Joe_Carrick

It appears that the problem with this is that there really are no defaults for "Text Line with Arrow" or "Leader Line". That's where it would need to be specified. Personally, I just use a Point to Point Dimension, add whatever text I need to the Segment as "Leading Text" and "Suppress the Dimension Value"

When you imported the symbols you should have specified "Furniishings, Interior". I'm not sure what the limitations are of the Student version, but I would imagine you could get upgraded to the X12 Student version at no additional cost. You just need to contact CA.

I don't mind using the POST tool for COLUMNS. You can specify the shape and use whatever material you want. However, I would like to have "Bases" and "Caps" - especially for Steel Tubes, Steel Pipes & Steel-I (WF) - but also for wood Posts. It would be great if we could just select appropriate Caps and Bases and have the software automatically place them. Actually, if that tool was renamed "POST/COLUMN" it would be more obvious. BTW, does anyone actually specify a Steel-I Beam or Column? I've always used Steel-WF (Wide Flange) as they are structurally superior in almost every case. I-Beams are good for certain things such as tracks for Chain Hoists, etc but are seldom used for structural framing.

Put your questions in the Q & A Forum. This is where you share your tips.

My favorite note: BTF&PTM (Beat to Fit & Paint to Match)

FWIW; Defaults are how various objects are configured when created in a Plan or Layout (for Layouts it's very limited). Doors, Windows, Cabinets, Walls, Roofs, Dimensions, etc. Preferences are how the software works/appears regardless of the Plan or Layout. It has almost nothing to do with the Model itself. Display appearance (foreground & background colors, etc) Mouse and Keyboard operation, etc. File Management, etc

It appears he doesn't have any additional assigned Hot Keys. I'm not sure if you can export them from a Mac and Import to a PC. Maybe there's a backup someplace on his PC.

I use a lot of macros. In many cases the macro is designed to initiated some $Global variables. But even when included in an object's Label (particularly when imbedded in a text object) they don't always get executed. I'm not sure why this happens but I've found that opening "Text Macro Management" it will force them to be executed. Another option is to open the object for editing - but that means finding the object (sometimes it's on a locked layer or on page 0 of the Layout) and may not even be visible for one reason or another. So, I've set up a "Hot Key" as well as a special command for a key on my Gaming keypad. That automatically opens TMM. It's very easy to use that to open TMM the first time I open the Layout and again as soon as the Plan is opened.

I use Dropbox and have not experienced this problem.

Where are you located. I'm in Southern California.

In some cases you might be able to do this just by placing things on different layers and switching Layer Sets. It really depends on what the objects are. If it only involves site features that could work easily. However, if there are differences in the structure (walls, roofs, etc) then separate plans is the best alternative.

There are Steel Channels, etc in one of the Libraries. But detailing Stairs (of any type) in Chief is not easy. It's almost better to start with a Section and create a "CAD Detail from View". Then just use the CAD Tools (Lines, etc) to refine the Detail(s).

The Template page doesn't assign the Label format (prefix and numbering) to the pages that use that template. In addition, the position of the template in the browser doesn't have any effect on which template a particular page uses. My proposal would be that these features be added as automatic - but only if the individual pages had nothing in the "Label" field. IOW, current "Page Information" would over-ride the Template(s)

I agree that not everyone would want this capability. However, if the individual pages are specified as they are now it would be natural for them to over-ride my proposed schema. Only if a page didn't include a Label Format would it take the format from the Template. I think there are programmers at CA that concentrate on the "Model" while other programmers are concentrating on "Presentation", "Database" and "Organizational" issues. Consequently, I'm not too concerned that this would interfere with "Stairs" or "Roof" Tools.

From what you've provided, there's no way to answer your question. We would need to have the Layout and Plan files at a minimum. btw, are you printing to a pdf or directly to a physical printer?

Like "YODA"

It would be nice if you could put the page Label format in page Templates and have each successive page automatically pick up that Label format without having to specify the format or the Template to use. ie: Template G - Label: G-# G-1 G-2 G-3 Template A - Label: A-# A-1 A-2 A-3 A-4 Template S - Label: S-# S-1 S-2 S-3 This scheme would simply pass the Label formatting from the Template to each successive page. It would also be nice if the Layout Page Table would optionally leave a space at each new template location. I would post this as a Suggestion but since it might not be what everyone would want, I don't want to do that yet. There would probably need to be an over-ride capability if the Label format was specified for any page rather than it being left blank.

The render looks perfect on my system also. Updating a video driver should not have any detrimental affect on other programs.

BT, Since you rounded height to 0 places - the denominator of 8 is superfluous.

Also update your video card driver. I just had an unexpected problem that I wouldn't have expected was caused by a driver problem - but updating eliminated the glitch.

I agree with Michael. Note that you don't need to use .to_in when using the NumberFormatter. I actually have several predefined NumberFormatters saved as $Globals so that I can just specify which one I want: $NF_in $NF_ft $NF_ft_in They are all automatically loaded into memory when I open my Layout (macro in a text box on page 0)

I added it just now, but I think there's also an x & y offset to the edges. Could be a difficult edit.

I think Sketchup Textures has some that are seamless but I'm not sure exactly how to get them. Here's one that I like but it needs to have the opposite edges spliced on so the pic is square without any white space.

Does anyone have a good Flagstone texture (random sizes - not rectangular)? I'm looking for something that I can use on about a 16'-24' rectangular patio. It needs to look right Standard, PB and Line drawing views.

Michael, I think you'll find that not only Walls; but Roofs, Material Regions, Backsplashes, Floors and Ceilings should also not be modified by the Paint Tool. All of these elements are made up of material Layers and could give incorrect Material List results if "Painted".