DeLayDesign

5 minutes ago, JKEdmo said:

Looks really great!

 

I think I read in a previous post that a limitation of a single stair flight is that it cannot overlap or cross over itself in plan.  Is this why you stacked 2 sections?

 

Jim

Yep.  I believe I started a conversation a few months ago about it.

I build mine in two sections for each transition (floor one to floor two; and then two to floor three - 4 stair sections total).  This allows me to control the riser and run without it going wonky.  Granted this was a tactic I learned in X14 and it may be fixed in X15.

@Michael_Gia Coincidentally enough I came from SoftPlan myself, so I know the struggles that program has.  I've used Chief for 15 years and I know no program is perfect and I genuinely appreciate the support system Chief offers.  I did get a work around answer to my question from their dedicated support staff so the issue at hand was resolved; but my statement still stand.  Less limitations or the ability to adjust them as we need would be awesome.

I don't have any desire to leave Chief - I'm a 'ride or die' at this point, just wish we had more control - especially when my architects complain about not being able to do something - which 9/10 times - is user error.

Let me first say I am a Chief Architect enthuses. I have recommended and fought for the software more times than I care to count... but...  There are just some things Chief does that make me understand why more architects ignore it as a viable design software.  Outside of the bugs that continue to plague the software - often things with work arounds like missing thresholds from doorways or issues with bay windows (something I've asked about more than once), to more frustrating issues like working with their decking system... doing anything with their deck system...  Chief insists on limits on constructability - which makes me question on a regular basis - why?

A true design software needs to give it's users the freedom to design within the world of all things possible, not just what the developers have coded possible.  This is important now more than ever because of the most recent price increase pushing the software into the same cost arena for new users as the other 'main stream' brands.

Most recently I was tasked with building a brick home with 'Chicago masonry' construction.  This is mainly just a wall with a double brick wall with furred interior and often plastered finish, but Chief does this with any wall.  This particular build involved a tight connection between a bay window and the end of the wall.  Internally the wall would be a flush connection, but outside there is an actual corner.  Chief doesn't understand what I need it to do and wants to build the wall as a single eliminating the corner altogether.

It doesn't have to be this way and I'm sure it's developed in a way to helps more often than it frustrates - again I'm a proponent for Chief Architect.  I'm also sure it's probably difficult to rebuild the coding to give us the freedoms we need to build properly, but @ChiefArchitect - You may need to.
 

On 10/5/2023 at 2:56 PM, pastorjim said:

I am trying to open my C/A 10.08 on my laptop win 11. I get an error telling me that for my safety I have been locked out of the program. Then it says that the administrator who BTW is me has locked me out and I should contact him for info. After talking to myself a determined that I dont have any reason to lock me out. The dongle is in and glowing red. Has anyone else had similar issues or an answer. please?

JIM

Jim, it could be that your current antivirus protections is keeping you from using the software.  In fact just today we ran into a situation where Microsoft's 'Windows security' (previously windows defender) assumed Chief Architect X15 was a threat.  You may need to 'whitelist' the software in order for your PC to allow it to operate correctly.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/add-an-exclusion-to-windows-security-811816c0-4dfd-af4a-47e4-c301afe13b26#:~:text=Go to Start > Settings > Update,%2C file types%2C or process.

I use Malwarebytes as my virus protection and can easily access the whitelist in my settings.  If you're using a third party you may want to google how you access that list for your particular provider.
 

On 10/8/2023 at 7:59 PM, KitchenDesigner said:

Does anyone know how to include thumbnails of the finishes being using on a project into the finish schedule? Example Below.

 

Definitely something @ChiefArchitect should incorporate.  The material schedule already knows what materials you're using based on what you've specified (eg - Tan tile); they would just need to add a script that tells the schedule to show the material file in a 1x1" square - similar to what you see when you open the room itself and venture to materials .  Good suggestion.

I found one Google's 3D warehouse.  I imported it as millwork so I could apply it "above the window" and set it as such - unfortunately there isn't a way to 'lock' the position of the pc above the window as a window element so when you change the height the main component stays put.  I also tried to use it as a 'shutter' and it technically works but there are some additional sizing steps you'd have to take for it to look correct.

The easiest way would be to simply add it to your model an an individual component and then place it above the window as an object.  You can stretch the unit down to show it closed if you'd like.  It will stretch evenly leaving the top untouched.

Fire Shutter.calibz

6 minutes ago, basketballman said:

What happens if you set your Primary Format to 0  ?

Changing it to zero would make all fractions go away; which it does.

I checked the 'rounding' it's set to a value of 1/8" and each cabinet is an exact width (3" increments)... Even if I try to move the wall to the dimension I want (10'-6"), Chief says it's 10'-6" in the dimension dialog; but the dimension keeps saying it's 10'6.125".

I ended up overwriting the text so it read correctly, but something strange is definitely happening.  I have also submitted a ticket to chief.

Hey folks - has anyone experienced a random 1/8" being added to your dimension strings?  No matter what I do to try to adjust the dimensions it keeps adding in 1/8" to my dimensions.  What's even more strange is when I try to adjust the dimension to 10'6" even, and click on the dimension that says 10'6.125" chief is telling me it is actually 10'6".

I've tried moving the connections, moving the walls... and nothing changes.

Hmm.  So you have the original Zip or file image that came with the model?

I found a few paddle boards on 3D ware house that have a similar issue.  Chief doesn't want to import the image file - I think because the image file attached has an inch symbol in the name (").  After opening the file in SKP and adjusting some thing I was finally able to import a model that kept the texture intact.  It's not exactly the model you wanted, but you're welcome to it.

PaddleBoard.calibz

Chief's official response:

The issue existed in X15 as well, so hopefully there is a fix for it.

6 hours ago, HyperTrex said:

Only time I see that is when the roofs don't line up at the same elevation. Maybe verify their heights in the dialogs?

I thought the same thing, but I checked all the perimeters.  Chief originally said it had something to do with the windows and the roof not liking how they are interacting with it, but the roof in question is above the windows and I've never had windows cause this problem before.

1 hour ago, Chopsaw said:

Is that an auto roof return or a manually placed roof plane ?

All Manual roof planes.

Hey Experts; this one has me stumped.  I've tried all my tricks to get it to come back and I'm coming up roses.



I messaged chief and they said it had something to do with the 'bearing line' and the windows... and he shared a video where he pulled it back to the inside of the framing (not something I typically do) and in their video it worked; but when I tried it - no go...

Thoughts?

37 minutes ago, resdes said:

Just like "Dtrconstruction" mentioned, this happened after I upgraded to X15. 

The walls are regular 2x6 walls, not invisible or transparent materials. This happens on all my floor plans.

 

What do you mean "post the plan" 

 

Thank you.

Could be a graphics card issue - although I'm not 100% certain.  How old is your setup - is your graphic card up to date?
 

Chief replied.  They didn't understand my question to begin with, but now does:

Chief's response:

To do so:
1. Go to Edit>Default Settings>Walls>Pony Wall and click Edit
2. Go to the Wall Types Panel
3. Change the Display of Openings in Non-Displayed Parts of Walls to either Outline or Hide and click OK.

1 hour ago, DBCooper said:

It looks like your window is sitting right on top of the lower wall.  You could try raising it up just a tad.  You might also try playing around with the rough opening and concrete cutout settings to see if they affect it.

 

 

I thought that too.  No matter what I do with the window the lower wall is still 'cut'.

I think this is an issue we've had for a long while, but in the case where I have a window in the upper portion of a pony wall, it is showing a break in my lower wall as well; even though the lower wall isn't being 'broken' by the window.  I have the walls shown as 'upper wall and lower wall outline'



I really don't want to have to draw a line each time I need this cleaned up.



I contacted support but their response wasn't all that helpful.
 

I think the only way the stairs will 'wrap through is if the are connected with a 'landing'.  Because they are split by a floor they won't connect.  You can achieve a similar look by adding in a railing where they should connect or use the 3D molding tool and align them custom.

We use 2020 DESIGN which is a cabinet design software to handle all of our orders - that said; we haven't upgraded out system in over 10 years because their current product is subscription based and costs thousands to 'lease' each year.  The older version was a buy once and it's yours model.

We get our catalogs from the manufacturers we buy from, but they also have 'blank catalogs' you can custom tailor for your own use.  If you can get your hands on an old version of 2020 like vs. 10.3 this might be able to speed up your process, but ultimately - if working with the cabinets schedules works for you, getting faster at Chief may be a better option.  

If you find you're using the same 'cabinet builds' for multiples projects (eg - accessories) create a custom catalog in your chief library to pull from.  At least this will keep you from having to duplicate work in the future.

I've done it a few ways.

1) Decide what your time is worth (example $100/ hour), then review their request and using projects you worked on in the past create an 'estimate' of time.  20 hours = $2,000  Don't forget a little fluff.

2) Create a retainer system for your clients.  Explain to them that you 'think' it'll be 'x' amount of hours; but will start the work for a specific amount; let's say $500 to start the work..  When the $500 has been used up based on your value of time (again $100/hour or w.e.).  Allow the client to see your progress and request additional funds to complete the work.  I use this method a lot for new clients.

4 hours ago, AlexDiversified said:

Does anyone have a dog washing station? 

Thank you

Check out 3D warehouse.  Some models aren't great; but you might find something worth using there

https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/search/?q=dog washing&searchTab=model

More often than not I build my own using cabinets & shower components.

Hey Randy.

My company has issues with our Chief printing line weights correctly - sometimes in PDF format and sometime directly to the Plotter.

What we have had to do instead is 'export' the layout as a PDF then print to the plotter.  I don't know the magic that's involved, but this appears to resolve the issue.

Maybe @ChiefArchitectcan give us some insight.  The issue has persisted since X13 for us.

@Suggestions

Great ask - You give us the option to flatten the top; why not give us the same option for the bottom?