CARMELHILL

This is an old topic revisited... I sent Michael a direct message, but I am trying to give this another shot. I noticed today that I can no longer hide a plant label from an elevation camera/view. Previously I could rotate the plant label perpendicular to the view and it would disappear. Have the brilliant engineers at Chief taken this away from us in Chief X9? I don't have an old install of X8 or X7 to try this and check it. I also reread Michaels post #22, and realized that I can use Electrical symbols and use different electrical schedules that will only list versions of electrical symbols, because Electrical Schedules have the unique ability to check "Objects to include". So one schedule that looks for switches, one for outlets, and one that uses lights for keynotes, etc.....I'll see if I can incorporate this. Michael, have you made any changes to your use of keynotes in the past year that you can share?

If I need to switch programs for commercial work then I'll just drop Chief. I can't be bothered with two programs. I'd make the switch the Revit or something. College kids aren't taught anything except design. They don't spend enough time on code, construction docs, autocad/computers, etc.. When I hire a new kid I put them into a CAD seat and they watch Chief videos for 2 weeks. Then I give them basic asbuilt floor plans while they figure out Layer Sets and Annotation Sets. Then they watch my own in house videos I created that show how I want my drawings put together. Then I teach them how a house REALLY goes together and I try to include basic structure. They eventually incorporate some Code Analysis. I teach them how to use Strucalc10.0. Excel for basic FAR calculations, modifying our title sheet WFCM nailing schedules, and Light and Ventilation calculations. Then I show them Rescheck. We eventually mix in a little Photoshop which they usually already know. I'd lose my mind if I had to teach them a second major CAD program on top of all this. Maybe I should quit and get a municipal job doing plan review or inspections. Life would be a lot easier and I'd have a pension. But that's another thread topic.....

I understand what your talking about. I hate that with our clunky work around you can't preview the entire note in the Library Browser User Catalog. It only shows what fits in the Selection Panel, unless you widen your preview window to take up half your work space. Any notes that are similar can get confusing. Today I have to start construction docs on a large hotel converted to a low income social services temporary housing with integrated food distribution cafeteria, social welfare offices, classrooms, and day care. It's going to be a royally PITA without a decent notes system.

I sent a message to Tech Support last month requesting a status update on whether the Software Engineers were going to give us a REAL Keynote database in version 10 instead of having to use the Plant Schedule work around that Michael and a few others worked out. I was told no. It's not on the horizon. This is a real deficiency in Chief. It's a basic function that NEEDS to be addressed. They keep wasting time on eye candy marketing stuff. I personally don't get paid more if I provide a client with watercolor renderings or Ray-traced renders. In the end, it's basic drafting production that gets projects completed. The lack of a keynote tool is preventing me from using Chief on even the lightest commercial work. I sent them links to these videos from Vectorworks that had basic light commercial tools 10 years ago. Yes, ten years ago. Chief workaround on keynotes; Vectorworks Keynotes manager Ceiling grid tools: Section marks needed:

But where is the "Bible" that has all the info of available fields?

I've searched, and I can't find it, maybe it was in the old Chieftalk site, but I think Wendy posted a screenshot of how far we can automate the notation's on drawings with all the macros. Anyone remember that thread? And is there a way to list all the available macros and object fields for any object? I really need to maximize the automation. A full read through of "The Book of Ruby" is in my future, even though I DREAD getting into any kind of coding. Thank you.

I'm just whining as it's ugly outside, so......... I'm just sitting here working on a revision for a project I did 6 months ago using the Plant Schedule work around for a Key Note Manager. What a pain. Can I take this minute to re-emphasize and beg Chief again for a REAL key note manager. Something that works in both plan, elevation, section, and for details. It's so much easier to squeeze lots of notes into a plan/elevation. Please chime in give this topic +1 reply so we can drive home the point to Chief Engineers, how important this basic tool is to more complicated projects.

Our jurisdictions are a little more formal than that. Trades cannot sign/seal their work because they aren't issued that type of license. They only have licenses (more like a business certificate) that allows them to work in the particular town or county and it signifies a very basic understanding of their trade. Usually framers and builders fall into this category. Plumbers and electricians have a higher level of licensing. In our area builders/contractors have no legal ability to submit drawings on their own. But for town submissions the drawings, schematics, calculations, etc.. need to be signed and sealed by a design professional as required by State Law. So you need either a Professional Engineer, Registered Architect, and in some cases, a Licensed Land Surveyor. Almost none of the HVAC contractors around here have the ability to size anything with Manual J S or D. They eye ball it. I've red that most systems are oversized by 30% to 150%. That's partly the ICC reason for requiring designed systems now. I've done some inquiring and a few MEP engineers I've spoken to said they probably wouldn't want to get involved for anything under a $3,000 fee. So I'm looking for a different option.

I usually do the permit filing because the client's haven't selected a contractor yet. That's also the reason they don't have MEP trades lined up for me to send out plans to their schematic drawings. But your way adds another problem. Do you just accept schematics from any tradesman and throw your stamp on it? That's a huge liability your assuming, of course unless your accepting drawings that they are getting stamped by their own engineer. I'm not sure why the town's aren't requesting this info be submitted by the plumber that is awarded the job, and attach this liability to the plumbing permit.

Rescheck doesn't size the furnace. We've been using it for years but it won't satisfy this one plans examiner anymore. And I stress, one plans examiner. A few friends have had problems with him too, but no other examiners or other local town jurisdictions have gotten this crazy.....yet. It'll be brutal going to the first few new client consultations and tell them I'm a registered architect, but unfortunately my fee doesn't get you a permit. You still need to hire three other consultants to get a permit for your 15' x 25' master bedroom addition. They won't understand. And they won't sign on the dotted line. It'll be like this until every local architect gets a few of these permit denials, and then we all realize we're in the same boat. Mean while, I've figured out how to use the molding poly line with some ducts I've downloaded from Sketchup Warehouse to create an HVAC plan. It's impressive what you can do with a few object profiles. It did take a litle while because I wasn't creating my 3d symbols in an isometric like your supposed to. That realization was key. I'm reviewing an HVAC program I bought 5 years ago for one annoying job, and I'm looking at at some duct software from Wrightsoft. Now to work on the electric meter sizing and hot water heaters. I'll figure out how to pay for it and how to charge the clients for it when I get my MBA. Extra work order.........

I've got renewed interest in this topic as well. Since the local passage of the 2015 International Code with New York Amendments, the local plans examiner wants strict adherence to the 2015 Energy Code. I've been aware of HERS ratings and Manual J, S, and D submissions for completely new homes but now this his interpretation of the of the energy code says that even small dormer additions need Manual J and D. He wants us to provide duct drawings for forced air with the AACA designs for the hvac units. I jokingly asked when we do hot water baseboard will he want lengths of baseboard on the drawings. He responded no but he'll want calculations to prove whether the existing furnace and hot water heaters can handle the additional loads. So I discussed this with another architect. We can either tell the clients this is not included in our fees and they will need to hire their own consulting engineer, for silli]y little dormer jobs and then probably lose every job lead we come across, or specify wall mounted mini splits for every room and instant hot water heaters for every new bathroom. Let the client pay extra later to have an upgraded electrical service installed for the additional loads. But then soon the plans examiner will wants us to size the service. I am an architect, licensed in NY, NJ, CT, and FL. I am NOT a licensed plumber, electrician, or HVAC contractor. I highly doubt that any information I put on the drawings for those trades would be followed by anyone that has their own license, especially for liability reasons. I appreciate everyone's input and response on this topic.

Thanks. I saw those links on the ACCA website. I'm reviewing them. Is anyone else doing these designs for their projects or is this single plans examiner being a little too anal with the code interpretation?

This is way off topic but I need some help. We just switched to the 2015 IECCC. My local plans examiner just told me he's going to start requiring HVAC duct designs for additions. I already use a consultant to provide HERS ratings and Manual J for new homes, but for a second story dormer addition this is getting nuts! I asked if he's going to require hot water baseboard pipe design and baseboard lengths and he said no. HOWEVER, he's going to want an analysis calculations to prove the existing how water heater and furnace can handle the additional load. I'm an architect, not an engineer. Does anyone know of software that can get me started on this because there is NOWAY I am telling me clients they need to hire an additional consultant to get a permit to add a family room, or finish a garage, etc.. This is getting completely out of hand. Tomorrow I am submitting my resume to the local 7 Eleven. Life has to get easier.

Yes. It doesn't matter. Do you have core library bump files available in your x9?

In the new features video of X9, Chief said that their Core Catalogs were going to be updated with custom bump maps. So I'm trying to track them down. They don't seem to be available yet.

It doesn't look like those bump map files made it into this release of X9 yet. Anybody else figure it out yet?

I did. It's not that. Exported the file to another computer and it works fine. Tried a reboot. Tried with a new floor plan, nothing. I just did a reset of my Preferences and that did it. I'm going to review the settings and see where it all fell off the rails.

The weirdest thing just happened. I lost the ability to show shadows in X9, completely. It still works fine on the same computer file on another workstation in my office. I've checked all the defaults related to cameras and shadows. No change. They still work on X8 (just wanted to make sure it wasn't my video card). So I am backing up all my User Library stuff and going to try reinstalling Chief.

Where are the new bump map and normal map files for the Chief Architect Core library textures? The X9 video here shows that you need to chose the file to use: X9 3D Rendering https://www.chiefarchitect.com/videos/watch/2402/x9-3d-rendering.html?playlist=130 It says all the Chief Architect Core Catalogs have been updated with bump and normal map files. But where are they. See the attached image too.

Is there a way to get section call outs that already show in plan view, to also automatically show in elevation view? How about it's scale and view name would be nice too. Seems stupidly easy to do but I don't see it anywhere, unless I am not playing with the macro labels correctly. It would help take out some of the tedious clerical plan checking.

This a minor annoyance. When I'm working on the construction drawings I occasionally have to make a minor change to a window or door. Maybe add an egress check to it. Maybe add a comment that it needs to be tempered glass, etc.. Everytime I do this it erased the door/window schedule Manufacturer and Model Code number. Is there a way to prevent this? It should really only erase/reset this info if your changing the height and width of the window. The rest of these changes are options that should affect the manufacturer and model number. Maybe a lock option?

I'm headed to IBS in Orlando to see the new release. My first time to a National builders show. 3 days of fun.

Just curious. I've been moving towards using keynotes more often, but another architect thought that contractors wouldn't like it because they have to search for the information on the plans. So.....is there a point where you can take this too far? Have you ever lost referrals from a contractor that switched to a different architect because they didn't like your new keynote system? I attached my last floor plan. OWENS FINAL 1-COLOR.pdf

It's been a while with this topic, but I just found a great article about why it's so important to have a good keynote system for your drawings. I felt I should share it. http://entrearchitect.com/2014/07/01/the-ultimate-guide-to-streamlining-your-architectural-production-process/ Some of the image examples don't load, but you can view examples of the authors drawings on his website here...... http://www.dmsdesign.us/plans.htm

Thanks guys for the input. I do like that idea. I know when some people own a business, they fantasize about selling it some day so they can retire. But that's really for a bricks and mortar retail type business. As architects, the real value is in our relationships and our rolodex (dam, cell phone). I was thinking of two avenues. Reaching out to a local retired architect that wouldn't mind doing some consulting, just to keep themselves preoccupied or find someone that was on cusp of retiring that wouldn't mind easing me into their area, again for a consulting fee. I'm headed down on Wednesday so I'll feel things out.