mtldesigns

You can try and change some of your "locate object" dimension defaults (DEFAULTS, LOCATE OBJECT) and when that doesn't work, drawing the line is the last thing to try. I know it doesn't make sense, because IMO, anything that has an edge should be able to be dimensioned. Chief does not dimension like AutoCAD or Mechanical. You can also try rearranging your layers in the build wall specification too, for instance move your line 3 to main layer.... see if that helps.

here are the links https://www.chiefarchitect.com/videos/watch/1912/ray-trace-rendering-material-settings-and-properties.html?playlist=103 https://www.chiefarchitect.com/videos/watch/1913/ray-trace-rendering-materials-of-note-in-the-plan.html?playlist=103 Your right kbird that this is a user forum.. habit. Perry, I couldn't get it to work in Explorer.. but does in Chrome. Good idea checking out diff. browser. I see we both have Alienware.. what a difference..

Hi CA Can you look into this please. Now that I have a top of the line vid card (at least when I bought it a moth ago it was), I would like to learn more on bump maps. Reading many post, but thinking these vids would be a great tool. When I tap play, the audio is fine but no video is showing. other training videos do work, but these two do not. Thanks,

I use my 3Dconnexion mouse to zoom in and out in the 2D world as well, makes the screen endless. Great for dimensioning too!

Hey all.. Hadn't been on the forum since my post. I guess I've been called a dumb a$$ kinda..? I understand user error, I know it when I see it, I have made my share of them, as we all have. This was not one of those moments. As I mentioned originally, I created a construction package with one layout sheet being electrical. My attachment showed completed circuits with all the the 3-ways attached, Model saved, printed doc shows the correct labels. When I open the model again, ALL the 3-ways are detached. User error would have been one or two, obviously. BUT the whole plan, every 3-way disconnected??? I did have to grab each grip and reconnect to get the correct label. I could not duplicate either, so..?? My original post was more of a curiosity if anyone else had seen this. I have fixed and moved on.. Add the electrical does need an overall, as all the ideas and previous post have mentioned. It wold also be nice to be able to turn lights on and off in 3D via the switch too, instead of picking each light for a RT. Thanks all.. even for the constructive criticism. :-) learning from the best.

This might need to be sent to CA for a bug... As you can see, the "B4" picture, my switches have correctly changes to a 3-way where needed. This view is from the construction docs I've created. Now when I open this same plan again to make some customer mods (see the "lost" pict.), all the 3-ways are no longer that way. Yes, the box is still checked to automatically change switch types when wiring. I basically have to touch all the connections again to get it back to the 3-way. And this is with the complete plan, major time killer. Any ideas on why this is happening?

You will also need to reload all of your catalogs, at least I had to. That's what takes the most time. Other wise, do what David mentions above.. and you should have no problem.

Key word mentioned above.. if your business, get used to upgrading. I had very similar issues until I was pointed out that my system was not up to par, not even close. And you need it for X9. I know am running high end and the difference is incredible. I have stopped cussing :-) while waiting for any commands to work.

I will try bump maps with the new vram.. Not going to dare until then.

Thank you for the eye opener. My step son is coming by later and we will be ordering a new vram.. aiming at the 8 gbs. He has enlightened me also, and he's a gamer.. I attached a ray trace render.. turned out nice, 14 passes, all internal lights were turned off, not a lot of reflective materials, yet it still took 6 hours to run. And section views are the worse.. So I know its what you guys mentioned above. Time to step with the big boys!

Hi there gents.. I was so bogged down I ended up closing most of my other programs to complete my project. Now that is done, and I am getting ready to start another one, I figured I'd show you what I am working with. Attached are my systems and video card info. AND lets get this out there, I AM NOT A COMPUTER GEEK.. I have some basic knowledge, but that's where it ends. I design.. I come to this forum for your inputs and advice.. respectfully. My first step is to find out if what I have under the box is suffice. If so, then I will go to tech support. They were not around this past Saturday when I asked the question out of frustration. Thanks.

I usually wait to do section views towards the last of a project, after client has a chance to review model. Three projects after upgrading to X9 last month, and I figured I'd ask now.. WTH. Is it me or are they really, REALLY slow now. AND, why does the curser jump around like I have snaps on (as it would in AutoCAD). It reminds me of watching a movie, where the mouth moves, but the words do not match. Usually these go fast, at least they did in X8. I have no other issues with speed, cameras are good, ray traces are good, plan updates are good. So??

..continued to adjust and redo settings to all the mentions above and what I read on other feeds. Here is what I have.. not acceptable at all. The first is my camera view, the rest are RT with the last one even with the sun light turned off. I have a full roof, so the bleeding thru does not make any sense. Is there a way to go back to X8 as my default even though this model has been save in X9. Time is money, and I wasted a whole day to no avail....

Thanks for ideas.. there are windows in this room and a full roof over top already, actually my second camera for the render was looking at windows. So I need to keep sunlight on. Yes, I did look for the caulk and/or the drywall tape button. :-)

I know this thread was over a month ago. And it was one of the main reasons I did not upgrade to X9. I had projects to finish and playing with render settings was not a useful use of my time. That being said, I have upgraded now, and some things are great but some things are NOT. I am NOT a camera specialist, I design houses. Part of the bonus to my clients is to provide nice rendered views. I have played with all the damn settings mentioned above and I do not like the outcome one bit. WTH.. yeah a little ticked here. Hours of wasted time, paying with a setting, running a RT, seeing the results, playing with settings again, etc... I did not have to adjust with X8. The room attached is from X9 (4 passes), the second is a camera view, in X8 this room would have been bright because all the lights are on, the closet would have been bright because those lights are on ass well.. and what the H is the "glowing" spots at the top of the ceiling, in the closet, and on the doors?????

Thanks gents, that worked perfectly. I knew once I was directed, it would have been, why didn't I look there.... I can see how using the same template would be beneficial, esp, like what was mentioned above. I have one builder who likes his drawings a certain way with fonts, colors, etc.. and knowing know HOW to this now is going to be a great time saver. "Solver" I did search for relink, but it wasn't very clear. it was more for archived files is what I could see. I do try to find answers before hitting the pros up, its education at its best.

I pretty much have the same dilemma, same floor plan, but mirrored. I really do not want to redo the 15 sheets of the previous design. I know there will be changes, because of the mirror.. but... I have renamed new design into a different folder. Both plan and layout are the same name. So how do you relink the files? Not finding any think that should be "really that simple". I know once one of you tell me, it will seem simple, just not finding it.

Another question for all the experts. I am not a big fan on CA cad tools (sorry Chief), so when a customer sends me a AutoCAD file of a small pool he needs to add, Instead of redrawing in Chief. I tried to import the main pline of the shape. However when I do, Chief folds it, inside-out. Kind a weird.. Now I have imported other CAD lines (site plans for instance, and nvr had this happen). Is it because of the splines?

Thanks.. that was it! No way would I have looked to uncheck that. Stay warm up there in AK...

I have a quick project to get a remodel design done for a kitchen adder. The existing house has a "railing wall" that separate kitchen and living. I can model this with a 96" tall rail, and have no issues of "ceiling" being deleted, but when I draw a normal wall, and delete the attic wall that comes in automatically, ceiling does not fill in. The only reason I have a normal wall, is because CA won't put a door in a railing wall. Any ideas experts?

That's pretty much what I have found. Thx.

Was wondering if there is any way to make an irregular shaped viewport, instead of the standard box that's automatic from CA? I can create custom VPs in Mechanical and Revit, so I'm sure it has to be possible with CA also. thanks.

I know there must be a setting based on room type, but having no luck finding it, and its probably right in front of my face. My bathrooms, and other "wet" rooms have no issue of a GFI coming in automatically. My last three plans have had this issue, so I either messed with something in the defaults or who knows? Right now, my work around is copy paste from bathroom, but that's not how it should be. Thanks for any help in advance.

You can find more at 3D warehouse too.. But like mentioned, they do slow down the model. I put them in just for ray traces, then delete and exchange for images for drawings.