TheKitchenAbode

I just floated two counters - results are the same- I get dims in one view and not the other

Mark - do you mean you can dimension in plan but cannot dimension in elevation? If so then this is the same for me.

Mark - Will take a look at your plan in a minute. Just tried a custom counter top floated in mid air without a cabinet, I cannot dimension it in elevation.

Hi Mark. I think it is working for you because you still have the counter top specified in the cabinet dbx. If I have this turned off and float a custom counter over the cabinet then it will not dimension in elevation. Using X7 latest update.

I believe this applies to all polyline objects, they will not dimension in elevation view. Just tried this, if you convert to a solid then elevation dimensions seem to work and snap properly.

Graham

There is an automatic setting in X7, the help file indicates that this has to do with sending the view to layout. I believe Todd wants to set a default text line that would display automatically each time a camera elevation view callout is generated, like what can be done for a text callout.

Graham

Just a thought, maybe the pixelated appearance is actually some weird reflection/shadow effect. Like having a perforated lamp shade that projects bright dots all over everything. Maybe you could post a jpg of this so we can see what it looks like.

Graham

I have tried this, but I cannot get the default I am looking for as shown circled in red.

Agree, my suggestion seems to only work for a manually placed callout "CAD, Text, Callout"

I checked the help file on this and it looks like you have to do this manually for each camera view. I do not see any reference to a global default setting.

Graham

Is this what you are looking for?

Edit, Default Settings, Text, Callouts & Markers, Callout, Edit, Edit.

Graham

Hi Laura,

Never really played with the "Legacy" option but this term usually refers to a method that is considered as a standard that has been around for a long time.

Hardware edge smoothing relates to the camera view edge smoothing as you pan the camera. Hardware is faster than the software method but this should not impact on Raytracing as it is an independent program. Same goes for your graphics card, Raytrace uses your main cpu not the graphics card, it's really just a number cruncher.

Suggest you check your lights. If any are point lights with shadows on then your trace times will be high. Photon mapping turned on will also increase the time. Keep in mind that the time degradation is cumulative, more lights more time.

Suspect the pixilation is due to the photon mapping, 10 passes may not be enough to generate a clean pic. The Raytrace process is progressive, each pass refines the image. The visual impact of each pass follows the law of diminishing return, as the number of passes increase the noticeable improvement lessens.

If you need this level of quality then you may have no choice but to let the Raytrace run overnight to see if a higher number of passes will produce the result you are looking for.

One other item that will effect the time is the image size set in the Raytrace DBX, the larger the size means more pixels need to be crunched. Make sure the size is not unnecessarily high for the intended presentation.

Graham

Edit, Default Settings, Camera

Graham

3 hours seems like a very long time. How many passes are being done in this time frame?

Graham

Double click the point marker for the DBX and change the radius to the size that suits. You can also click the point marker and drag the handle to reduce it's size.

Graham

A potential benefit of using the text box overlay is that you could, by using a text colour or box outline, differentiate this from the other dimensions. It would be a good reminder that the real dimension has been overridden.

Graham

Suppress the dimension and add the text is just that much simpler and faster than adding a text box and positioning it properly. Every little thing adds up and one of the reasons I am using Chief is to gain speed.

I agree, but if Chief does not allow this then what are the other choice do you have.

Graham

Could you not just place a text box with a solid fill over the dimension in question?

Graham

Here are the settings that I have found that have a majorl impact on Raytrace times.

Enable Environment Light 

Photon Mapping

Point Light with (Soft Shadows)

On a simple plan with one light and these settings turned on a single pass took about 9 minutes. With them off a single pass took about 45 sec. That's more than a 10 fold increase in Raytrace time. I usually run about 10 passes, 90 minutes versus 7.5 minutes. Huge diff.

Graham

I was having a similar problem a week or so ago, tool bars missing. I ended up uninstalling and reinstalled X7, everything is working fine now. Just a note my first reinstall did not solve the problem. Had to go into all of the folders to make sure everything had been removed from the uninstalled version so the reinstall was a true clean install. Keep in mind that most uninstall programs do not actually remove everything, can be a bit like using delete, the file is still there just the link (association) has been removed.

Graham

Once I am satisfied with the placement of a CAD block I just explode it if I need to dimension the items within or use point markers. Here's another little trick if you need to have the CAD block intact after dimensioning. Explode the cad block, dimension, copy dimensions, use undo to get the CAD block back, then paste (hold position). The dimensions will show with point markers in the right location. Just did this in plan view with three cabinets, worked fine. Just make sure you keep your dimension steps so they are less than your undue limit.

Graham

I think when it comes to tablets Apple rules, especially in North America. Phones are a different story.

Graham

I think the comment about Doug Park off riding his bike is a bit of a giveaway.

Graham

I use Microsoft OneDrive. Provides seamless background syncing/backup of all my files to the cloud. All of my other computers are connected to my account and therefore are automatically synced. You can also access any file from any other computer anywhere by logging into your account via your web browser. For collaborative work you can set-up file sharing. You should also consider an internal back-up system just in case, Buffalo & Iomega and many more companies have inexpensive network drive arrays for this. 

Graham

You could just make a filler with the attributes you want and save it to your user library.

In the cabinet DBX you can attach moldings to a cabinet. Set height from bottom. Should do the trick.

Graham

MacBook Pros are great machines but there is a lot to consider when changing to a different OS. No doubt that their track pads are really nice, however many of the newer systems from Lenovo & Dell have finally addressed most of these issues. You will also need to consider the other programs you use besides Chief. If you are using purchased software then you will need to buy the Mac version if available. If you are using Freeware then many of these may not be available in Mac format. Mac keyboard layout & function keys are a bit different than PCs and the OS UI is also very different, I know of several associates that tried to switch and unfortunately ended up switching back as they could not or were not willing to accept these differences.

Another consideration is the current and future Windows UI changes, especially the touch screen interface. Although this is not conducive to working within Chief I find this to be really great during client presentations. Swiping through my portfolio doesn't get any better, even clients can participate. Now that I have become familiar with the touch screen capabilities I would never go back. Its actually quite amusing but I just naturally try to swipe screens for certain functions even though they do not have this capability, very disappointing when nothing happens.

Graham

Mark - Thanks for sharing. I can understand your approach. Fortunately in my region there is not much need for this style anymore. Most designs are going transitional, modern & contemporary. However in the New England states I can fully appreciate the demand.

What I was working on before was almost there but one issue arose that would really limit its usefulness. Unfortunately there is only one element (a separation) in the cabinet configuration that I been able to find that its dimension (specifically it's width) is absolute. All other configuration components are relative to the cabinet width. For my beaded frame I used a 1/16" opening to simulate the recessed bead element, the other components frame & bead were defined as separations. Everything was fine until I increased or decreased the cabinet width, the separations remained as they should but the recessed bead element (opening) increased or decreased in width relative to the cabinets width change.

A thought did cross my mind that maybe it would be useful if we could designate whether or not a cabinet component be treated as absolute or relative.

Graham