HumbleChief

A little OT but Adam your designs look great! I've been leaning toward a more abstract presentation myself and your direction might help me decide.

It's been affectionately called the ALDO and I thought it was uber cool as well but I've noticed I simply don't use it. Saddened a bit by that and maybe it will get worked into my routine but for some reason it goes unused. Maybe that will change.

As I've posted the transparent fills are great and the continue same line type is awesome. Draw a line and you can continue to draw that line with a handle that wasn't there previously. Great for CAD work.

Cabinets have been improved but overall I don't need/use most of the new features. But having said that the release is just 'better' than it was before in small incremental ways that really helps work flow.

Love it too Kevin.

Here's an example. Really opens up some possibilities.

Isn't this the same as the checkbox to make it "transparent pattern fill" that we've had for quite awhile?

No.

I think some people are making way too big of a deal about this.

Hey Todd,

Here's a pretty simple detail but I was able to 'transparent a couple fills like the cross hatch and strap fill to show some detail behind and to lessen the impact of the cross hatch fill. Super simple detail but can see lots of possibilities. 

Awesome Lew! I called and complained personally. Don't know if it had any effect but glad you're on board.

... I can't believe we went so long without it. I just created a detail and I was able to 'shade' a couple of fills that really made the detail a lot easier to read. I can see using it in elevations, plan views and  all over the place.  I'll use this tool a LOT.

My current SSA expires in June so I don't have a real dog in this hunt - I just think the policy is wrong and serves no purpose I can see.

It creates fewer 'eyes' on the software to map out and document bugs. It creates a situation where certain SSA users are less motivated to renew their SSA, it creates bad will between some customers, and the upside?

I honestly cannot find one.

I called and officially complained about the policy and also pointed out the error on the web page re: X7 Beta.

I don't know about everyone but after using the Beta, I just can't go back. For those on the fence, beware, if you get the beta, you might be very angry when its time to go back. It happens to me every year so I just pay it b/c there is always something in every new version that saves me time.

I called the sales staff and they claimed that one reason to keep the Beta out of users hands whose SSA is about to expire is to protect them from having X7 files that they can't open in X6 if they choose not to renew their SSA.

I suggested that it might not be wise to design policy around stupidity. How truly stupid would you have to be to get the Beta of X7, create an important plan set, then not renew your SSA, and not only lose the ability to work in X7 but have to create the plan file all over again in X6?

Which makes an even better point for giving X7 to every SSA member. If you have X7 Beta and do create a plan file using X7 you better renew your SSA or you don't have access to that plan file any more.

But wait there's more  (and this is not directed at you Perry) the idea of a public Beta is to get as many eyes on the 'release' as possible. How does this policy serve that goal?

I don't see anything listed in the benefits of SSA that includes test driving unreleased software.  A beta version is not an update, major release, or new version.  So, they have decided to give SSA users who are current with the expected release date the use of beta version.  Nice, they could have just as well not allowed any user regardless of status to have access.

There is also nothing listed in the benefits of SSA that excludes certain users from certain releases. If there is I'd like to see it. If it's not there then it's an arbitrary decision whose purpose is a mystery to me.

The web page (which should be a direct reflection of the policy) linked to above clearly says what it says. There's no caveats. There's no disclaimers.

And the Public Beta is clearly NOT 'unreleased software'. It's been released to all of the SSA subscribers except for those few as described above.

Then, "They could have just released it to no one (sic)." C'mon Bill. Keep it interesting at least.

I actually totally see your point and as you stated, "...they decided..." I just think they decided wrong.

I think if you haven't updated your SSA or are about to

 

Doug:

 

CA is saying that SSA must be active on Mar 5 or no beta

 

I can't find this in writing anywhere nor have I ever seen such a policy

for prior releases

 

just a flat out annoyance

 

Lew

It's not in writing and the web site actually says, in writing,  "Already have SSA? Log in and upgrade to the X7 beta today."

That quote above is not ambiguous. There are no stated caveats and even if there were it's still just plain bad policy IMO.

It's been suggested that legally they are under no obligation to give 'about to expire SSA'ers' the beta or are they? Doesn't the above quote define the policy? Or at the very least it should reflect the policy more accurately with one of those crap asterisk fine print BS thingys that states you can't get it if your SSA doesn't fit a certain criteria.

I think I just answered myself.  Here it is. http://www.chiefarchitect.com/whats-new/

From the link above.

"Already have SSA? Log in and upgrade to the X7 beta today."

Seems clear enough and I think this statement meets current SSA customer's expectations. No where does it say "Already have SSA (and it doesn't expire before the official release date for X7) Log In and upgrade to the X7 beta today."

I'm beginning to think this policy is just an oversight - it makes so little sense.

In my opinion companies develop policies for many reasons but two of them are 1.To help develop customer loyalty and 2. to prevent damage to the company. Chief has added many features and benefits for its users and this forum is a perfect example. They are under no contractual obligation to offer this forum but they do for reason number one and it doesn't violate reason number two.

If the company gave away free updates to anyone they would violate reason number two and cause genuine damage to the company's profits and their ability to even exist as a company.

Now to the issue that Lew brings up. Sure the company is not contractually obligated to give the public beta to its end of service SSA members but what harm is caused the company by adding the 'Public Beta' to those whose SSA expires before the official release day? Will they steal it? Will they abuse it in some way that causes harm to the company?

On the other side how much customer loyalty is added by doing so?

Policies are there for a reason and they should be adhered to to create a firm foundation for customer expectations but they can also change. I think it's time this policy changes.

SSA is active to Feb 1

 

I should be able to get the beta now

and if I don't renew SSA then it should cease to work

I agree with this Lew and if the policy hasn't changed I suggest it does - now. I think a user who has SSA should be entitled to everything new that's released then renew SSA or not at their discretion. If X7 is released on March 15th and your SSA ends on March 16th you get that version I would think. I don't like policy either.

Here's a quick vid. HTH.

http://screencast.com/t/143KKomqE

Here's the plan

barrel 1.plan

 ( AND YES I TRIED IT FIRST BEFORE POSTING HERE) ,...

Pretty sure that was directed at me and I apologize Bob, but your first post reads as if you hadn't even tried the wall divider yet. Let us know if you get it worked out. Trying to attach a plan but it's done in X7 beta.

A combination of attic walls and invisible walls will create a barrel ceiling room within a room.

Could you place an attic wall to cover the hole?

Bob a Google search is the best way to at least get started with these things. Try the link below. Didn't read your post that well Bob - I don't see any reason a room divider won't work for what you're trying - almost quicker to try it than to post here. Let us know if you get it figured out.

https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=barrel+ceiling+chief+architect&spell=1

This is now one of my favorite features. One of Chief's shortcomings has been the lack of an easy way to "gray down" distant parts of the building in an exterior elevation, or to show an addition vs. existing. Throwing on a white semi-transparent fill on a distant garage, say, really makes those elevations "pop"!

That adds a whole new level of CAD illustration IMO. In a way 'bout time but I'll just say thanks.

Object Eyedropper.object eyedropper.png

Thanks Alan - had to add it to my Tool Bar. Works great.

Have you ever wanted to click a magic button and paint line style to match that last line you created with the dashed thingies, adjusted weight and color? It's in there.

Etc.

What magic button are you referring to Alan? How is it used please.