Joe_Carrick

One thing I found is that if you gang switches and oulets, you will need to make sure your 3D views have both electrical & electrical -power layers on or you won't see all of them.

Larry, Have you tried X17? It has a tool to make electrical items into ganged units. You just group select and click on the edit tool to gang them. The rules are that they must all be at the same height and within 36". I'm not sure how many can be ganged in one box. Off hand I would think 4 should be the max but I just did 5 and it worked. HD actually lists a 6-gang box but that seems to be the max. Chief will allow more but the space between studs would make it difficult to actually do more and I don't think there are cover plates for more than 6 anyway.

FWIW, I have a macro hidden on my Layout Template (page 0) that reads the text file(s) an get's all the info. It executes when the Layout is opened but it's coded so that it will only execute once. It stores that data in $Global variables that can be used in anyplace in both plan and layout. The text files are unique to each project. Basically, it just expands the functionality missing in the Designer/Client Info tool. It would be a lot better if this sort of functionality was built-in to Chief.

That's essentially what I'm doing. I have macros that read/wright my text files. When I read one I assign the $Global variables wihich are then used in text boxes.

My purpose with these objects is to allow them to match any cabinet style as well as to allow any appropriate manufacturer's appliance. The object is a cabinet (excluded from the schedule) and the appliances are included as accessories which show in the fixture schedule.

Hi Kelly, I fully understand and didn't mean to denigrate Tyler's comment. It's just that I've been asking for this tool to be expanded and made more comprhensive for many years. Sometimes the flashy new features added to Chief seem to cause to much delay in fixing longstanding problems.

I've been frustrated in the past that there were no such items in the library which could be edited to have front's that matched the cabinets. ie:\ Door/Drawer Styles Colors Hardware (Pulls, etc) So I created some symbols Dishwasher (24" KitchenAid) Undercounter Refrigerator (24" KitchenAid) Trash Compactor (15" Jenn-Air) They will show up in the Fixture Schedule as Appliances Library is attached These can be fully edited - including the embeded appliance details I'm investigating adding making a similar symbol for Full Height Panel Ready Refrigerators. I suspect it will be very generic to handle any combination of doors and drawers. Panel Ready Cabinets.calibz

In my experience PDFs of less than 200 are adequate. Even better if you can generate a PNG to use in lieu of a PDF the performance will be way better. I would only use a PDF if there was a need for the editing capabilities of that format.

Interesting.... There have been several previous requests with basically the same ideas. 2 years ago at the UGM this was discussed in the Advanced II room and almost every user expressed that it was needed.

I've already sent the suggestion into Chief. It's recorded in their database.

I've requested additions to this tool many times. Currently I have a series of text files which I can edit with NotePad++ and then use macros to read them into $Global variables. Energy Consultant Info Geologist Info Surveyor Info Engineer Info Builder Info Project Info It would be far better if Chief would simply allow us to add user defined Information classes & fields. It should be pretty easy to do.

When an Undercounter Appliance is added at the end of a bank of cabinets and the countertop is automatically added there should IMO be a partition added at the new open end. Otherwise the Countertop has no support. Obviously we can add one ourselves but I think it should be automatic or at the very least be an option with a prompt.

It would have to be in a macro accessing a roof plane. (Roof Label or Roof Plane Schedule) This requires a more sophisticated approach than just a text box. - but might work if the text box has an arrow connected to a roof plane.

Most of the Core Library undercounter appliances don't currenty work properly. They don't display flush with the cabinet fronts and many don't add a panel if at the end of a cabinet run. I've reported this to Chief. It appears all of the Manufacturer Libraries are properly updated but some items may have been missed.

Usually SIPs. R value depends on the energy calcs which can require a thicker SIP.