like this in!

Chief does have Hardie siding available as a manufacturer catalogue: https://www.chiefarchitect.com/3d-library/index.php?r=site/detail/987

Very close to working out. This did bring up another curveball...rigid insulation wouldn't be installed around the single wall but would be installed at the cap of it, to match the depth of the rest of the home. So that extra thickness throws off where the main layer sits. I guess that this design in particular might be a bit too custom for Chief (as it wraps around). That being said, I tested your solution with the same exterior wall layer thickness and it did work. Thank you!

I know this is a relatively common issue but the fixes that I've found in searching pertain to interiors or slab on grade rooms. If we have a floor framed porch with solid walls on each side but the face open, if one side is just a single wall the open face (an invis wall/open railing) will cut the finish surface back of the single wall. For many intersections that might have a similar issue, editing the wall layers is the fix...but that doesn't work with this wall setup. Is there a proper way to accomplish this without rough bandaids like solids/moldings to cap the end of the wall? End Wall Issue.zip

If you set a wall to no room definition, you can actually place 2 walls in the same position, that can be used with railings. But, since Chief still foolishly treats the center of a full wall assembly as center as opposed to the main layer (as it should and as we've asked for), it's not that quick to stack/center them together.

Turn off the "Rooms, Interior Dimensions" layer -

I have a detailed setup for automating glazing & vent calcs. But first, I highly recommend using Rene's macro page on his site...it's extremely useful. https://www.rabbittdesign.net/macros I spent quite a while creating this sucker but I'll share it...here you go: I've attached a simple plan that has everything you need inside. It's pretty darn accurate, far more than any reviewer should care to see. Few things to know - 1. If there is glass in a door, make sure to mark it as tempered in its DBX. However, if it's a hinged exterior door with its style being a symbol that uses glass, it'll always report 30% of its area as glazing. There is no way to accurately measure this since chief can't analyze a symbol like that. 30% is close enough for most doors we use but you can finagle the number yourself if you need to in either that door's custom object field or the glazing_door macro. 2. I keep the schedules in a CAD detail for my layout. You'll want to make a copy of that schedule template for each room that needs to report these values. In the schedule, select the room it's in and add the name of the room to the main title (I wish we could use a macro for the title to save time...). Here's a video walkthrough: Glazing&Ventilation.zip

I've used my drones for progress pics for my own marketing but the best use-case has been for getting roof shots for asbuilts. As far as selling it as a service, you'll have the best luck offering it to the builder for them to use for their own marketing. Homeowners will like it but I'm not sure how many will actually want to pay for it.

There's a drop down that allows you to choose if a specified shadow board will show on the Eave, Gable, or both. You can also select a roof plane and, under Shadow Boards, choose if it will show on that selected edge or not.

Can you clarify what it is that you're trying to accomplish? Which are the new 5 windows? If this schedule is showing more windows than you like, it's due to you sending the extra windows to that schedule. If you only want to show 5 of your windows in that schedule, you'll need to either uncheck Include in Schedule on the others.

It will be located in the roof defaults. In the structures tab, under the Roof Layers section, you'll want to click edit on the structure to edit the rafter sizing. With the framing layer selected, check Auto Detail as Insulation.

The simplest way is to use Rene's search on his website to look for seamless textures. That's always my first go-to. https://www.rabbittdesign.net/texture Making one is more difficult...you typically need some photoshop/photo editing knowhow. There are tools that supposedly can do it for you, they pop up after a Google search. They might work?

Can you share the plan file? That's a fairly simple wall intersection and works fine when I quickly replicate it so I'm curious to see what is done in your file. That being said, Chief can have a difficult time handling complicated wall intersections and may even fight any manual layer editing that you may do. But this is simple enough that it should be fixable.