Joe_Carrick

Make sure each foundation plan is a different "Saved Plan View" with it's own Layerset

Then send each of those SVPs to a different page

15 minutes ago, NRST8TRKR said:

In case of settlement. Also,the GC ask it to be that way.

Ahh...

So maybe they will be enclosed and therefore inaccessible at the bottom.

• Place on in a plan
• rotate about the x or y axis 180 degrees
• save to your library

btw, what's the reason to invert the lally column?  AFAIK, it's not uncommon to have the adjustment at the bottom.

Terry,

I do most of my own structural calcs and specify what needs to be used.

I use "Vitruvius StruCalc" as my structural software.  As an Architect I am licensed to stamp & sign the calcs.

Terry,

You have to specify the structural member sizes. 

Chief is not going to do that automatically.

If you specify the correct sizes and materials the material list should be accurate.

4 minutes ago, 5Design said:

My goal is to be able to supply the material takeoffs with my designs for builders / contractors.  I have been manually adjusting framing for the structural plans, but unless there has been great progress made in v14 with material reporting, it's just a headache.

 

Thanks!

Do you really want the liability of a possible miscalculation?

The material list is only as accurate as the model so you must be very precise in what you show.  If I was a builder or contractor I might use the material list - but as an Architect (or even as a general contractor) I let subs & suppliers do their own takeoffs.

30 minutes ago, WoodlandDesign said:

Disappointing the program isn't more flexible especially on a popular item like a shutter.

For some things you just have to do a little bit more work.  btw, shutters are popular in some locations and not in others.

17 minutes ago, JacobB said:

You can do it with a parametric door style

I knew I'd seen that someplace.  

You need to use a Library Garage Panel Symbol.  You might have to make your own Panel Symbol unless you can find one in one of the Manufacturer Catalogs.

There's no trick.  Symbols are not the same as Chief's native objects.  Essentially the native objects are controlled by the software while the symbols are basically fixed geometry.  The symbols can be modified as to size and materials but otherwise are limited to their basic shape.

2 minutes ago, powellscandrett said:

Did you finish the build? What does the patio look like now?

Probably 2-1/2 years ago. 

You would need to mull them in Chief. They can still be labeled and listed in the Schedules as separate units.

I reported this problem to Chief several months ago.  They need to update the Library.  Which they acknowledged - but I'm sure it will take time to get it done.

Try an extra "framing" layer for the battens in the wall definition.  

I've been working on a macro to return a "Floor Name" based on Chief's Floor Levels.  The macro automatically names:

• floor level 0  as "Foundation"
• any Basement as "1st Basement Floor", "2nd Basement Floor", etc.  depending on the number of Basements
• all above floor levels as "1st Floor","2nd Floor", "3rd Floor", etc.
• attic level as "Attic

A building with 0 basements and 2 additional floors (level 0,1,2) will have Floors named:

• Foundation  level 0
• 1st Floor  level 1
• 2nd Floor  level 2
• Attic  

A building with 1 basements and 2 additional floors (level 0,1,2,3) will have Floors named:

• Foundation  level 0
• 1st Basement Floor  level 1
• 1st Floor  level 2
• 2nd Floor  level 3
• Attic  

A building with 2 basements and 2 additional floors (level 0,1,2,3,4) will have Floors named:

• Foundation  level 0
• 2nd Basement Floor  level 1
• 1st Basement Floor  level 2
• 1st Floor  level 3
• 2nd Floor  level 4
• Attic  

I think this is going to make Floor Plan Naming much easier. 

9 hours ago, HumbleChief said:

I just noticed one of the articles was dated Jan 23rd and suggested X15 will be introduced during this year's KBIS which starts today Jan 31 through Feb 2nd. So I'm guessing that if the new features in X15 will be introduced there that those new features might also be introduced to its users as well?  

No, the article indicates that the release will be this spring.  It's only being demonstrated at KBIS this week.

For stairs, the area is the actual surface area.  Under stairs usable space is also included.  

Assuming a 1 story stair the "open below" area isn't counted because there's no floor.  If it's a 2 story stair then you have to count the 2nd floor stair but not the "open below" of the 3rd floor.

Note that the "Open Below" area may not be the same as the stair area.

It's the Text Style in the "Cameras, Wall Elevations" Layer.  Not the easiest thing to find.

I like to set that to 3/32" Arial. (4-1/2" at 1/4" Scale)

But I'm really pushing for a different callout to indicate all 4 elevations.

Import into your user Library.

Are you on Floor Level 0 ?

There's probably 100's of thousands of existing homes built before 1980 in California that don't have automatic closers on doors between the garage and the house.  Many of them are hinged to swing into the house rather than out - which should be the preferred direction.  That's not mandatory but it is good design practice.

3D Symbols can only be edited within the Symbol dbx (little chair) and the things you can do there are limited.  

You can use the "Delete Surface Tool" in a 3D Perspective View (nothing else in the plan) to get rid of some things you don't want.  But then you need to create a new Symbol from what you modified.

Symbols are not the same as the CAD Block.  That's just the plan view representation of the 3D Symbol.  You can modify the CAD Block but you need to assign the modified CAD Block to the Symbol.  It's then still the Symbol that you need to place in the model, not the 2D CAD Block which wiil be placed in the model along with the Symbol.

Study the Symbol dbx - and the "Create Symbol" tool in Chief to learn the ins and outs of Symbols.  I don't know if there are any good videos but you might try looking for them on Chief's Website.

It's the same trick used for inserting railing in the openings in regular walls.

OK, Try this.

1. Make an opening in the brick wall (no frame, no casings)
2. Make the 4" thick wall about 12 " inside the room and mark it "No Room Definition"
3. Place your door in that wall. 
4. You might want to adjust the wall to the width and height of the Brick Wall Opening.
5. Move the 4" thick wall to be flush with the inside of the Brick Wall.

There are other methods but this will work fine.

Make a wall where the door is just 4" thick.  IOW, a small length of wall for the door to insert into.