capitaldesigns

I drew a simple flat roof patio that I wanted to save to my user library. When I draw a marquee around the patio I do not get the make block command button. In the past I've made decorative posts on a base and been able to make it into a block and save to the library. On this project l used the roof planes to create the roof, the slab tool to draw the patio slab, the post and footing and beam under the framing menu for the framing. Does anyone know how I can make a block out of this patio and save it to my library ? Thanks, Mike

I just had a problem with a surveyor on a residential addition project. The lot was sloped in several directions. We ordered a topo and boundary survey. We were taking down a large carport on the side of the house and building a two story addition in its place. When I got the survey they showed that at two of the posts holding up the carport were each in there own 6' deep holes. This was not correct. The posts were at grade, not in a 6' deep hole. The surveyor also showed contour line under the existing house, again showing that there was an 8' deep hole under the house. I asked the surveyor how he was able to survey under the house. He had no answer. He had to redo the survey.

It was suggested that I create a warehouse plan for my typical details and notes. I recently created a couple of warehouse plans. One with residential notes and one with foundation details. The question I have is how do I send just one detail to the layout page without sending the entire warehouse plan that holds over 20 details ? When I used the Send to Layout tool and selected the Current Screen under the Send Options the entire warehouse plan is sent to the layout page. I zoomed into the detail I wanted to send where no other details were visible on the screen before sending it to the layout page. It does show up on the layout page as the zoomed into detail I send. When I click on the detail and drag of the edit handles the rest of the details from the warehouse plan become visible. Is there a way to send only one details from a warehouse plan without sending the entire plan ? Thanks, Mike

Thank You

How do I import annotation and layer sets from one plan into another plan ? About a year ago I was working on a project that was put on hold. The client wants me to continue with the project. Since then I have modified my annotation and layer sets. I want to use the new annotation and layer sets with this project. I see that there is and import layer set and annotation set under the file menu. Where are the layer and annotation sets files saved and how do I import them into the current drawing ? Thanks, Mike

Both the living room and entry defined as such and under floor structure is called out as concrete slabs.

I am working on a project that the living room is 12" lower than the entry. When I do a 3D view looking from the living room towards the raised entry it shows the edge of the concrete slab. It should be showing drywall. The baseboard shows correctly. Above the base board shows gray concrete. Does anyone know how to correct this ? Thanks, Mike

Chopsaw, I have been saving my details to the in the library under user catalog. I have not heard of a warehouse plan. If I am understanding you correctly, you are creating a plan file and naming it something like details, foundation details, roof details, etc. All of your typical details are on this plan. You then send the details needed to the layout page you are currently working on. When making a revision to a detail will be done on the detail plan which will be quicker than making a change to the details in the user library. Is this correct ? Thanks, Mike

Thanks for the help.

I came from AutoCAD background. In AutoCAD details and notes are saved as .DWG as are the drawing sheets. So in AutoCAD I would open the detail just Iike I would open a drawing. Then make the changes and save. In Chief the saved details and notes do not appear to be saved as a .PLAN file. I tried unsuccessfully to find the folder for the saved details and notes in Windows Explorer. I trying it as you said. I started a new plan, went to the user catalog I placed a detail in the plan, made change, highlighted detail, made into block. I do not see the command to re-save. It looks like I would have to create a new detail by clicking on the "Add the selected object to the library". This will place the revised detail in a different folder with the name "Block-2". I guess I will have to rename the detail to the correct name then delete the old detail then move the revised detail to the correct folder. Is this correct ? If so, a lot of steps to make a change to a typical detail. Or is there a way just to open the detail, make the change and save ? Thanks, Mike

I need to update some typical details and notes saved in the user catalog. How do that ? Thanks, Mike

I am working on a small accessory dwelling unit plan. Everything was good until I added a high arched window. After adding the window the stucco disappeared at the top of all exterior walls. Can someone look at my plan and let me know why this is happening and how to fix it ? Thanks, Mike 492 SF ADU-2.plan

Is there a quick way to find out what the sq. ftg. of a roof plane is ? Thanks, Mike

Attached is a screenshot of the ray traced perspective view that shows the ceiling as black instead of off white.

I am using X9. I just did a ray trace on a bedroom and the ceiling is coming out black even though the color of the ceiling is an off white. There must be a setting I did not set correctly. Thanks, Mike

I see change reference under tools, reference floor. I like Perry's idea of creating a layer set called "reference to foundation". Thanks, Eric & Perry Mike

I am working on a project with a slab on grade. I have added the structural engineers mark-ups on the framing plan. I am now working on the foundation plan and want to reference the framing plan over the foundation plan so I can locate HD's, Footing pads, etc. When I select the reference floor display I get the floor plan walls, not the framing plan. How do I reference the entire framing plans, notes, post, beams, etc. Thanks, Mike

I created a section from the back clipped cross section command. Then I made a CAD detail from view. I can select all of the lines in the CAD detail except the foundation. I'm not sure why. Thanks, Mike

I have a client that has made a small change on the plans that have already been competed. The change will require an interior footing to move 10". I want to move the footing in the section view. I made the section a CAD detail from view since CA did not show all of the top plates and did not show the blocking between the rafters correctly. Now I want to move the footing 10". When I pick the line of the footing nothing happens, I can pick all other lines such as wall lines, rafters, blocking, etc., but I can not pick the footings. I thought when I made a section into a CAD detail I would be able to manipulate all of the lines of the detail. Does anyone know why I can not click on the footing lines in the details and is there a way I can move the footing. I do not want to generate a new section since this section has all of the notes and detail callouts. If I was doing this in AutoCAD it would take me about 10 seconds to move the footing. Thanks, Mike

Thank You, Mike

I am using X-9. How do I add text in the comment column in the window schedule ? The window schedule added the gable end attic vents in the schedule. Why is an attic vent be added to the window schedule ? Thanks, Mike

My object snaps stop working. I have objects snap, end points, intersections, midpoint and on object checked. When I run the cross hairs over the end or center of a line or wall nothing happens. It was working earlier. I tock off for about an hour and now snaps isn't working. I s there another setting some where that could have been turned off ? Thanks, Mike

Thanks Michael. I just discovered another way to do this. I'm not sure if it works in all cases but it worked for the detail I needed to stretch. 1. Draw a marque around the part of the detail you want to stretch. Make sure you first select intersecting objects in the marque selection menu. 2. Either select the edit handle and move the cursor in the desired direction of your stretch, hit the tab key and enter the distance of the stretch, or click on transform/replicate then move and type in the distance of the stretch in the appropriate X,Y,Z field. I went through the manual and was not able to find a description on how to stretch detail lines. I see a lot on stretching cabinets, backdrops, etc. Thanks, Mike

I have a typical detail that I need to stretch the length. I do not see how to do this in CA. I know how to do this with the floor plans but do not know how to do this with a details. In AutoCAD this is a common command. In AutoCAD I type in "ST" for stretch, then draw a marque around the part of the detail I want to stretch and move the mouse in the direction I want it to stretch. Then type the distance, and done. Does anyone know how to do this in CA ? Thanks, Mike

Thanks Glenn. Sorry about taking so long to reply. My email was screwed up until this morning. Spectrum had some problem and I could not send or receive emails until this morning. I do not know how you framed the roof and ceiling joists. It was suggested that I show all rooms at the lowest room height first. Then add the ceiling and roof planes at that lower height. Then move the roof planes up to the height I want the exterior walls to be at. Then go into each of the other rooms and change their room heights to the desired heights. Then frame the walls, roof and ceilings. This worked. The exterior walls were framed at 12' high. Living room ceiling framing framed at 10' high and the bedroom ceiling framed at 8' high. Is that how you did your framing ? Thanks, Mike