Joe_Carrick

Gene, Assuming you are using X8 you should be able to select the Schedule, adjust the column widths using the mouse and they should always stay those widths. If that's not the case then report it to CA Support.

Add the "Edit Modes" Toolbar to your Layout View Type. This will give you the ability to quickly switch between the 4 Edit Modes. This Toolbar is handy for Plan, CAD Detail, & Layout Views. It changes how the "Edit Handles" work when using the mouse.

Glenn, Bald is "Sexy"

The Defaults apply to all new rooms you create. To change the Floor Material of any Room to be different you have to select the Room and open the dbx. Then in the Structure Tab make the change to the "Floor Finish".

Use 3D Trees sparingly. The generally have lots of faces and can really slow down the model.

Chief doesn't provide for Counter Tops, Shelves or Partitions to be included in a Cabinet Schedule. Here's a cool trick that solves that problem: 1. Create a Base Cabinet 2. Set the Height of the Cabinet - Including the Top to be the same as the Counter Top Thickness 3. Set "Finished Floor to Top" to be what you want - normally 36" 4. In the Components dbx change the Description to "Counter Top" or "Shelf" or "Partition" - or anything else that you want. Since Chief thinks this is a "Base Cabinet" it will be included in the Cabinet Schedule. The other way to do this is to simply: 1. Marquee Select the Object (Custom Countertop, Shelf of Partition), 2. Block, set as "Treat as one Object", "Include in Schedule - Cabinet" 3. Set "Finished Floor to Top" to be what you want - normally 36" 4. In the Components dbx change the Description to "Counter Top" This will be considered as "Other" for the purpose of being included in a Cabinet Schedule.

You could use a Tile Material to emulate the joints.

Sure..... Only 1 "Current CAD Layer" per Annoset, but you could have 2 Annosets that use the same Layer Set. Or, you can just select the "CAD" Icon and switch the "Current CAD Layer" before placing the Blocks. btw, if you use Actual Symbols or Architectural Blocks, they will be saved in the Library on the Layer they were created on. That might be a better solution for what you're trying to do. Just make the Symbols very simple and assign your desired CAD Block as the 2D Block in the Symbol dbx.

Nope.... It might be a nice feature but the current method provides IMO more flexibility. I can have a note in a block and place it on the appropriate layer simply by virtue of the Annoset I'm using. In some cases I might want the same note at a different location on a different layer. The bottom line is that having CAD placed on the "Current CAD Layer" really does make sense.

CAD Blocks placed from the Library are automatically placed on the "Current CAD Layer". You can control what that is via Annosets or by simply selecting the "CAD" icon on the Toolbar and selecting the desired Layer there. I prefer the Annoset method. Whatever Annoset I'm currently using has a corresponding Default CAD Layer.

Scott, You didn't include a pic, but I use a 3D Molding Polyline (draw the line along the nosings in a section view). Then add the Molding Profiles you need.

The Material Region for the Battens should not "Cut the Finish Layer" of the Wall. For the Corners, use Corner Boards.

It's something that has been asked for but so far - not available.

You shouldn't unblock. See post #3 in this thread for how to resize.

1. It gives me a way of keeping all details of similar things in one place - It's my Master Index - Plan Names 2. I can't name the Floors but I can name CAD Detail Windows - that's my Secondary Index - Project Browser 3. I only need 1 Floor as a place to work on Details. Once done I copy/paste to a CAD Detail Window and clear the Floor for the next Detail. 4. All my detail blocks and standard notes are on Floor 1 where I can just copy and paste into the Current Detail. 5. It's easy to copy an existing Detail from a CAD Detail Window to Floor 1 and make modifications to create a new Detail 6. The Details in the CAD Detail Windows are all exactly the same size so they fit nicely on my layout pages. 7. The CAD Detail Window names (%view.name%) are the names of the Detail and transfers directly to the Layout Do you need more reasons?

Too bad we can't Block a Fireplace Symbol with a Pass Thru and then save it to the Library. Then when placed from the Library the opening would be auto-magic. Note that you can however pre-define the Pass Thru and add it to the Library (name it FP Opening) and it will be available any time you need it.

I think it would be Library Import.

Louie, Can't you import those? I think it should work.

On the second Floor with the 1st Floor shown as the Referenced Floor - just draw the 2nd Floor Walls above the Garage. The 2nd Floor exists but until it's enclosed by walls its just space. BTW, post questions in the Q&A Forum. Tips and Techniques is for users to post their "Tricks".

Johnny, Many of us have Layout Template(s) and Plan Template(s) already linked. There are a series of views sent to Layout and a Page Schedule that exists - even though there might be little or nothing in the Model. With both the Layout and the Plan open the views in Layout are being automatically updated as the Plan is being worked on. Those Layout Boxes have at least the view name and scale displayed. The Page Schedule is valid regardless if there is anything on a given page in the Layout. Probably the easiest way to get started down this road is to save an existing Layout and Plan(s) as a "Project Template". You can delete almost everything in the Model - but not Camera Views. This will result in a nearly empty Plan but with lots of Layout Boxes in the Layout. Personally, I have a Terrain Perimeter and a simple Site Plan and 1st Floor in the Plan File that provides a starting point.

1. Annoset to optionally activate a Layer Set ----- we have that now 2. Annoset to optionally activate a Layer Set and/or a Reference Layer Set 3. Layer Set to optionally activate an Annoset and/or a Reference Layer Set Note: There's a little bit of logic that would need to be set up so that when they could all work together without stepping on each other - but it's all feasible. OTOH, using the Layout to navigate handles all three already.

No, the Plan (when you save it) is saved in the current state. Only the Layout Box knows what the state was when "Sent to Layout". btw, the Layout is a superb index in that regard. I use it extensively.

If I understand your question, just by opening the view by double clicking on the Layout Box should bring everything up as it is in that Layout Box.

Dimensions are to the wall layer specified in the Wall Types. That's where I'd start looking.

Once you have the basic floor layout, start at the top floor and adjust individual floors/rooms to the heights you want. Then go down a floor and adjust that floor and rooms. I know this sounds backwards, but that's the way Chief works. A floor above sets the ceiling below based on the structure thickness. Do not build the Foundation until you have everything above set correctly. I have done several projects with complex floor heights. The lowest floor height above effects the the entire ceiling height of any room even partially below it. Once you understand that it becomes easier to work with such projects.