VHampton

Thanks Glenn. Very interesting. Residential work doesn't always require this intricacy. Meaning that that the average user most likely draws one plan only. One and done so to speak. The benefits of this however are quite interesting, particularly when dealing with possible multiple iterations (options) to show the client. ...it's always great to keep learning. Thank you!

This is tricky. If every apartment were fit neatly together on a layout sheet to create the sum total, that could work. So lets say there were apartments A,B,C,D, E etc... Each .plan file has a viewport which is cropped tight to the outside walls and then joined together on the layout sheet. The groupings of the individual plan files on one sheet will essentially show the sum total floor plan of the entire complex. Each apartment can be stored in the layout file as an individual plan file on some other page. (The plans for each unit can then be modified independently). When going back to the primary layout page, the "overall" apartment plan would illustrate the modifications. Not sure if that helps, but it's a unique way of being able to alter each unit.

I could be wrong, but you could draw just one "apartment" plan. Walls, windows, doors etc. Convert the sum total into a symbol. Import the new symbol back to the primary plan. Then it would be possible to duplicate that one apartment many times over, but as a symbol only. It could be placed side by side with other "clones", in addition to being stacked on top of another module. Not sure if that answers, but it's a plausible option rather than having to draw the same apartment umpteen times. What's great about Chief however is that the build floor tool can repeat the floor below as each new level is created.

Alternatively, the initial house design can be made into a symbol. Import the "symbol" house back into the primary plan, but for use in demonstrating texture and color changes only. So in sum... it's conceivable to create a streetscape with 3 or 4 or 5 identical house in a row. Then switch them up as necessary. Example... Model 1: Siding Type A w/ Trim Type A Model 2: Siding Type B w/ Trim Type B Model 3: Siding Type C w/ Trim Type C etc. etc... The important thing would be to create a new name for the siding and trim on each house "symbol". This way, a material change for siding won't result in a universal change across the board with each model. Most importantly, the original structure wont be changed.

Thanks Jason. This observation is spot on. The wall surface label isn't anywhere near the actual square footage of the wall. I probably have the wrong macro, but that said, thank you. And thanks again Mark. I was monkey typing with the label designations. The glazing input was something which I was trying to show elevation view. It does however appear in the schedule, where the surface area can be done with a high degree of accuracy. Really appreciate the tips.

Thank you Mark. I've tried adding "glazing" a variety of different ways within the macro, and glass area doesn't appear. Having said that, I realize that the sashes are resulting in a larger surface total. In any event, this macro provides a rather helpful approximation. Again, this is new to me, even with the many years of Chief experience. %thermal_envelope_area%

Thank you as well Mark. For years I've been ignoring the value of "rubies" and macros. Somehow I wound up going down the rabbit trails of our old forum and there were some posts circa 2010. Thank you both once again. This is a great help.

Excellent. This is exactly what I was looking for Rene. Thank you so much!!

Thank you so much Rene. I have the macro for width x height, and figured that it should be straightforward enough for a label to indicate "15 sq. ft." Unfortunately I'm not adept enough at the macro process to fully grasp how to make this work. But I will keep at it! Really appreciate the tip.

Is there a way to create a macro for the square footage of a window or door? A local building department requires a glass to wall ratio. If the window label could indicate square footage vs. width and height that would be quite a time saver. Thanks in advance if there is such a thing.

The tray ceiling tool can offer varying depths. The required ceiling "niche" can be as minimal as 2" if necessary. What this does however is "drop" the entire ceiling while leaving the floor components above untouched. (If this is for modeling purposes only, then perhaps it's a viable option.) The cross section however will show the newly added ceiling thickness. Option B... Change the "z" axis offset for the custom light fixture. Calibrate the input so that the flange passes through the sheetrock layer. This might require having to "flatten"/reduce the depth of the symbol to get the bulbs to poke through as well.

This is really clever Adam. Meaning the use of moldings. Within 2 minutes I've got a viable column which is extremely easy to resize in plan view. Better yet, it can made into a symbol for future reference as an "adjustable" column. Thank you!

Everybody's got their something. 3D solid for the columns, w/ a molding for the bases. All of the above work. The cabinet idea was clever. Soffits as well.

Good questions is right... I've just begun using the time tracker after all these years, but lean on the plan view for the results. One way to confirm the time usage is by going to Manage Auto Archives. The auto saves should provide an indicator of the starts and stops on the clock. Both in layout mode and plan mode. To lean on the side of accuracy, the majority (if not all) of the work is done in plan mode vs. layout. Those findings should be more accurate.

Yes... sorry for not adding the details. Per Eric... the auto roofing works incredibly well. My guess is that they were manually constructed perhaps, and this is where that minuscule variation can cause a blip. So you did the right thing in using the rainbow icon to highlight the sheetrock which pointed to the wonky roof. For whatever reason, that section of roof on the left side didn't have a clean edge. When the join roof tool is used, right before they join, look for a slight grey highlight. I could tell that the edge was "off' by the way the left roof kind of turned into a big triangle. (Usually a sign which indicates that you shouldn't join them). Solution... deleted the problematic roof, and copied and pasted the good one from the right side. Problem solved.

All fixed. Roof issue - fix.plan.zip

Frames per second controls the speed. If the 15 is reduced to 7, it's much better, but still on the fast side. Thanks for posting, I'd like to learn more about this as well.

Terrain modifier tools has a flat option. It works like a poly-line. That may cover up the jagged lawn you've got going on there. To answer about the band-aid question... yup. Many grass textured poly-line solids have been made just to perfect the model. Terrain tools have gotten far easier to use with each version however. Looks like you're taming it quite well. All the best.

Thank you Chris. Your observation is spot on. I've got every single "snap" setting turn off. What's deceptive, is that even though the sheetrock looks perfectly aligned on 99% of the plans, often times it's not. I tend to work extremely fast. When the snap tool is toggled off, this allows the mouse flow and object movement to be much more fluid. Maybe it's time to change the approach. : ) Thank you my friend.

Interesting. There's no apparent property setting which would create a mysterious glow. What happens if the porcelain gets changed to another material? Like a color perhaps? Example... the base board and shelving above are fine. Can the toilet take on those properties as a test.

question... what's the material for the symbol? Is it porcelain? (see below) Not emissive. What happens if you use another toilet symbol? Do they all glow like that?

Amazing. Thank you Steve! (and William) That was the fix. Wall control w/ the Inner surface tab. This allowed for the perfect sheetrock merge. (per William). All good. The walls are seamless. Really appreciate the insights. This one particular plan file has been acting up and it's never happened before. That's why I posted the out of the box chief plan, since the issue was happening there as well.

Thank you. It's strange because I noted that as well. When in camera view (overhead perspective) that minor 1/8th offset is enough to force the siding to disappear. So when an outer wall T-bones into the interior walls (at a 3way intersection), I'm trying to figure out which one gets the seniority.

hmmm.... I've got them lined up almost perfectly. Been using CA for over 20 years and this is a first. Here's the project where I can't stop the siding from coming through. The walls are spot on in terms of sheetrock alignment.

Attached is a new plan in X-15. I drew a few outer walls and (1) interior. The exterior siding and sheathing extends into the room despite the int. & ext. walls being aligned. What exactly is the setting to prevent the siding from bleeding through to the interior? Can't seem to figure this one out. I've tried toggling the wall start and end options. No luck. Thank you in advance. Untitled 1.plan