robdyck

Depending on the level of accuracy that you'd like to model, you can use a floor truss to replicate the webs (adjust component sizes and material) and you can use a joist to act as the top chord. This will provide a simplified level of modelling. If you need more accurate modelling, then of course 3d symbols will need to be imported or created. Awhile back I created my own in 4' incremental lengths. My method: Create a symbol for the top & bottom chord with a suitable stretch plane. use a 3d molding to create the webs. marquee select and convert to a symbol with stretch planes near the ends to maintain the clip lengths. Joist the floor using the closest length joist and stretch or shrink as needed. Not perfect, but looks very close.

While it works to mull windows and doors, it doesn't always work well. In these situations, I use a fixed door for the windows. You can adjust the dimensions to look similar to the windows and they will mull much nicer. Make sure the side lites have the same top elevation as the door.

There are some limited options; for example you can control the text position 3 ways relative to the marker (towards, centered ,away) and you can set a minimum length for the marker in order to increase the marker offset. You can also customize some of the text for located elevations within the Story pole defaults. Some manually located elevations can't be customized ahead of time. We can't choose dashed leader lines and solid dimension lines though. I have used a similar graphic setup similar to your reference image and I found that the quickest way to implement this was to use a CAD block. This gives full graphic control and customization, but requires some manual work to adjust the dashed reference lines to match the building's elevations. But, it also allows you to use a single CAD block for every elevation / section view.

@ComputerMaster86

Here's a preview list of details from my library: ICF Details: Windows: General Construction:

Yes, one could develop the habit of hitting F11 for a very quick switch to alter this behavior. Good reminder!

No you're not. That's how the construction lines work, although I agree with you. The behavior for objects to bump up against construction lines should be different for walls. It seems logical that we'd want the walls to snap to construction lines using the exterior of the walls' main layer. Because construction lines aren't a requirement for home plans, I only use them in large and complex projects where they will provide an obvious benefit to myself and those using the plans. Where I do find construction lines helpful is as reference lines to locate a foundation step (for example) in plan and elevation / section view. I usually have them on a reference layer that only displays in my working views and not my final plans.

Hi Ange, I can't tell you why Chief does this but it's them, not you:) Some items simply don't rebuild or update when other items are adjusted or rebuilt. I would expect that if you moved back to your plan view, select a single material region, open / close without changing anything, the material regions should rebuild. It's possible that only the selected material region will rebuild and if that's the case, then select all mat regions using the match properties tool, open / close with no adjustments, then go back to the camera view. Another option in that camera view, would be to select the left wall, open / close with no adjustments. Also, it's possible that F12 might rebuild them but often F12 doesn't rebuild these items in this type of scenario.

For anybody interested, I'm making my 3d detail files available for purchase for your own use / modification for your plans. My detail plan files contain multiple 'vignettes' of construction per plan which is far more efficient than a stand-alone model. These multiples allow for extremely simple and quick replication within the plan file for detailing construction methods that are similar, but have different components. The cameras can be replicated along with the model components allowing for matching image generation. If you were to start from scratch, you'd have to allow at least 200 hours to create what's contained in my plan files. Here's what you'd get from me: Cad file template for annotating the details to fit evenly on a layout page (you may need to adjust the size to suit your page) 9 Chief Architect plan files based on various construction 'themes' containing about 150 detail vignettes. Windows - Interior Windows - Exterior ICF construction SIP construction I-Joist construction Floor Truss Construction Concrete Foundation Construction Various Construction Various Construction Approx. 130 images generated from these plan files - ready to use or replace (keep in mind you'll probably only use about 30 on an ongoing basis) Many have been created for specific projects and may not be relevant. CAD Block library items; some older ones that I no longer use would need editing or replacing, but most are good-to-go. Keep in mind that text replacement based on your preferred font can be an issue that will require some time on your part. Plenty of great materials (in the files) that make Chief Architect look much better than what Chief provides. If there's any interest, send me a PM and I can give more information. If there's any significant interest, I could follow up with a video as well as a demonstration of use. One example:

You'd need to post the plan file for someone to inspect and then offer a solution.

I'm also available. Feel free to send me a personal message or you can find my contact info from my website (link is in my signature).

Check for the display of this layer: Slabs

I've drawn a Quonset renovation, but not a home. Same concept, just different use of the space.

I see you don't have those block fences at the default bottom height. If you're okay with manually adjusting the wall top / bottom, then a quick fix is to uncheck railing and manually adjust the top of those walls. A couple of cad lines in section view are helpful before doing this, just to locate the current top of wall. Then, uncheck 'use room ceiling finish' for the roof plane.

It only takes a bit of outside-of-the box thinking in regards to defining rooms. A bit of trial and error using invisible walls to define the rooms and it's pretty simple to figure out what works and what doesn't. Otherwise, it's just a matter of properly using roof planes, ceiling planes, and skylights. Is it easy for a newbie? Probably not.

@mtldesigns I have a library of about 120 3d details and I can easily create more. 3d details is almost all I use. I can create them for you on an as-needed basis. I can provide just the detail, or the detail with the plan file. I'll also sell my 3d detail plan files and library for those who are interested. I'm always available to give a bit of a demo and show you what I have and how you can modify it. As a starting point, my 3d detail plans could save you about 200 hours, plus they come with a lot of great materials.

I have my framing set to use a solid fill, layer color, 88% transparent. Simple and it works well for colored working views and b&w printed views.

Poche...useless until it fills an attic.

Unfortunately this won't work because the CSV file isn't using point data. For a CSV file to work, you need x,y,z coordinates for each point. When you only have a pdf there really won't be any super quick way to model the terrain, but I can offer a bit of advice. I'd start by importing the pdf and aligning it. I like to draw a transparent cad mask over top of it to soften it's visual effect. I'd recommend placing elevation points around the perimeter of the property using the pdf as a tracing guide, starting with the 5' increment points only. Then build the terrain and visually compare the generated contour lines. Draw some CAD grid lines to evenly divide the property and repeat that process using elevation points. Don't over do it! Start with a center grid line, and then keep 'halving' those spaces as needed. Using your grid lines as a reference for placing elevation points, compare Chief's contours to the survey plan. Add elevation points on your grid lines to match up with the survey primary contours. Fill in the 'blanks' with more elevation points, on your grid, aligning with the survey secondary contours only where it is clearly needed. Use elevation polylines or splines to replicate the primary contours ONLY in a smaller area around where the buildings are located. Use a CAD polyline around the building so you can cleanly control the start and end of the elevation lines. Experiment by making the CAD polyline around the buildings, say 50' larger all the way around. Increase only there is an obvious need or benefit. There's probably no need for elevation lines for the entire property, plus Chief will slow down to be unusable. Make sure elevation lines do not end too close to your own elevation points, just to avoid conflicting data.

Email sent!

Perhaps it could be as simple as turning off the 3d Patterns layer for the layer set used in the view with the schedule? Just a thought...

Yes, all you need to do is apply some math within that macro. Better yet would be to use the Ruby console in order to find additional data for that specific object.

If you post your plan file, someone will be able to provide you with the specific solution. If posting your plan file publicly doesn't work for you, you could always consider paid consultation where you have the benefit of confidential communication. Either way, you'll get specific solutions in a very timely fashion. Help on the forum is free, but you may be surprised at how much you can learn or how many problems can be addressed in a 30-60 minute consultation.

This might be worth a one-on-one conversation with a consultant. I only use live section views with minimal additions of cad items for section views. This suggests to me that you would probable benefit by sharing your files with an expert and discussing solutions to those issues. It could be as simple as layer management, or more complex relating to the actual model. Feel free to send me a PM if you'd like to explore that. Alternatively, for the purpose of this forum, it would be best if you post your plan or at least good images of your sections views with very clear descriptions of what you don't like and the kind of improvements you'd like to see.