GerryT

Any one know what this message means? Could not add () as stated in message nor did it add any when I selected 'fix'

Not sure about Windows but Arabic does work on the MAC , I assume it's the same for Windows. First older Arabic fonts will not work. Be sure you are using the correct technology. AAT for MAC and I think Truetype for Windows. Then you must use the correct keyboard input buffer as Arabic uses Unicode points in the range above ASCII. Not sure how to select the proper one in Windows But I'm sure Chief's TS can walk you through it on monday. Chief's Text boxes do support Unicode now so it should work there on any machine. Will not work with Ruby text macros as Unicode is not passed through correctly so don't try that.

Ruby could not be adapted to create a visual scripter, However, several scripting languages are used within a scripter to enhance their capabilities as with Python used in Grasshopper. However, I think you find the Scripters are more complicated than any language such as Ruby or Python. Don't think a scripter would accomplish too much and would be too complicated for the average designer in Chief. Would like to see Ruby enhanced to the point that it is practical for the average user to use and understand - Would accomplish more?

You could also calculate the net flooring area using the material list and the formula feature. However, since in Chief there is no way to identify objects , you would need to lookup the row numbers of the listed cabinet or orther placed objects in order to perform the cals. Makes more sense to just use a poly line. Another example of a poorly thought out but desirable (if it works) feature- can't understand how some of this new this stuff gets through Beta??

You insert a small piece of laminate or thin plywood to match thickness of flooring -- Do it all the time.

If the object in the material list is referencing a room: in any category field: Select 'Apply to same source' then in the field or the common field (top level) enter - =name as the macro method (= must be first char.) The line item must be referencing the correct object i. e can't use a cabinet line for a room object.

i totally agree with Michael. if you have x10 ( I suggest that you should), you should also look at the material list-- specially the framing drop down fields. Probably more useful -- and free. Sometimes the more complicated is not necessarily better.

FYI--- You may want to "look before you leap"? Using a label on every framing member will needlessly clutter the plan. Also, Chief does not label valleys properly and there is no way to label every other member automatically. i suggest you first check out the available data first. If you only want to label a few representative members do so manually. You may just want to use the new framing schedule and select the members you want or use the manual macros in the label tab. "Standard Freebees"

Did something similar about six years ago with X4. Made a YouTube video at that time which might give you some ideas, Chief Architect Cut/Fills some additions have been made since then: no longer need to use solids because polylines now have a volume attribute. no need to use reference macros as polylines now have a label field. Still need to ID each slice as the objects in Chief STILL do not have a ID -- so i used the pattern_angle field to ID the slices from 1-20. Still tedious to do but may give you some ideas.

A Couple of tips -- but alas no solution!! You can not change the profile of a molding line midstream even if you put some breaks in it. The edit segment tool does not work either. If you insist on a 3D iso, then you must physically separate the different size segments (profiles) and manually place a symbol fitting in between to take up (connect) the open space . If you re using the spiral duct symbol, then Chief does have some duct fittings under the bonus folder. HVAC No.2 Spiral Ducting. You can overlap the fitting symbols with the molding segments well enough to make decent presentation because moldings will not recognize a symbol. However, although the spiral fittings (symbols) can be resized overall, I doubt that you will find the correct ratio reducers/tees/elbows that you need. Much easier to just use different size circles as your profiles, then connect the segment breaks with you own reducer symbols which you can make yourself using the revolve tool and faces. Then you will have the problem of locating the connecting fitting symbols in 3D space. Since there is no way to provide snaps on a symbol in Chief, this is VERY difficult but doable if you persevere with a combination of top and side Ortho views and by using the arrow keys as a nudge tool (set the nudge to some small distance). I found that this is just too tedious and that the 2D iso is the best solution. Just use the standard iso symbols to indicate any pipe size changes or a change in direction or a change in elevation. These are all provided on any plumbing web site. Then annotate every line size at the fitting symbol or the symbol itself. You can provide lengths but usually that is only annotated for the long runs. Custom Symbol User snaps would fix the problem but that suggestion was rejected by Chief when I made it some years ago so no relief any time soon. IOW -- lots of words for little help?

It imports as a rich text file with only the part you selected and copied in excel. highlight and select the applicable part of you excel file -- It helps if the first and last fields contain something as that defines the limits of the input. The SS part should be brought into a rich text box. The procedure is: Highlight and copy the desired SS part. Right click and select paste special. Select Rich Text. You can then open the rich text box and make any changes you want: including modifying fields or filling in empty fields. you can not change the number of rows/columns. You can also use macros in the fields.

I believe you are in error in assuming that Ruby macros are required (or needed) in order to use custom formulas in the material list. Ruby macros do not have access to the column info in the material list for objects - soooo not much use other than to add another variable in the mix. Material list columns use simple arithmetic which is explained in the X10 help. Macros there can add additional numbers to sum, as a alternate, in the case of add on accessories. I would normally not even bother with Ruby macros there. Macros only advantage would be if you wanted to calculate cost based on some parameter, as in it's area/volume or length. a macro could provide this info, for example. to calculate the cost of say a slab by it's area (sq ft) or number of bags of concrete, etc. Or you could provide a cost markup based on different cabinet finishes. Or calculate the approximate weight and cost of rebar and surface coating (gals) for slabs, If we had height for walls we could cal the number of bricks/cmu needed and cost. Cost per length for different molding styles and dims.You get the idea??

I agree with the problem and is a good argument against using Macros. The problem has been around since X3 and is basically because it is impossible the control or know the order of the object updates. The order will always change with every insert/delete. A easy solution, which i also sent in, is to add a feature to define within a macro, modes of which that macro will executed -- as in: start of update, with object update, at end of update and opening/closing plan only. This again might force the re-execution of some objects which would than be made without macro execution-- which chief does a lot of right now. There is little chance of Chief doing anything -- IMNOHO.

Just moving on to new opportunities.

Selling one copy of X9 License. Does not include SSA but SSA eligible, Price $1600.00 US or highest offer. If interested -- Email camacros16.gmail.com I'll handle the transfer form for you.

Exactly -- But also exactly one of the reasons for asking for the ability to tie macro(s) execution to a icon similar to the "place library feature" or to a custom menu. -- One click -- one execution. This has a couple of benefits: 1. you can control the sequence of execution. 2. The program isn't bogged down with unnecessary executions. 3. per a previous request, if a macro could insert into the keyboard buffer, one could mimic all of the hotkeys and therefore most of Chief's commands. Add in mouse control and number/text input and you have a rudimentary SDK. I doubt that it will ever happen. As to a screen refresh- I found that all that is needed is to wiggle the scroll button to slightly zoom in/out -- All ways works. I expect you know that. I agree that execution of macros which are only tied to labels and/or text is a poor and burdensome scheme but WHOSE LISTENING - not Chief?

FYI: Chief does do this. They supply a 'canned' macro that you can place in your label to indicate room volume %RoomVolume%. If you want the total of all conditioned rooms, for all floors, you can just sum them up or use another macro, If you have no interest in macros I'm sure Joe or someone here can also help with that?

FYI -- The floor_number attribute does not work on the MAC -- only under windows -- which might be part of the problem in Scott's video. no word on when it will be fixed (if ever) -- probably X10?

Hmm -- just wondering -- How do you set tab stops in a rich text box. As far as I can see it just inserts spaces which is not a tab??

Yes it probably did But it looks like chief is using a Rich text rather than the standard text box. The rich text box does not have tab control -- so there will always be some misalignment there . You could copy/paste the text into a standard text box but the longest line will reset and override any tabs , so same problem. yes this is not the correct behavior. One solution would be to move any longer text to a separate box and align the two/three boxes vertically to appear as one. I doubt if you'll want to do that. Other solution to just pad with spaces as needed. A macro would normally be the solution but Chief does not recognize tabs from macros -- so same problem IOW this is not a bug -- just poor programing -- Don't look for it to be fixed -- use spaces to pad anytime you make a change.

Copy the URL in your web search bar and make it into a short cut?

It looks like your using a variable spaced font so the spacing between letters varies with each letter. Use a fixed spaced font like Courier. Or use a standard text box and set the tap stops accordingly. Or copy/paste a spreadsheet grid and use columns.

here's a method to add/changes listing of accessories for objects in X9. Like cabinets, Doors, etc. object accessory Listing If you use the demo files- remember to add them in your script directory and set the path in preferences - Ruby. Also change the Ruby safe level to 1 Object Accessories.zip

The Ruby CSV class has all the methods necessary to handle CSV files and data -- Why reinvent the wheel?? Check out Ruby class CSV on Ruby Docs. Plus by using the same methods -- everyone is on the same page and can easily understand and use common public macros?

yes , a good idea. I personally just use a hash and Marshal to get/save. I believe you can use Marshal to also save structs -- so somewhat the same. BTW, Ruby has a excellent CSV module that would handle your csv files automatically. Unfortunately, Chief has chosen to not include it. i have requested that it be included together with the XML module -- no luck maybe you can do better?