DefinedDesign

Thank you! This worked perfectly!

In plan view, I’ve created multiple soffits to detail decorative trim on a fireplace and assigned different fill colors to easily distinguish between vertical and horizontal ones. However, when I generate a vector wall elevation, only the material colors appear. Is there a way to turn off the material color and display the fill colors instead? To achieve the fill colors shown in the attached layout, I had to: Send Wall Elevation to Layout > Camera View Options > Selected Plot Line with Color Fill unchecked. I then manually created the colors using the rectangular polyline and filled each section accordingly. I’ve completed this project, but going forward, I’d love to know if there’s a way to display object fill colors automatically in elevation view. Also, is there a way to reverse this? For example, in the wall elevation, could I select the soffits and color fills and have them display within the floor plan? This would surely make life so much easier!

Hey folks! I have two plans created to give our client options. I'm attempting to create two front elevation views that position the camera and the screen in the same location and I can't get it exact, is there a way to do this that isn't manual? Edit Active View >Positioning >X Position: 531 7/16" >Y Position: -2925 5/8" is the same for both cameras in each plan. My problem is getting the vertical and horizontal drag bars in the right position. I'm trying manually but I can't get them exact. I've attached images it's difficult to see that they are not exact but if I click the tabs in chief architect I can see that they are not in the same location on the screen. I'm trying to keep this simple for the client as we move back and forth so they only see the changes in the window locations. Right now there is movement because the two elevations are not placed at the same location on my screen. When I move from tab to tab it almost looks like the elevation is moving and it is very distracting because you focus on the movement.

Thanks Jeff - I am logged in and have a current SSA license.

Hi All! While updating my 3D Library, I noticed that Chief is charging me for the following download, even though I have SSA. Is this a new policy they’ve implemented? 3D Plants - Annuals $3.99 3D Plants - Bulbs $3.99 3D Plants - Climbers $5.99 3D Plants - Edible Garden $9.99 3D Plants - Perennials $9.99 3D Plants - Shrubs $9.99 3D Plants - Trees $7.99 Specialty/Other/Misc - Crime Scene and Fire Investigation $19.99 Specialty/Other/Misc - Medical/Dental $19.99

This is what I get using your settings. I don't have a way of sending the file even zipping the file up is too large, the forum won't let me upload it.

I’m working on creating a nice daylight scene with the kitchen lights on using PBR, but I’m finding it surprisingly tricky to get the look just right. I’ve adjusted several settings but must be missing something simple! No matter what I try, I can't seem to get rid of the tinted look on the windows. I double-checked, and they aren’t actually tinted. Feeling a bit perplexed—any thoughts on what I might need to change? Thanks so much in advance for any tips!

Thank you! - The mirrors were on the furniture layer and it was not turned on in the layer set.

Hi everyone, I’m having trouble getting mirrors to show up in a wall elevation view, regardless of the rendering technique I’m using. They appear just fine in the full camera view, but not in the elevation. Any insight or advice would be greatly appreciated! Thank you so much for your help!

I’m in the process of creating a fireplace wall, but my skills in Chief Architect for detailed drawings are lacking. I used the 3D solid tool to create a 2x4 that shows how to frame the wall, and now I need to draw the linear fireplace the builder is purchasing. I found a DXF file of the unit on the manufacturer’s website. Is there a way to convert this DXF file into a 3D object that is dimensioned correctly? If so, is there a detailed Chief Architect tutorial that explains this step by step?

Thank you! Watched several CA videos and none of them give you a proper education on this tip!

Hey John on a Mac the arrow keys will move the video forward and back in 5 second increments. If you click the wheel cog on the YouTube video you can adjust the playback speed. I did find the ability to adjust the playback speed on the CA website videos - instead of a wheel cog they have two arrows - just can't back up or go forward using the arrow keys in five second increments.

As a Mac user, I’m wondering if there’s a way to adjust the playback speed of videos on the Chief Architect website. I often spend a lot of time searching for the same videos on YouTube to take advantage of the arrow keys for easier navigation, and I typically speed up the video to match my preferred listening pace. Additionally, I prefer to stick with Safari due to concerns about security, so Chrome and other browsers aren’t an option for me. What solutions do you Mac/Safari users recommend?

If moving the bathroom is too expensive you can make a smaller office space work. Honestly if you think you will be in this space for a long while I recommend the largest office space possible. This option does give you more conference room space and keeps the plumbing in close proximity to where it is now, so less concrete demo. Ultimately the kindest thing is to think of a client who is in a wheelchair.

I think the most important thing is an ADA accessible bathroom - here are my thoughts.

Would love to know how to show this type of footing, blocks and header blocks, with a 4" slab in CA x15 as shown in this photo. I have tried to find videos (visual learner) but I'm not having much luck finding a tutorial that shows all these steps.

@DBCooper @GeneDavis @Michael_Gia Thank you for the suggestions! I created invisible walls on the 1st and 2nd floor and on the second floor made the room 'open below'. However, the wall beneath the door would not disappear, so I lowered the door by -28 1/4" on the floor to bottom measurement to match the top of the balcony height. Basically this door is now between two floors. Any advice on how to remove these two boards in the image below? Also what is the best way to get the handrail to move inside the doorway and also stay at the wall once beyond the doorway? For some reason moving the balcony around to fit the 3rd set of stairs almost fixed the railing showing in front of the 2nd set of stairs - it's possible the balcony was not fully attached to the left wall where the new 3rd set of stairs is - still not a fan of how the railing is peeking out though.

Stairs going up from landing to second story - how do I remove the railing in front of the stairs? The stairs are connected to both landings I'm not certain why the railing is staying. In this left doorway on the second floor I need to add stairs from the landing into this room. I placed stairs at the landing but they are not showing correctly - need advice on what I’m doing incorrectly. This elevation show the 2nd set of stairs meets both balconies. Some of the stairs going into this room are showing but I don’t understand how to make the entire staircase show it is only 3 steps.

@GeneDavis Thank you That Worked!

Need to change the 2nd floor structure to 8 1/4” and I need the entire floor structure to lower so the finished ceiling height increases on the 2nd floor and the 1st floor finished ceiling height remains the same; however, when I edit the Floor Structure - it always increase the 1st floor finished ceiling height. What is the secret sauce?

Thanks @ericepv - I should clarify that there is a roof over the room with the lower ceiling as shown in image below. Once I get this issue resolved then I need to lower the finished ceiling height on the second floor in the yellow space to 7' 9". I'm trying to comprehend if your solution will show the client what is true as far as the roof is concerned. Hope this helps explain my dilemma better - the 81 ceiling height as-built actually has a floor that steps down lower than the rest of the back of the house (originally a porch) I'm proposing the owner raise the floor the same level as the 1st floor on the rest of the back of the house, which will really make the ceiling height lower that 81" in the final renovation. Will adding the 'air gap' work in this scenario? My brain is tired from trying to add 4 different floor levels in a 2 story home, lol.

I made all these rooms in highlighted in yellow to have a 108” ceiling height to match the front of the house, so I could create a second floor the copied the first floor and then lowered the floor for all the rooms in yellow to step down 7.5”; then lowered all the rooms that stepped down to have a ceiling height of 96” for all rooms, worked perfectly. I thought it would be easy to lower this single room to 81” but I’m having issues. When lowering the ceiling height of this room to 81” CA is lowering all the rooms with a 96” Ceiling Height to 81" - what is best practice for lowering only the ceiling height of this room? Grateful for any advice.

Thank you! These videos are fantastic and have truly enlightened me on the time-saving potential. Adding it straight to my Christmas wishlist! Your dedication and time spent teaching us how to master the space mouse on a Mac is sincerely appreciated. Your accent even brings a touch of home to mind; growing up in Maine, it's like a slice of my childhood with Anne of Green Gables nostalgia. Fond memories of New England and Nova Scotia flood back. Thanks once more!

Thank @ADallas this was very helpful!

Would love to see a how to video, this sounds amazing!