ValleyGuy

I like the flexibility it adds to the different layer sets. Showing proper things like first level windows and doors (shown on a reference display) only in the location I want. For example, if I'm showing roof planes on the second floor as well as maybe a roof plane of a first floor - say a porch, I can show the muted down walls of the second floor under the roof planes and reference layer only the porch door and window under the first floor roof plane, thus not having to show all the first floor doors and windows through the second floor walls. I don't really care to see door swings from the first floor reference showing up through the second floor. I'm not sure if there is a better way, but that is something that I started before I knew anything about the program and it just sort of morphed from there. Now I can display walls, doors, windows, siding and trim, framing all kinds of stuff all on the same view whether it's a single floor overview or a full overview. It really helps streamline things when I'm in front of a customer with 3D views. Whether it's reno's or new builds, single or multi story, it all goes onto my one template and the added flexibility along with the layer sets shows pretty much every type of house component with ease. Not sure if it's right or wrong, but I'm used to it. How does everybody else do it? Here is a picture of the flexibility that I have on one full overview shot .

X15 and I'm trying out the new build floor with trusses. I am wondering if there should be a web 'thickness' line that may have been missed? It is in the individual floor truss after the whole floor system is mass produced but I can not seem to find it prior to building. Is it hiding somewhere?

Thanks Mick, I did in fact rename a layer that is a "system default layer". The default check box is in fact a program system default layer designated by the 'S' in the 'Used' column. I have renamed it to what I would like, and all is well again in Whoville. Just in case anyone else may have renamed a layer like I did, it was a little tricky to find all the 'S' layers as some layers were selected as the default and had the 'wrench' symbol, and some had objects already assigned to the layer which had the '+' symbol. The symbols are dynamic and I had to strip down my bare template as there were even some 'secondary layers' attached to some CAD details that made it an in-use '+' symbol - not actual objects in the CAD detail, just checked off boxes lingering around in the object layers properties.

I am struggling hard and need someone to point me in the right direction please. I just loaded X15 and can not seem to set the default layer set for windows and doors. Hitting the wrench after I am happy with the window works... until I mull two windows together, then it goes back to this mysterious 'Default' that I can't seem to find - a 'Default' check box in the Default Settings over rides everything. Where do I find the 'Default' that over rides the 'Default Setting'?

I never had much luck building cabinets to ever allow the fridge to be flush as the wall ovens or dish washer in the real world so I don't approach it any different on the computer either. Most fridges need their door hinges proud of the sides to allow the doors to open enough to allow the interior drawers to miss the small tray holders mounted on the inside of the doors. I use an open lower cabinet with only sides and a top cabinet blocked and saved in my library.

It does get a little confusing navigating the waters for the first time and finding HELP info on only one topic (Custom Schedule Topics) adds a little frustration in trying to clean up any mess in the Note Type Category created while trying to learn this stuff. I suppose an amendment / addition to the HELP instructions stating what Scott said would be in order, I'll make a suggestion. Thanks for your follow up clarification. All you long time users are a real wealth of knowledge and are appreciated on this form, keep chiming in - even if our immediate problem seems to be solved. Every little bit info that weaves this program together and provides clarification sure helps anyone learning it.

Wonderful, thank you Scott.

Is it possible to edit the categories in schedules? I've added a "New Custom Category" and now would now like to modify / delete the name of it and can not seem to find a way to do so. Does anyone have direction on this?

How does it look with a referenced overlay? Does it fog out the same way of does the overlay stay full colour?

Yes I did see that, do you know if it is this going to be a useable tool of some kind in 3D? Even if it isn't, I'm glad that they are making some steps toward improving the control over stairs and landings. I was experiencing a little keyboard rage yesterday when I found the new video.

Is this a brand new video for X15? There isn't the usual version identifying label at the top of the plan in the video.... and I don't have any of these options on X14 so I'm guessing that this video is hot off the press for X15 ???

I tried this as well and concur that the slow down wasn't worth it for the piece count. As a former concrete contractor that used ICF quite a bit, seeing a plan that explained the use of the ICF was far better than the take-off (my ICF supplier has software that does the take-off for free). Right now where I live, it is pretty hard to get a contractor so homeowners are asking to make it 'easy for the concrete guy' - they want their house to be one of the low hanging fruit to pick from. I spend my effort doing a good design including the 1/2" nubs where they are important to the contractor - footing step heights, top plates and doorways (removal of nubs or not). I try to keep tops of walls from being cut where the ICF has the webs (PITA and time consuming for the contractor), being mindful of opening placements (engineering requirements and logistics to place the concrete), utilize special pieces of ICF like tapered tops, height adjusters, different block thickness, etc. In a nutshell, I get a lot better mileage spending the time on the design and a good CAD drawing than on the actual 3D symbol in the plan. I rely on a material for the ICF, membrane and the dimple board in the 3D pics. 3D symbols for the block, corners and Tee wall pieces just slowed my computer down too much and the degree of realism wasn't required. Just my 2 cents as well... Your 3D block does rock though and you are well on your way to creating great symbols.

You're welcome. If you do plan to dabble with the materials list, get a hold of me and I will gladly share some of the pitfalls and solutions to over come them with you.

Terry, I tried doing this exact thing, added value (and revenue) for what seemed like an easy list to supply from CA. There are all kinds of hurtles to overcome and with some effort it can work out very nicely. I have compared my complete material list supplied by CA against a building supplier's take off estimate and the items and quantities were virtually identical once the waste factor formula was included in CA's list. In some cases, I actually built more complete models and had a more complete list than the building supplier provided. The largest hurtle is that most people don't trust your list well enough and want to double check it (suppliers quoting #'s and pricing to contractors, and contractors quoting pricing to clients). Everyone wants to point fingers when the numbers are out of line, and if you gave the quantities - they point at you. As there are many different ways to physically build a house, our drawings may not match the way being used and therefore discrepancies will occur. When you add the disclaimer that you aren't to be held responsible for errors or omissions.... coupled with the fact that we draw few (if any) fasteners, adhesives, tapes, caulking, grout, shims, wind bracing, etc, and manually add these to the material list as 'allowances', you can understand why contractors are skeptical toward our list. The fact that most clients haven't made all the final item choices when most plans are drawn doesn't help either. Bottom line, if you want a list, no matter if it is only the framing material, you will need to make the list user friendly and that is a lot more effort on your part than what its worth in revenue or customer interest. Material take offs are supplied free of charge by the building suppliers around here and free is pretty low revenue, so the added value to wrangle up new business is a costly and very time consuming venture for my business. Suggestion: I abandoned the material list perk and spent more time learning how to make walk through movies. Sometimes I don't even frame the complete house any more and use that time to make a 60 second movie that wows the client. That is turning out to be minimal work with minimal risk and maximum impact. With the contractors, I've gained interest and new business by 'walking' them through the build via 3D looking at the things that they are interested in. Just offering it to them if they get in a pinch is more added value than I first thought. I've had two contractors in the last few months use this, one came to my office in person and the other via face time. Both were over the moon for the 25 min of my time and CA's 3D modelling ability. Just something to consider, Shayne

Is there a way to display 'Main Layers Only' for ICF in an efficient manner? I see that there has been a few discussions in the past describing a few work arounds to temporarily display the foam block for a quick picture, however, there seems to be a lot of work involved and has to be done multiple times if one wants to move / adjust anything. Has Chief put in a reasonably easy way to shed off the interior layers (drywall) and exterior layers (siding) to ICF walls and foundations? 'Main Layers Only' appears to be triggered by wood framing and not the actual 'Main Layers' of the wall in both 3D and Elevation cameras, and ICF doesn't seem to have a way to "frame" a substance to become visible. My goal is to show the overall ICF scope of work in 3D as well as show wall elevations to help the foundation contractor see the few different areas that need further explanation - just like we would with wood framing elevations. I've been making CAD elevations, but that too is very time consuming.

In my area, the county isn't as concerned about the few dollars/sq ft for a permit, they are pretty relaxed here so it doesn't effect the plan measurements. However, for the purposes of taxes, they come out and physically measure to the outside of the corner boards! Greedy buggers tax me for a couple hundred extra sqft year after year!

I feel your pain. I do the same as Solver suggests, I draw a complete slab or add a border slab around the room slab that CA generates.

Bingo we have a winner! That cured my unattached arrow issues. Some of the most straight forward things make my hair turn gray right before I pull it out. Thank you so much for figuring that out.

Hey guys, thanks for all the help here. Wow, what started out as a simple question and answer turned into roadside assistance for a broken vehicle. I appreciate all of you taking some time on your Saturday to help me out. The macros work great!

1) A new OOB template does let me connect to stairs and a towel that I also tested it on. I must have a glitch in my template plan.Is that something I should send to CA or should I just copy my exported stuff (walls, defaults, layer sets,....) to a new plan template?? 2) Thanks for the tip ..... l didn't click " Watch on YouTube" ... it's clear as can be. Thanks again, I'll go and rewatch it again.

OK thanks, I'll try a different plan

Solver, Yes I did, and thank you for taking the time to make it. I can't seem to attach a leader line though. I can only get the properties of the room. Every time I get a snap indicator on the stairs and make a leader line, I don't get attached to the stairs for some reason. I couldn't barely see anything in your video unless you zoomed right in on it so it was more listening than seeing.

I'm struggling hard with trying to get this to work...these poor steps look like a porcupine. I've attached the plan if you have a minute to look at what might be the problem..... Muchly appreciated!! Text Issues.zip

Perfect, I just found that too Doug. Thanks Back to trying to get it too work again.

This is great stuff.... however......I can't seem to get out of the starting blocks. Something must be messed up with my defaults as I can't seem to get anything but Rich Text when I use the leader line. Text only brings up a text box of which I can't attach a line between the text box and the stairs...... any suggestions of what I have to do to get the text with leader line to bring up the text box containing the macro option????