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Ok, thanks Perry I'll try it, I have another question for anyone. I read in the ref manual it is best to wait until all walls including interior, doors, windows, floors, roof planes, are done or somewhat solid before finalizing framing? Interior walls, some are driven by cabinets, bathtubs and sinks, etc. I have not fine tuned yet. So, if I do trusses now and learn how which I not done before, and have to move an interior wall or window, etc, after that means I have to manually frame or fix my trusses that were affected? Is that going to be difficult or do I really have to make sure nothing is going to change before I start my trusses? In other words, put in all the cabinets, bath tubs and showers, etc, now? I was hoping to get a cost of my envelop and not clutter the material list with everything quite yet but perhaps that is a bad approach? I need to finish the model deal with material list later or do manual take offs if it does not make sense? It doesn't make a whole lot of sense now This may be a little over my head for a first truss job anyone have suggestions as to where to start or how I'd appreciate some guidance. I have 22 pages CH 17 out of the ref manual on trusses to read first and perhaps some CA late night vids eating popcorn.

Thanks for the help Robert. I been reading and watching videos on framing to gain a better understanding of what you posted. I have the fur strips figured out and the flying rafters. I'm still confused on the gap between my ceiling joist and raters. Can you explain how you used Framing Ref Markers? Is this an issue with CA I need to submit a ticket for?

I attached my plan. Take a framing overview. I cannot figure out after researching, 1. I want 1x4 fir strips as shown in my wall type definitions but not what CA is doing. I just want the 1xs attached to my vertical 2x6 studs only outside(1.5") of the rigid board insulation...I do not want upper and lower sills furred since I am trying to create a ventilation cavity/rain plane there.....Whats the best approach to put vertical furring strips on studs only, or in my case they will be resting on rigid insulation with fasteners going to studs? 2. I don't understand why CA is making the ceiling joist/rafter tie that way. No overlap/ rafter tie to my c-joist or upper sills? 3. I have rafters flying out to la la land by my front eave, some missing and ridges. I had to relimt the siding under that eave may have something to do with it? Thanks in advance for the help. PS: The ref manual says to wait until last to do manual framing since it will not auto update? I need it now to see where I am at on envelope cost I'm trying to get the material list to work for early. ParaFlex_Vaulted_Moved.plan

Graeme, thanks for that. I agree the CATIA programs I run for aircraft/auto are all MBDs (3D Model Based Definition) no drawing's. Big companies get tired of paying the drafting function, especially second generation. Might as well get use to it, it is coming to this industry. The few drawing's that still exist are WYSIWYG (3D bleeds to 2D). They have CAD details for ansi/SAE, etc.. standard parts that are in a library only....the days of using CAD details and symbols rare. As with autocad too I'm use to text, lines, dims, being in a tool bars as created and scaling views easier. Things are just in a different location in CA than most other programs I run I'm not use to.

Just a quick note to say thank you. I been learning more about CAD details much better and may have some more questions.

Opps! Thanks Johnny long day. I edited the OP.

Would someone please tell me how to get rid of the thick line weights on my studs in SH 1 of the attached layout. Also, I cannot pick any geometry to dimension or put to text leaders to in either view on both shts? Where do I find broken lines? Template (Wall Layout).layout ParaFlex_Vaulted_Moved.plan

Being new to CA I watched a quick video on symbols. In the short time I been using CA it seems like it can be a PITA getting roofs to work. Banging out the truss design in another program I am faster at then importing a symbol looks promising. I guess I can apply and texture and color I want? How would I clad(sheath, shingles, etc) over symbols? I guess everything above and below the symbols will then be done manually? Most of what I have done thus far in auto so I dunno yet. http://video.chiefarchitect.com/?search=symbol You lost me a little here. Are you talking about creating polylines & solids in the other program> Then import each truss symbol on a different layer so CA displays correctly? How do you create the material defs? https://chieftalk.chiefarchitect.com/index.php?/topic/6232-what-chief-can-do/page-4#entry56989 I see! Joey's PDF looks pretty sweet compared to CA. I guess the problem would be not being able to apply CA unique material definitions to symbol components...That would have to be done in the other program before importing a symbol? See attached. I have no experience with exporting UD3 files so sorry if I am not making sense.

The truss company I talked to (my first BTW this is new to me) said they cut the lower chord all the time to get more head height but do not recommend it. It may be fine in certain load cases. I did not catch what you meant my bad, right, of course have the truss company do the coffer to avoid my frammers cost of stick building them. It is the dry walling I was saying will cost a little more compared to a vault. I was going to model a truss on CATIA but I just found out it is not not compatible with W10 just like my BOSE speaker blue tooth. I'm mad at myself for not waiting for the bugs to be worked out like drivers, etc....

Under-cut the lower chord: Because it reduces the cross-sectional area loads can take, P/A. If you are fighting deflection for example it makes it worse. I have one at -1.38" getting there. The lower chord usually takes the bulk of the load, depending.

Here is a PIC of a quick and dirty they did for me showing the piggyback, no cap yet. I have a 57' span, so I end up with 3/12 lower chord based on the 12-0-0 max height. It will be interesting to see if I get the same dimensions and truss out of CA or I guess you guys are saying don't sweat it. So I won't sweat the modeling the piggyback....The intent of modeling is to make sure the basic geometry works, let them do the FEM and final designs. They other thing their model can do mine cannot is if I start running into deflection issues they can locate an interior load being wall/footing. I guess that is what the mark-up is for. I want a 11-0-0 energy heal they did not model since I did know what insulation value I wanted at the time. The vault is in my kitchen/living room. I'm thinking of vaulting the Master since they brought to my attention it is better to box down vs. recess into the truss a tray ceiling. That cost is a little higher than a vault due too less labor in the drywalling. I have 10' walls so if I box down 2' that leaves 8' still. PS: I don't like the tint in Windows 10 photo viewer and have not figured out how to change it yet.

Ok, I'll design the trusses and let them mark them up. I already visited them with my stick rafter CA model and learned they have a max height of 12' due to jig/tools I exceed so they have to make a "piggback" scissor truss to get to my ridge, or mate the upper chord of the bottom truss to another lower chord of the top truss in a two piece design that has plates to attach them. So you guys model that level of detail? They play with the lower chord pitch to stay in that 12' mine ended up 3/12 lower chord with a 8/12 upper chord. Then there is span deflection just a guess until they let me know otherwise. I'm more of metal truss designer. I use similar FEM software NASTRAN or PATRAN and I'm not use to jig constraints.

Question: I have a truss company with structures software that will design and stamp my trusses. vaults, perhaps trays. What do you guys do get the truss drawing from them and then update your models? Is there something I can do or get from the truss company to make it simpler?

The "adding CAD Details" video is pretty good. More than adding simple notes but, shows how to create a detail using the management tool as Curt said. I was able to create the same CAD detail in my plan and template. I took the Disclaimer "Proprietary Note" out of "core catalogs" in the library browser, dragged and dropped it on the CAD detail window the tool creates. I then selected it and was able to use the "Explode" tool that converted it to a text box. When I selected it a macro I think takes me through editing to put my company name in the note. After that I selected it with a marquee and got a create CAD block in the sub menu below. After that I was able to "add to library" in the same sub menu. I don't why I could not create the modified text block back to a block before, it must have been the way I was selecting it. This all performs the same way in plan or layout. In Library Browser I now have a proprietary cad block with the note the way I want it in my "user catalog" up for grabs in plan or layout. My Project Browser has folders set up by default one of which is "CAD Details". That show in plan or layout sub-folders. See attached. As others have said this may all I need. In my case I am not for hire yet just designing spec homes and populating sheet 1 may be all I need for all of them. But I am going to try the other methods next. If anyone knows how to convert that view to a title block that has horizontal text please let me know. It is difficult to read and place views sideways? EDIT: Never mind I just realized that is the way this industry does drawing titles (to the side). Aircraft and auto is different (on bottom).

This is a good post, thanks, let me try this. Lets please stay on the topic of creating CAD details and windows for notes, etc, on sheet 1 of lay-outs for now to reduce confusion.

Wow! My thread made it to "HOT" status in one day, amazing, This place is on fire!! Just kidding! Some of this stuff is over this noobs head, just due to lack of hours on CA. Seriously, I'd suggest the forums be broken out to Advanced, Intermediate, and Beginner. I know I have done it with software I know well among peers, get to a point where I forget to take the time to explain at a beginner or intermediate level. The beginner would be a place where poster take the time to post tutorials and PICs to better explain their post to newbies. So if everyone does not mind I'd like to back up to some basics I hope I am not the only one in need of. I don't even know what a CAD detail is, I just barely learned layouts and CAD Blocks. So I found a video on CAD details for noobs like me: http://video.chiefarchitect.com/?search=cad+detail "Adding CAD Details" I'm going to watch it and try and add it to my lay-out template on sheet 1 as one suggestion, and then I want to go down the thread and try the other suggestions like Joe suggested. I may have some questions as I go, and about some of the acronyms used above. To start with, and I just learned lay-out basics too, I am trying to figure out how to shift the layout view vertically so I can read it while I work. I got no idea why these sheets title blocks are defaulting to vertical text, my neck needs some medication Other software I worked with the text/title blocks are horizontal. I tired portrait and landscape views, see attached. If I shift the window to where it is readable I guess I want to be able to shift the sheet and all views back so it prints right.

You guys are great! It makes more sense to get a profile plan and import the defaults if that is all one is after. I did not know that was there. So don't get too hung up on the plan sheet size it is just ref I learned since there are scale and print tools in layout. I have furthered my layout template with a logo and populated some sheets from watching the layout video. Been playing with CAD blocks to get standard notes on sheet 1. I only have CAD blocks in the "library" browser not the "layout project browser" like the video shows? I added a proprietary disclaimer CAD block from the library and now I "explode" it to edit the text with my company name then turn back to CAD block and put in the layout library some how? I tired that it exploded to a text box but I did not get the "make CAD Block" per these instructions: http://www.chiefarchitect.com/support/article/KB-00500/customizing-a-cad-block.html I looked around for some tutorials on how to add CAD notes no luck. Is there a better way to all these notes and diagrams to sheet 1? See attached PIC and layout template... Template (Layout).layout

Wall and roof layer definitions are found in code depending on loads, structural(environmental, live, dead, distributed, point) Energy IECC(insulation values, vapor barriers and/or retarders (CL 1-3) depending on climate zone, specific design criteria noted in code (IE: IRC CH 3), that varies and is constantly changing allowables, or by the stamp of a knowledgeable Engineer. CA is just a drafting tool and only as good as the inputs it gets. ICC "Code" defines general International requirements, you get specifics from the sites jurisdiction adoptions and/or amendments. CA cannot keep up with all that across the world. The few default wall types I have looked at I do not agree with at all and will not work in my applications, jurisdiction, climate zone, loading. I bet they just put basic types in templates to give people an idea of how to configure walls and get started with the software, not to be confused with code compliant and/or engineered. There would literally be hundreds now with the worlds new mainstream buzz words "green building" and "passive house" Germany and USA...blah, blah, blah......natural building and alternative, hybrid types, etc.....If you need CA to do design work it is probably time to read code or hire an Architect/PE. Oh and make sure they have E&O insurance since I'm thinking CA is not taking on that liability either

About two decades ago the new buzz word for a person that does the design, sees the build through meaning interfaces with all the trades to get their inputs on the design, is "Integrated Product Team (IPT) Lead", or, Design Build Team (DBT) lead. This came about to bridge the gap between Engineers/Designers that would design stuff the cost alot to build or was not "lean" is the production buzz word these days for design to recurring cost, especially for production (parts, building's,etc) since it is about recurring cost not short term non-recurring R&D. So if you are in a facilitating position that deals alot with trade inputs, which is the best way to design this industry falls short of from I have seen anyway, then those would be good titles. Project Manager we use as a sales title that gets the job, works with the client, then it goes to our Production Managers. A IPT or DBT lead would do both and manage the design. Other titles for Engineers are "Project Engineer" which needs a BS+ degree means the same thing but higher levels of communications. The " Architect" is suppose to fill this roll calling in other Engineers and trades as required if budget permits. I refer to myself as a "Design Build Engineer" since I work in several industries some that require a high level of knowledge and interface with trades/production. I think the Architects roll needs to be redefined to this like other industries. When I hire into firms I could care less what they call me as long as the pay is good

Thanks gents. I read on-line to drag the sheet with scroll button but that takes the point with it. When I select the sheet and use the handles that does not. I have all my sheets on all floors centered now. Mick, I went back to my original plan and see what you mean I drew it way to large. I modified the sheet to a "D" size with a 1:1 scale. Now it is so small it is in my laundry room (go figure . So I tried, all layer on, edit area (all floors), transform/duplicate, scale, and it won't scale down to fit in my sheet? My template walls are way to big, annotation too large at 1/2 scale the lowest setting in the drop down box. How do I scale them down? The problem is in drawing sheet set-up if I select say a 2' x 3' "D" sheet and use a 1/4":1' scale CA scales the sheet size up 48xs to 96' x 144', at 1/2":1' 24xs to 48' x 144'. Yes large plotters needed? So what gives here? ParaFlex_Vaulted_Moved.plan Templete.plan

Hi, I have been working in this plan a while to get defaults where I like them and tried to clean it out to create a template but when I use input point 0,0 on any sheet and try and move the plan to center around the point the point moves as well. If I put reference floor display on plans on floor 2,3, etc are not centered to 0,1. I want all floor plans centered around 0,0, to prevent z-fighting and misalignments. The way I am checking to see there is nothing left in the plan is run a material list. I don't know of another way to make sure the plan in empty? Templete.plan

The wall design does not make sense. Most use a pony wall/electrical chase on bottom set bales on it as a lower sill capillary break which also provides nailers for baseboards. Metal on studs I hope you have a thermal break or are building in the tropics with annual temps at set point. Not sure what code you are building to but I suggest a review of IRC 2015 Appendix R "Strawbales": http://www.strawbale.com/irc-code-2013/ In any case, good luck!

My doors are fine now that you pointed out my interior casing was off, thanks Mick. I still have it on my soffits. Interesting part is the tech said the "known" issues are with doors, not roofs and soffits. We'll see, I guess at the next update.

Actually, I found out last Friday there is a known issue with z-fighting CA developers are working on and will have a resolution soon. I had a 1st level tech verify all the known solutions did not work on mine. I get it on doors, soffits. The tech told me to keep working the fix will not effect my work. Try the known fixes if that does not work write a ticket let them know.

Rod, I'm referring to a multi-billon dollar project I am on and the difference between it and the $350, 000 home I am designing. The concepts are the same tho or should be.... The client usually a BOD has professionals write "requirement documents" for all systems and structures that have to be satisfied. Different than a home builder or Architect would get, rather alot of back and forth. We just heard word from the client that they feel the structures and systems are not being integrated or is not visible enough to prove that it is, and the customer asked for a status on how their requirements are being met at a "Preliminary Design Review" (PDR). Now there is a push to develop a "Integrated Master Schedule" (IMS) vs separate structures and systems, dah! The prime structures contractor hired a sub for the systems designs. No different than large commercial building's or can be done internal if they have the skill sets and can keep them employed long. At the PDR it is expected to show cost and schedule, a recovery plan if off, and if requirements can not be met one better know what they are talking about in front of some sharp individuals or they can really look bad. There will be a CDR (Critical Design Review), lots of peir reviews before it ever goes to production then there will lots of sustaining drawing revisions. Internal customers - Just today I was designing a HVAC welded tube assemble that met the structures and mechanical loads so I chose some wall thicknesses I thought would work. Well I'm not that good at welding aluminum so I got input from the welder and the thickness changed to dissipate the heat better. If I had done it my way like back in the day and throw it over the fence to get built like it or not, we'd probably get some bad welds and scrap some parts since they have to pass non-destructive testing. There are some stupid Engineers that think they are too good to talk to people in the shop or on the site. I was on a multi-million dollar job recently I did not design but managed the production. The Arch never went and got any input from builders and rarely visited the job-site. Cost over runs a couple of mil last I heard ( i left for a larger project), in part from a bad design lack of team effort design I made the client aware of. That Architect I imagine he will never use again. "One commands and all others follow, which is also the model of our modern day Project management scheme that has it's roots in the later parts of WWII. The topmost yeiding line represent creativity or beauty while capturing the talent of a variety of skilled craftsmen" Well stated, I agree!