ValleyGuy

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????

As there currently aren't any labels for the stair Rise and Run in the stair specifications, how are you conveying this information in your plans? Where do you label (plan, elevation, both...) and how do you label (text, macro, dimensions...) ? I use a text block in an elevation, but was wondering if someone had a better / different way?

Escape, space bar and I have a button on my mouse ..... it's such an annoyance that I can tackle it with either hand lol

I agree, my spacebar is going to be the first thing to wear out on my keyboard. It would be great if it auto drops the item between different views.

A yellow triangle with a number (a note) in the middle of the dimensioned plan view draws a lot of attention. Put in a note schedule titled something like 'Construction Notes' ... mention the additional height and add in 'additional details on page...' within the note and then insert a designated page in the layout with x-sections / elevations / details and anything else you want pertaining to the additional height. That should bring it to their attention.

I used a CA library siding. Adjust the size to 18"x18" and adjust the colour to suit.

I'm not sure if you are just new to Chief or new to the industry as well, either way Welcome. I'm suspecting that you are new to both from your post. If in fact you are new to the industry there are few things to consider when you evaluate your work that you will include in your drawings. One of the biggest questions to ask yourself is how deep into pandora's box are you willing to dive? The code book in my area is in excess of 1,500 pages, how much of it do you want to include and how much of it are you willing to take responsibility for? How many times are you going to double or triple your work load because you put some little disclaimer in your general notes stating 'any deviation from the plans must be approved by the designer'? How many site managers are going to complain about your plans being too sparse / overloaded with details? As you can see from the many posts already, details, details, details .... there will be millions of details. Some details will even change as materials change - maybe you don't need wall vapour barrier if the R21 is a closed cell spray insulation? I agree with HumbleChief, focus in on what you were hired to do and let other people do their jobs. Include the 'important' or 'necessary' details that need to be there but allow room for the residential family home to be flexible and change as they always do. This isn't a commercial type building and you aren't the lead engineer overriding the code book with strict tolerances. For example: your first two details R21 and 1/2" drywall. If you are going to treat this at an ultra high detail level, you would need to establish all the pro's & con's, budget impacts, better building practices, code requirements each option presents and then discuss with the owners to gain approval, as well as contact supply chains and contractor availability....just to be able to put '2lb spray foam 3-1/2" thick' with '1/2" thick moisture resistant drywall'. This is only the first two items..... of which not one person even commented on yet. You still need to go through the endless other components / systems throughout the house. R21 and 1/2" drywall are perfectly fine plan details. Letting the two or three bidding builders promote their style of building with their preferred materials and price points allows you to have closure and move onto your next client. R21 is in the code book, just like anchor bolts, as well as the nailing schedule for the studs to the plates. The insulation and anchor bolts seem to always make it into the plan but very rarely does anyone even mention the spikes. What is the sense of stating 1/2"x8" anchor bolts spaced 6' apart to a pressure treated 2x6 bottom plate if you don't care about nailing the studs down??? So why is there so much discussion about one code item and not another.... it is cultural acceptance. 'Floor system as per engineered floor provider' may be all that is required, fire retardant or not, special fastener or not, maybe all the needed details are included by the supplier just like the roof trusses. Find the balance in your area and apply as necessary. The builder should know the applicable governing code book and is taking responsibility to follow it.... including the spikes and the appropriate quantity to use. Why piss him off stating that he has to use full round headed spikes if he only owns a clipped head nailer? Help the contractor make money with clear plans and he will be your referral champion. Keep the governing inspecting bodies happy and they will make your life better. Make things easier for the material estimators and they will be a referral engine for you. Research other designer's plans in your area (your local building supplier will have a good selection to look at... get to know the estimator). Do your homework as you did right here, ask everyone for feedback then adapt and change your drawings as needed for your company to become successful. Remember, most clients want you to design a wonderful house....and 1,500 pages of the code book will never fit into you plans.

Yes, I had a feeling. No worries, thanks for letting me know Kelly.

Can I change the pop-up window for colour selection or am I stuck with only the one option because of my computer being a Mac? I would like to change to the more advanced option with all the extra controls (colour#2 picture). I have this. I would like this. I think this is telling me that I can't have it. Am I correct or is there a way to chose the other option?