robdyck

@Steve_Nyhof Could probably chime in on creatively using schedules to sort out various area totals! I think a good summary is this: Nothing is entirely automatic...unless you setup perfect systems and then never deviate from those systems. In my opinion and in my own practice, perfection has been difficult to achieve because there are so many variables that go into a project. Customer preferences, land use bylaws, building codes, regional methods can all vary significantly. I just had a project where I tested some of the more creative ways to use the Room Schedule tools to total various areas. I could achieve accurate totals as long as I included at least 1 or 2 decimal places, needed to circumvent the totaling error from adding up multiple rounded values. I was not willing to include decimals in my area tables, nor was I willing to report inaccurate information, even if it is only slightly inaccurate. And while I would love a RONCO quality schedule for area reporting (set it and....FORGET IT!!!), I have instead opted to make the polyline method part of my work flow to ensure accuracy. Using colored polylines, adjusted near the end of the project, also provides you with a very simple visual cue to what is being reported and where it is positioned. Contrast that to hunting through the list of included room items in a schedule, in a tiny dialog box that can't be expanded, is (for me) a great way to ensure an error or omission. It's also worth noting that the polyline method combined with Custom Schedules and Custom Object Fields can eliminate the need for macro writing or out-sourcing macros. In short, as your system progresses in complexity, the likelihood of user error will increase.

As long as you have very controlled room uses, you can create a myriad of simple schedules that simply include or exclude certain rooms. If you rename rooms, or need to shift a room from one category to another, this can be prone to user error, so you would need a crystal clear room naming convention that you adhere to with a cult-like devotion. I still use polylines...I have a few other uses for them anyway so I don't mind.

So...we just need Chief to consult with people who know how homes are built! Obviously the problem with manually providing the heel height info the way I have been is more prone to typo's or forgetting updates. I've made errors at least twice since I started including the heel height (which I did as soon as you could use schedules for roofs). Luckily, the truss guys know to call and ask if there's an issue...and they still thank me for giving them this info because no one else does!

It's important to note that the heel height does not always report correctly in the roof dialog. It seems to be an internal calculation of the baseline height minus the top plate height, but there are times when chief reports the top plate height incorrectly in the roof dialog and then the heel height also reports incorrectly. This is even when all rooms are exact and according to defaults, and even when all baselines are in the exact correct position. The baseline elevation is an exact and absolute elevation whereas the heel height is relative and not always exact. Chief would absolutely have to do some work to ensure more accurate reporting of the heel height and the top plate height before allowing use of these values. I always include the heel height value in a roof schedule by just using a Custom Field, and you have to be careful not to just regurgitate what Chief's roof dialog is showing. Obviously the likelihood of these values reporting incorrectly increases with the complexity of the roof.

As far as I know, using a convert pdf to jpg tool is still the simplest way.

I only suggest turning the marker on for inspection purposes. Another useful inspection tool for this is dimensioning in section view. You will notice that Chief will create a point marker when you try to dimension to the top of a railing cut by the section. This sort of tells us that we can't really locate rails with the dimension tool (at least that's my conclusion). Summary: If I needed to move the dimension away from the railing, I would also simply add a point marker or cad line and dimension to that (exactly what you alluded to).

A simple clue as to what Chief is locating can be found by going to the Extensions / Markers tab and checking 'Draw Marker'. You'll see that Chief is locating the top of plate. Because it's an auto-locate, it jumps to a different top of plate locate when the dimension is moved. The 'Why' I can't answer...just the 'what'. You should also notice that once that dimension is moved away from the wall, it is probably next to impossible (if not entirely) to locate the top of the railing. A point marker is needed.

For the roof, single-click on one plane's bottom edge, press '2', then single-click on the opposing plane's bottom edge. That will join them to form a level valley which you can take care of however you see fit.

20260528-2049-32.6272496.mp4

One of the cleanest ways I can quickly come up with is to add wall coverings to rooms. Of course, the wall covering height and elevation needs to be specified manually. Follow this by editing the component for the wall covering (I chose ID: General and Accounting Code: 5300 - Painting Interior). Then, create a materials list polyline on a per room room basis or apply the wall covering to as many rooms as needed. Keep in mind that Rooms don't report to the materials list, so if multiple rooms are included in the mat. list, you can't really identify the source of each paint material, unless you can figure out a macro to place in one of the available component fields that will report the name (I haven't figured that out). Of course, you can manually enter the room name in one of the available fields. But, this will allow you to create a material list for that category only by choosing which columns to include.

Your best bet is to look through the Armstrong Flooring catalog. If you don't have it, you can download by following the link below. https://www.chiefarchitect.com/3d-library/index.php?r=site/detail/709

Try making the same drawer using framing members. Just model it 'flat' in plan view (this will give you the mitering option). Then convert to symbol and rotate as needed. It might also be a material mapping issue after the symbol is created. Can you post an empty plan with the 3d solids as well as the completed drawer front?

All you need to do is select a molding profile for the interior sill from the library. That will provide a separate field for the Interior Sill Molding in the Materials Tab. Unfortunately, this profile needs to be the correct size in the library and even then, it will build to the bottom of the window frame. AFAIK, There is no setting to adjust the reveal of a window sill.

I also noticed it's not there anymore. But, there are higher res images available at Boral's website.