richoffan

13 hours ago, Kbird1 said:

How would that be possible since Chief NO LONGER ALLOWS IT ? ..... 

I must have missed that. Where did Chief post that? 

well its true now

 

unless she was mistaken or lied to  me ?

 

I can try again tomorrow

 

Lew

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This the last post I saw on this. Was it confirmed? I would think Chief would post an answer as they have on many other concerns. It isn't a concern to me for my previously stated reasons but it obviously is to many others.

23 minutes ago, Kbird1 said:

How would that be possible since Chief NO LONGER ALLOWS IT ? ..... 

8 minutes ago, Kbird1 said:

They didn't Officially,

That's what I mean. I misunderstood Rene's post and the response here regarding "backup payment" complaining about not being able to have a card on file. Derek emailed me directly regarding Chief's policy and that it was indeed possible. So perhaps misunderstanding. I thought Lew asked about selling his license - just his X14 and was told they didn't do that. Which they don't - they transfer rights of use. For all versions. If a user could sell a version and retain a version Chief Architect wouldn't have survived the Clinton administration.  A little feudal but there you are. Perhaps Chief could chime in with a clarification.

6 minutes ago, Kbird1 said:

How would that be possible since Chief NO LONGER ALLOWS IT ? ..... 

I must have missed that. Where did Chief post that? 

1 hour ago, lbuttery said:

Nothing has changed

 

Ummm, yes it has changed

 

Offer Acceptance and Consideration. Lew, I know you're not happy. Everyone is unhappy about this to varying degrees and for varying reasons. The reality is we all agreed to the terms and conditions in the EULA and those are not changing. A condition suddenly becoming inconvenient for you does not establish bad faith. As for a car (truck) lease if Ford said they're are not accepting a trade on a Toyota that is their prerogative. If Chief decides unchecked transfer of existing licenses is detrimental to the profitability of the company that is, and always has been, their prerogative.

2 hours ago, richoffan said:

under the terms and conditions of the then current Chief Architect License Transfer Request Form,

Might I suggest you request a License Transfer Request Form and post it here. It would be helpful if you highlighted the changes to the form that are causing so much angst

2 hours ago, Kbird1 said:

Has my (work) Truck made me money over the last 10yrs? who knows ? but I'd sure be unhappy if I got an email from Chevrolet next week saying I can no longer sell it because come Jan. they will be selling all future Vehicles by monthly or yearly Subscription only.

 

If you had leased your truck the analogy would fair much more closely. If you leased your truck you would have all license to legally use the truck but you would not have title. You could sell, trade-in, and /or transfer  the lease with and only with the acceptance and approval of the leasing company. I've done it. It worked quite well financially and I never held title in my name. When you bought the truck you were given title and Chevy gave up all rights coveting that title. If you received an email saying you couldn't sell you could legally tell them to pound sand.  Now apply that to Chief:

From the EULA

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY: THIS IS A CONTRACT. 

This Chief Architect, Inc. End User License Agreement ("License Agreement", or "EULA") is a legal agreement between you (an individual or entity) and Chief Architect, Inc., and sets forth the terms and conditions under which you are licensed to use the Software. 

Chief Architect, Inc. grants you a non-exclusive, non-transferable (except as provided below) license ("License") to use the Software in object code only 

TRANSFERRING YOUR SOFTWARE: This software is licensed to you, and only you. You may not sell, give, donate, rent, transfer, or share this license with any other person or entity. In some cases, certain licenses may be permanently transferred to another individual, but only under the terms and conditions of the then current Chief Architect License Transfer Request Form, and only if the requested license transfer is approved by Chief Architect, Inc. If approved, such permanent transfer will include a fee paid to Chief Architect. To apply for a permanent license transfer, your license must be eligible for transfer. You must agree to the terms and conditions of the License Transfer Request Form and fill out, sign, and return this form to Chief Architect, Inc. for approval. A license transfer fee must also be paid in full prior to any transfer of the software license. 

Nothing has changed....No one has ever owned the software. They have owned the right to use the software in object code only. They may sell that right through transfer subject to the approval of the owner - Chief. 

4 hours ago, Smn842 said:

I am not a fan of the lack of a statement over whether Chief are going to move SSA cost towards subscription,

Neither am I. But you don't know what you don't know. Could it be Chief needs the income stream data from this change to make an informed decision on the SSA? I know personally I've never had push back on any price I've quoted  (especially on a change order )  Those that do "sign on the dotted line" see the perceived value of my services without comparing to Bechtel or Chuck with a truck....What I do know is that during a decades long relationship with Chief they have always been fair and reasonably transparent. I don't foresee that changing. As for charging more in these turbulent times - it ain't a hobby.

On 11/29/2022 at 5:31 PM, ChiefArchitect said:

Rene, we don't have a way to store backup payment information. 

I think I misunderstood what was meant by backup payment. I received, this afternoon, a personal and professional email from Derek at Chief assuring me they can and will keep a card on file for renewal. I simply need to contact them direct and set it up. My bad. Another concern dismissed. Many thanks Derek

Really! Didn't buy the software based on resale value any more than I bought my F150 based on resale (though that's really good right now) I bought it for its VALUE. To me.

As for the price going up thanks for that sage advice. Very helpful. What would be more helpful is if Chief were to enlighten us. Right now the SSA is less than a days work to cover. Fairly insignificant. If an increase and the coming slow down changes that to a week or more to cover - that would be nice to know. With more than 30 days to adjust. Don't need whining about other programs and what they cost - just want a responsible business associate to help me plan for the coming head winds.

For all the comparisons listed in here how do you know say...Revit LT won't bump to 4500? Jus' sayin'

I drew a 13 x 13 - 9' default ceiling. Set the drywall layer in the wall specification to 4.5 x 12'  - made sure in plan materials it was oriented correctly. Made sure the ceiling was 5/8 to differentiate. Then rebuild walls floors and ceilings Here's what I got - 

Good point

While I agree it does feel like Chief believes our hearts and minds will follow (sorry ladies) one of my concerns they did address in writing in this thread is the 30 day grace period remains. I would still like a more definitive answer on SSA pricing as we move forward but it seems Chief either can't or won't commit to anything beyond a month from now (try that s**t with your steady clients) so their lack of planning (how we got here?) is not going to cause anxiety on my part. As Ryan and Mark indicated the SSA as a percentage of gross is fairly insignificant and more its tax deductible. For those who don't use this professional software for business - its an expensive toy. So is a boat.

I'd be interested in discussing with you. 45+ years experience in design / build. 28 years experience with Chief

richoffan@comcast.net

Design and drafting samples attached

Segneri Naperville before.pdf Segneri 2012.pdf McGrath Kitchen Plan_Bid.pdf COL 11.15.2022 _ 2436.pdf

David

When you set up your wall type under drywall open it and you can select 4.5' boards. You can also edit materials by switching from material list to plan material. Make a copy and edit to size boards you're using. Make sure it reports to the material list 

PM sent

I posted on Nov 30th "Cull the litter" I apologized then as I thought I was being too harsh - who knew. Chief has answered my concerns and for that my sincere thanks. I do wish they could keep a card on file for auto renewal but until then - my responsibility... I agree completely with Joey, Ryan and Rene et al  I always wonder and am usually frustrated by users as Joey so eloquently and accurately described. This is a professional system and I wish the marketing better differentiated it from HD. Chief is an excellent tool ergo I've used it for 28 years. How the "occasional" user can work it IDK I can't remember the last set of plans I drew that didn't have a WTF moment - usually self-inflicted occasionally a work around but as my father used to say " that's why they call it work" As I try to explain to the above mentioned user buying TurboTax does not make you an accountant. Home and / or remodeling design is a craft that takes time to learn and even more time to master. There is no substitute for experience. To the speed Rene mentions -  that is absolutely correct but for me and equally or more important is the quality of plans I can produce - Kaisen made easy!

I've tempered my thoughts from Nov 30. Maybe it was broke and this is a needed fix.

To Chief Architect and all the wonderful people who make it happen Thank You and Merry Christmas

Go to CAD > Lines > Line style Management > New and you can make any line style you want and add to line styles / library etc.

Can you post a link to a cloud file? Never the less I think I misread your original post. I think (now) you're saying you have a porch and just want a parapet wall around the flat roof? There are videos on this on the Chief website. Would be easier than trying to explain here. Not difficult just follow the steps in the correct order.

https://www.chiefarchitect.com/videos/watch/1530/

I think you've answered your own question...some of them are not the best. Providing MTOs as a guide for preliminary bids works fine. However it always comes with the "for preliminary estimate only - not for construction - verify in field" note. Have provided roofing, siding, DW etc many times - fairly straight forward. Providing a cut sheet and thinking "they" will follow it if you're not on site is wishful thinking. When the sticks are cut twice and they're still too short the headaches start. I'll provide a TO as a courtesy only. Strictly from a business standpoint it's a lot of work, a lot of responsibility / liability with no control and minimum payback.  

Working in color definitely helps keep things organized. Assigning different colors to line weights while working with line weight turned off (typical) is also quite helpful. Color prints are expensive but one or two of especially beautifully drawn plans make a nice keepsake for a client. They can be printed on 11X17 quite inexpensively and though not to scale (unless 22X34 reduced to half scale) they make a great quick reference. I am seeing more and more clients, builders, contractors, and suppliers moving to digital and having plans, specs, web sites, reference photos and more for complete construction docs on Ipads, laptops etc. Color and hyperlinks make a world of difference in a contemporary digital set. I value this even more than the extraordinary 3D and rendering capabilities of Chief. Though  I do still enjoy a beautifully drawn printed set. To me not a lost art.....yet

Sorry. What I meant was call it a porch so it retains the associated attributes (out door room etc.) and then cut back the roofs manually. It "should" retain your eaves....

Why not just call it a porch?

Col 11.09.2022.pdf

Agreed - it ain't broke.... and the SSA is reasonable. My point exactly. Of "many other things" what of folks wanting to add a license to their current perpetual for future expansion. Or that have additional licenses that simply don't need an immediate upgrade given the coming uncertainty....'Jus sayin'

Was 525 . Increased to 595. Ergo my feeling we should know what this fee structure will be. 14% per year?

Not any more Perry $595

So the software is going to cost more...a lot more. It some ways it will "cull the litter" oh well (sorry just got a new puppy!) I do strongly feel Chief has an obligation to its long time users, supporters, testers, collaborators (you get the idea) to a definitive pricing structure for SSA for the foreseeable future. "Joe, the SSA price will not change on Jan. 10." is not an answer. A grace period for renewal and / or  a way to keep a card on file - everyone from MS to Adobe to Norton etc can do it - I'm sure you can figure it out. For how long will our perpetual licenses be supported (guaranteed) if a user choses to opt out of SSA and many other things. For the record not happy. It ain't broke - don't fix it.