johnny

...or you could just import a rug from the library and then reassign a texture (and map) to the rug symbol.

For my workflow I typically dont know exactly the page size/scale etc while I am working on the fundamental design elements of the plan. Therefore, having to make a layout file serves as a "view" portal does seem cumbersome. I do agree with you guys that this is something that should be handled in the plan file. I dont understand why this couldn't simply be accessed in the Project Browser. After all, Chief has stored this data when its sent to layout, as evidenced in the existing functionality - so it should be a simple addition to the app.

Chief's logic isn't the same as other apps. In Chief walls are a means to an end - and the end being a "Room". Rooms are "king" in Chief, and you need to think of walls as as merely the mechanism to create a room...and a room is where the main control exists. This took me some time to wrap my mind around, since you must consider ingenious methods that aren't intuitively obvious in order to model certain conditions. Your Parapet wall is trying to enclose the room since 9 times out of 10 that is what the user wants the wall to do. I have to admit, there are speed gains in this logic - but takes some getting used to. As for the railings - yes, that is a method that will get the visual you want - however the 1/2 wall would give you more correct framing models if that was important to you. You can manually set the height of a 1/2 wall, and a 1/2 wall won't automatically build to the roof plane.

I guess I was wondering if there was a way to do that inside the "plan" file alone...without the layout file.

If you really think about it, we currently send "Saved Views" to Layout. It can be a combination of Layersets, Annosets, floors, and floor ref into a saved view that is encapsulated on the layout page. However, apart from that one instance of the saved view there isn't anything that can be immediately accessed inside the actual .plan file to get to a view that contains all of the above settings. Is that true? I realize we can save an annoset that turns on a certain layerset, but we still have to select the correct floor and then turn on the ref display....or is there some faster way to do this?

What ive done for parapet walls is use 1/2 walls on the attic level. I then setup ceiling framing to act as the roof and then denote slope etc. 1/2 walls dont connect to the roofs, and you get a nice cap on the top of the wall if you want. Looking at your pic, you may want to make a custom wall that had siding on both sides of the parapet as well.

I gave you some love Michael. +1 However, this an interesting time to again make a point about Chief that is so unique. As the OP said, in Revit (like in Vectorworks) the tools you would use identify with the operation (more so). "Wrap Finishes" around an edge...a feature designed to affirmatively (that is the key word) complete the action that needs to be done.. In Chief, the solution is to manually edit the framing wall layer in a way that would allow Chief to automatically build the Sheatrock around the unfinished edge. That is a repeating scenario across many Chief's tools and operations.

I personally would try this method first, since there are some interesting advantages (moldings, better framing details, etc) if you can make that work. You could even use curved walls to give the edges a radius (if your seating allowed).

I think the difference is that you can't "explode" the objects while keeping sub-component integrity, but you can explode the surfaces. You should separate what you want in Sketchup and export/import your "objects" individually.

That is pretty solid qty numbers, so id say you'd be best served leasing (or buying, but I like to lease) a KIP. You want a toner based printer, not inkjet for the #'s you are talking.

Do you want me to email you the myriads upon myriads of pictures I could use as examples..? I see way more crap design than I do good design...and yes, I do believe that is based upon lax regulation on who should be designing structures. Id say its more an exception than the rule to see non-architects who know what they are truly doing. To me it feels like back in the 90's where the transition from "Graphic Designer" to anyone with MS Publisher could call themselves one. Software is making it too easy to BS....

I copied what you did as best I could and had very little trouble. My file size was 2.89meg....so not sure whats happening with yours.

Id say the opposite. The more professionals doing the design the better housing will become (and no, I am not just talking architects). I see too many hideous new homes that reinforce that belief.

Personally, this isn't a place where I would use an auto-dormer... in fact, I rarely use that tool.

As software is becoming more and more "automated" I think things have to go this way - and I hope it does. WAY too many pretenders who view the software as "the business" and think they can BS their way through a set of plans. We need more restrictions IMO while also grandfathering in existing designers in some fashion.

That is a good point too, and I realize now after using Chief's built-in PDF system is that CA prints in Vector (which is sharp) vs using Adobe's print driver it converts to an image. Upping the DPI would probably make sense, but the option to print in Vector is perfect.

BINGO...that did it Ben, thanks.

So i've been trying to work with greyscale prints, and I dont know how to get the result from CA such the text isn't blurry. The print preview by Chief looks great, and then the print itself is pixelated. Below is the print preview screen capture and then the PDF result. Are there settings I can change to get more crisp text and lines?

There is a specific Forum for "HomeDesigner" https://hometalk.chiefarchitect.com/ This forum is the for All-Pro version of Chief Architect.

lol.... so I sent an email request for invite! Looking forward to it.

Id just add that if you go this route make sure you don't change your "angle" accidentally. Its easy to do, and I was having that problem until someone on the forums pointed that out.

I'm with Scott on this - paint what looks good and sometimes it can be more creative to use "tactile" tools like the "paint" tool.

I'm the JPC that never shows to workshops if you are the same scott that never sends me the invite through your normal email...=) I dont know why I never get whatever initial invite you send me. Whenever ive been able to make it is when you or someone else directly emails me. One of those workshops would be very cool.

so to be clear are you saying you keep basement and foundation plan on level 0? ...or are you saying you've never done it that way?

I wish I saved the file at that point, but what I did was go back and manually edit things to get it working again. I can tell you I had many "issues"...but mostly where Floor 1 areas not fully encapsulated by the floor 2 perimeter was causing problems.