HumbleChief

Making things look exactly like they do in real life cannot be done on a computer and managing those expectations should be part of any good designer's communication with their client. And what if you did get a material to look 'exactly' right on your computer's monitor, what happens when the client or designer looks at it on theirs? All monitors are different, all lighting is different and again those expectations should be managed from the beginning of any relationship. Given all that, check out this thread for some really awesome renders using Chief's Physically Based Rendering engine. Are any good enough for your designer? If so there's still a ton to learn before getting the PBR engine down. If not then perhaps look into something like Lumion and have your designer pay for it...:)

Sorry for bailing on this thread - swamped right now but appreciate the help. I ended up placing solid filled text over the numbers in the schedule. Pretty weak band-aid but had to get it done quick...

I created a false, second floor to accommodate some unique framing and it worked out OK but it also puts my true second floor windows on floor 3 in the schedule. Is there a way to change that notation in the schedule to read floor 2 instead of floor 3?

Can you post the plan please?

Any time you add a 'fixture, interior' like a toilet, Chief will put it on that layer - there's no choice and no way to spec which layer your interior fixtures go on - initially. So it is asking you to turn that layer on if you want to see them. The only way (I know) to get them on that specific layer - which is very smart BTW, is to select them after you've placed them on fixtures,interior layer and reassign them each to PLUMBING interior fixtures. Nice job on the Anno/Layer Sets. Really.

I'm pretty sure you're right Lew, and there's a technique hidden in the Anno/Layer Set madness that allows for that but I started down the road with a gillion Anno/Layer Sets and can't get off it with the habits I've formed over many years.

Was going by the OP's picture Steve but not a big deal - looks like he found it.

I believe the default button is below it but it will be good for Bob to thrash a little more till he discovers it

Nice, thanks for the link.

Curious, where did you find that texture? Looks good.

Chief has a decent one as David alludes to but I always had a hard time finding them. Maybe these pics will help.

Always good advice Steve, Key to all of this ANNonsense is that Anno Sets drive Layer Sets, not the other way around. Big discussion on the benefits of each but Anno driving Layers won out. I almost never select a Layer Set independently of an Anno Set. Takes a LOT of repetition and muscle memory to remember every time but change your views through Anno Sets NOT Layer Sets, it will keep you sane.

The panel options are under Newels/Balusters>type:>Library. Yeah it's bit.... trying to figure out the dbx's in Chief.

Nice solution Robert. I would also look at the wall definition and add a layer of siding instead of 'painting' the foundation wall with the siding material. When you painted the wall that turned the entire concrete stem wall in to that material and it wraps around as you have shown. If you add a thin layer of siding material it will interact with the other wall in the way you want it to. Of course you would never build that wall in either fashion. If it really is a concrete stem wall then you most likely have furring strips or something to accommodate the siding but to get the look correct that thin layer of siding will make it much easier. In the long run nothing good ever comes from painting wall materials, instead of changing the wall definition in the wall dbx. You can tell the wall was painted by looking in the dbx attached under exterior materials>exterior wall surface. That material wraps around the entire concrete stem wall, causing your problem. Adding that thin layer in the other dbx solves it.. Your interior wall has also been painted. Add another layer for that material and it will behave much better. Best of all build the wall with all the layers that would actually be there during construction. Takes more time but will leave the model with a more accurate model for future ConDocs.

Remember this all needs to be done only once for each new Anno/Layer Set as they are plan specific. Meaning once you get Anno/Layer Sets set up you can save that plan as a template and you're done - until you find a need for another Anno/Layer Set which you will, then save that as a template etc..

Yes PLAN VIEWS are probably one the best features Chief has implemented in a long time. I would suggest you understand Anno and Layer Sets before diving in to PLAN VIEWS but your call of course.

NICE...

Maybe a little more clarity... ...and you don't have to 'copy' an existing Anno Set you can choose new...

Doesn't matter in which order you create Anno or Layer Sets. Like Mark says above you need to associate Layer Sets with your Anno Sets but either one can be created first.

I was able to complete the railing on the attic level but cannot define a room there. Perhaps a 3rd floor to define that walkway room?

Nice videos Rod, Eric. Curious if you ever found the reason the rails would not show in your vid Rod? I would much prefer Chief handle that situation than use a symbol, not to take anything away from your instructions Eric. Curious did you try and get railings to show? Wish I had time to explore and appreciate you both taking your time to illustrate.

Custom muntins?

Love me some rumors...Thanks Joe

OK still wondering, but I'm guessing no on the export/import "plan views" option?

Hmmm...I think the language can get in the way sometimes. "..import the plan"..I've never imported a plan before and don't see it on the import list of file types but I might be missing something. What is an SVT? and its defaults? How does one "add the saved view." I'm just not understanding the terms so much. Again the "imported" plan. Feeling pretty thick here. Can we import plans? thanks?