Alaskan_Son

Change the CAD Block for those hangers and then you're really in business...

Sorry buddy, but I think all the examples posted above look like poo. Not sure what method i would ultimately use since there are so many little variables from one job to the next, but I went a head and took a few minutes to mess with that first example plan posted. Here's a quick example using using 2 or 3 of the various tricks I posted above... steve nestor dormer_scissor truss test 1.1.plan

You're more than welcome. Here's another one...Add an arrow to your Distribution Path and connect it to the appropriate object(s) to get automated resizing of said path...

No way to do that automatically. I always just run through and manually modify wall framing as necessary. A couple quick notes on the double header thing though: 1. A laminated double header is not structurally equivalent to 2 separate header members. There can be very good reasons to keep the headers sandwiched together. 2. There's no need for 2-1/2" foam if you sandwich headers. Simply place 2" foam on the surface. It largely eliminates conductive heat loss that way too since it results in a 1/2" dead space between the foam and the wall covering.

Oops. Yes, Distribution Path is what I meant. I was away from my computer and the proper term was escaping me.

Yeah, it’s useful for a lot of random things. Another example I use it for is for closet rod plan view display. I have a CAD block with I think four pieces of randomly position hangers/clothing. I assign that CAD Block to a distribution line and then just copy and paste that around my plan and resize as necessary. That’s just a simple one though. There are tons of other pretty great applications.

I personally modify the Z offset and add to my library so that I can just use the hoist top or bottom height when placing future instances.

you can also use a distribution line to make changes to layout or placement a lot quicker and easier.

Yes, it is possible but the hoist hangers have to be positioned manually as symbols.

You just move any reference floor to the position in the list that you want it drawn at. Top of the list it will be drawn on top, bottom of the list it will be drawn on bottom.

Oh, I see, you're trying to change color of individual tiles. Ya, that would require using a unique material for each and every tile before converting to symbol. Not very efficient. Several ways, but at this point, the easiest is probably to switch to an elevation view and without ever de-selecting anything, select your block, explode, Convert To Solid, block again, and rotate. In the future though, just draw in the proper view to start with.

Sorry, have to get back to work and don't have time for this anymore. I see what you're talking about though. That situation is just not one Chief has been programmed to handle very well. There are a few tricks that can be employed in combination such as: Reducing ceiling plane thickness to get rid of the unwanted bands Using an extra roof plane (defined to be structurally invisible by adjusting settings and using a Gap material type) down at the ceiling height to cut walls off down there instead of up at the main roof plane (would require hole in upper roof plane to be adjusted Creating a dormer room set as Open Below Using unique wall types for the dormer walls to make layers disappear where desired Using Gap material types where beneficial in some of your object definitions Manually reshaping wall polylines (probably not necessary though) And obviously using polyline solids...in this case I would likely only use them to create the interior wall surfaces I would probably use some combination of the above, but they are all obviously pretty convoluted steps. There's nothing simple or automatic I know of to accurately model that.

2 questions: 1. Why do you feel the need to convert to a symbol? You could pretty easily leave those as freestanding objects and just create an Architectural Block if anything 2. Why can't you paint the tiles after converting to a symbol?

Around here it’s just part of the Municipal Code and handled through the Planning Department.

Can vary drastically even inside a single jurisdiction. High density downtown districts can be totally different from rural or suburban areas, bowling alleys have different requirements than motels do, sometimes it’s based on rooms, sometimes it’s based on occupants, sometimes it’s based on units, sometimes it’s based on square footage, sometimes it’s a combination of multiple factors, etc etc.

Can you post a plan so I don’t have to assume things and redraw from scratch myself?

No there isn't. It's something I've suggested myself in the past HERE. The method you've described is the only one I've found of forcing the behavior. By the way, just a couple related tips... You can use the visible_length attribute to obtain the visible length of that object as opposed to the entire perimeter. You can force almost any polyline based object to have invisible edges, even things that can't be created using the Convert Polyline tool. To do so, simply use boolean operations where one or more invisible segments create part of the new shape.

Go into your Saved Dimension Defaults, group select all except one of them. Click Delete. You'll be issued a string of popups telling you you can't delete dimstyle X because of blah blah blah . Just keep hitting the Enter key till they're done. Your end result should equate to a purge.

I see. You have to uncheck Ignore Casing For Opening Resize in order for it to work with casing.

As Dermot mentioned, there are various methods, but one of the easiest for your example is to just create a callout like this.... ....and then copy/paste it into all your rooms.

My suggestion works for most of those scenarios as well.

What Eric said...sort of....

When you select your dimension to edit, select it by clicking near one of the markers or on the actual dimension string and NOT by clicking on the extensions. Then you can either relocate that one snap point or drag out a new marker using the diamond shaped edit handle.

What Joey said, but I'd add one detail.... You don't have to limit yourself to CAD boxes. You can use a polyline of any shape. Simply create the polyline first, and then, while the polyline is selected, click the appropriate Edit Area tool

Group select the cabinet along with both openings Click Align/Distribute Objects Under Move Objects Horizontally To, select Space Evenly