Joe_Carrick

Thanks Jon

Doug, .....sometimes the code that tells the program that something has changed is not always hooked up correctly. . Adding or Editing a Text Macro doesn't trigger the "something's changed" flag.

David, There is nothing wrong with using the CAD Detail method. It's just not my preferred way of working. I like to be able to change the "Existing" when/if I find there was something wrong with the "as-built".

Larry, As I've stated previously, I seldom do remodels. However, I have Layers for Existing, New & Demo for Walls, Doors, Windows & Cabinets. I also have Layer Sets defined for Existing, New & Demo that allow me to display the various objects. The Demo Layers are "Locked" in my "New Layerset". I wouldn't want to use separate Plans - there's just too much possibility that there would be something different between the Plans. It's easy enough to switch Layer Sets and send each to Layout. BTW, That is all in a "Remodel Template" since I don't want the extra Layers, Layer Sets and Annosets in my regular Template.

Larry, It can be done using this method and different Annosets/Layersets and different Layers for the "Existing", "Demo" & "New" Walls, Doors, Windows, etc. I've never found a way to superimpose 3 walls, but 2 is not a problem.

If one of those walls is "No Room Definition" they can occupy the same space. I do this quire often when I need a railing wall in a "Doorway". But it doesn't have to be a railing. You can put 2 walls in the same space as long as one of them is "No Room Definition". Try it.

I just love it when you guys answer your own question - and then mark it as the "Best Answer". Nice pat on your own back.

Scott, PT#%^#$ Plan

Sometimes it just takes a "Save". I have found a couple of cases where some Chief Tool apparently resulted in "reloading" something. The problem is it's almost impossible to find what caused it.

Dermot, The program decides quite enough (in some cases too much) already. Let's leave this one alone.

FWIW, I use a variety. 1. Simple notes are just Text - usually controlled by "Text Style" 2. For larger blocks of text where I want different Fonts, Sizes, Attributes and/or Colors - I use Rich Text. 3. Labels are Text - because Chief doesn't allow Rich Text in Labels.

I understand

1. Everything is to Scale 2. The Layout is consistent 3. No need to make additional Layout changes when the Plan is modified. a. Mostly because almost all the text in the Layout is generated by macros

No, but they would be on the "Interior Fixtures" Layer and I don't think that's appropriate for this particular use.

Personally, I like text boxes in CAD Details in Plan Files. I can send them to Layout and if they are a bit too big or too small I can just "rescale". OTOH, if I just copy/paste the text from a CAD Detail in the Layout File then I can stretch the Text Box to fit the width available. Most of my major Notes are in the Layout.

Mick, You can do it either way. If you do it in a Plan CAD Detail then you would create the text in real world size and send to Layout at Scale. IOW, if you wanted 1/8" high text you would make it 6" text in Plan and send to Layout at 1/4" scale. If you do it in a Layout then you create the text as 1/8" high.

Jon, Exterior Furnishing, Exterior Fixtures, & Plants all have the Options "Sits on Floor" & "Inserts into Terrain Hole". Take your pick of what you want it to be. The basic difference will be the Schedule that each might be included in and the Layer they would be created on.

Niclas, You can add Walls, Normal Demo, Walls, Normal Existing, Walls, Normal New Layers and edit the appropriate walls to be on those Layers. You can define the Linestyle for those Layers and control what shows in a Camera View Layer Set. This all takes a bit of set up but it's not that hard to do and once done and saved along with appropriate Wall Types..........

One thing I found that's kind of interesting is using the "Space Planning Tool" to quickly arrange spaces within the confines of the exterior walls of a "Floor". Then using the "Build House" option to convert that to "Rooms". You still need to do some editing of Wall Types, Door and Window Locations, etc but it's a pretty quick way to get the basic layout.

With a little tweaking it might be possible. It would be pretty cool if the "Space Planning Tool" was 3D so we could move the spaces around and change their heights.

Come on guys, I'm better looking than that by far.

Rob, Look in the Project Browser under "Cross Sections". All 2D Camera Views are listed there. You can rename them so it makes more sense.

Open the Layout and click on the "printer icon". The dbx will allow you to select the printer, pages, sheet size, etc.

Mick, The Easiest way to create a CAD Detail Window is to use "Shift-V". You can also create a new CAD Detail Window by using the Menu. You can create or copy any CAD (Text, Lines, Arcs, Blocks, Polylines, Schedules, etc) in CAD Detail Window. You can not place any 3D Objects in a CAD Detail Window. Maybe it would be best if the "Detail" was not a part of the name - it can be confusing for some people.

When in elevation view, what is the "Working Floor #"? You might think you are putting them on the Floor where they appear in the Elevation but in fact they may be on a different Floor. Just a guess, but that could be the problem.