Chopsaw

No fortunately I have not seen one of my plan files do that since X8.

Jess I have not seen that exact issue before but I trust Michaels judgement and it would be a good Idea to look for any objects outside of the plan envelope. Maybe start in the elevation view that is a problem and use the "Fill Window" tool or [F6] hotkey or sometimes CTRL +A works better because it gives you a selection bounding box that you can search around the perimeter of. If that does not work try the same thing in plan view. Also if nothing shows up around the perimeter you can switch to you "All On" layerset and make sure that all of the layers are turned on. It can be a tedious search but with those tools it should not take long to know if you have that issue or not. This condition will also cause a problem when opening a new camera view as it will try to make the camera capture the rogue item as well as your plan items and if it is bad enough you will end up with neither in view.

Scott that is an old X8 problem showing up again that was supposedly fixed a long time ago. If you are sure that you do not have a duplicate layout box then there is a major offset issue with Plot lines and color fill again the same as in X8.

Jess it sounds like maybe you have reversed the numbers in the scale that you intended for the cad to be sent to layout. Also in this situation it might help to send as "Current Screen". This has happened to me a few times when I have been in a rush to print out a preliminary survey and those are usually the times when I also forget to save the file first. Huge disappointment and when chief gives so may other warnings I don't know why this one has not been addressed.

Anna, Javatom's suggestion is likely the correct solution but if you have your reasons it could be done the way you are asking by copying the window down a level and maintaining it's position in the wall by using the same absolute elevation as it was using in the attic wall.

It seems to me like the labels are attaching at the point of the contour line that is closest to horizontal on the page which makes them seem to be so random. I think that an option that would be even more powerful and useful than being able to rotate or reposition the labels on Chief generated contour lines would be the ability to convert them to contour splines that already have that ability and many other features as well. This would allow us to input our own data and be able to edit and present it without the labels ending up under a building or as Johnny is experiencing, on a neighbouring lot.

I think the rule is that they are within the terrain perimeter but beyond that it does not make much sense to me.

Johnny, I don't think this is possible to do automatically but you could just make a plain text overlay for the few that are a problem. It would however be a great thing to have this flexibility for topo and survey lines when things are just a little bit outside of the ordinary four sided lot. Jon, For next time it is possible to adjust the size, colour, and font of the topo elevation numbers by adjusting the Text Style for the "Terrain, Primary and or Secondary Contours" layers. By default they are usually much too small.

Have you tried the "Chief Architect Save As PDF" to see if the results are the same? It usually gives me the best results. However there is still an issue that they are working on but not sure if it is the same as what you are experiencing. Could you post a sample?

Jess, I have found when importing PDF files of poor quality like old surveys, that converting to PNG gives much better results when imported into Chief if there is no other option such as Graeme has suggested.

You are quite welcome and I hope that tool becomes quite useful for you as it allows independent control of all layers and wall intersections.

Just to avoid confusion, this is the "Reverse Layers" tool but I don't think it will be necessary for this problem as you clearly stated that the brick is supposed to be on the inside as illustrated.

Ross, Not sure if there is an auto setting that will fix that but you should not have any trouble pulling the framing layer back with the "Edit Wall Layer Intersections" tool.

Yup that is your problem you will not have a terrain perimeter in cad detail. You can draw a polyline and call it a property line but if you want a 3D terrain perimeter it will have to be in plan view.

If this tool Is not working you likely do not have a closed polyline. You can also create an auto terrain perimeter with two clicks, Terrain> Create Terrain Perimeter and then edit it to what you want. Or post your plan file and Eric will help you out.

Mike, This system is not completely tamper proof and things will shift if you resize the layout box but if I remember correctly the type of problems that Kyle is having are resolved by using this method. Once I changed to "Current Screen" things seemed to resolve themselves. I also have leader lines heads and tails locked and and that may also be factor. Maybe Klyle can confirm if it works in his plan as I think I have done it this way since X6 and if I recall correctly the problem then would be after doing all your notes and saving the file you would open it back up to show a client or contractor and you could have a big jumbled mess of leader lines.

What do you have "Hardware Edge Smoothing:" set to in Preferences> Render ?

Then it's no longer an active view and any changes in the Plan will not be reflected in the Layout. Joe, I said "Current Screen" not "Current Screen As Image".

Kyle, Sorry I missed your post, earlier. I also like to put my notes in Layout and feel that it gives more flexibility for a hand drawn look and feel. I used to have your problem all the time and finally figured it out that if you send all your views to layout as "Current Screen" the problem is solved and you can move on to other less aggravating things.

Thanks Perry for that option but I think the soffits are going to be tongue and groove v-joint so maybe Michael's polyline solids will be best this time but I suppose if I drew the whole profile it might save a label. Wouldn't it be great to be able to control each edge of the roof plane independently.

Thanks Michael, That sounds like the most practical direction. Barge rafter was ok on this job just a little short, however not a single lookout auto framed. Fortunately I am getting good at doing lookouts manually. Also my first multi level truss system on this job. Possibly a video to come if I get it all working properly.

Thanks for the video Michael. Was asking tech support about this just the other day. I just fixed a truckload of trusses in no time with your help.

I would like to have an open soffit at the eave with exposed rafters but a fascia and soffit in the gabble area. It seems the chief has something against this condition? What do you do? Manual ceiling plane or polyline solid soffit? Copy and edit a rafter for fascia? Maybe there is an easier way.

Post a screen shot or a sample plan and someone will take a look for you. The miter tool still needs some improvement to be perfectly accurate. It usually works in 2D but is often a different story in 3D. You may need to draw in some polyline solids if you need something custom exactly represented with precision.

Yup I understand the situation, that is why this forum is so great.