Chiefuserodd

Ahead of time , sorry for the novel. I don't have specific answers so this is more of my research of the issue and a post to say that you're not alone. Oh boy, am I having the same problem! I just opened up the time tracker on a chief project that I worked on and I know for sure that I did not spend nearly as many hours as it's showing. Just some insight into what encountering. The first thing I did for trying to figure out my time was to look at the time tracker for each Chief file that I had worked on for that project. I opened each Chief drawing file that I used for that project. I summed up the totals of each of those files. The end result was that it double billed My time. For example, I had a plan file open at the same time as my layout file. I had also created a separate plan file for details that was open. When I looked at the time tracker for each of those, it keep track of which file I was working on actively. It treated it as though I was actively working on all three files at once and therefore tripled my time. I honestly don't know or if the program is capable of breaking out active use of each file. I performed a quick test just to confirm my suspicions. I created a very simple plan file with a one room house with a roof. I did some different elevations etcetera. Then I opened a layout page and export into that. When I stopped the time tracker on each file, I went back looked at the time tracker total for each. It did indeed track both files as being worked on at the same time. Ergo double billing. I'm sure it's highly possible I'm doing something wrong or there's a better way to track it. Perhaps I need to keep a physical timer on the desk that I hit on and off. Unfortunately with my ADHD, I can just about guarantee that I'll forget to tap it on or off as I'm working on drawings. Being easily distracted by dog, cat, squirrel, bird, Oh I'm thirsty, is it lunchtime yet, Etcetera will lead to many on and off taps of the timer. Maybe I just need to hire a minion to sit next to me and keep track of when I'm distracted and when I'm working on a specific drawing. So just in the end this is a Misery loves company post. Maybe somebody has some ideas as to how to make billing easier I always feel that I might be over billing so I take my total and at least half it. It's not a wonder I never made any money in this business. Good luck and happy spring. Squirrel!!!!!!!! Cheers, Baxter's Dad (Todd Burchard)

I know it's been forever since I posted the question but I just came across the responses and wanted to thank everyone for the help. I'll take the advice on screen grabs instead of pdf's. That makes sense. Thanks you so much for taking the time to help. It means a lot. I'll pay it forward when I'm sure I can give some helpful advice. Cheers, Odd

Hi Ryan, Thanks for your feedback. I tried to do a cross section but am only able to do it as a profile cross section. I hope that makes sense. I really want to use the cross section slider tool in the vertical application so I can "dive" below the top flange in order to show and dimension the stiffener plates and holes in the lower flange. Unfortunately the cross section slider isn't an option when I am in the plan view tab. Thanks again for your assistance. Cheers, Odd Village Idiot Chief x13 user Windows computer.

Update on steel shop dwgs. Well I'm still at it and still on my first dwg for the first of probably 20 pcs of steel to draw. Hopefully learning curve pays off and time for each dwg reduces. Anyhow, I'm currently trying to figure out how to show the lower flange of the beam I've drawn. I know I can do it with a 3D view but I'd like to use the 2D option for dimensioning and adding text. Any idea how to show a cut through on the vertical axis of the beam in order to show the web and lower flange? Hope that makes sense. Thanks for your time. Cheers, Odd Village Idiot x13 User SULLIVAN STEEL SHOP DWGS.pdf

I just figured out the hole in the steel beam challenge. Create a cylinder in CAD and place it to the desired location then use the subtract material function. On to challenge number two. I would be appreciative if anyone knows of a steel connection library. Thanks again for your time.

Good day everyone. The learning curve is tedious today. I've spent hours so far just trying to teach myself how to draw structural steel connections for the steel fabricator. I've downloaded a Steel Library from Chief's online library. Now I'm trying to use CAD along with the library to fashion dwgs to show connections, welds, holes, etc. I've spent a couple of hours sifting through Chief tutorial videos as well as the forum to try to find answers to below questions/challenges. Thanks in advance for your input. 1. I can't seem to figure out how to draw holes that penetrate the steel I Beams. 2. I was hoping there was perhaps a library that had typical steel connections along with dimensions that I could tailor the dimensions to my needs. Cheers, Todd

Thanks also, David, for the instructional on how to do the signature. I'll resist the temptation to do it right now and finish my drawings first. I must say my ADHD wants to kick in to distract me from the work at hand. Cheers

Thank you both for your help. I'll give that a try. It sounds as you both are saying the same thing. Cheers and have a good weekend.

Hey Mr. Chief Wizard, Is there a way to display only selected text in say a "Framing, Floor Plan View" active layer set that will not show up in the "Working Plan View"? When I send to Layout, I would like specific text associated with the "Framing, Floor Plan View" to only show up on the "Framing" page and not on the regular plan view sheet that I have. Thanks, T

I just had something similar happen. It was on the second floor and the frieze was missing on the back half of the house. It turned out the back roof of the addition that tied into the cheek wall below the frieze was just shy of the wall. Once I connected the roof over to the wall, the second floor frieze appeared all the way. The other thing that comes to mind for your situation is perhaps the ceiling heights inside vary. I've had some wacky things happed when that has been the case. Hope this helps. Good luck. Cheers, Odd