richoffan

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.

You can overlay a solid line or polyline and put it on the door layer

Pella Architect series is their "top of the line" windows and doors. Fairly recently Pella divided the Architect series into three subsets -Contemporary, Reserve and Traditional. Contemporary is a clean line, more minimalist look for modern design. Reserve has a more traditional look for a more historic feel in sizes, proportions, finishes hardware etc. The Traditional take Reserve to an even more historically accurate level and offer more detailing such as authentic divided lites, custom lite patterns etc. I've speced Pella (and Marvin, Andersen, Kolbe & Kolbe and others) for decades. Pella is a highly respectable company with a quality product for the money. If you have an Architect series in the correct size, finish and hardware I would wager you got your Reserve windows. Hope this helps

Oh... and as for bases, caps, recesses, flutes etc. build once and save....

The way I do it FWIW is draw the deck / porch / whatever with the deck edge tool. Then add all posts, newels, beams, brackets etc. where I want. Then draw railing detailed as I want with no newels or posts etc. and mark it no locate. Then either make deck edge invisible or put on isolated layer and turn off. Takes a little effort the first time but save elements in warehouse file or library. It does though give complete control of everything from newels to deck overhang @ rim board. deck detail.pdf

PM Sent

With nothing to go on....posted plan etc..... Just a stab in the X10 dark. Open edit saved plan view and in general lock your saved view to the relevant floor.

Agree with Scott and by extension Rene. I understand where Larry's coming from also. If the project doesn't warrant it or it's an adjacent space for context only I'm not going to waste time needlessly. If it's part of the project, especially a kitchen or millwork or some such then accuracy is critical to my designs (see pic). I've been getting highly accurate field measures long before these "tools" existed and don't feel the need to be the beta test. My laser measure is accurate to 1/16" over 20' - very good for over all room dims, ceiling heights etc. but basically worthless in a bright sun. Just don't see the value of the new toys...yet. Now, if I'm reading Ryan's post correctly, if the client's providing the field work I only care the info is usable. Standard clause when working that way: The Client shall provide all field services required for the draftsman to perform his responsibilities including but not limited to dimensions, digital photographs, notation, and specification of existing conditions. Draftsman is entitled to rely on the accuracy and completeness of such information and is not responsible in any way for the accuracy and completeness of any reports, surveys, criteria, specification, or direction.

Don't know Gene. Many Chief "things" are a mystery to me! Some set to "0" some 1/16" and some more. I wonder if the dimension defaults for smallest fraction / decimal influence? Haven't played with that

How else would you calibrate the proposed structure is a 7 iron away from ______ I agree paper and PENCIL (old school) and of course eraser. Many tricks. Postit "flags" to catch laser beam etc. When sketched correctly, filled in with different colored ink. Different colors mean different things so picking info off the roughs to draw existing only requires a glance (after years of consistent use). Will use lasers with tape. Prefer Nikon ColorPix set to raw with date and time stamp - you can zoom in from ridiculous distances without pixilating. You can never have too many pictures and Irfanview makes sorting a breeze. Angle gauge is very helpful. Will use My Measures Pro especially if something is a pita to sketch (spiral stairs) Will input direct to laptop if conditions permit. Rare for a 4000sf highly accurate field documentation to take more than 5.5 hours ± - depends on site conditions and much less with an "assistant". No calibration included. Have a system and follow it! Jacyna Bath Roughs 11.9.2016.pdf

Make the shapes out of fixed glass (much like making a trapezoid transom) and mull them all together. You could probably make that lower frame using a custom muntin. Or just make individual windows.

Reference Number: KB-03143 Typically, when two CAD objects share the same properties and Endpoint Snaps are enabled, they can be snapped end-to-end to form a polyline. Connect CAD Segments controls whether CAD objects with the same properties can be snapped together to form polylines. It also controls whether spline segments can be snapped together. In addition to CAD objects, Connect CAD Segments also affects stairs, ramps, and road objects. When Connect CAD Segments is disabled, CAD objects cannot connect to form polylines and the icon above will follow the mouse pointer. Select Edit> Edit Behaviors> Connect CAD Segments to toggle this behavior on or off.

Many states have passed legislation to squash this ridiculousness. I guess the gas / oil - appliance lobby is stronger there. Try Colorado where you can't have a wood burning fireplace unless it conforms to unrealistic restrictions (EPA Phase II emissions - essentially a wood burning stove) or you are over a certain elevation, unless of course it's an exterior fireplace in which case anything goes. I've found it best to ask because the AHJ determination is SO different across the country. FAR for stairs, open below, 2.5 story foyers, porches with full foundations, interior balconies, elevator shafts, fireplaces...and impervious surface? Try getting a ruling on large pavers with grass between. Setbacks usually run to the foundation but with super insulated walls running 5 inches + past the foundation I've been surprised before even with Roxul, treated furring and thin stone veneer! I've worked on old (really old) structures where the mud sill overhangs by 2" to square up a frame over a crooked foundation. Oh and bay windows? 3 foot plus overhangs on prairie style? .....

Not much different from a timber frame layout. I use a CAD item convert to 3D solid (whether you need it or not, I think it reads better) then copy / paste and link to a custom schedule. As noted - no grouping 001_20004 Construction Docs_Bid_21714 10012022.pdf

PM sent