HumbleChief

My thoughts as well.

Keith, wow - no real need to be so dramatic, it's just a different opinion. I think it's apples and oranges, you think it's apples and apples. Absolutely respect your look at the issue and it's only an opinion, and in my opinion I don't think the analogies hold but I'm all ears and eyes and will learn from every post you make and very much appreciate your input.

I wonder about some of the analogies. Remember the buggy whip? Well cars got rid of buggies and the whip didn't evolve fast enough... Chief occupies a very unique niche market within the architectural and design world. Are they really risking going away because their GUI is outdated? It's irritating and old fashioned but I don't think they are at risk of disappearing like the above companies did? Who is their real competition? It's not really ACAD, or Revit or Archicad. SoftPlan for sure but their price point ensures survival until another player comes along - into a very crowded marketplace. Wouldn't mind that myself but don't really see it.

I don't think that's needed anymore. I think Chief knows the exterior layers in the later versions.

I don't think we should argue the correct order Lew. The idea of any suggestion is that it is just that, a suggestion. I couldn't proceed without Anno Sets but then again I was creating actual working drawings not playing with Chief to learn basic house models. For someone else it might make sense to never learn Anno Sets. So take each suggestion as an idea and a place to start not some absolute method that must be followed and learn Chief in a way that works for you.

I 'think' this is how it works or should work. When you add a new Layer it adds a new Layer to every Layer Set but that new Layer can have unique properties in each Set. You can change those new Layer properties in each Set, or change those Layer properties across all Sets by checking the 'Modify All Layer Sets' box. Does that sound correct? Just tested and this appears to be correct. Don't fear the 'Modify All Layer Sets' button it only affects the single Layer's property you've selected, it doesn't affect any other, or all Layers.

Whoa - I just checked this and Chief certainly does add new Layers to every Layer Set without the Modify All Layer sets box checked.

He's referring to the different Layers he's created and wondering why they are not in each set. Look for 'molding kicks and lt blks' they are different in each screen shot.

OK I'm confused. If you add a Layer to a Layer Set it is added to all Layer Sets without the 'Modify All Layer Sets' box checked? Or is it (somehow) checked by default in your set-up?

I just checked this and Chief certainly does add new Layers to every Layer Set without the Modify All Layer sets box checked. Sorry for the confusion. What's that check box for again?

Edit: this is not correct see posts below. Ray that's how Chief is supposed to work. Typically you (I) don't want every new Layer to be in every Layer Set but if for some reason you do, check this box. EDIT: Whoa - I just checked this and Chief certainly does add new Layers to every Layer Set without the Modify All Layer sets box checked.

Don't confuse defaults with templates, they are 2 different things. Defaults need to be set up for each new house configuration and shouldn't necessarily be good from house to house. Templates of course are designed to fit houses that have the same basic configuration. So first thing is to set up the default floors, room heights, roof pitch, foundation type etc. If you can use a template from a previous plan (which include that plan's defaults), fine, but even then you need to check defaults first thing before you even start drawing the first wall.

The reason I have posted 4 or 5 times is because I've been through the ringer with Chief and just recently really understood the importance of Defaults.

I agree 100% with this philosophy of learning Chief. Learn Defaults, Layers and Anno Sets, then start drawing.

Yes, by all means model an existing house but DON'T start without understanding Defaults, Layers, and Annotation Sets.

Then learn about Annotation Sets. Absolutely key to using Chief effectively. Here's one from the great Scott Hall ANNO SETS FOR DUMMIES PART 1

Next Learn about Layers - they rule your every move as you design for different disciplines in Chief. http://www.chiefarchitect.com/support/article/KB-00765/

Here's a great knowledge base tutorial on defaults. LEARN THIS FIRST, it will help with every part of your plans as you proceed. http://www.chiefarchitect.com/support/article/KB-00463/

One problem that you will face is that most tutorials all assume you have a basic understanding of how Chief works and that the default settings are already set-up. Absolutely not so an Sherry's advice is key that you understand these concepts before you even start drawing. I found the video below that will help you with defaults. This is imperative before you start drawing. It's from an older version but you should be able to find the relevant info in the newest versions. I'll see if I can find some more that are most relevant for a beginner.

Agreed and said as much in an earlier reply to Doug. A sleek modern and easy to use GUI will have many unanticipated benefits down the road. Pretty pictures might sell the software today. I don't envy the decision makers at CA

I think accusing the Chief software engineers of picking the low hanging fruit is not entirely off base. They've said many times how certain changes are 'difficult' or expensive.

In my business it's 19 or 20 out of 20. Only making the point that different businesses need different features etc.

Good points Johnny and I agree to a point but remember 'what matters most' is what matters most to the individual user. There is no simple "this is what you should be working on because that's what I think you should working on." Too many users too many methods and client bases to generalize so broadly. For certain business models there's a lot of room for pretty pictures when selling a job in these days of HGTV etc. I have a contractor that I do a lot of work for and we spend a lot of time selling our kitchen and bath designs. These tools help us immensely in selling our jobs. I was NOT a fan of the pretty pictures in Chief for many years and wondered why anyone would want such features. Now those features are working overtime for me and my clients and I've grown to appreciate them. But that's just me and my business model. If someone does very little actual kitchen/bath design then why bother but for those who it has proven to be pretty valuable. To perhaps make your point we also never, and I mean never, use our design to build kitchens from. It always, and I mean always goes to the cabinet guy to do final Layouts and measurements but the tools still really help to sell the job, again within my narrow business model. Is that the market Chief is targeting? If so then bravo, if not and they are trying to capture or retain a different market with users such as yourself then they could seriously be missing the mark. I personally would love to see the changes you've been suggesting but there seems to be a different direction Chief is going in. Doesn't thrill me but like I said have been surprised how the new tools like cabinet stuff has really helped.

Maybe Google Flashing Details - hundreds of sites and hundreds of pictures. https://www.google.com/search?q=FLASHING+DETAILS&biw=1024&bih=751&noj=1&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=9fuRVPGrM9jtoATd84C4Dw&ved=0CB8QsAQ Oops, actually 41,800,000 results.

If I needed help I would hire a 50 year young Chief user in half a heartbeat.