HumbleChief

Got it and I think you're right - interesting.

Not sure that schedules are the only thing that automatically updates in a CAD Detail. I think all CAD details automatically update to the Layout. Not elevation views, but those, technically, are not CAD Details.

Love Sketchup's interface, love Chief's focus on residential design and 3D. Also love SU's ability, and the skilled user's ability to detail as shown above, but here's something I've learned working with many contractors over the years. They don't want details. Sometimes they get stuck and ask for advice from me or my Structural Engineer but mostly the fewer details I can include in the plans the better they like it. Not so they can short cut the code and build crap, but rather it gives them the flexibility to build it right in the field instead of following some 2D or 3D representation of how some designer thinks it should be built. I have a feeling that might go against the inclination of some who feel the need to detail everything in an exacting manner, and for some clients it's needed, but for the most part I don't need and can't use the wonderful 3D detailing shown in the video above.

Hey Johhny, here's a video on the difference between Schedules in the plan and Schedules in a CAD Detail.

Thanks you guys, do you have them open in a CAD window while working with windows/sizes/changes to insure the Schedule(s) stay correct? I've had them in my plans forever. Seems easy enough, just another habit to develop. OT - Off for my Sunday morning Ocean swim - love it - the water is really nice in San Diego right now.

I am experimenting with the Window/Door Schedules in separate CAD details, instead of part of the plan view, and miss the ease of having the Schedule with the plan while modifying the schedule. Of course I can open the CAD detail in another window and observe changes data but it's an extra step and an extra monitor (I have 3) and am not quite sure of the benefit yet. Biggest benefit I can see is that the schedule will have it place on the Layout pre-defined and pre-sent to Layout. Curious, what do you do? Schedules in plan view or a CAD detail? Other?

...then just started up out of the blue....strange.

Nuthin here. Getting a "The program is already running..." message when I try again. No worries I'm done for the day.

Shut down tried to restart - nuthin.

Using it now, working OK.

Couldn't open it either Alan, must be a bad file.

Grab anything on your screen and use the mouse wheel to scroll in and out while holding down the left mouse button, continue to draw when the zoom level is correct..

I like it Joe, just so hard to change habits when so busy lately.

I remember the topic coming up on the forum and tried it out on that plan but forgot I put it in there. Never use them in a CAD detail but might try. Haven't found a reason to yet.

Why did I have to go back and look?

Ah Joe, much much love - never would have found that rascal - thank you so much for taking the time.

This plan is acting like there are 2 window schedules (double labels) but I can't find another schedule to save my life. The double window labels are what I need to change. When I delete the schedule that is visible in plan view I can see there is still a window label showing but no other schedule I can find. Ready to be embarrassed but any help appreciated. Plan here HIDDEN WINDOW SCHEDULE.plan

Thanks, I like that Joe. Im going to set up a clean up Layer set and test it out.

Jared, Let's say you have made a pretty large change in your Anno Sets, for whatever reason, do you then save that plan to your template? And wouldn't you have to strip/delete everything from that plan file to start your new plan? Or are your plan/layout templates pretty well set and you don't anticipate changing much in the way of Anno Sets etc.?

I think I like Joe's idea though I'm not exactly sure how to implement it. If it's only in 'certain areas' another method is to create simple poly-line solids in elevation and copy/distribute/shape ends as needed. Quicker than it seems. I also have created a second framing Layer in the wall dbx but there were serious limitations.

Here's a trick I used when I was first starting out and didn't know how much to charge. I would get the PDF's and tell the client I would review the plans and get back with a proposal for the work in a couple days. Then I would madly begin drawing the plans (trace PDF's whatever) to see how much time it would really take me, then prepare a proposal accordingly. Still do that today if the job is different enough to warrant it.

Steve, If you're just beginning your Anno Set and Layer creation find some way to use a previous plan for your next plan because your next plan will almost certainly have changes made to your Anno Sets and Layers as you learn what you need. If I understand the SAM method, it always saves your Anno Set and Layer changes (if any) from the previous plan, meaning you are always using your latest Sets and changes. With a template you need to be sure all your latest changes are in there or you will have to create new Anno/Layer Sets in your old template. Some users have been using Chief for a very long time and don't need to modify their Anno/Layer Sets. For those users a template might be great but as you're first developing your Anno Sets I think some sort of Save As Method works best - at least it did for me. As a side note I have 3 or 4 different Layouts saved as templates because of the different boiler plate notes needed by different Cities/ Counties etc. and I logo my Layouts for different builders with their Logos so those Layouts are saved as templates for that builder.

Trying to understand your couple of questions. IF you had the ACAD file, or a PDF file of the plans, it would save you LOTS of time over measuring the house yourself and creating a plan from scratch. PDF's can be re-sized easily using the point to point re-size tool which will make your initial tracing much more accurate. See pic below. Tracing over the ACAD file or a PDF is pretty quick, maybe an hour for initial floor plan(s). Filling in the details much longer. That's if you have an ACAD or PDF file. If you don't, and it's a new house, meaning there's nothing to go and measure, how would create the design - at all? Do you have hard copy of the plans? If you do and no ACAD or PDF you can scan the hard copy and import it into Chief as a JPEG or PDF. I use this awesome phone app call CamScanner https://www.camscanner.com/ and scan full sized 24 x 36 drawings and send them to my e-mail as a PDF. Amazing quality. Then you have a PDF which is a great starting place to trace over the existing plan by drawing new walls over the existing plan - after you re-size the PDF to scale.

I had a problem within my profile plan as well. Re set everything up and it worked.

I'll try again. Thanks for the help.