Joe_Carrick

FWIW,  Color can be used in Layouts and used to make the printed drawings clearer to the contractors and sub-contractors.  I don't print in color very often because the printing can get to be very expensive.  OTOH, I send the color to Layout and then print in Grayscale or Color depending on the need..

I created the attached PDF mostly for myself to document my understanding of how these things work and how I want them set up.  The exact setup for any particular user would be dependent on the type of work.  I can see that some users might have little or no need for Annosets if their work is limited to just one scale and discipline.  But for most users that's not the case.

IAE, I thought it would be helpful to post this for those who might be confused or overwelmed by the complexity which seems to be involved.  It isn't really that complex but understanding the relationships and how they can be best utilized is important.

Enjoy!  And go ahead and let me know if you think I missed something that should be included.

Annosets_Defaults_Layersets.pdf

W

AS A MATER OF FACT, YES, I HAVE ONE IN VERSION 10.

 

ANDY.

Wow, that's cool Andy.  Are you going to post it for Harry?

I'm not sure anyone here can help.  We are all (or at least almost all of us) using vX6 so finding any Library items for v10 would be extremely difficult.

See Tools > Project Information > Client Information

and Tools > Project Information > Designer Information

BTW, I alread have a set of files and macros for Structural, Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing and T24 Consultants similar to what you suggest.  It's totally do-able but it would be nice if Chief would just incorporate the extras into Tools > Project Information.

It could be a problem when you print the PDF.  If your printer has borders, it may have to do with a setting of the printer you are using.

It's probably a Page Setup Issue.  But even that's a guess.

You need to have the "Paper Size" and the Chief Page Size match.  This would be true with any printer.

What "Sheet Size" are you using in Chief?

What "Paper Size" do you have set in the PDF Printer?

Get a PDF Printer such as PDF995, Adobe PDF, Nuance PDF Pro, etc.  When installed on your computer they can be selected as a Printer when you print your Layout.

OK, so zoom way out in plan view with all layers on and marquee select the areas outside your building.  Delete anything that's found.  Do this on all floors 0,1,2,3,4,A

There's something out there someplace.

Barton,

I think the difference may be that the OP is using a MAC.  That particular video may not be able to be maximized on the MAC.

In Plan View, you can grab the Focal Point of the Camera and move it wherever is convenient.  I a perspective view, you can just select the "Center on Point Icon and pic the location the you want to rotate about.  You probably need to then select the "Center Building Tool" on the right toolbar.

I don't think so.  This is just one of those that you have to get used to. 

ps:  The Autobad method is WRONG ;)

BTW, Joe Carrick, my background is commercial architect. I am transitioning to residential on my own. I know Autocad (27 years), Archicad (7 years), Sketchup (sporadically).

 

The reason I asked was to get a better understanding of your knowledge, experience, & capabilities.  I started with CAD before AutoCAD existed, migrated to it about 1990 and subsequently to Chief Architect.  Obviously Chief is quite different and like any very competent CAD Software has a fairly steep learning curve. 

I never went to ArchiCad or Revit as I considered them too complicated and too expensive.  That said, I have investigated both products and studied several videos/demos of both.  There are things that AutoCAD had which I miss in Chief - most notably the "Comand Line" but 2D CAD lends itself to that much more than a full 3D Modeling Program such as Chief.

The bottom line is that it takes time to become an expert - and even when you get to the point where you think you might be there will always be more to learn.  When I come up with a special requirement that has be stumped, I just start looking in the Help Files, Videos, etc.  But probably the most helpful of all is this Forum. 

What is your background?

What sort of business do you have? 

I agree with Gerry.

The key is that Chief is basically a 3D Design Tool, not a 2D CAD Tool.  Most of the CAD needed is:

1.  Automatically created from the model using "Orthographic Camera Views"

2.  Small bits of 2D CAD to enhance the Orthographic Views.

I had only used 2D CAD before I started with Chief.  It took a while to realize that I didn't need 95% of the 2D CAD that was provided by AutoCAD and that I was much better off making sure that I got the 3D the way it need to be and then let Chief handle almost all of the 2D Drafting.  I tried SoftPlan but found it overly restrictive in many regards.  It's taken me several years to get to the level of expertise that I have with Chief but it would have taken me the same amount of time to master SoftPlan - and I wouldn't have nearly as good 3D Renderings and Ray Traces.

The other thing you should do is pay attention to the "Spray Can Modes" on the Edit Toolbar.  This will allow you to control what is painted.

If you have existing messes to clean up, select the room and edit the Wall Material to "Use Default".  That will eliminate any "Paint".

Gene,

That would require a definition in a ".pat" file.  It would be a bit difficult to do with fill, particularly with circles.

BTW, what scale would you be using this with?  Maybe you could just use a CAD Block and replicate it - perhaps with a Distributed Region.

Some settings will update automatically when you change the defaults - but only if the symbols are set to use the defaults.  In some cases this is done by having (D) in the field.  In other cases there is a choice in the drop down box Use Default.  For some settings,

For Casings, it's a checkbox and that can only be set globally as DJP indicated.

Mark,

The Callout Below the Line Automatic Label is the same as the Layout Page Label.  The problem is that you put "Interior Elevations" in that field instead of a Sheet Number.

See the attached Pic.

Mark,

Check your defaults for what gets displayed below the line in the callouts.  It appears that you have a macro assigned to that.

Mark,

If you use a "Wall Cabinet" with a blank front and then add Moldings to it you can get the form you want and it will appear in the Cabinet Schedule and will have a label.

Essentially, you're creating a Soffit but Chief's Soffits don't appear as cabinets in the schedule.

See pic

Thanks Joe. Now just need to figure out what category to store it under????

Can't help you with that

For the record - it was created in Chief as a filled (almost white) square and a 3/16" filled (black) circle which I replicated at 1" intervals in both directions.  I then snipped it to a png and pulled it into Chief as a new material.

Very simple way to create a texture without needing to take a photo.

BTW, it comes in as 20"x20" but should be 12"x12".  Just open it in the Library and change the size - then it'll be right whenever you use it.