para-CAD

That sure is a pain for your work. For people without photoshop, here's a PNG Critical error writing to the Chief Online Authorization Preference.ini file I wouldn't reset the computer as much as maybe log out and log in to your authorized copy of chief, or reinstall Chief first. Very smart folks will be along soon to help you get a resolution. Good luck.

Are you looking for FREE or PAID? I have used different paid options, all are pretty good. Right now I switched from Join.me to paid zoom. Zoom is pretty sweet. AI does a transcript by name (like a script) and the time is unrestricted. I tried Google Meet a few times. It seems a bit clunky.

I love when I use chief for typical/standard home designs. Super fast and accurate. But when I am working on some really complex projects, I quickly see the limits of what chief can actually do.......and out come the work arounds. I approach design as a former framing contractor and when someone says to create a second floor that is 1/16" tall to achieve some desired result, that kind of thinking is completely foreign to me. If I could wish for one thing for chief it would be to draw in the way the structure is actually framed. I make no $$$ providing 3D renders, since people come to me for plans for permit that work. I NEVER say...."the framers will figure it out on site." That's just lazy or incompetent designer talk. I feel your pain, like just the other day, I spent 2 ½ unbillable hours trying to get the model to reflect reality, but it just wouldn't. I then revert to straight 2D for those issues since the permit office only wants dimensioned 2D plan sets. Always I wish y'all the best in your design adventures. Even the petty down voters.

For people who want minimal step, drop the floor system inside the foundation (crawlspace or basement). Some designers have zero elevation change for people with mobility issues.

I would have NEVER for the life of me come up with the idea to make a micro ridge. Wow. You are probably good at complex puzzles. That is a helluva work around suggestion. When I get stuck like this, my default is 3D polyline solid...I know, the cheater way. Lately I've been creating accurate 3D framing drawings with sketchup. But then I am importing a .jpg, .png, or .pdf so that's a pain when something gets changed.

Wow. That is so weird. Is it always on the same template (like hidden geometry)? Can you start a fresh plan, from a different plan template? If you PM me the size and location of items (screen shot of your plan) I'll create it in my template and send it back to you. Then we can troubleshoot this together (NO CHARGE FOR FREE) Also, someone thinks your frustration is worth a down vote. That's lame. Yes there are koolaid drinkers out there.

I don't think there is a drop structural ridge for auto framing. I've always done complex CAD framing mostly manually. This is a Lindal Cedar home I once framed a while ago. Auto Dropped Ridge would be handy when drawing this.

Right-click / New / Folder

As-built (existing) on one plan file in glass house (if terrain can do x-ray) New proposed in a second plan file. Set reference layer on plan 2 to plan 1. I followed Dan Baumann's direction to show glass house existing and new proposed in standard view.......at the same time or turned off. It worked great. I don't use the terrain tools too much so this might not actually work for you. Good luck

SketchUp is pretty amazing....just not as automated as CA.

First thing wrong. You don't share links to files because that is a one-way street. 1. Create a folder in Dropbox. 2. Add users to this folder as editable members to this now Shared folder. 3. When a collaborative user accepts the share option, both users will see the same Shared Folder on both systems. 4. Any files in the shared folder can be accessed by people who have accepted the shared offer. All of this is in Dropbox's user literature. I share folders with each client......each can access just the folder I share with them. They can upload files, I can share files. Texting a link is for people to quickly access a direct file or folder...to view or download.....not 2-way share. You have to actually SHARE a folder.

I have more than 2 schedules often.......no issues like 1,1 or whatever. I just create a new Note type. I don't know if this helps or is even the best way, but it works for me.

Why does locating the model closer to 0,0 matter? If it's coordinate geometry each point has a unique address out as far as you take it.

You could draw your own 2D CAD detail.

Rene has talked about this a few years ago. I'm sure he has some updated processes and might drop by shortly. I store ALL chief in dropbox. No issues. Log out of macOS and start up WIN 11 on a different machine and everything is accessing the unified guts of the app, and all my projects.

Chief sometimes doesn't frame things as a framing crew would so be careful. Always review before sending it to your team.

I hope this is received well. This chief site works best as a repository of good, searchable content when Questions and asking "how to" is located in the Q & A section. Typically, people come to the Tips & Techniques section to learn some cool new way to accomplish something new that someone has discovered and is now sharing, not to ask How To but the share How To.

I had this issue in X7 when I was on a mac and the collaborator was on a windows machine. He thought I was adjusting all the text...........yeah like I would do that to be a troublemaker. /s

Sucks that instead of being able to use Rich Text without issue, we have to revert to using plain text or resize the offending RT. Might as well remove RT from the app then. /s The /s means sarrrrrrcasm. We need to laugh more

Orientation also matters

Glad you were helped.........by secret Santa? All I see is problem.....then a thanks for a solution. I didn't learn anything (boo).....but what matters is YOU were helped (yay).

I just PM'd you with some comments.

Sheet Zero. Everything placed on Sheet 0 is present on all following sheets.

A.I.?