DeLayDesign

@Renerabbitt I fear the issue may have been that not everyone works the same way as users @ChiefArchitectmay have requested feedback from. I've discussed my issue with the catalogs countless times - specifically regarding my subfolders and them not showing up appropriately. I don't always use 'search' to find my items, but the search is funky now and was just one example. Sometimes I just know where to look for the items I need and how X15 organizes them is not conducive to how I'm use to working with Chief Architect. Example: X14 I use to be able to go to my custom user catalog and see my subfolders and dig deeper from there. However, in X15 when you click on a 'main folder' it shows everything in that folder instead of my organized subfolders: It doesn't matter if it's in tile mode or list mode. Both suck. I might be trying to get to my custom vehicle catalog for example. X15 has eliminated the ease of being able to click on my subfolder while still being in my CustomUser Catalogs subfolder... Let's say I can get past this and ignore this annoyance fine - when I click on the CustomUser Vehicle folder - again it doesn't show me my subfolders for this file and instead shows me EVERYTHING that's in the folder. X15: So If I wanted to get my 'ford' folder, I can't do this directly in the second panel which is now 'filtered results' anymore (I can in X14). I have to select each folder directly - this is annoying. X14: I understand the need to be able to directly connect to the cloud now that it's a yearly subscription service; but there has to be a way to give us a platform that works how we're use to it working with a more powerful search feature for people who use search for everything.

I'm with you @raltd9245 The new library layout/ organization has truly set me back when it comes to my ability to develop a project quickly. I spend way more time now than I ever had to to find the objects I would typically use. For example. Type in 'gas range' and in X14 this was at the top of the list: Now when you type gas range it's at least 30 items down the list and the first thing on said list is my imported object "800 series Gas Rangetop 36" followed by the apartment gas range, and a ton of the subzero/ wolf cooktops (doesn't even say range in the object names) Additionally, all of my imported items are categorized and placed in specific folders for me to be able to find. Now those subfolders are useless as Chief doesn't show individual content anymore. Pretty lame and I'm hoping for a dramatic redesign in X16 @ChiefArchitect

In X14 I relied heavily on the CPU raytracer, only because the PBR has issues with shadows not showing up from 2D plants but they do show up with CPU render, so in that regard CPU worked perfectly especially if you add in corrected sun properties and turn off the lights in the home when you run daytime renders. That being said, in X15 I started using 3D plants more - although the texture files the plants come with need to be modified by @ChiefArchitectbecause they come off really "bright" when the "sun" hits them. The grass tool is one of my favorites because it adds another layer of realism to the design, except - grass doesn't load in the CPU render. At least it didn't the last time I tried it; so I'm forced to use PBR.

I had issues with X14 when painting the deck. Doing so made the deck planks disappear. It doesn't sound like this is your issue directly, but perhaps it's related?

@rlackore - yep, pretty much my solution too. I wasn't sure if there was a way to tell Chief to push the floor below the footing; would be great to incorporate this into a future build @ChiefArchitect

Hey experts. Here in Chicagoland we do a lot of dig downs to create a better head height for basements that were built short. I have my work arounds to show this properly, but I've always wondered if there is a better way. So - how would you tell chief to do this? Thanks in advance!

There is a teacher here in Illinois that is teaching it at Harper Collage (not a high school, as you asked). I'm not sure I am thrilled with the 'teaching' they are doing though as we've hired a few from the class and well... they aren't really prepared for real life applications.

You'll want a pretty decent graphics card if you are wanting to run raytraces. I built my PC with Ibuypower.com A few years ago my system cost $2400 delivered; not sure what it would cost today - but it's pretty OP.

Hmmm. I've run into this before, but not recently. It could be caused by a few issues. Lighting. If the lights you are using aren't set up correctly with the correct lighting properties or the materials in the lighting aren't transparent. Your lighting isn't actually in the room. It would require you to change the defaults of ceiling mounted lights etc. but if you lighting is inside your ceiling it may be trying to light the space but is passing through the ceiling material. You have an object in your room that Chief doesn't like. I know it sounds odd, but I built 3D versions of roll trays for my clients so they look authentic. If I forget to remove them from a corner unit, for example, I get a similar raytrace (in PBR). I would make sure your graphics card is up to date. Some of my designers have issues with elevations if their AMD graphics card is out of date. It really is difficult to know without the file. Perhaps you could create a google drive link and share it with the group?

Although I'm not a PC buff when it comes to builds, I did just recently have to replace my AIO cooling system which sounds similar to a system you're using. (liquid cooled - three fans; but have a total of 9 fans in the case) You may want to look at your cooling system to see if it's functioning correctly. I only do GPU renders for exteriors when I have used the old '2D' plants that don't cast shadows in PBR @ChiefArchitect- looking at you (still) for a resolution on this. That said my unit actually dropped my temp by 3 degrees Celsius when I kicked on the render. (dropping from 35 degrees to 32 degrees) I'm thinking your cooling system is defective. In any case - if you can you really should be using the PBR more. It really is above and beyond the old method of rendering.

Hey @Ange822 This is an issue with PBR's refractions. I run into it all the time when I try to do a PBR on a room and have used 2D plants on the exterior. They won't show up through the glass. It's an issue @ChiefArchitecthas been asked about (at least from me); so I'm hoping for a solution soon. If you turn off 'refractions' in your PBR settings I'm sure it'll come through, but it won't look as 'nice and realistic'

@ChiefArchitect; I tried that and it didn't work as I need it to. Your support team told me I should square up my ends in order to get the sharp angle to go away. I did this and it works visually, but I don't think it's accurate in an 'actual buildable' manner.

@Smn842 - the subfolder checked does allow me to see the items once I've clicked the subfolder, but the preview doesn't help unless I want to scroll through everything I have in that folder. @ChiefArchitect This is how X14 works. When I click on the folder under my Customuser Catalog for example, I can see the two folders I've created for my work flow. Interior and exterior materials in this example. This is X15: It shows me everything in the folder and is incredibly annoying.

It just doesn't work. Please @ChiefArchitect - tell us you're coming up with a fix You can see as I try to see what's in each folder without having to click into it, nothing happens. When I click on a folder, I should see all subfolders, then when I click on a subfolder, I should see all object inside that subfolder. Annoying Library.mp4

Hey @RookiePete If I'm understanding correctly, you're wanting to add multiple appliances to one tall cabinet (For example) and have those appliances show through into the schedule? My set up a little different than default as I've already created CAD details for my schedules and listed them accordingly, so that step won't apply to you... but what I have noticed with some of the manufacturer catalogs is, they forgot to check the correct schedule in their model information so you'll have to do that yourself if you notice they aren't showing up in the schedule. You'll noticed after I add the warming draw it shows up in my schedule, but the AWD double oven does not. I have to open that object specifically to correct the missing schedule. I'm using X15 at the moment, but the multiple appliance feature was available for a few versions prior. Multiple Appliance Cabinets.mp4

Ha - with the way this new catalog works you'd probably think that! ha ha. Actually, I tend use the right click 'show in catalog' feature a lot - saw 'vacuum' as an option and though - hmm, what do you do?!.... I found out.

I've already emails @ChiefArchitectsupport, but I was curious if anyone else knows of a fix? I thought we had a way of clipped the ends of the fascia similar to how you can clip the stair stringers against walls; but maybe I'm mis-remembering? I pulled my gable back hoping I could hide it; but it's still showing through. Also - frieze boards never seem to work 100% correctly all the time but for some reason this one doesn't want to mimic the left side of the gable.

ha! @Chrisb222. Apparently it works like a 'disc clean up' on your PC. It removed "unused files". Mine cleaned up quite a few - I haven't experienced any issues with the catalog since doing it so hopefully it stays that way. It's probably helpful, but I didn't know what it would do and didn't realize it was going to lock up Chief for a good five minutes or more.

I mean; it's probably useful because it helps to free up space, but I had no idea what it was going to do and it took a good bit of time. So - maybe don't click it unless you're prepared to sit for a few minutes while it does a clean up.

Hey @RobUSMC Chief has certainly come a long way - but has a little bit further to go in order to match some of the quality of other rendering programs like Lumion. That being said the rendering capability with X14 or even X15 is pretty spot on. A lot of times it's a matter of what kind of graphics card your system has. I've experienced some really powerful laptops and PCs with impressive graphic cards NOT have raytracing capability. I'd be sure yours has that capability. Additionally, lighting has a huge impact in how your renders will turn out. That and choosing decent materials. A lot of the basic materials that come with Chief aren't great. Heck even some of the manufacturer catalogs don't always look great. It takes a little bit to figure out what the best set up is for your view. Try focusing on your lighting, but maybe create a free profile on the 3Dwarehouse (powered by SketchUp). I pull a good bit of items from that platform to help enhance my renders. This render is completely Chief; but I did import some 3D plants, a new rug, and draped blanket to take it to the next level. My light settings follow the video Chief released on rendering a few months back - I believe when they launched X14. I hope this help!

Hey @j2narchitecture Mine seems to work "OK", but I do have to connect the 'hole' for the opening to an outside wall with an invisible room divider. I think I have this turned off by default in my software, but out of the box it should be turned on to connect 'island rooms' (or something like that You could also try drawing a box with the cad tools converting the polyline into a 'hole in floor' this option didn't require a room divider tie in. Also, like @Alaskan_Sonmentioned - make sure your deck is set to 'automatically regenerate deck framing'

Be sure your SSA is current. I don't think the download is available for anyone who didn't continue their support past X14.

Dang! Sorry @stevenyhofmaybe @ChiefArchitectcan weight on this. Seems like an issue that needs resolving

Yeah; it's a bit annoying, but one way I've overcome it is to use the soffit tool and add a very thin (1/16") molding to the sides the same height as the beam. You can tell the beam to sit under ceiling and it will automatically slope following the ceiling. The moldings allows you to then have two different variations of the material traveling in the correct direction if you need.

It sounds odd. I don't know much about it, and haven't heard of it before today; but they don't even have the ability to import DWG files so in my opinion that's trash.