joey_martin

Open the window dbx and click on the framing tab.

Use a wall type with no framing for the gable walls.

CAD>LINES>CREATE LINE TYPE> Make a line that says FLEX in it and save it to the library.

There is an option for doors on back in the cabinet dbx

OK...maybe 3 seconds..

Or use railing walls and select the option for POST TO CEILING or POST TO BEAM...boom done in 2 seconds.

When you add roof returns there is a box that allows you to extend the return out a little. Add a couple inches to the return extension so that those lines will go away, and so that it will modeled as it will be built.

Education and experience? I know it sounds flippant, but in all honesty, there really are no Chief Architect shortcuts or automated tools to replace knowing the craft of design and planning. There are some great textbooks available that can assist you in space planning and "standard" room layouts..... http://www.amazon.com/Residential-Interior-Design-Planning-Spaces/dp/0470584734 http://www.amazon.com/Residential-Planning-Design-Jeannie-Ireland/dp/1563673843 As far as Chief goes. There are some blocks, as others have alluded to, that will be of assistance.

I offer training online or I will travel. Email me for info. joeymdp@gmail.com

You need to create pony walls for the daylight area and set the terrain to the proper level. If you are not going to worry about the terrain, then the pony walls will work just fine.

I do all, or most of my details as live camera views....framing comes in very handy if you are providing details.

My template is set up for the way I work and for the way I think. You may not work or think like me, so I'm not sure how much good that would do you. Having said that...that's kinda the point though. You have to put some time into your template to make Chief work the way you work. Sounds to me like many, certainly not all, think that the software should just automatically know what the user is thinking....doesn't work that way. For every minute you put into setting that template up, you will save 2 somewhere down the road. As for the videos, I leave those up to Scott. Training sessions are available though.....https://chieftalk.chiefarchitect.com/index.php?/topic/2967-chief-training/

Ok, I give up then.

Open the wall DBX and under the structure area check the bearing wall box.

Doesn't matter what year the home was built. As long as anything EXTG is marked as such and given a layer for EXISTING and turned off, it doesn't get counted. My guess is many of the remodel guys are already using layers to separate EXTG from NEW, so just uncheck the "M" box for the those items.

Actually it is correct. Again, for the last time on this subject....it counts what there, not whats not there. Stop fighting the program and save yourself the headache. You and your drywall contractor are going to add 10% to the figures you calculate....don't tell me you won't because we both know you will. So if Chief takes out all your doors and windows for you in advance, and you add the industry standard 10%, you are going to have the same number, or better yet, you won't have 10% too much drywall on the job site. Try it...you'll see.

I've had the same template since X1. I bring it with me to new versions and make the needed adjustments, which are minimal. Those of us that "obsess" over getting the model right use the software to do more of the work than those that don't, trust me. I think you would be amazed....no, I KNOW FOR A FACT that you would be amazed at how much time and work you would save yourself by INVESTING time up front into your template and defaults. As for all my free time.....besides completed about 30 homes last year, I also teach high school. I'll go back to beating my head against the wall now.

The materials list doesn't need "that many tweeks" if the model is accurate. One example is in the post above somewhere about drywall. Of course his materials list was wrong....he modeled it that way. If you model with the defaults set up like you want to build the structure, then the materials list will be correct. Your turning user error and frustration into statements of fact, and it isn't fair to CA or to those that want to use the information. You can't personally attest to the accuracy or ease of use of the tool, so stop insinuating that it's worthless. Many...MANY..of the frustrations with the Material List are in fact user error, and poor modeling. Now that statement I present as fact...none of yours are.

Just turn off the MATERIALS LIST option for the layer called FRAMING, RAFTER-EXTG and they won't show. The layer sets are also a good way to control what is shown and what isn't shown on the ML.

Then you are simply passing on information from those that are using the list wrong. Chief will not report something that isn't there, and will report everything that is there. It's that simple.

BOOM!

Again...what inaccuracies? My guys use the list and love it! I would like to give them a heads up.

In my statement above.....there are no hangers, glue, etc in the model. It does however count anchor bolts based on the spacing you tell it to. What calculations are wrong? My builders use the list a lot...never a problem. And Lew, enough already. If you are still using a bunch of "workarounds" to build your models than you need to switch to AutoCAD LT.

Can we ask why? The materials list is accurate to what is in the model. The numbers may not make much sense, but they are correct.

Model it in Chief just like you would build it in the field, for inserts...masonry fireplaces are a different story, but similar. Create a wall type with the correct layers and materials, and model it. Ray is correct about the doorway as well. Just turn the casing off once you place the doorway so that it is just a cutout and the stone will return back to the face of the fireplace.