Joe_Carrick

I would do that using Wall Material Regions.

I am working on a fairly large piece of property. I have a DWG that contains all the contours but when imported to Chief they are only splines without the elevation data. In addition, these splines are not continuous across the site (disconnected at text indicating the elevations). Does anyone know an easy way to convert this to terrain elevation data other than manually selecting each spline segment and converting them to elevation lines?

You could also use different Reference Layer Sets to display the additional items.

You have 2 Window Schedules. One is probably in a CAD Detail Window and the 2nd one is probably on a Floor Plan. The second possibility is that you have one on the 1st floor and one on the 2nd Floor and both are showing all the windows (All Floors) Find the second schedule and delete it.

I use Vents from the Library - copied to my User Library so I can find them easier (as well as edit their properties). I don't use louvered windows as Vents. I do have a separate Schedule for Vents and I identify them as Foundation, Garage & Attic as needed by putting a code (F), (G) or (A) in the OIP.

I think you can make the retaining wall "No Room Definition" and then move another Railing Wall to the same location (center on the retaining wall). I'm not sure what other ramification that will create but you will probably have to play with the railing height and the bottom rail above floor height.

Here's one possibility: Use a Molding Polyline for the railing. You can apply 2D Molding Profiles and 3D Molding Symbols to make up almost any conceivable railing.

It really depends on where the ledger is relative to the top and bottom plates of each floor. Sheathing has to be continuous from the bottom of the wall to the top of the wall (plates). If the ledger is not at a floor platform then the ledger would be applied over the sheathing.

Does anyone have a symbol for a "Smart Panel"? In case you don't know what this is, it's similar to an Electrical Panel but just for installing CAT5, & Coax Distribution. (TV, Ethernet, Security Systems & Phones). Usually it also has a built-in 110V outlet for plugging in routers, etc. There are LowVoltage connector blocks that can be snapped into the Smart Panel. I could just create one, but maybe someone already has so I'm just asking. Thanks

This is simple. Unlock the Roofs, Gutters layer Select the edge you want to suppress the Gutter Click the Remove Molding from Selected Edge tool. OOB, Chief has that layer locked - but unlocking it allows you to make edits just like any other Molding Polyline.

Yes, but for the purpose of dimensions (Framing Objects for the OP) it's not going to do the job.

OK, I wasn't aware of that but is there really any way to get them to be reported as anything usable in the Materials List? They don't have a "Components" dbx. Only by creating a Symbol out of the solid can you get "Components" to assign data to for comprehensive Materials Listing.

Doug, Solids and/or CAD are not included in Material Lists. Only Architectural Objects (Walls, Doors, Windows, Cabinets, Floors, Roofs, etc) and Symbols are in included in the Materials Lists. For your Pool Structure you should use Wall and Roof Framing (steel framing) to get those items included in the Materials List. Just take the time to set the framing defaults, wall types, roof structure, etc and then "Build Framing" for those items. Also note that only layers marked as "M" in the Layer Sets will be in the Materials List.

Ctrl-Click the stair section you want to edit/delete to select just that section. I'm not sure if deleting a single section will cause everything else to automatically adjust - you might need to do some judicious editing in the dbx.

Just to be clear, Both Michael, Perry & Scott are correct. The Active Defaults control almost everything. Annosets specify what the Active Defaults are to be - essentially a 1 click way to set/change the Active Defaults. When Perry & Scott say they don't use the "Active Defaults" they are just saying that they don't select the "Active Defaults" tool to make changes. They rely on selecting an "Annoset" to make those changes. This is the way I work as well. If we need another set of Defaults - we create a new Annoset which may require additional Layers, an additional Layer Set and maybe additional Text Styles. I've been doing this for quite a while and everything is in my Plan Templates, so I seldom need new Annosets. Occasionally a special condition makes it necessary. Typically, I have the Text Style in the Annosets set to use the Layer Set Text Style. That's the one place where I use the Layer Set to control the annotation - but the Annoset sets the Layer Set and the Current CAD Layer. I'm scheduled to make a presentation on this subject at the UGM. I'll know in a couple of days if I will be able to make it to the UGM. My wife may have to have spinal surgery and if so it will depend on when that happens. It may present a time conflict for me.

AFAIK, it defaults to the scale of the current drawing (view being sent to layout). I don't think there's any place to set it to be anything else as a default.

There have been more. I got 8 for my Pocket Door Symbols - but it took about 3 years to get that many. I think Wendy got more than that for her Layer Set Video. IAE, 6 within just a few minutes is really amazing.

You will get more results by posting in the Q&A Forum. It's a common mistake that new users seem to make - posting in "Tips & Techniques". Look at the explanation below the Forum Heading to see what the purpose is of each Forum. IAE, in order for anyone to answer you need to state the name of the software and what version.

I'm in agreement with Scott & Perry. There are cases where the wider footing works best and other cases where a Pier/Pad works best. If the pad is thicker than the footing, I use a pad and set the fill to solid and adjust the display layer down so the foundation wall shows thru. IMO, this is a situation where it's easier to manipulate the graphics than to have the CA software engineers try to make it automatic. There are just too many variables and I am afraid of too much "automatic".

Make the lower wall a single thickness (6"-8") of Marble.

Tips & Techniques Share your favorite tried and true methods for solving custom problems using Chief Architect. That's what it says at the top of this forum. I think that's pretty clear. OTOH, At the top of the General Q&A forum it says: General Q & A Ask Chief-related questions and get answers from experienced users.

Why did you post this in "Tips and Techniques" instead of "Q&A" where it should be?

Convert to a "Custom Countertop" and you can make it any size/shape you want.

Jared, For Beams and Posts you can set defaults for the Labels (x,y offsets and angles). For Joists and Rafters I group select - then adjust the Label offsets (x or y). You can also modify the Text Style for the any of the Framing Layers to make the Text Background Transparent or Not-Transparent. It would be nice if all this stuff was consistent and had Defaults like the Beams and Posts - but it's still doable currently.

Can you do my face?