stager386

32 minutes ago, VHampton said:

Not exactly dormer... Those are referred to as gables.

 

Reverse gables to be specific. Meaning that they run perpendicular to the primary ridge line. 

 

Shingle style houses are known to have the roof edges begin at the first floor eaves. 

 

Here's an example.

 

Two primary gables with a dormer in between. A dormer is smaller by nature. 

 

Yes reverse gables. Thank you!!

Is there a name for this type of dormer? It's a little different than what I am used to.

Thank you!

On 10/6/2023 at 4:21 PM, SNestor said:

@stager386 - There are "defaults"...but these can be over-ridden by the user for specific wall(s) or room structures.  

 

Say for example you want all your walls to be 16" on center...except one wall you need it to be 12" on center because of the load that wall is expected to carry. You can open the wall dialogue and change just that wall to 12" on center...but all your other walls will remain "default". You can do the same for rooms...maybe one room needs the floor joists at a tighter spacing than your default...you can specify that in the room dialogue...just for that room. 

 

Hope that makes sense...

Thank you for your feedback!

On 10/6/2023 at 4:16 PM, TeaTime said:

Yeah, that can be a bit confusing. Sadly the answer is largely "you get used to it eventually".

But very few things are duplicated anywhere, and if they are they're basically just the same dialog just used in two places. "Build Framing" and "Build Roof" for example are the same as their respective Defaults. What you're seeing in those other examples are what they call Dynamic Defaults. Taking one of your examples, the Floor and Ceiling Structures for each floor aren't duplicating the defaults in the Floor/Ceiling Platform - they're using them. Default Settings> Floors and Rooms> Floor/Ceiling Platform is where each floor--and subsequently, each room--get those values from.

 

I'd suggest browsing Chief's videos on Dynamic Defaults, it should help paint a better picture.

Excellent response, thank you.

There seems to be a number of places to set the same default, which makes me wonder if I am going about things wrong.  For example: Framing - Wall - Stud Spacing seems to replicate Walls - Wall Type Definition - Framing - Stud Spacing.  Or Floors and Rooms -- Floor/Ceiling Platform - Floor Structure has options that are also in the framing defaults.  There are a lot of layers of settings within default options, and it's hard to know if I've already established the default or if it something different.  I definately get turned around with this.  Hopefully someone can shed some light for me.  Thanks!

1 hour ago, DBCooper said:

I don't think those stairs will connect automatically.  If you want the handrail to wrap around, you will probably have to draw it manually with a molding poly.  You could also maybe draw a short rail section there depending on what you are trying to do.

 

Thank you!

Look again at what exactly?  Can you tell me what I might be missing, that is hindering the two rails from connecting? 

Thanks Ken!

Hello.  I created a set of stairs with a landing from first to second floor. To the right of the first floor stair section is another set of stairs to the basement. The client wants it all open. I am stuck trying to figure out how to connect the basement stair railing to the first floor stairs, when there is no landing.  This seems to basic and I don't know why I can't make it work.  Any suggestions? Thank you.

48 minutes ago, Joe_Carrick said:

Kate,

I don't know of any file type that can be imported into Chief to do that.  Perhaps a 3D file like SKP or OBJ but from AutoCAD you can't get that.

You are unfortunately going to need to build the model in order to do a rendering.  Tracing over the DWG using walls, doors, windows, etc will get you close.

Excellent. That makes perfect sense. Thanks again!

1 hour ago, Chopsaw said:

Yes DWG is preferred but chief can import DXF from sources other than AutoCad.  This will give you the ability to measure things that are not dimensioned and some snap points to work with but not much else unfortunately.   I often ask for a reference PDF when I am being sent a DWG file that can come in handy when there are issues.

 I haven't dealt with this before, so please tell me what I should be expecting. I've imported the DWG file and it appears in the floorplan as a drawing, not in the format where I can use camera views.  Does that sound right?  I thought I was getting a file that would look like a finished product that I could render.

33 minutes ago, Chopsaw said:

Yes DWG is preferred but chief can import DXF from sources other than AutoCad.  This will give you the ability to measure things that are not dimensioned and some snap points to work with but not much else unfortunately.   I often ask for a reference PDF when I am being sent a DWG file that can come in handy when there are issues.

Thank you!

When an architect wants to send me a CAD file, what format should I ask for? DWG?

I have already built the house in Chief but there are updates, and he wants to send me his whole file rather than list changes (such as created dormer, moved windows, added a foot to the bathroom etc....).  My job for the client is to create renderings for the project, as well as collaborate on some layout designs.

Thank you!

37 minutes ago, VisualDandD said:

I export to TM with terrain.   I use the terrain to cut in driveways, side walks, and even landscape beds.

The TM paint on terrain does not give a good enough finished product for that.

Export to a terrain that contains your drives, and walks, (and beds if you want them).   Have the terrain slope off approx 24" at edges.

Import into TM and blend terrain to meet up with it.

This is a chief terrain blended with a larger area in TM

The driveway is modeled in chief as is the underlying terrain.  (drive set approx 3" higher than terrain for grass) 

You can do some cool things in TM to get more realistic ground look.   Perfectly flat grass looks fake. See ripples down the side of the home in the ground.  That is an intentional element meant to try to being in some more realism.  

 

 

 

Oh this is so helpful, thank you!

2 hours ago, VHampton said:

You can use WeTransfer to upload a file. It's free. Totally safe, and our print shops use them for ease of file transfer. I subscribe to it since my company logo is used for client downloads which is quite nice. Anyway the upload will result in a link which can be copied or emailed. Files can get so large these days that email often won't send them, and likewise, they can't be posted to the forum. 

 

Regarding TwinMotion, yes, it's like driving on the opposite side of the road at first. lol. Just takes time. Everything is bizarro including how the mouse works. Lumion operates the same way.  

 

So to answer, the landscape in their virtual world needs to be adjusted. When you click on it (the landscape) it will highlight and the ground can be raised or lowered to the correct elevation. Sorry to make this sound all too easy, but there truly is a low learning curve. You will be amazed at the results. 

Thank you for the advice. Will follow up when I've fiddled with the landscape!

On 1/22/2023 at 3:28 PM, VHampton said:

 

To add to Michael's comments... TM is an extremely helpful tool to enhance model making. 

 

That said, Chief still has incredible potential to render exteriors. Much of it has to do for example, with user settings. That's all. With the correct camera views, texture settings, vegetation and sun angles... that's what's going to make your model shine.  

 

If you wanted to post that particular plan, it would literally take less than ten minutes to bring it from a 3 to a 10. 

 

In any event, TM animation such as moving clouds and the leaves rustling in the trees is really amazing. Water ripples too. Maybe one day Chief will have a similar functionality. I have faith. Chief continues to make advancements year after year. 

 

 

 

Export a 3d overview of your model as a .dae file (or 3Ds) no terrain. You can settle the house into the ground upon import.

Regarding the possibility of reimporting to CA, TM files won't be in a format to come back into Chief. Once it's a TM model it stays that way. 

 

 

 I would love to post the plan to see what could be done with it but it's too big. I have to say, the hour or so I have spent in TM has been very frustrating. The structure is buried under the landscape, so I haven't really been able to explore that much yet. How do I get unburied?  Thanks for your help!

On 1/22/2023 at 4:14 PM, Kbird1 said:

Steve Hof has been kind enough to add his recent foray into TM over in the Tips Sections, he has also added some of his files for everyone to Download.

@stevenyhof

 

 

 

Mick.

Wow this looks amazing!

On 1/20/2023 at 7:59 PM, Michael_Gia said:

Besides René’s YouTube videos on TM….

 

- bring your model in without the terrain.

- then bring just the terrain without the model (in case you want to use it instead of the TM terrain)

This way you can make modifications to either the model or the terrain back in Chief and simply re-import into TM.  
As long as you are using the same plan to generate the 3D camera views to export then when you import into TM they will be in the proper location (x,y,z)

 

I personally will use trees, bushes, vehicles and people from TM and not from Chief, because they’re more realistic and adjustable. 
 

Also, capturing images and videos in TM is way more user friendly and adjustable on the fly. 
 

As far as your images above, the real problem you have is more of a perspective and positioning one.

You should look at other exterior renderings, find one you like and closely match what you’re looking for and then adjust the camera position and field of view until you can almost duplicate what these pros are able to achieve. 
 

I’ve found that my weakness in rendering has more to do with how bad of a photographer I am than my computer rendering skills. 
Copy and steal from someone great and if you get close you’ll have a much better result. 
 

 

Thank you. I appreciate the critique! Perspective and positioning are very important, and I need to work on that.  There are so many nuances to producing the perfect image!

I never heard of TM until a couple days ago. I haven't quite figured it out yet.  But it looks like a good option.

I have a cottage I've built on CA and am unhappy with the grass, lake, trees, etc.. so I went to TM. I don't know how much of my finished plan I should be importing into TM. 

-  Do I take the terrain perimeter with me and leave behind the trees and lake, or only take the cottage?

-  Can I import the plan back into CA with newly added things from TM to continue with the details?

You can see the landscape looks kind of fake. What would anyone suggest I do, in order to use TM to enhance it?

Thank you!

Kate

7 minutes ago, DavidJPotter said:

2D = flat lines, fills to graphically communicate a 3D concept to others

 

3D= a virtual object to emulate a real or intended, conceptual representation of an intended "REAL" or actual project or construct.

 

Both are virtual graphic representation of new constructs or objects communicated without having actually just building or creating something in fact.

 

A good 2D and 3D graphic communication can help investors and clients whether or not their money should  or should not be spent in a larger sense.

 

That is why Architectural drafting and 3D modeling is a needed and wanted skill.

 

DJP

Thanks. I am just trying to accurately define my services. Can modeling be static? I am not offering video walkthroughs and I'm not rotating the structure around and around as part of a presentation to a client.  Everything I do ranges from simple flat floorplans and layout documents, to photo-realistic renderings with lighting and environment.  So what would you call those types of services?

On 12/3/2022 at 4:36 AM, Rich_Winsor said:

You know, I created this image on a lark but ever

since we have been having a spirited debate as

to just what exactly it is. 

Is this an example of 2D 3D? Or is it 3D 2D?

Is it a 2D rendering or a 3D rendering. 

 

Sorry, somehow this seemed germane to this topic. 

 

I love your question, because it illustrates what I am confused about!

I see a few terms used a lot in regard to CAD services, and I am not sure they are always used accurately.  I would love an explanation that differentiates 3D, 2D, Renderings, Modeling.  

Thanks for the feedback!

13 hours ago, Kbird1 said:

 

Might be only for exterior walls that one for views from outside the home.......

 

There is a Make Invisible Icon to on the edit toolbar too, which works to take a shot but needs turning back on again after....

 

   

Ok this works on all walls.  Thanks so much.

15 hours ago, GeneDavis said:

Post your plan, please

I think I figured it out, thank you! It only works with an exterior wall, but the "make invisible" wall icon is what I need to use, and I was not familiar with it. Thanks!

1 hour ago, GeneDavis said:

Try the "hide camera-facing exterior walls" option checkbox in the camera spec dialog.  See attached.  It is way down at the bottom.

Thats the setting I mentioned having tried.  It didn't do anything.