CARMELHILL

I've noticed when I do a demonstration video for clients, I have two monitors open. I change the main 43" monitor resolution to 1080p just for the Screencast movie so the resolution on Youtube isn't crazy and it's easier for the client to view the movie. My second 43" screen remains at 2160p. If I click on an object in my 1080p screen and the dialogue box pops up on the other 2160p screen, it makes Chief crash. The program gets stuck trying to display the dialogue box at a different resolution on the other screen. I tested it by changing the pop up location of the dialogue box to appear on my 1080 screen and it doesn't crash, so it's definitely a bug. Not a big one. Anyone else notice this? Video: https://youtu.be/3v7bVWPJRT4

During my last upgrade in 2014 I noticed a bigger jump in performance. On this upgrade, not as much. But there is a difference in my office usage that affects the apparent performance..... I don't do the design work as much as I did in 2013. I don't use the 3d rendered views as much. Now I spend half my day redlining my employees work, trying to search out new clients, and balancing the financial books. I REALLY needed this recent upgrade because one of my two new employees I hired in April was using an old off the shelf (B.J's Wholesalers I think) Dell XPS 8400. It was SOOOO SLOWWWW. I promised him a new computer very soon. So when the 3900X came out, it was time. It probably would have been much easier to give him the new rig (drivers and office sensitive files are a pain in the ass to move/reinstall), but what fun would that be? My other new employee uses a rig identical to my 2014 build (built 3 months apart).

Without being a computer engineer, this is the best I could think up...... The faster read write should theoretically not be a bottle neck for the programs undo feature anymore. I was told a few years ago that Chief saves a copy of the plan for every undo. One of the older undo settings had an undo save feature that you setup Chief to save a backup at your preset time frame, in microseconds. Setting it for anything useful slowed the program down tremendously. So I set up my system to have my core programs like Chief, Photoshop, and video editing on the Sabrent Rocket 4.0 SDD. I keep all my client folders on the old style spinning HDD. Whenever I work on a project I copy that client folder into a specific folder on the SDD. I have my Preferences set up so all the backup, autosave, and plan/layout template folders are on the Rocket PCI 4.0 SSD. The extra Samsung Evo SDD was a screw up. I was buying the parts for the computer and didn't think I'd be able to get my hands on a newer PCI 4 SDD in time to do the build, so I bought the Samsung. Then the Sabrent popped up on Amazon. So I'll use the Samsung for commonly used stuff like some symbols, macros, Sketchup symbols, textures, etc...

Some new food for thought. Disk drive tests of the read/write from the 2 drives in the new Ryzen 9 build that use PCI 4.0. The Samsung is last years model and not maximumized for PCI 4, but the Sabrent Rocket uses the PCI 4 to it's fullest extent. The remaining test is my Samsung SSD drive from my 2014 build that uses PCI 3.0. EDS RYZEN CRYSTAL MARK E SAMSUNG EVO DRIVE.pdf 2014 build i7-4960 DISK MARK.pdf EDS RYZEN CRYSTAL MARK C DRIVE.pdf

Just for kicks, and to revive this thread, my new rig is complete. I still need to tweak the RAM settings because they aren't running at fill 3200 mghz speed yet. I'm goign to setup the undo file on the Rocket SSD to see how much faster the read/write is, and see if there is still a lag. Cooler Master Mastercase H500M, AMD Ryzen 9 3900x, Asus ROG Strix X570-E Gaming, Sabrent Rocket PCIe 4.0 1TB SSD, Samsung 970 Evo Plus 500 gb M.2-2280 SSD, Western Digitial Caviar Black 1tb 7200rpm HD, G.Skill Sniper X 32gb DDR4-3200 ram, MSI GeForce RTX 2070 8 GB Video Card, Corsair 750w power, Dual Hisense 43" 4k monitors

It has something to do with having the templates autoload in the Preferences settings for new layouts and new plan files. If I leave the defaults as Profile.plan and Proifile.Layout instead of my templates, the problem doesn't happen.

I noticed this problem in a version a few years ago, but it has reappeared. Whenever I update some of my templates and resave with new names, and relink the referenced files, the program clears my Client and Design Information. Is anyone else experiencing this? Or did I corrupt my templates a few versions ago? Something is forcing a clearing of the fields.

These are the specs on my next rig at PCPartpicker.com. But I'm waiting the new 3rd gen Threadripper due out in August. I'm going to add that m.2 type slot on the motherboard onto my list.

My 2 cents.....this X11 release, and all the tweaks they have made during the beta based on all our comments, have been AMAZING. I just noticed that I now have the ability to update/revise/change layer settings etc.. for keynotes that are saved in the User Library, DIRECTLY in the Library Browser! AWESOME!!! No more insertion, updated, tweak, reinsert back into the library, delete old note. HUGE HUGE HUGE time saver. Thank you for listening......

just curious. Does the PBR use the CPU or the video card? I'm upgrading to a new rig when the new AMD Threadripper comes out this fall.

I still wonder why Chief hasn't addressed this. Seems like referenced section marks in elevations would be easy to program, just like the referenced section marks in the floor plans. Then again, I suck at programming.

Is it possible to get more areas included in the Finish Schedule, similar to the floor area square footage. This seems like a no brainer and I'm puzzled why Chief doesn't have it as an option. Wall areas for quick painting or wallpaper bids would be nice. And maybe linear base, crown, and casing lengths for each room too. I know we can get it from material take offs, but it would be nice to have it automatically populate. Or am I just fuzzy on the ability of macros. Joe, Michael, chime in.

I don't bother. When I get tunnel vision and get lost down a rabbit hole, I spend too much time on interior renderings that aren't sufficiently reimbursed with client fees. It's nice to provide this eye candy, and even nicer to hear this particular client say "could that look ANY better", and "that looks awesome", but it still doesn't get me anymore money. So I don't get stuck on details. Going off on a tangent..... At the recommendation of a successful attorney, I have started giving clients three "services" options. Level one is an outrageously expensive construction monitoring and GC price and I tell clients that only 5% of people choose it. Level two is my main aim which includes renderings and permit filing and I tell clients 90% choose it. Level 3 is a bare bones builders set with no permit filing, which the remaining 5% choose. The book "Influence - The Psychology of Persuasion" by Robert Cialdini (should be required reading for anyone that is self employed), he says it's a mental mind game. 90% of people chose the middle option, no matter the price. People want to do what everybody else does "part of the herd mentality". There is a secondary mind game that after you show people the crazy expensive option #1, the second option that your truly trying to sell them doesn't seem so bad, and actually seems pretty reasonable. And no one wants option 3 because they don't want to appear they are getting "no frills" service. It's exactly why people buy a car for $40g, but then don't mind later when they add all the silly little options for $1,000 a piece that slowly add up, and eventually that car costs $55g I tell ya, it's changed my business. I've increased my per project fees by 40%.

We're not in Alberta, so not a problem here as long as the pipe is wrapped and wall is insulated. Although we have moved to 2" x 6" stud walls to comply with prescriptive requirements. This is an existing wall that we'll likely fur out.

Thanks Mick. I know it looks messed up. That was an early version from x10 and I switched to x11 beta but didn't want to post the x11 plan here because of the NDA. It's not a bug specific to the X11 version so I didn't think it was appropriate to send to the beta forum. I'll send it over there with the more recent plan. In 9 years with Chief I've never come across this. It's something specific to that plan.

Thanks. That works for the renderings, but won't work when I do the electrical plan later. I have a ticket in to tech support.

It seems the only way to get the lights automatically on the ceiling is to change the rough ceiling height to a high number. There is some imaginary ceiling being drawn, but not shown. Very weird.

I'm working on some design revisions and I just noticed my lights are not installing on he cathedral ceiling, but rather floating at the 8" ceiling height, even though there is no ceiling in the room. I've never seen this before and I can't duplicate the issue on a new plan, just this one. Any idea what is causing this? HONOR_DESIGN_1.plan

I have been wanting to add something to my drawings that might be too specific for Chief to do. I want to add 3d plumbing risers and also 3d HVAC runs. Is Sketchup my answer? Chief has a "cute" HVAC work around with molding profiles...but it's limited and not as automatic as I would like. It'll probably never see further development.....see here... and a description here.... https://www.chiefarchitect.com/support/article/KB-02840/drawing-hvac-ductwork.html I know Vectorworks has an HVAC tool but it was developed years ago as a demonstration only tool. Again, probably won't ever be further developed. The new version of Bricscad has an nice HVAC and plumbing run tool and also additional pay/for plugins....... So I'm thinking Sketchup with it's huge exposure to and extensive base might be a good option with the additional plugsin by 3 skeng http://extensions.sketchup.com/en/user/2706/store especially since Chief is relatively compatible with imported Sketchup symbols. I use the warehouse ALOT! Any thoughts?

You could also dump Autodesk's Autocad LT since they are moving to all subscription and try using a buy it once program like CMS Intellicad or Bricscad which both import/export 100% native dwg. https://www.intellicadms.com/ https://www.bricsys.com/en-intl/bricscad/ Adobe has gotten just as crazy as Autodesk with their subscriptions, so I use basic Photoshop Elements and Premiere Elements for photo and video work. My structural program Strucalc is trying to go subscription but I'm resisting the urge to upgrade until I absolutely have to. I agree Chief rendering is good enough. Lumion looks like a lot of fun, but I don't get paid for fun. I get paid to produce. Sometimes less is more. The more renderings I give to people the more revisions and nit picking they do. I don't charge hourly so it's hard to prevent clients from going crazy. I was sending clients the 3d Panoramics and posting the 3d models on Chiefs servers for client review for maybe 3 months and stopped. It was too much. And most clients are so busy in their day to day worlds, they don't have the time to use and manipulate the 3d models. I do enough rendering that I have something decent to use for future marketing. (Chief knows about the rendering "eye candy factor" all too well). Now I just give clients a Youtube video link on our website. It's a video of my thought process when I was doing the design. It draws more traffic to our website too. http://www.carmelhill.com/client-updates.html

My wife has these coupons down to a science. Before entering any store she signs up for their mailing list o downloads their app. When we're half way through the store shopping she receives a $20 coupon. She received "Kohls cash" to match every dollar she spends. We eat out 3 times a week for $25 for a family of four at Applebees, Ruby Tuesday, and Outback. Today she received a $20 coupon for Pottery Barn while we were on the checkout line buying a blanket for my daughter. She cancels our satelite radio subscription the day before it's set to auto renew at full price every single time. They call her next day and give her a crazy new deal to keep her enrolled. It's insane. But I can't keep up with here. But cable TV screws us no matter what. If I put her in charge of my expenses she would have Chief sending me X12 in advance, at no cost and I'd already have 5G phone service. But then she'd also see all the purchases that she's not supposed to know about....drones, planes, helicopters, surfboards.....

I see. It's a matter of what you contemplate might change more.....your house design or the site plan. I unfortunately deal more with existing home renovations and additions. The existing geometry of the house often dictates the extents of the addition. I am more likely going be making changes to the plot plan requested by building department to legalize everything that's been added to the property in the last 30 years before I get the permit for my addition.....sheds, decks, gazebos, 4ft fence, 6ft fence, detached garage, driveway encroaching too close the property line, etc....

Michael, just curious. Why DON'T you currently draw it as a live plot plan instead of a detail? Maybe your explanation will make me go back to my original way of doing it. I know you didn't want to get into this, but......I know I personally don't like fiddling with the north arrow to get the meets and bounds angles to show correctly. But it only takes a few minutes. As for roads, driveways, and fences not drawing in 3d when they are off the lot, I draw the plot, convert a copy to lines as my plot line boundary, then expand the terrain perimeter boundary outwards by 50 or 100 feet so I can add the streets and background trees without any drop off.

I wouldn't mind hearing if the city approves that exterior staircase. The last two risers look like a tripping hazard unless they are separated by a 3ft deep landing transition and then considered a separate set of stairs. And you are precise. I don't think I have ever shown roof vent stacks like yours. But I've heard that Cali is crazy on the submission requirements. Locally on Long Island we've gone from 5 to 8 sheets back in 2005, to now 12 to 15. And just for a basic colonial with not much detail. In the past year I'v also started doing 3d plot plans. Any changes I make to the project are done once, and represented everywhere.

They typically have it released, at least in Beta, for the National Builders Show. This year it's in Vegas on Feb 19th. They have a very large presentation booth, look at the exhibit floor plans for the North Hall. So I too am expecting a pretty big release. I don't know about the interface though. I'm not convinced they felt the need to update it, yet. But maybe they remodeled it after the Archicad, Revit, Bricscad ribbon theme. That would leave Vectorworks with the award for worst Graphical User Interface. But......but....a big release inevitably means lots of bugs. So no moaning and groaning when it comes out. We asked for features and tools. Let's help the programmers with feedback and bug reports, not bitching and moaning. Cheers. Merry Xmas.