jcaffee

Select the CAD line, then click the Convert Polyline tool (highlighted in red in the attached image). Choose an available option. jon

Try a glass wall, then use either polyline solids or Wall Material Regions to create the "frames". To match your roofline frame, I would use a 3D Molding Polyline drawn in elevation and converted to an arc. jon

Use a combination of circle about center CAD lines, then transform those lines to: hole in floor, hole in terrain, a descending array of molding polylines with user defined height & width, a slab bottom. See attached. Be aware; there are overlapping CAD lines. jon Bow Roof Metric_JCC_Seating_Pit_Edit_NOPROP.plan

Start on page 1147 of the Reference Manual (Not the User's Guide). Pay attention to the paragraph about placing a symbol after import. "-Click OK to import the symbol, then click in floor plan view to place the symbol at that location. Continue clicking to place as many copies of the symbol as needed. Select another tool when finished." Hope that helps, jon

Ed, have you performed a hard reboot (power down, unplug, remove battery (if any), push power button 4 or five times (or wait five minutes)) since installing the CA update? I've found that when I get operational anomalies after a software install/update, that about 80% of the time, a hard reboot will fix what's ailing the box. jon

jtcapa, Layers are incredibly important if you do any detailed landscaping. I've used as many as 20 unique plant layers (and fixtures, rocks, riprap, etc., etc.) that get switched on and off depending on the poly "cost" and relevance to the property area being worked. The only time everything gets turned on is after I've positioned 3D cameras and I'm ready to ray trace. jon

Did you block the lines? jon

3d molding polyline

I've used the same Window Well symbols--well, since I started using CA. But, no more. Low and behold, the magical symbol monkeys @ Chief Architect have made "smart" Window Wells in the Egress Bonus Library. Not only do these new symbols cut terrain holes, but they automagically cut holes through multiple layers of Terrain Features--Kudos Symbol Monkeys! A fresh bunch of bananas for youse guys! http://3dlibrary.chiefarchitect.com/index.php?r=site/detail/981 jon

Create 3D tree/plant clusters (I use 5-7 trees for a performance vs. aesthetic balance) where the items are variable heights, and turn the cluster into a symbol. Then, select the symbol using the Distributed Region tool. Set spacing with a good overlap, and Random Angles. The results look like this...

I think I remember that thread. Was the solution to use symbols applied as "blinds" or some such. jon

Very easy to use. Thanks for posting! jon

Create whatever frame you wish, then use "screen" in place of a glass material. jon

Have you downloaded the Rustic Lodge library catalogs from CA yet? jon

Save yourself some grief and remember to add an "Artistic License" disclaimer to any stylized shots you submit to gov't (or customers) for review. I watched a client get raked over the coals for 45 minutes in a very public forum because the shadows on some hand rendered project images didn't match the reality on the ground. Some anti-development types tried to create distrust within the larger community; claiming intentional deception. In reality, the artist just thought it looked good. jon

I use molding polylines... jon

The sun shadow and north arrow are used together. jon

Sherry, yes, spin the North arrow; but draw a parallel reference CAD line so you can reset it when you're done shooting the artsy stuff. jon

I'll second what Alan said, Very cool! jon

Good tip Kirk! It'll come in handy. jon

Very good Joe! jon

These are mostly site tools, but I've found many useful for various CA tasks. http://www.blocklayer.com/CalculatorDirectory.aspx and a bunch of other useful construction/design calculators... http://www.blocklayer.com/default.aspx And, if you're really anal (an engineer)... http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/ jon

So, it's not me then. Whew! jon

Would you really build square>plumb>square? My lack of field experience, I guess. I've always designed it as square, or plumb, or plumb/square, but never anything other than a straight walled shaft. And yes, skylights/roof attachments needs fixed in CA. I was just wondering if I might help with a "secret handshake" jon

What are you trying to achieve? jon