Bill_Emery

I have not previously noticed the change in window object properties. In X5 we had to work around to get a macro for header sizes. Headers are now part of the object_properties for windows. I view this as a positive step for continued implementation of Ruby. I've included a screen shot of X5 Object properties, and the only header information is header height. I must have missed the memo on this. Are there other areas where object_properties have been improved?

Here's another way to do it: http://www.chieftalk.com/showthread.php?62623-It-s-Alive!!!&highlight=it%27s+alive

Here's one way to do it: http://www.chieftalk.com/showthread.php?55646-Wahooooo!!!!&highlight=header+macro

I often notice minor (sometimes major) differences between plan and 3D shadows. The 3D shadows are generally more accurate.

Nice work Joe.

Hi Scott; There are a lot of possible variations to this; your solution would add a dashed line at the toe kick, and would reflect the reality of the actual squared cabinet end, and filler at the wall if using a Euro hinge. The cabinet stockbilling and CNC work is done in another program, so the details in Chief don't have to be exact.

Yep, Although it's possible to correct the toe kick, I've never had it come up as an issue with an architect on review of a submittal.

Hi Scott: 1. Native toe kick set to show on sides. 2. That's just what shows for the angle front cabinet (turned 90 degrees). 3. No custom countertop; we want to keep this easy. 1/16 " cabinet has no kick, is 32" high, and 4" above floor. You could call it 30 1/2" with no counter to avoid z fighting. There are a number pf variations of this, but the bottom line is that they are all easy, and display well in 2D and 3D. I do hate it when I get sucked into these work arounds; but I gotta work with what I've got.

I think that this may be what you're looking for, and without a lot of fuss; and it's adaptable to any angle. I do agree that chief should be able to do this automatically, and that cabinet custom cabinet symbols should be more versatile. The face is simply a cabinet shrunk to a depth of 1/16", the body of the cabinet is simply a blank angle front cabinet turned 90 degrees. You can block this and save it in your library; but always unblock it for final use, or the plan view won't be correct. We see these quite often in commercial work. You'll notice the 3" filler at the end. We need that space to get a Euro hinge into the corner. (Joe; that would never be a problem if we were using your Vista Hinge.)

Hi Joe, Right click on the desktop to bring up the Nvidia control panel, choose the program settings tab, and select the programs you would like to use the Nvidia card. The default setting is for the computer is to have the on board graphics card as the primary. I have kept my laptop with this configuration to take advantage of Intel's power saving features, while stile being able to use the Nvidia card when I need it. The downside of running the on board card as primary is that you don't get the full Nvidia control panel, which can be frustrating at times.

As far as I can tell, the dimension tool cannot pick up framing members in elevation with one exception; it can pick up the cross boxes for the framing members shown in cross section. this allows me to pick up a lot of the critical dimensions depending how the defaults for the dimension reach is set. try just turning on the framing layers only in elevation/section, and see what happens as you change the defaults and pull dimensions.

The rule that I use is 2 pitches less than the upper truss. This can vary with the pitch, span, and if you have a raised heel; but it's a starting point.

I use "strip", or "brick" or other patterns and adjust them to display properly in vector views, but they will not report correctly to the material list if I remember correctly, because the material list is looking for the pattern.

I will often copy the material to "my materials", and add the appropriate pattern. I think that chief has them without pattern is so that they will report correctly to the material list.

Changing a layer only requires: 1: Click on the layer DBX 2. Hit the letter key for the first letter of the layer (F for framing) and hold the key down until it hits the right layer (framing, trusses). 3. Click on the layer. This has never been much of a problem for me.

The Best time tracker is the one that gets used, and works for you. I'm not saying that Manic time is the best, but it works for me.

Project documentation and project accounting take time. I believe that any time tracking system is only an good as the effort that I am willing to spend to make that happen. I'm willing to take the time to create good construction documents, I'm also reluctantly willing to thoroughly account for my time. The time tracking fairy is not going to come in after hours and do it for me. I have used Chiefs time tracker in the past, and it has some significant limitations that I won't get into in this post. I may elaborate in a subsequent post. I use Manic Time, and I love it. Why? · It provides a comprehensive system for tracking by the, week, day, month, project, or phase of the project. · I don't have to do much to make it happen. It just prompts me for how to attribute my time. This could include categories such as client, contractor, type of work, job phase, etc. I'll generally look back at the end of the day to make sure there is no unassigned time. · I can generate detailed reports with little effort. I can export the data to excel for additional sorting or formatting. · If I take a phone call, or go to the bathroom, I'm prompted how to attribute that time when I come back to the computer. · The limitation that it can't see what Chief file I have open is not a significant problem, as it is part of my job to attribute the categories as I work. · I can use it to track my non billable time as well so I can easily see where I can improve my efficiency. · Manic time makes it easy to develop good habits where time accounting is concerned. It's easy, but does require a small effort. I've found that if I'm not tracking my entire work day, I miss out on a lot of billable hours. Chief doesn't track when I'm looking at the building codes, doing a beam calc,researching online, or a host of other tasks. I shudder to think that I used to go back at the end of the week, and attempt to attribute my time. It was incredibly inaccurate and definitely not in my favor. The best time trackers are not the ones that are invisible; but the ones that are the most difficult to ignore.

I use ManicTime, and love it. It really allows me to track my day in great detail when I'm on the computer. It prompts me automatically to assign a category for the time spent away from the computer.

Estimate the distance and then use the transform/replicate tool. You may not be exact on the first try, but should be able to zero in on it quickly. I often zoom in and draw a box and then measure it to get a close estimate of the distance.

I'm running the Seiki 50" along with a HP 30". I'm using the Nvidia GTX 780 (Mobile) with 4 GB of VRAM, and the system runs quite well. I would suggest that you get the fastest card, with the most VRAM you can afford. The card would be the wrong place to cut costs.

Under the dimension defaults, Use the "locate objects" tab to limit what it sticks to.

Here's a picture of the results For accuracy you can use the contour lines that you have imported; copy them twice, once for the elevation lines, and once for the sidewalks Notice also that I've used terrain features to show the taxlot, and also the neighboring structures. All imported from city and county GIS.

This can easily be done with your contour lines copied and converted to very narrow sidewalks. there are some downsides to this, but in general it should get the job done. I'll try to post a picture of this when I'm on my main computer in the morning.

I like to print to PDF for reviewing my layout sheets. With the 50" monitor I can view an Arch D (24"x36") full size when set to 81% zoom. I can fold a printed sheet and hold it to the screen to see line weights and text in a direct comparison to the image on the screen. Although the monitor is only 88 DPI having the ability to view an Arch D sheet full size on the screen has made reviewing a set nearly as reliable as having a printed set.

Hi Bryce, Initially my objective here was to show that Chief was functioning correctly, and that Larry had just missed a step in the process . If I don't set up the construction correctly, it's not going to show correctly. I do get your point; who would ever notice or care at quarter inch scale in layout. I have drawn for many years with a triangle and T-square, and am well aware of the limits of detailing by hand In the old days woodworking details were shown at 3"=1'-0" (quarter size) for clarity; but still cannot match the precision of CAD at 1"=1'-0". Now with CAD we are capable of almost infinite detail; so the inclination is to focus on detail whether we need it, or not. On the other hand, having done a lot of finish carpentry, I always appreciate it when the designer has a grasp on the reality of the method of construction.