para-CAD

It’s supposed to arrive on the 14th. I went with 64 gigs of RAM because that’s what I have on my M1 and I’ve never had it have to use swap to the SSD. my M1 also has 4 TB of space and I’ve only used about 800 GB max so 4 TB seems to be the sweet spot for me

It won't block the drawing and schedule together so it won't show the option to send to library.

I created a simple 3D CAD detail for a Chief User in another state, but I can't find a way to export just that CAD Detail, as a single file that he can import into his CAD Detail library. I'm either ignorant of the process to make this happen (searched for 20 mins) or maybe this is more of a Suggestion or feature request......or maybe there is some cool ruby scripting I can commission from the experts. I attached the detail as a screen shot, but the Chief User would be better served with having the actual Chief CAD Detail installed for future/repetitive use or edits. With the Note Schedule present, I am NOT able to block the whole thing and add it to my Library. Any help is appreciated, and if it can be macro exported in a way that is importable.......I would definitely pay for that feature.

Is there any way to move this to the question-and-answer section so that we can keep the tips section more about how people have already found a good solution to something and not a question on how to do something?

Is it cathedral or vaulted? Are those beams real or fake for show? What is the ceiling pitch? Take a level with one end touching the lower part of the ceiling, and when you have the level horizontally correct, measure vertically from the end that is not touching the ceiling up to where your tape measure touches the ceiling. and then divide those number of inches by how many feet long your level is, and that will give you the pitch. When you go outside, is the roof pitch steeper than the inside ceiling pitch?

Get permission from your boss to deactivate the license on your machine at work when you close up, and then use that license on your home computer. One license per operational use is the standard. That means no one at work can use that work computer for chief architect work while you’re at home also using that chief architect license.

I will find out soon..............I skipped the M4 Max (wife has it). M5 Max will arrive in 2 weeks. I use AI for nice renders, so PBR real-time rendering isn't something I use or need. My current rig is an M1 Max......this new machine is supposed to be twice as fast in CPU and GPU tests. Real-world is where I hope it actually performs at.

Super discount code for multiple AI tools............I haven't tried it yet............thought I should share the link first MAXTECH5

I sure would like to have a different output than the one defaulted. Instead of: ¾ IN = 1 FT I'd rather have it be like this: ¾" = 1'- 0" PM me with a price, you macro masters!!!!

I hope chief abandons it's in app photo-realistic rendering approach and partners with a good AI service (included in our subscription). And the cloud idea.........I am not inclined to drop Dropbox, or pay more for a CA cloud service. Chief should integrate with Dropbox. They don't need to expand outside their true focus...CAD software and not try to be a jack-of-all-trades.

Nano Banana - exact same prompt

Avoid GROK

wow. Nice catch. I have a feeling that online thieves are embracing AI to make their scams appear more legitimate in languages that aren't common to them necessarily.

Prompt 3 — The Detail-Obsessed Single Hero Shot Best for: Producing one stunning marketing image or portfolio piece. PROMPT: You are a high-end architectural photographer working digitally. I am handing you a 3D model from Chief Architect. Your task is to produce a single hero render that could be mistaken for a real photograph in a luxury home builder's portfolio. ABSOLUTE CONSTRAINT: The building's architecture is sacred. Every dimension, roof pitch, wall plane, window size and position, door placement, overhang depth, porch column, and structural detail remains exactly as modeled. You are the photographer, not the architect — you don't move walls. WHAT YOU CONTROL: Camera: Choose the most flattering exterior angle — typically a 3/4 front view showing both the facade and one side elevation, shot from approximately 5 feet above grade at 25–40mm focal length equivalent. Apply subtle depth of field (f/4 to f/8) with the sharpest plane on the front entry. Compose using the rule of thirds — place the roofline at the upper third line. Slight upward camera tilt is acceptable but avoid dramatic perspective distortion. Correct vertical lines to near-parallel as in real architectural photography. Environment — I will specify my terrain: Beach / Woods / Forest / Mountains / Prairie Build the environment 360 degrees around the home for accurate reflections and ambient light. Include a realistic sky dome with clouds appropriate to the terrain and weather. Time of day — I will specify, or choose the most dramatic option for my terrain: Morning golden hour / Midday / Late afternoon / Dusk-blue hour / Night Sun position must be physically accurate for the chosen time, terrain latitude, and a season I will specify (or default to late spring). Exterior surfaces (adjust freely, architecture unchanged): Select a cladding combination that looks premium and regionally appropriate for the terrain. For example: cedar shakes + stone wainscot for mountains, smooth stucco + standing seam metal for beach, lap siding + brick accent for prairie. Choose a cohesive color palette: body color, trim color, accent color, roof color, front door pop color, and garage door tone. All materials must use PBR textures at real-world scale — I should be able to count individual shingle tabs, see wood grain direction, and notice mortar joint depth. Hardscape (add if missing): Broom-finish concrete driveway with sawcut control joints at appropriate intervals. Driveway width should match garage door count (single: 10–12 feet, double: 18–20 feet, triple: 28–30 feet) with a gentle flare at the street. 4-foot concrete sidewalk from driveway to front entry with control joints every 4 feet. If the home has a porch, add appropriate-scale stone or concrete steps with a code-compliant handrail only if the rise exceeds 30 inches. Landscaping & artifacts: Foundation planting beds (36–48 inches deep) with a front-to-back layering: groundcover or mulch at the edge, low flowering shrubs mid-bed, taller evergreen anchors at corners and flanking the entry. Two to three yard trees — species appropriate to the terrain — placed asymmetrically for natural composition. Lawn: healthy, freshly mowed appearance with visible mow stripes if grass type supports it. One coiled garden hose on a wall-mount reel, placed on a side elevation near a hose bib. Simple flower pots flanking the front door (terra cotta or dark glazed, with seasonal flowers). If the front entry has overhead cover, add a simple pendant or recessed can light glow (warm white, 2700K) for dusk/night shots. REALISM PARAMETERS — NON-NEGOTIABLE: Ray-traced global illumination — every surface receives and bounces light accurately. Physically based sky model (Preetham or Hosek-Wilkie) matching time of day. Shadow quality: soft penumbra from area light source (sun), contact shadows at all object-to-ground interfaces. Glass: dual-surface reflection and refraction, visible interior hints (furniture silhouettes, warm light), slight green edge tint on double-pane glass. Weathering layer: subtle — not ruined, but lived-in. Think hairline caulk lines at trim joints, slight UV variation on south-facing siding, minor concrete spalling at driveway edges. Atmospheric depth: objects beyond 100 feet show slight desaturation and haze. Post-processing: color grade to match the mood (warm for golden hour, cool for dusk, neutral for midday). Subtle vignette. No HDR tonemapping artifacts. Final resolution: 4K minimum (3840×2160) at 300 DPI for print use. MY SELECTIONS: Terrain: [SPECIFY] Time of day: [SPECIFY] Season: [SPECIFY] Exterior style preference: [SPECIFY or "your best recommendation for this terrain"] Camera angle preference: [SPECIFY or "most flattering 3/4 front"]

Prompt 2 — The Comparison Suite Best for: Showing a client the same house across multiple settings and lighting conditions in a single session. PROMPT: You are generating a comparison set of photo-realistic architectural renders from a single Chief Architect 3D model. The building geometry is locked — every wall, roofline, window, door, overhang, and structural dimension must remain exactly as provided. Nothing is added or removed from the architecture itself. Produce a render for each combination I request from the following matrix: TERRAIN OPTIONS: Beach — coastal sand lot, dune grasses, ocean horizon Woods — deciduous hardwood canopy, leaf litter, dappled light Forest — dense conifer, needle floor, filtered directional light Mountains — sloped rocky lot, alpine vegetation, distant ridges Prairie — flat open grassland, wildflowers, wide sky LIGHTING OPTIONS: A. Sunrise golden hour (7 AM) — warm eastern low-angle light, long shadows B. High noon (12 PM) — overhead neutral light, short shadows, max detail C. Late afternoon (4:30 PM) — western raking light, warm tones, medium shadows D. Dusk / blue hour (8 PM) — cool exterior ambient, warm interior glow through windows E. Night (10 PM) — dark sky, interior lights on, exterior landscape and porch lighting, moonlight fill FOR EVERY RENDER, APPLY THESE CONSTANTS: Hardscape: If not present in the model, add a broom-finished concrete driveway with control joints and a 4-foot concrete sidewalk to the front door. Both should show realistic pour lines and slight surface wear. Landscaping: Foundation beds with low evergreen shrubs, seasonal color flowers, and fresh hardwood mulch. Two appropriately scaled shade or ornamental trees in the yard. Grass type should match terrain and climate — Bermuda for beach, bluegrass for woods/prairie, fescue for mountains, etc. Artifacts: Coiled garden hose near a spigot. Welcome mat at entry. Mailbox at property edge if frontage is visible. One subtle lived-in detail per render (a watering can, a pair of boots by the door, a garden flag, etc.). Materials freedom: You may adjust exterior cladding type, paint/stain colors, roofing material appearance, trim colors, and garage/entry door finishes to best complement each terrain. The shape and size of every element stays identical — only the surface treatment changes. PHOTOREALISM CHECKLIST (apply to all renders): PBR materials with accurate roughness, metallic, and normal maps Global illumination and accurate shadow mapping with soft penumbra Environment reflections on windows showing the specific terrain Depth of field simulating a 35mm architectural camera at f/4–f/8 Atmospheric haze increasing with distance Subsurface scattering on foliage Micro-displacement on masonry, stone, and wood grain Realistic sky dome matching time of day (sun position, cloud cover, star field for night) Ground contact: no floating — show foundation-to-grade transition with proper grading Light spill from interior through windows at dusk and night scenes Slight lens effects: vignette, minimal chromatic aberration MY REQUESTED COMBINATIONS: [LIST COMBINATIONS, e.g., "1A, 1D, 3C, 5B, 4E"] For each render, label it clearly with the terrain and time code, and briefly note which exterior color palette and cladding you selected for that setting.