robdyck

First I'd suggest building a roof and then checking your camera views again. Everything looks fine on my system, even without a roof. Secondly, try creating a light set to use in that camera view.

He means the plan file. The plan file needs the be closed before posting in the forum. If the file is too big, you can zip it up, or post a drop box / google drive link.

I'm not sure I can help without digging into your plan file. This is what I have displayed when I place the windows on a separate demo layer. Do you have the exterior casing layer turned on?

Hey Jim, for your application, the tray ceiling really isn't the right tool. The Tray ceiling tool is really best used for larger areas and to easily create the raised portion. For tray ceiling that is simply built down, like yours, the soffit tool is the best option because you can set it to build directly under the ceiling and you can apply moldings / lights to a soffit. If none of those options are needed, then there's nothing wrong with using 3d solids. Keep in mind that 3d solids have line weight display issues when toggling between views so they may not display correctly in your final plan set.

It's because your drywall layer is marked as framing. Uncheck Framing and Auto detail as insulation (Auto detail as insulation doesn't affect the 3d build) and it will build correctly.

The plan file must be closed before zipping and posting the link.

Yes, just uncheck framing in the roof structure definition. And adjust the structure layers to be representative of the SIP...this could be all the layers, or just a single layer for more simplistic modeling.

The solution to this is to print to pdf using a high resolution, then convert the pdf to a jpg. There are many free online tools for this.

@vikiw_bendGlad to help!

Nope...but I could be wrong.

Select from the library (single click) and then place in plan view (another single click). It drops in as a 10'x10' polyline that you can then reshape.

I don't think there's much about this process that you would like! I would probably consider creating a millwork symbol with stretch planes that you can add to each window and manually resize. Here's what experimented with: Window Frame: width: 1" / Depth: 3.5" / Inset: 0" Window Sash: Inset: 1" Window Casing: off Window Sill: custom molding drawn in section view, Extend: 1" / Inset: 2 1/2" Wall: Drywall layer = Air Gap (I know...nobody would want to do this, but this removes the drywall from view at the top of the sill) Custom molding for bullnose drywall, created in section cut, added to library, then drawn in an elevation view and manually snapped to drywall. Result:

If you still need help, feel free to email me or send me a PM.

This happens only when a polyline is converted to a molding. Instead, select the molding from the library and draw on the intended surface using the Molding Line tool. If you start with cad lines, just leave them there and draw over them with the Molding Line tool, using them as snap references. I have reported this to Chief a long time ago...as soon as it became a problem actually. Keep in mind that the Molding Polyline tool will draw moldings at some interpretation of 90 degrees from what is intended. This is why it is better to use the Molding Line tool and then complete the shape once the molding has been established. Also reported...but not fixed.

Disconnect Selected Edge. This tool shows up at the bottom when you single click on a polyline (needs more than one segment). I'll get a notification if you use the @JKreider format!

At the driveway, you have 2 elevation regions / lines either overlapping or touching. I'd suggest pulling back the elevation line for the asphalt driveway away from the region of the concrete. Conflicting elevation data is kinda like having Jell-O touching your potatoes and gravy!

I'd also suggest removing and cropping almost all terrain lines beyond the terrain perimeter.

In this area, you have overlapping conflicting terrain elevation data; an elevation line and an elevation region. Delete the elevation line, and alter the region so it does not intersect the retaining wall. This statement is not referring to the elevation lines which also need to be cut back from the ret. wall.

Keep in mind that there are times when a Retaining Wall is a bit annoying in the way it connects to other walls and the way it affects the terrain elevation. When, and only when this is a nuisance, I switch to a terrain break and then I will model the retaining wall using slabs, solids, molding or whatever is the most suitable, like a concrete lock block from Chief's Library. A terrain retaining wall transitions the elevation data within the width of the wall. A terrain break can be set to transition much wider (120" is default) or much narrower so you can 'bury' this transition within other objects. Regardless of which tool you use, the terrain elevation data should not cross over or extend into this transitional boundary. As a general rule of thumb, I like to keep elevation data (points or lines) 1" away from my retaining wall or from the terrain break transition boundary.

You can drawn a L shape, then disconnect the new line in order to extend it in the opposite direction. A T will not work. Bad Example: T drawn by drawing the molding L line back on itself and extending beyond the perpendicular segment: Instead:

You can draw invisible walls in the garage that align with the 2nd floor exterior walls. This will allow you to have varying ceiling heights in the garage. The portion of the garage under the 2nd floor will maintain the default ceiling height (ceiling elevation equals underside of floor joists) while the portion of the garage with a roof over it can have it's ceiling height lowered.

For this purpose, you could use a different strategy. In your roof plan, turn on the layer for Opening Header Lines and turn off the layer for Doors. Adjust the layer color and line style to suit your needs. 20250125-1604-40.1543108.mp4

You will probably need to draw in a custom ceiling plane. Start at the the inside of the exterior wall and draw up towards the ridge line. Once you've adjusted the length front-to-back, copy / reflect the ceiling plane about the ridge line.

You could make a series of insulation cad blocks adjusted for various roof slopes. Then add them to your library for future use. I've done this but mine all indicate blow-in insulation. And if you set the insertion point, it's single click placement from the library. 20250124-1636-28.0839244.mp4