HumbleChief

This

Takes time to set up correctly and am constantly tweaking but once set up it's very consistent as you suggest. I use a modified Save As Method as well, meaning I will save my latest plan every so often to preserve the Anno Sets and then apply that as a default template for new plans. It keeps the latest changes and current thinking re: Anno sets up to date. And like you Barton I have found no issues with a 1:1 ratio of Anno to Layer Sets and I prefer it to avoid confusion for my fragile little brain. When I'm in the Framing Ceiling Anno Set I really only want one Layer Set to match and having a Layer Set for each Anno Set is not confusing at all. If you can find an approach that works then the creation each new Anno Set and its associated Layer Set becomes very easy to set up and if you save that plan for future use every change has been preserved. I still come up against an Anno Set that needs tweaking like arrows in a set that I seldom use will point to a layer that's very obscure but it's a simple fix and another save preserves that for the future so the change doesn't have to be made again.

Yes Also Lew please remember I learned to use Anno Set when X3 first came out and there was a massive discussion on the best method(s). I adopted what we (the forum and the beta team) considered the best method then. Things have changed and I have not so I bet there many other methods that are much better or equally as good.

Mostly it's just habit and easy for me to remember but if i do a raingutter set of plans I would like all the 'defaults' to be set what I choose to set them. Text, Callouts, Arrows, Dimensions, and the raingutters themselves. I might be able to use just a Layer Set but I don't understand that method and this is so easy for me to remember and all my settings will be consistent through all future plans as well. Lew, A Framing Ceiling Anno Set is mostly controlled by the Layer Set (Joe's point above perhaps?) and I just find it easier to have the Anno Set control the Layer Set and the differences would be (obvious once you delve in) that a ceiling framing set shows the ceiling framing and the roofing set shows the roofing framing etc. each along with its annotation text set to separate layer etc.

Tried to take a screen shot of the drop down box but can't figure that out. I use 7 or 8 on every plan and create them as I need them for special sets and construction techniques. I have new plan where the homeowner wants a raingutter plan, I'll create a new Anno Set for that one. As follows; Anno As Built Set Anno Demo Set Anno Detail Set Anno Elelctrical Set Anno Elevation Set Anno Foundation Set Anno Framing Floor Set Anno Framing Ceiling Set Anno Patio Cover Set Anno Roof Framing Set Anno Framing Set Anno Framing Steel Set Anno Plot Plan BMP's Set Anno Plot Plan Elevation Set Anno Plot Plan Set Anno Proposed Set Anno Proposed Set Bare Bones Anno Roofing Set Anno Section Set

Also be sure to add Chief to the programs in the 3D Settings dbx. Sped up my renders a LOT.

Lew, Thanks for the advice but I probably didn't make myself clear. I am perfectly fine with the way Anno Sets are set up and have been using them productively since X3. NEVER used 1/4" Anno set of any kind as I was never trained classically as an architect so I have no need for 1/4" anything. I've named and cutomized around 20 different Anno Sets that suit my work flow just fine. I'm not looking for anything to change or any tips as my work flow suits me just fine. Not saying there's nothing for me to learn just nothing I want to change right now. I'll let Joe deal with the changes he thinks are needed.

Lew, I'll answer your question with a big MAYBE. I don't understand the use of active Layer Set 'feature' and may spend some time learning them but it's hard to change when habits get so ingrained. I watched the videos you linked to and they were quite interesting. Didn't really know what CA intended for Anno Sets. The way I use Anno Sets came about from the initial discussion when they were first introduced and I've honed my methods since then. The more I read the more I see that I may use them in ways they were not intended but ain't that grand? I haven't seen a way to deal with Anoo Set (Active Laters or Not) on a per floor basis. Chief simply doesn't allow for changing Layer/Anno Sets per floor. I'm not sure your exact status as far as working with CA but if you have aversion with Anno Sets and you want to learn them post a question or 2 and i'm you'll get a lot of help. Once understood they are essential IMO.

I have Anno Sets set up for each 'phase' or discipline of construction. As Built Anno Set, Proposed Anno Set ( I do a lot of remodels) Foundation Set, Framing Ceiling, Framing Floor, Framing Roof, Details Set, Plot Plan, Electrical Set, Steel Columns etc. as needed. I have about 20 Anno Sets and use 6 or 7 on every plan. I just switch between Anno Sets for each discipline, which of course changes to the Layer set that is associated with the Anno Set. It's become automatic and haven't really found a need to change much. The only thing I'd like is to have Anno Sets set per floor because when I change to the foundation floor I'd like that to be Associated with my Foundation Anno Set then back to the first floor have that Associated with another Anno Set. That is probably a perfect example of the unique way I work as when I suggested that Anno Set be associated with floors not many agreed it would work for them. Again, I haven't found a real need to change the way things work now so I may not be the best candidate to continue the discussion.

Joe, I personally appreciate the effort you put into posts such as these but it may assume that others use Layer/Anno Sets in a similar way. I use them in a way that I'm sure is unique to me and my work flow so that even makes it hard to relate to your suggestions. Not that the function can't be improved, and maybe in exactly the way you suggest, but maybe there are so many different ways to use them that specific suggestions that fit s specific work flow may not be the most useful.

I've invested a lot of time learning to deal with Anno/Layout sets and would be loath to re-learn a new method, however after saying that each time the Devs have changed a crucial bit of programming I've found it is usually for the better.

Nice tips on the use of Anno Sets but it doesn't seem like you've experienced the bug that the OP posted about. The thread topic (as I understand it) is about the Layout not being updated with an accurate representation of your current Layer (Anno) Set. Say you have invisible walls set to show in your Plan file but you check the Layout and they are not showing - they haven't updated as they should. It happens rarely but it does happen - when it does follow the tip above - Open Layer Display Options, click OK - fixed.

Yeah why can't it work both ways?

Just happened with a section label that didn't update. Open Layer Display Options, click OK - fixed. It doesn't seem like Tech Support knows about this one - it's been like this for many versions.

Thanks SO MUCH for the video Perry - The culprit was that closet that wasn't set to be a mono slab - that one setting was driving the rest of the settings to revert to sepc's for that little room. - phew. Again can't thank you enough for taking time out of your busy day - and thanks to everyone who helped!! Very much appreciated!

yES TRIED BOTH OF THOSE SETTINGS NUMEROUS TIMES - KEEPS REVERTING TO A VALUE OTHER THAN 0" (caps sorry)

I change "FLOOR TO swt" to '0' (from the 4" it reverts to) and it all looks good until I re-open the dbx and it sets itself back to 4". On the plan you fixed there's no -28" just all -24" in all 3 dbx's- can't get that to happen. Can't get rid of that extra 4" step.

I'll use your plan Perry and can't thank you enough but am defeated by the structure dbx once again.

Also on the first floor 'room' I can adjust the floor height to -24" but when I re-open the structure dbx it goes back to -28"

Here's the dbx that's killing me. These are the settings I'm getting for the foundation 'room'. Perry's setting have the first 3 settings as 24" But when I set them all at 24" then reopen the structure dbx I get this. I can re-set them but still can't get the 24" to 'stick' in all the setting fields. This is certainly why I'm getting that weird 4" 'extra' slab but I can't duplicate the settings for some reason.

I adjusted each thickness to 12" - didn't know what else to 'adjust'

In the original plan I duplicated every setting I could find in every dbx and still failed to get the same section as in your corrected plan. Wow.

Thanks VERY much Perry - it looks great. Still have NO idea what you did and that's the frustrating part but REALLY appreciate the help. Sorry about the 2 threads, confusing and not that cool but appreciate all the help. BTW tech support didn't know what to do other than delete the walls and draw a slab with footings..

I guess that was why I posted. Could NOT figure it out with the 'room and footing settings' - maybe never will. Tech support suggested the above solution.

Tech support. - I deleted the foundation walls and drew in a slab with footings - adjusted the height and it's all good. Not as nice a look without the shovel cut you get with a mono slab but it will do. Thanks for your help Mick.