HumbleChief

Good advice

I'm not sure I do in practice. I use your technique most of the time. I was just showing one way Chief works and was trying to illustrate one way files can get referenced. Wasn't meant as a treatise on how everyone should work in Chief. There are many other ways to work in Chief as you know and no way to show all the intricacies in a 10 minute video. If people understand how the referencing can work then at least they will have a chance to get a layout template that works. Did a quick vid hopefully showing the technique you described Graeme.

We would all appreciate it, would love to see a different take.

I think it would be a good challenge to see who can get baseboards to show like that. Sorry I'm no help - never seen it.

Hey Michael, Are Plot Lines actually slower? I couldn't tell you because I've learned habits and techniques that work for me - which is the whole point of using Chief - finding what works for you. Early on I tried live views and had some troubles, maybe even in Alpha or Beta testing, can't remember. Tried a few things like technical illustrations etc. to get the look I wanted and then tried Plot Lines and was able to get some simple shadows that don't mess up the builders and I was done experimenting. Maybe it's time to rethink that approach but I'm too busy to try another option right now. Try a couple methods and see what works for you. There are some who would never send an elevation with shadows because they do much more ConDoc centered work and the shadows get in the way. Others want color and shadows, others...you get the idea.

Many templates would make me crazier. I can barely handle the one lol.

I also think there is a really good case to be made for the Save As Method because constantly changing your template can be a PIA. Case in point above with Perry's suggestion. If I had used some form of the Save As Method I would have changed that clip to sides setting (because I knew it needed changing) and it would have been good for all future plans. With the Template method you sort of have to save up a couple/few changes you want to make then go back and change your Template plan file and when your busy it's really easy to not make those changes and just use your not so great template file, which is exactly what I was doing. It makes for more work that doesn't have to be done. All good stuff and thanks again Perry for the reminder.

I'm doing it right now Perry - THANKS - DONE!

Bob, The plan file is within that long list of files in the zip file - at least it was when I looked. Not easy to find though.

I just wanted to show another less constrictive method for using Layout Templates that isn't dependent on having a particular plan file in your Layout Template. Always a work in progress and always modifying the templates to work just a little better.

Open the terrain dbx and uncheck 'Hide Terrain Intersected By Building' - oh wait what Richard said

This is always such a great topic and I've been messing with templates, both Layout and Plan, for many years and i think the reason for Chief's tools and approach have finally sunk in. You will find as many ways to use those tools as there are users but if you understand the tools and how they work you can develop a strategy that works for you. I just had a reason to change my Layout template and thought I would record the thought process I use. It's not perfect but it works for me and again if you understand how Chief's tools work you can create a template (or SAM) method that works best for you.

GREAT deals running right now. (Probably means X9 is very close) Don't see anything from X8 to X9? I'm assuming X8 without SSA? Good question if so and probably have to call sales for clarification if that's the case. https://www.chiefarchitect.com/offers/

I would call tech support if you have SSA. I can't seem to solve it here either.

I'm getting the same thing here. Tried this tip - doesn't seem to help.

Agreed

Michael, I could be wrong but I think Chief behaves better when you work from the top floor down. Seems weird and counter intuitive and perhaps there are others who might correct this notion but I'm pretty sure it's the best method for getting Chief to behave properly.

I would watch this video at your own risk...

Alex, First thing I would do is check your floor default ceiling and floor heights for each floor. The floor/ceiling heights do not match your defaults nor do they match the heights you have posted above. After setting those check your second floor floor/ceiling heights. Some rooms are off by 2" from others. Your defaults will help here as well. Once you get your default heights set you can use match properties to get everything stable then change your single room heights.

There's supposed to be 7 sneak peak videos coming - this is number 3 so 4 more to go it looks like.

I have never found a logical way to accomplish this repeatedly. I just keep messing with it till it works again then hurry up and hit save.

Facebook feed https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/x9features?source=feed_text&story_id=1686217114740867

Very creative but i think you might be making the point that this should be easy and straight forward within Chief's stair tools.

Have run into this many times over the years with workarounds that aren't so great. How do we get this ability OOB with real pony walls, framing etc.? Seriously, what would it take Scott? More suggestions in the forum? I know the Beta team is active are they asking for it too? Would love to see it. Thanks.

Not me. Chief has always been the company they have always been and it's just too easy to get stairs to code with Chief's tools.