joey_martin

Change the 2"X lumber in the roof defaults to Steel-I and set the distance. The purlins will need to be added manually.

I think you may still be confused. I build/design basements almost exclusively. Chief calls is a post footing. You can set the defaults to go just beneath the slab, with the top of the basement slab, or if no slab is present, you set the top to the amount of exposure you want above the grade.

Anyway...the tool in my post above will clear up the confusion.

Look here...

When you place the post there should be one added automatically. Just set the default(s) for the post type, and the footing type for that post.

Quote

Joey...wondering why you would take the time to send a live detail of a standard foundation section instead of using a detail from a detail plan?

  One plan per project. I know some use multiple plans. A plan for this, a plan for that...too much. I want to be able to click on a view in layout and be sent to the exact spot on my model. All the text and CAD items are in the library, so it's still drag and drop, but the detail is live. I'm sure my method takes a little longer in the end, but I'm ok with it.

Be prepared for multiple answers. 

For me...I use live details. See my process in post #2 of this thread.

Probably not much use to you, but here in the land of beige boxes everything (that I have dealt with) is either 80" or 84". Every now and then on a custom home with tall ceilings we will do 96" across the front elevation to match a large 96" door.

54 minutes ago, Michael_Gia said:

Dumb question, and I'm not trying to be facetious but why is this level of precision so important? 

I mean at the end of the day you are providing instructions on how to build a house. The individual sub-trade, in this case your stair carpenter knows how to build a staircase and railing. He needs the number of steps and the width and he'll figure out the rest. Your customer understands that this is simply a visual representation of the general look of the home in 3D, so unless it's for personal ocd reasons (and we all have that or we wouldn't be using a program such as Chief) then what's the point?

 

I personally draw a line at, "if the carpenter has enough info to build it" then I stop there with the details. 

 

- Michael

Then why bother purchasing a 3D software? Asking for a stair tool to work properly isn't asking for an unrealistic level of precision.

What if need to provide some custom millwork details around the stairs, or some interior elevations for the wall region?

A little off the question, but you might show them this product. I used it in a full remodel a while back. Doo/window trim that is rabbeted, which is a built it j-channel. 

Customer loved it, trim guy loved it.

https://azek.com/products/trim/trimboard#traditional

Add a note to the plan and move on. My guess....you have spent wayyyy tooo much time on this. Every single garage slab, in every single home built that I have designed or prepared plans for over the past 20 years, has a sloped slab, not one is modeled that way.

But...if you really want your section to show a sloped slab. Take the section cut, hit the auto detail tool, select the garage slab fill, and rotate it to your specs. Done, takes 10 seconds.

Don't overthink the layout process. Send your view to layout at the scale you want to the page you want....simple as that. You can use (like I do) a layer set for layouts, but not needed if you only print b/w.

It's a really painless process.

One of biggest time savers has been....

S = switch

O = Outlet

C = Connect

Can whip around an electrical plan in no time. 

I also use the cabinet hotkey you have described.

27 minutes ago, CJSpud said:

I have cobbled together.....

We are way too many versions into a Professional Design Software for that phrase to be mentioned in a thread concerning what is a very, very basic residential design situation.

You said it was an older plan? How many versions back was the original created?

That's how I fixed the issue as well, but the odd...or funny...or, well....I didn't do anything in that plan set except open the floor plan to add a couple framing notes.That was all. I never opened an elevation, or camera view, or anything of the sort, just 2 framing notes and had to update the elevations.

And to add insult to injury.....Added some framing notes, re-ran the PDF so that I could send it to client, and this is what my elevations look like.

20 hours ago, dshall said:

Please  CA,  listen to JPC,  if you can satisfy JPC,  I would venture to guess that your product will appeal to the users who need both production as well as the design/presentation.

And it's not just for presentations. After all the years and all the "fixes", I just spent the better part of an HOUR working on a fairly simple 90d staircase with railing on the bottom part which ends at the wall. Simple right? Had to hit the delete key and draw the staircase 2D. And I am 110% certain I know what I am doing.

The line in the sand I mentioned about a year ago, as to whether it's time for Chief and I to break up, is now just off my heels rather than just ahead of toes.

Clinton Robertson used to use Chief. Not sure if he is licensed in Florida, but may be worth a shot

clintonrobertson@gmail.com

If you use AutoDims they will.

Check the layer for cross section lines.

ONE BILLION DOLLARS...

Break the cross section line and move that half of it 4" so that it doesn't cut through the wall.

Not to hi-jack...but was this Thane's office? I had the occasion to meet, and befriend Thane through the AIBD and here on ChiefTalk. Spent some time with him in Boston.

4 hours ago, Kenoeightspot said:

Place the window on level 1 then in Elevation view move up to attic.

That to me would be a BIG no-no...the window is displayed on the wrong floor and as sure as I am sitting here, that window will get framed into the first floor wall. I would add a note on the elevation that reads; ATTIC WINDOW xx" X xx" TO BE CENTERED IN ATTIC WALL W/ R.O. PER MFG INSTRUCTIONS.

But that me...

Are the labels in the center of the contour line?

Hardcoded to be in the center point?