WesternDesign

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Posts posted by WesternDesign

  1. We do it on every remodel.  Personally, I think the laptop is the only way to go.

    We use the Leica-Disto-S910 (with the pro pack). It has worked great for us. 

    For some basic topo and tree locate work we use the dxf function and import it into SketchUP.  It would probably work to import the point data directly into Chief but we haven't tried it yet. 

    We followed Charles' video (posted above) for how to directly input into Chief and we use that method for 85% of our as-builts, but there is so much more you can do with the S910.  We haven't had any issues transferring dimension directly into Chief once it was set up.

    I also love the fact that I get to capture a picture of each shot (low quality) but that data comes in handy if you need to go back and confirm where exact you measured to.

    if you just want the measurements take a look at this video

    On 5/22/2018 at 10:13 AM, Charles said:

    I use Leica lasers with “some” success.   It, for me, is more trouble than its worth trying to transfer the dimensions directly from the laser to Chief.   I did a video about a year ago showing what I learned.   

    Dan Bauman is a big proponent of taking laptops in the field and you may want to search Chieftalk and Google for some of his methods.

    Good Luck!

    -Charles

     

  2. Michael is correct.  There is also secondary effect, tearing of the sheeting at the openings and the additional stitching (nailing) around the opening helps reduce this.  this is also why the trimmers also need to be full length (sill to header).

    They primary reason for the code requirement is to replace the studs needed to resist the inward deflection.

    It is important to note that this is for the minimum required studs and not just what you have used.  example: if the code minimum for structure was 2x4 studs at 24" o.c. but you have 2x6 at 16" o.c. then the requirement would change since you have already increased the structure's inward deflection strength.

     

    Back to racking...

    You can see the racking (and how the shtg rips away due to the fewer nails) in this video

     

  3. As I understand it, the Grade Level Marker is measured Relative to 1st Floor Subfloor. It is somewhat arbitrary as it is not tied to the location of the actual terrain.  If you set it to 9' and your subfloor is 12" above that, you would think it will label the 1st Floor Subfloor at 10' but, according to the manual, Chief Architect always defines the default height of Floor 1 at 0’-0”. This height value is measured from the top of the subfloor and is the constant by which the heights of structural elements in the program like walls, floors, and ceilings are measured. The heights of architectural objects can be measured relative to this absolute height, as well. As such, this default cannot be changed.

  4. I agree with you both, but if Chief could push harder in helping us produce better construction documents and productivity improvements over the "interiors" it sure wouldn't hurt my feelings.

     

    Chief is improving, but at the end of the day we first need to produce working drawings then second we can increase the wow factor during the design phase.

  5. If you know the dryer model you can check its' specs.  Some units have a stronger exhaust fans.  The code allows you to use the manufacture's installation requirements, but I would still pass it by the building official to head off problems from the field inspectors. 

    • Upvote 1
  6. We use the Leica DISTO S910 

    Sometimes we use it like a tape measure. 

    Sometimes we have it make dxf files for import.

    We also use it via bluetooth to a laptop running full Chief (not a tablet).

    Love it.

  7. You can't over vent an unconditioned attic space (especially in snow regions).  We vent every truss bay because we need every bay to have that "wash" on the bottom side of the shtg. to help prevent ice dams.

    In your warmer climate you probably could get away with every 3rd bay. (but I would still reccomend over venting) :-)

  8. 6 hours ago, TheKitchenAbode said:

     

    I'm in  the same camp on this. AMD tends to be a one trick pony, Intel on the other hand has a very strong R&D program. You can see the result of this now. AMD launches the Threadripper line and in less than 6 months Intel launches the I9 series of which most of them beat the Threadrippers in every category. To do this means Intel already had these processors developed and ready to go. The only thing AMD was to force Intel to bring them into the marketplace a bit sooner than they had planned. The real test for AMD is whether or not they can counterpunch Intels response in a similar time frame, that would really tell everyone that AMD has made a turnaround from it's past.

     

    I also have the system upgrade itch, love all of those threadripper cores and the price point but there is a trade-off for that price. I know I'm going to get wacked price wise with Intel but at least I will not have to sacrifice performance, at the end of the day the only reason to upgrade is to get better performance, not to save money. A $1,000 system differential over a 4 year life span equates to $20 per month. I spend more on coffee a month than this.

    You nailed it.  The only thing holding me back on Intel is the extra $1k.  Still haven't made up my mind.

  9. I am building a pretty high-end machine but I'm using it for more than just Chief.

     

    Just started working out the details, but I will probably end up with either the Intel Core i9-7900X or the 16 core AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X (both are about $1k) W/ a GIGABYTE X399 AORUS mother board (at least two M2 s)  (all drives will be SSD)

    I do photo & video editing and run Lumion so the video card is also important.  I will be running 1 or 2 GeForce GTX 1080 Ti s (around $800 each).

    Water cooled cards and CPU. An over sized power supply. (overclock everything)

    So.... probably around $3,500 to $4k, but you can have a really fast machine for well under $3k.  Don will really try and find you the best bang for your buck.

     

    My machine will primarily be an office work station but I also have all my machines "mining" cryptocurrency (bitcoin etc.) during the off hours.  I am also setting up dedicated miners also thanks to the influence of one of my past clients. (He was an investment banker before retiring before his 40th birthday)

     

    Anyway, that is what I am doing.

  10. On 5/15/2017 at 10:52 AM, dshall said:

    Nice render RENERABBITT,  i wonder if it would be even better if the "eye" was about 30" lower.....  in any case,  very nice.

     

    How long did it take to render?

     

    I have to agree. 

    From the point of real estate photography, it is more pleasing to the eye if the walls are vertical which requires that the camera be level (not looking up or down) so sometimes you need to raise or lower the eye ht to get the look.  Give it a try and see what you think.

    I have learned more about how to compose a 3d rendering from photographers then render pros.   You can watch the whole 10 minute video and see before and afters of great real estate photos but there is a mention of the distortion at 4:02 in the video. (this can be adjusted to a point before you render or just use Photoshop to correct the final image.

     

  11. Sorry for the delay in responding.  We have been busy with the spring home & garden show here.

    I was thinking we would take notes or record our next remodel (we have 2 more coming up very soon).  I think it could help others with the process since we had trouble finding information on-line for the setup and best practices. 

    I will keep you informed. :)