HumbleChief

Good one Alan, of course I was just showing one way to do it and did not know that about Exterior Fixtures, Thanks Joe.

Very interesting Mick - nice job.

Quick vid - hope it helps. Lar

'shift' works too...

I find it very easy to just create a simple note schedule using text and call-outs. Tried the plant schedule but way too much effort for simple plan notes. Maybe a 'notes' schedule would work but Chief's schedules, for me, are way more work than they are worth without word wrap and almost zero flexibility etc. To be clear I create a stacked list of call-outs, either numbers or letters, with a simple description next to each call-out. Then each call-out is copied in place and moved to the relevant location on the plan and the call-outs and text are spaced evenly etc. with the space evenly tools. I don't really want a schedule until Chief's schedules are way more flexible. And of course any manual list can be saved to the library to modify for each plan. Very easy and more importantly, very flexible.

Here's a brief video that may or may not help and as always it's best to pay attention to those would know more about such things.

The window schedule also has the ability to create a separate schedule for each floor.

I'll assume Chief premier has similar tools?

You might try using an invisible wall to define a room in that space, if you haven't already, then drag a roof plane over that room from the column to where ever you want the roof to terminate.

Matt, The first thing about your post I noticed was when you said, "my computer couldn't tolerate the upgrade." That is a problem Chief needs to address with each and every new release. The program should not be relegated to only the fastest systems...and it shouldn't crash when opening the library but that's an isolated case IMO and Chief is a very stable bit of software again IMO. I run a one man office so I can't comment from direct experience running a medium sized shop but I think Chief has some work to do to really address folks in your position. Would really like them to step up their networking and multi-user capabilities but their business model lends itself to small operations like mine. Not saying that's good or bad but it's another market and another shift they would have to make internally before we see it surface in the program. BTW I've run both X6 and X7 when needed but it was like in your case to get out of a jam.

I very, very much want Room Planner to be a useful tool for the professional remodeler but this video shows a job so simple that it actually takes much longer to do with Room Planner and the laser tool than it would take if you used a laser tool (or even a tape measure) with pad and paper. The upside is you can upload to Chief directly and that's huge but what can you actually upload? A complex 3 level home with open ceilings and stairways? Or a simple, single level box? Again, I want it to work, but I'm not getting it as an actual real world tool that would be useful in the real world of the professional remodeler.

Scott, Don't forget the 'All On' layer, it can fix problems like this quickly.

Thanks Dennis. You're right, pretty easy. I've been doing live videos for my l clients but might start using the RT's with pan and zoom (like the video you showed) for presentations.

How do you do that Dennis? I've got movie maker but only because I took a few videos upside down in my phone cam and had to turn them right side up. In other words, I know nothing about MM. Is that a pretty easy technique?

Try the 'All On' Layer just in case, and go up/down a floor in your elevation view in case you're on the wrong floor. Or...post the plan and someone will fix it instantly.

Whatever you decide make sure you have a clear agreement with anyone for anything.

As usual there's no right or wrong, only what's been agreed to. A lawyer would most likely look to the terms of the agreement that went along with selling the plans. If the agreement states the builder can build as many of these houses that he wants after buying the plans then the builder can build as many house as he wants after buying the plans. If the agreement states the builder can build as many times as he wants on THAT LOT for THOSE clients then that's the terms he must stick with. If there was no agreement to begin with then expect a lot of chaos and confusion (and discussions like this) as always happens when there is no clear contract or agreement.

I would love to see what kind of solution you come up with

Good stuff Mick

Another design

Mine is very similar to this one. It's more modern and is of course designed to fit upon my remodeled (using Chief of course) Star Ship Cruiser, which I hope to post in the "Show Your Goodies' thread when it returns from Alpha Centuri later this year.

Here's one I found. http://www.screencast.com/users/lhawes82/folders/Chief%20Content/media/f46641c1-c94b-4faf-b838-d6f7f8499111 Transferred it to You Tube

I've abandoned elevation lines and use only elevation regions. If your terrain has to be spot on and match an exact topo map then lines will probably be necessary, and evil, as you have found out. If you need to merely represent the terrain elevation regions are much more kind and easy to work with. They can also be quite accurate if you mess with them enough. If you need both elevations lines and regions then David's advice, I think, is good. Not easy, but good advice none the less.

I'm currently using a Holodeck which has the added benefit of being able to transport my clients not only to the new home I've designed but also to any place in time they'd like to visit that home. Mixed reviews so far. ok guys, you had to off been a hippy from the 60's trekky to get that one

I've learned that You tube wants to see 2 specific screen sizes when it samples and uploads. 1920 x 1080 and 1280 x 720. If you capture your screen at sizes other than those specific sizes YouTube will somehow downsize your video and the resolution can get downgrade as well. That's why some of the videos have good resolution, others not so much. Snagit has the ability to set up 'Profiles' where you can specify the screen capture size and other particulars like cursor and sound. I set up 2 profiles, one at 1920 x 1080 and the other 1280 x 720 so each video capture will correspond to what YouTube want to see. So far so good. HTH