Joe_Carrick

Gerry, I assume that you just found out that an Architectural Block doesn't show up in the Schedule as a single Cabinet. I'm actually surprised that you didn't know that - it's always been that way. Here's an example of a Front Frame that I can order from my supplier (custom) but only slightly more than a stock cabinet of the same size. If the Cabinet Companies can make it - Chief should be able to draw it.

Yep! Most Cabinet Mfr provide such cabinets as single units. Even vanity units purchased at the big box stores can have such unique configurations - and more. Chief allows us to do 1,2 & 3 column faces but doesn't allow different things within those columns - nor does it allow the columns to be different widths - all of which is available from the Cabinet Mfrs. I can order from my supplier virtually any combination of doors, drawers and openings - but Chief can't match what I can order.

I started with 3 cabinets The number of drawers are fixed. There are 3 ways to accomplish this: 1. Configure it from 3 Cabinets (actually, 2,3,4,..... will work) and then Convert it to a Furniture Symbol. That will show up in the Furniture Schedule. 2. Same as above but suppress the Countertop - export to 3Ds - Import as a Cabinet Symbol 3. Create the Geometry (3D Planes) for all the Cabinet Elements (Cab Box, Doors, Drawers, Toe Kick) - export to 3Ds - Import as Cabinet Symbol. The last is the most comprehensive but also the most difficult to achieve.

Yes, it's a symbol, but how was it created as a Cabinet? It can be stretched, without affecting the hardware. It can have a Sink placed in it. The Counter Top can be changed (edge moldings, material, etc) The Cabinet Materials (Cabinet, Doors, Drawers, Hardware can all be edited in the dbx) In short, it's a Cabinet.- how did I create as a single unit?

Take a look at the pic. This shows in a Schedule as a Single Unit. In Plan it has a Single Label. It's not an Architectural Block. How did I accomplish this? I'm off to bed for the night - I'll be back in the morning to see if anyone has the right answer.

PLEASE FIX THIS ASAP When a 3D Symbol's origin is offset from [0,0,0] the 2D Block should (but doesn't) be positioned to match the x & y offsets. This results in incorrect placement of the 2D Block - errrors in CDs - that should never happen. Chief is a 3D modeling program and for the CDs to be inconsistent and inaccurate relative to the 3D model is not acceptable. It's time for a bug fix version of X6 - there are enough known bugs that I'm sure CA's been working on that we deserve an update!!!!!

In general, Chief cuts thru all Windows on a Floor. This is a case wher if you want something to fill in the hole that Chief cuts in the wall (Plan View) then it's CAD to touch it up.

I did a little experimenting with Scott's idea. ie: using a Standard Fixed Window To make it work, you make the Sash as small as possible and recess it up to the full wall thickness. Then you set the Sash and Glass to the same Material. You can use an Arch if you want and suppress (or not) the Frame and Casing. One of the biggest problems that I've found however is that Chief doesn't allow us to reverse the inside/ouside of a window as *** does with doors. So maybe using a door is a better solution to the simple alcove type of recess - but you can't use custom symbols and you can't control the depth of the recess. Seems there's more than one way to skin this cat - but each has it's advantages and disadvantages.

That should work, but it's not the same as recessed bookcases, toilet paper dispensers, medicine cabinets, ironing boards or niches with arched tops. With my method virtually any 3D configuration can be recessed into a wall. The actual wall cutout can be sized smaller than the symbol itself, so if there's a part of the object that isn't recessed (frame or flange) you still get the correct opening size.

It can be done as a part of the Symbol in the Library. Once done there's no further problem as the new CAD Block will travel with the Symbol.

The problem is that when CA set up the Symbols they provided the 3D offsets in x, y, & z - but there's no corresponding offset for the 2D CAD Blocks in the x & y directions. I've asked CA for this to be automatically adjusted (2D Block should match the 3D) but so far, no one at CA has indicated that they'll do anything about it. It shouldn't be that difficult to program (2D is always easier than 3D) but ?????

To make it look right in PlanView you have to create a 2D CAD Block with just the part that projects from the wall.

OK, here's the trick: The Symbol must be defined as a WINDOW, the y origin set at the recess depth and the y stretch plane set at at least the (Symbol Depth + Wall Thickness - easiest to just set it at about 10')

We can actually do this. Do you know the trick? It's not what you might think. It's just a matter of properly defining the Symbol and placing it on the wall. The correct answer will be posted in this thread with an example at 5:00 pm PDT today.

That's a real bummer - adding a callout/label with the View Name would be much easier if we could snap to at least the lower left corner of the Wall Elevations.

Perry, I suspect that it'll be never. We have a better chance of getting Storefronts, Stairways and Railings reworked - and those have been on the back burner for a decade.

Scott, You're always looking for the more difficult situation - but it's a valid question. I can do it but the method is different. Essentially, this requires using a 3D Molding PLine (vertical on the elevation in question - and just placing the 1x2 Batt Molding on that PLine) The PLine can be repeat copied and individually stretched up to the gable. It's a bit more work but it's the best I can come up with off the top of my head.

Doug, Can you take a look at "Room Wall Elevations" and tell me how to position a CAD Object relative to an edge or corner? Snaps to Room Elevations don't seem to work except for dimensions.

Mick Set the following Stretch Planes: y=2 z=6 Do not set one for x. This will make them stretch uniformly in width. In Options, check "Sits on Floor" & "Hangs on Wall". Then set "Height above Floor = 0".

Mick, Creating Symbols in Chief is really not that big a deal. Whatever you display in 3D can be turned into a Symbol. The trick is to decide what kind of Symbol - Molding, Exterior or Interior Furniture, Exterior or Interior Fixture, Door, Window, etc - and then learning what the "Stretch Planes" do. It just takes a little bit of experimenting.

Yep, So just crete a Molding Pline 36" long with (about 24" tall) Batt Molding on it. Now Convert that to an Exterior Furniture Symbol (Hangs on Wall, 0" above Floor). Do the same for 48", 60", 72" & 96" widths. If you want, you can do 12" and 24" widths as well . You can even add a 1x2 at the top and bottom but if you do that, you should set a stretch plane at z=6" so you don't stretch those 1x2's when you change the heights.

Ditto - see pic

Mick, You might also experiment with the Board and Batt Panels that I posted in the Symbols Forum. They work pretty well for the areas above and below openings. They can be stretch within a few inches horizontally and as much as you want vertically.

The best Wall to use these with would be one without anything but Chief Wrap on the outside of the Framing.

Here's a Library of Board and Batt Panels and a 3D Molding. I placed Panels above and below the Windows and one above the Door. The rest of the siding is a set of Moldings placed on an Exterior Room Polyline set at +48". Board_and_Batt1.calibz