johnny

I bought one of these exact laptops for my engineer - and she loves it. Runs Chief well.

I was an Apple fan-boy for over a decade and still love their consumer gadgets (iPad/Apple Watch etc). However, when Apple started using standard components (intel etc) inside their systems and went away from dedicated dual processors in their Pro options I didn't understand why the hardware costs stayed so high. I'm finishing a new build right now on a 10 core system - better than what the new Imac Pro spec'd out - and I will be under $3k. That same system from Apple is $8k (lesser spec'd). Apple is cool and all, but spending $5k MORE on a computer that is simply going to depreciate rapidly and need to be replaced in a couple years doesn't seem like a wise investment.

Honestly - I wouldn't get either one. I've always liked the Asus ROG - which is one of the best gaming laptops out there. Gaming laptops make great Chief Architect systems typically since the resources needed are in line with each other. https://www.asus.com/us/Laptops/ROG-G703/ http://store.asus.com/us/item/201710AM260000001/-ASUS-ROG-G703VI-XH74K-Gaming-Laptop%2C-17.3-inch-144Hz-G-SYNC%2C-Overclocked-Core-i7-CPU-and-GTX-1080-8GB%2C-32GB-DDR4%2C-512GB-PCIe-SSD-%2B-1TB-SSHD ...or if that is too expensive, Alienware is another good option http://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/dell-laptops/alienware-17/spd/alienware-17-laptop/dkcwkblg0744

Thanks - that was it.

Im getting an odd double dashed line in an X9 made file opened in X10 - something i've not seen before. Double-dashed lines are displaying - one in line with the drywall and the other the opening itself. I want to keep the opening dashed line - but not the drywall aligned one. Anyone have an idea? I checked my layers and didn't see anything selected that shouldn't be.

All those other apps you mention have surely been programed with Windows Surface Pro pen in mind - that is a huge difference compared to X5 which wasn't even contemplated for that type of use. I hope you aren't thinking this is Chief's fault. 1st thing i would do is reinstall both Chief and then the driver for the pen. I've had way over 50% of every computer issue been solved that way.

I have to say this is the kind of thing Chief really FAILS at - since they so far haven't allowed the ability to get in and edit surfaces or sub-objects to clean up non-automated conditions that are left incorrect. I feel the OP's pain.

I wasn't thinking so much about less flexibility but the fact if you want to draw the molding line where 90% of the time you'd want it - that is technically wrong, on top of the fact the terminology for settings isn't correct either. If you draw the molding poly counter-clockwise like you said (obviously the correct way), then it models the molding inside the line (which is rarely used like that i would imagine). Just seems backwards in every way....though not a huge deal. Just interesting is all.

Yep, counter-clockwise did reverse everything - but then you have to go into the molding and un-check "extrude inside". That is interesting though - so both direction of drawing a molding line and creating a modeling profile impacts the sync between those two things. Thanks for the info. However, don't you think this is kinda odd? Its almost like picking your poison.

Yeah I am following now. However, don't you feel this is reverse of how it should be?...i actually think this is a mistake by Chief, and that is why its confusing if you have a closed molding poly. Here is a video to explain. (or maybe i am wrong)

I dont fully follow - can you look at my video and explain what you're saying compared to the results i'm getting...? It seems to be reverse of what you're saying....but i know you know what you are talking about so its confusing.

Its not so much about being "upside down" as much as being drawn the correct direction. You need to draw your molding profile visual edge facing left. If you do that it should show correctly each time. If you draw it facing right then it will appear "upside down".

If you simply match the spans each side it will fix itself. Obviously the span you have on gable is larger than the other side. This is using auto-roofs if that is what you are doing. Manual fix: If you take the "front" gable and just flip it along the ridge you should be golden.

Thanks again, but one thing odd is I was looking through layers myself seeing what is used and that I could turn off, but the layer that is using shows as not being used. Bug?

Thank you!!

Sometimes I workup modification concepts (floor plan only) based upon existing plans I have for developments etc. However, if I have roof plan for a home that i dont want to mess around and fix for the floor plan concept, is there a way to turn off the "clearance" or "full height" lines that show up on the floor plan? Is that a layer? Thanks!

Apple's professional Imac products are for sale, and they are purposed for our industry (as well as others). Very spendy, but their focus is cores as well. I really think for processors cores are the biggest deal. If Scott got a quad core system like he probably already had then that is probably causing the disappointment. Apple's entry level "Pro" computer is $5k.

The key is cores i find. I currently use 6 cores but right now building a new machine that will have 12. We have both 4 and 6 core machines in our office and the 6 core machines really have a noticeable difference. Also, the new Titan video cards are speed demons. If you look at the price of Mac vs building your own system you can have 10x the system in PC world for the price of a Mac. To me its just not worth the nice looking hardware to give up on speed. i9 https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819117811 Video Card https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIADRA5YN3915&cm_re=titan_video-_-9SIADRA5YN3915-_-Product or https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIADRA68J8413&cm_re=titan_x-_-9SIADRA68J8413-_-Product You pair that up with SSD and 32 gig ram you will scream.

Sorry, I took your question as designing the entire project when you said "i will be creating full plans"....I took "full" as all the drawings for construction. I've had some experience with clients coming to us after having what they thought was a plan set for their multi-unit buildings (over 2 per IRC). The "designer" had all their notes and details based upon IRC - and the client asking us just to seal the drawing set. Not only are their differences in ingress/egress and major/minor code differences, but firewall assemblies/fire protection systems can be budget breakers if you don't plan for that type of construction from the start. Good luck on your project.

Are you an architect? The project you are describing sounds like you will be subject to the IBC - not IRC. This type of project requires an architect to be intimately involved through the process. Its not a matter of "post-design" getting your engineer to review the plans and calling it good. An Architect may sign off (sometimes) on a home here and there that might require an architectural seal, but its unimaginable that would happen on a "development of condominiums". The IBC is a completely different ballgame that requires stringent design adherence through all phases. In this day and age its not something you can just wing, and we've been called into clean up several "messes" by designers thinking they could. Trust me, it didn't end well for the designer. Just a fair warning...

Thx - That explains it well. In the back of my mind I was hoping it had something to do with "edge"/profile lines - but i see now its just all the same type of line in the drawing.

Chief isn't particularly strong in 2d - that is for sure.

Honestly i have no clue what that box checked is even supposed to do - i can see what it does, but what is the point exactly? Initially I thought this may be for "profile" lines, but that didn't turn out to be the case....or its not working correctly. I love the idea of profile lines but that isn't working how profile lines would be used. Its been brought up at one of Scott's webinars but i'm not even sure anyone there fully understood it.

Hey Glenn, I would say I expect the layout file to display the same file it references. Right now, it will automatically display the newly formed file but not link to it. If Chief just had us manually change everything I would be fine with that too - just looking for consistency.

Yeah so if I have an open layout file, with all existing links, but then do a "save-as" on the plan file with a change in name the layout file automatically updates to show the newly formed file - but when you "drill" down (open) the link is still the old file.