Alaskan_Son

Just for the record, it might not be the most efficient tool for every job, but I actually use Chief for 99% of my custom modeling needs. in addition to the ability to model almost anything from scratch, you can also use Chief to modify existing geometry in quite a few ways. I've modeled or modified quite a few things in Chief over the years, but I think this particular one might be my favorite. Done completely from scratch... The example pic used... The resulting model... For anyone who wants to learn a few of the lesser know tricks and techniques for modeling and manipulating symbols, check out this thread...

I would personally just build that one entirely from scratch.

We have a whole bunch of stoves under Architectural>Fireplaces>Stoves

There actually is a way to do this by increasing the smoothing angle of your symbol. I personally use Chief for probably 99% of my custom modeling. Very rarely do i feel the need to use Sketchup. I was able to import your SKP fie, isolate a single washer, and create a new symbol quite literally in a matter of seconds (less than a minute). I've been thinking for quite some time about doing some group workshops to cover a number of these lesser documented capabilities and methods. Maybe if there seems to be enough interest I'll set one up to go over some Advanced Symbol Manipulation tips and techniques...

My personal opinion is this... Not everything can be displayed very well in a plan view. This is why we use notes, elevation views, and other various details. I would almost certainly use the Vertical Stacking Level or Reference Display for the plan view display but would clarify by placing a note in the plan and using an elevation view to top it all off.

They mostly use 3DS Max for modeling that stuff.

Possible in Chief, but not easy or efficeint. Actually, that particular object would be not easy or efficient in any software that I know of.

Ya, I've considered that, but it's not likely to happen anytime soon. This particular subject has too many very specific little details to effectively teach in a short online group session IMO. I'm relatively certain I wouldn't have time to address all necessary questions from that many people. In many workshops, this isn't a real problem because a person can just keep following along and eventually get the idea. With Ruby and text macros however, needs can vary greatly, the understanding curve can be huge, and it only takes one minor misunderstanding to get a person completely befuddled...then they're completely lost for the rest of the workshop. With a one-on-one approach we can take the time to properly address all those key points. Truth is that some users might be able to get from the proverbial Lesson 1 to the proverbial Lesson 9 in a single session whereas some users may only make it through Lesson 1...they would be better off for it though. Better to walk away with a solid foundation in the "Lesson 1" basics then to walk away having been utterly confused and frustrated with Lessons 1 through 9 and no solid basis to build off.

I would really love to help some of you guys get into using Ruby and Text Macros more effectively. The way I've seen it play out over the years though, you can either invest in a little one on one time with a good instructor (which I like to think I am) or you can try to slog through on your own and here in the forums, investing many mANY MANY hours to achieve the same results, or worse, spend all that time and make little to no progress at all...or even worser, spend all that time and end up more lost than before. I really think I can help beginners and intermediate users get a good solid grasp on the basics though. Please don't hesitate to shoot me an email to set up a consultation session if you're interested... alaskansons@gmail.com I think you'll be glad you did.

Take a picture and use either Chief, a smart phone app, a PDF editor, or some other method to simply use the image along with a know dimension and scale the overhangs appropriately.

Love it!!!

I don't think you'll be able to do that with Chief's parametric window tools. I'm pretty positive you'll need to model that manually from scratch. I offer custom modeling and consultation services if you need some assistance. Just email me at alaskansons@gmail.com if you're interested and we can discuss further.

Hey Mick, No. That brick pattern is totally unrelated to this thread or Johnny’s. And I just placed my arrow onto a special “HIDDEN” layer and probably just turned that layer off. I don’t actually remember though.

Select a Text object, click Match Properties, check the box for Object type (Rich Text) and click okay to select all Rich Text objects that are displayed. You can also optionally activate the Rich Text tool and Shift Select everything in your view to group select only Rich Text or do the same thing with the Text tool selected to select both Text and Rich Text objects.

Just use Match Properties.

My solution to this is always just to group select text, open, and simply click okay. Annoying for sure, but that usually fixes it.

You can also use a referenced text macro along with a callout or text box... Label test.plan

I think you're probably mistaken and I really think you were not changing your layer set. You were changing your annotation set...which can be set to change your layer set. I suspect your toolbar in the Mac version just had a different drop down tool assigned to that spot (Active Annotation Set Control vs. Active Layer Set Control).

Are you in X9 or X10? Your signature says X9. In X10 we have Plan Views (different than layer sets). I suspect you were changing either PLAN VIEWS or Annotation Sets in your mac version and not the layer set.

Just a guess, but you were probably switching either your Annotation Set or your Plan View before. Chief doesn't change the Current CAD Layer with Layer Sets...at least it's not designed to.

That video is incorrect. There are a lot more differences than that. The Help files cover most of them (worth a quick read), but there is one I’m particular difference that isn’t mentioned anywhere that I know of. You can use it to single click on an exterior wall and the resulting material region will only cover one floor level. It’s just a handy shortcut to have in your bag of tricks.

Yes. I have a meeting starting in 2 minutes though so I'll have to get back to you. Do this though real quick. Try to single click using both tools on: -An interior wall without cabinets/appliances -A multi-story interior wall without cabinets/appliances -An interior wall with cabinets/appliances -A multi-story interior wall with cabinets/appliances -A multi-story exterior wall

They are not

Yes. We need some additional options in this regard, and we have suggested it before...

Hey Rene, Just so you know, I wasn’t ignoring you. I have just been spending very little time on CT lately and only saw the notification when I checked in to make a couple suggestions. Anyway, it sounds like Joe might be working on something for you, but if you decide you might need my assistance, I DO still offer an array of Chief support services. I just don’t advertise it much. Just shoot me an email at alaskansons@gmail.com if you would like to discuss further.