Joe_Carrick

Yeah, but that's only because it's the initial row in the Tree List - that's a part of the setup of the "Control". There is a separate programming function to set the "Focus".

Scott, Since the Interior Elevation (Room Elevation) Cameras are automatically named for the Rooms they are created in (Project Browser Cross Sections) this could be very confusing. It's very fast to create new Room Elevations and then they are properly named. I use that view_name in a macro in a Text Box in the view for the Title. Yes, I know I can put the cameras on different Layers - but I wish I didn't have to do that. It would be better if they were actually created in the first place on distinct Layers. Cross Section Cameras (as opposed to Room Cameras) I also save for reuse just like you do but those it would also be nice if they were automatically on a separate Layer. I usually show those on All Floors - just my preference.

Larry, There a a few things you might have to manually select and delete - such as "Interior Elevation Cameras". Chief creates them on the same Layer as all other Cameras. I wish they were on a separate Layer. In fact, I would prefer the following distinct Layers: Exterior Elevation Cameras Interior Elevation Cameras Cross Section Cameras Perspective Overview Cameras Perspective Floor Cameras

Robert is correct and this is SWB (Standard Windows Behavior). Basically what is happening is that the "Tree/List" has to have focus in order to intercept the key strokes. It only gets the focus when you select something in that List. It could be possible for the program to set the focus when a Folder is expanded but that might have other consequences that might not be desired.

Yusuf, Am I correct that you are using "Skylight" openings where the doors and windows are in the walls?

No, but you can turn off Layers that you don't want printed.

Larry, Here's what I do: I save the Plan to either my Default Template or as a new named Template. Then I open that Template and turn on my "Cleanup" Layer Set. It has "All Layers On" but "Cameras", "Property Lines", "Setback Lines", "Terrain Boundary", "North Arrow" & "Sun Angle" Layers are all LOCKED. Marque Select everything and Delete. Do that for each Floor. Select my Plot Plan Annoset. Close the Template. That's all it takes - the Template has all the Annosets, Layer Sets, Macros, etc. All the building elements and terrain objects have been deleted. Schedules are all empty but available in the CAD Details.

Nicely done "young jedi".

Absolutely correct. But you do not even have to designate it as the Default Template in order to use it as a Template.

Johnny, Use a Room Molding Polyline (Exterior Room). This will allow you to apply your Molding Profile to the entire perimeter and then "suppress" on selected edges.

Joey, I also thought I had seen some in the Library but I can't find them. However, you can take any pic on the web and import it into Chief as an Image or material.

Even more importantly, there are existing Symbols in Chief that can be used for almost anything. The attached pic shows a section of the Library with the kind of Columns you are talking about. There's no need to create them from scratch. If you do need to create such objects it's pretty easy to assemble the pieces, display in a 3D view and "Convert to a Symbol". An existing Symbol can also be placed in a blank plan, displayed in 3D, modified and converted to a new Symbol.

Note that this is all covered in Chief Help > "Template Files"

Any Plan can be used as a Template. It's just a matter of selecting "New Plan From Template" and navigating to the Plan you want to use. OTOH, if that Plan is set as the "Default Template" then you can just select "New Plan". You can also update your "Default Plan" by simply saving the most current Plan using "Save As" and using your "Default Plan" name and over-writing the existing file. Then you can open that "Default Plan" and do whatever cleanup that's needed. So, the SAM essentially becomes a Template and can be used as such.

Use the "Show on Floor Above" or "Show on Floor Below" icons on the Edit Toolbar

Perhaps the easiest way to explain it is: "New Plan from Template" should be renamed "New Plan from Existing Plan" "New Layout from Template" should be renamed "New Layout from Existing Layout" You can use any Plan or Layout as a Template. It's just a matter of navigating to the Plan or Layout you want.

Scott, See post #12 in this thread. Creating a new Template is just the SAM to the Template Folder. If you do that, you have all the advantage of both. You have just made your SAM Plan a Template. You can even set that File as your "Default" for new Plans. IOW, there is no difference other than where the Plan is saved and the fact that Chief normally selects a Plan from the "Templates" Folder and has a specific Plan File set as the "Default Template".

Any Plan or Layout can be saved as a Template. It's just a matter of saving to the "Templates" folder. Essentially, the SAM is the same but it isn't stored in the "Templates" folder. OTOH, any Plan can be used as a Template simply by using "New Plan from Template" and navigating to the location of the Plan you want to use. In summary: 1. Any Plan or Layout can be saved as a Template - just "Save As" to the Templates Folder 2. Any existing Plan or Layout can be used a Template - just use "New Plan from Template"

It's not a very complicated plan so there's not too much to strip and I have a Layer Set that has everything turned on that needs to be deleted. It only takes a few seconds. I do make modifications from time to time, including Macros and various Text Blocks, etc that I save in CAD Details which are then available to copy or send to Layout. Having a "Building" allows me to test those objects and then save the Template(s). Sometimes I will save a Plan as a Template so that I can use it as a starting point for a similar project (Architectural Style and/or Floor Plan). Note that the Layout Template is also being revised and updated with any new standard Layout Boxes.

-and make sure you turn on the "Electrical" Layer or whatever Layer your Lights are on.

Thanks Graeme. I really appreciate the info. I notice that all of those are mm which I believe is the standard for linear measurements but for areas it's m2. Is there a cut off point where area is cm2 or mm2?

I see on the web that Australian sheets of particle board are 1200x2400 (slightly smaller than North American). So that would match up with framing spacing, etc.

Some more questions: In the USA & Canada most building products are Imperial units (ie: 48"x 96" Sheet Goods, 2x4 (1.5" x 3.5") Lumber, etc. These are not round numbers in metric so I would assume that outside of North America those materials come in different sizes. What are the common sizes in Australia, Europe, etc?

Greg, AC is basically 2D. Chief is 3D so you have to look at what tools are available to build using 3D objects. You almost have to forget about CAD Lines, Circles, etc. Chief uses Walls to define Rooms and a variety of Symbols (which have a 2D Block associated with them). For example, a Round Post (Framing) can be placed in a Room and it will look like a circle in the Plan View. But when you display a Perspective Floor Overview, you will see that it is really a Post. We don't really draw much with Chief, it's more like "building" a 3D model and then sending various Views to Layout. In fact, done correctly with the proper setup of Plan and Layout Defaults the ConDocs practically complet themselves. BTW, you really should view the training videos. It'll give you a much better understanding of what a paradigm shift this is from AC.

Greg, Are you just using a CAD Circle as Robert thinks? If so, why not use a Round "Post" or a Column Symbol from the Library? Chief's a 3D program and using 2D CAD to do this is totally missing the boat.