robdyck

@rockyshepheard Hey Rockney, I took a quick look at your plan. The problem you mentioned will almost certainly go away once you have your rooms defined. That 'artifact' is due to the 'hole' that was in the floor, as opposed to a defined room (Open Below). Just draw railing around what I assume is the stairwell, define the room, and delete the 'hole polyline'.

Of course you need to balance what's efficient for your fee structure versus the permitting requirements. In my region there's a massive disconnect between what builders want to pay for plans and want included in a set of plans, and what permitting officials want to see on a set of plans. Here, it is quite normal that many pages of a full set of plans never make it into the hands of the trades or suppliers, but stop at the permit desk. But, to your point, I'd keep my spec's and notes on the plan set, and not in a separate page format. I find it to be a real time waster going between 2 different layout sizes, then different pdf files.

A few more options could be given within the dbx to aid in modelling these windows. -first off, there should be a jamb liner option that is separate from the window frame. The jamb liner would mimic the frame but to the interior only but would follow the opening only, not the window units. In the past, I've replicated this by using a pass-through window or door in the same location as a 'troublesome' window (just for better control of the casing). -we should be able to specify the depth of the frame at the mullion. Currently, the dbx for mulled units leads us to believe we can control it, but then we realize that the mullion Chief produces is separate from the frame. -we could use an option to add an astragal or other trim molding to cover the mullion.

Can you post screen shots of your printing process, or a screen capture video of the process? It'll make it easier to troubleshoot.

Great tip to eliminate that stringer line on elevation / section drawings where concrete steps are used!

Here's the plan for anyone who wants to use / modify it. I'm going to keep playing with this to see what I can modify to turn it into a symbol that doesn't mess with anything else. Bay Window.plan

I've made a bay window that properly matches a factory built vinyl bay window. So what's the best way to be able to reuse this work? Do I attempt to convert it to a symbol, or an architectural block? Is it simplest to just save the plan, and then group select and copy the items from there when I need them in a different plan? It has a lot of different parts: Pony walls, windows, solids, moldings, 3d moldings, exterior corner trim.

One other benefit is the quickness when a slight alteration is required. Its easy to replicate everything a uniform dimension and edit the affected portions of the new detail. Of course, I agree that when a new detail is complete, it's a good habit to place it in it's own CAD detail.

For me, I only place the details in a template if I KNOW they'll be used, for example, a layout template with details for 1 specific builder who maintains their specs for all projects. Where I work, every builder has different specs and many of them change specs on different projects which makes detailing a laborious task.

Do you find it easier to 'search' them when they're all on one screen? Otherwise, you would just create a CAD Detail for each drawing, and name it to match the detail, but then you'll end up searching by a list instead of visually.

An idiot like myself is just gonna type what I need! For example, mechanical room equipment labels, I just typed them out and made a block of the text and saved to my library of text items. Why...Because I don't want every other fixture on a basement plan to have its label on. Sure it doesn't use the program's ultimate capabilities, but it's dead simple. Each user needs to decide what works for them, but it seems like label layer capability would be a welcome addition to the feature list.

For residential drawings I NEVER use the terms 'north' 'south' etc to describe a building's elevation drawings. I only include a North Arrow on site plans and it does indeed point North. On site, few people know where north is, but everyone knows where the front is.

As far as I know, currently we are unable to specify layers for labels.

I can't get this to work (the way I'd like) because my windows have 'frames'. The frames remain along the mullion and aren't affected by the "mullion depth' settings. If the frames are removed, then the thin mullion can be made to disappear, but not using a value of zero. Also, removing the frames creates additional problems which affect the accurate sizing and appearance of the windows, the display of casings, and some control of materials. Example: to replicate the removed frame, the casing reveals need to be adjusted (faked). On the exterior, a negative overlap to simulate the frame size, means the face of the frame takes the exterior casing material, instead of the exterior sash material. It also means you can't properly replicate the depth or thickness of the window frame. One of the challenges in modelling this is that many types of windows (in real) have 2 separate components that Chief uses the 'frame' to represent. The 'frame' which wraps the sashes and is part of the structure of the window is different from the interior 'jamb' or 'liner' which can vary in its depth based on the wall thickness and provide the finished surface to the interior of the window.

You can't remove that. It's super lame.

Chances are its on top because of the order in which it was placed in your plan. Furniture objects will all be in the same drawing group by default. Simply use this tool to place it behind the other objects. Or specify the drawing group in the 'Layer' Tab of the dialog box.

Corrupted Library Item UPDATE I've been frustrated by a corrupted library item for years. I finally figured out a simple method to delete it that worked! In the library browser, I group selected an 'unimportant' item along with the corrupted item. I was then able to move them to the trash. I then moved the 'keepers' back to the user library, and emptied the trash. At last, the corrupted library item is gone! I was too scared to follow Michael's suggested method; export then deleting the entire user library just made me nervous.

Does anyone know how to get a framing material texture to follow the direction of the framing members? I've seen examples of this, but can't reproduce it with my own textures.

OK. Create a Cross Section / Elevation view, and save the view. Within that view you can add CAD items like text and dimensions, etc. For what you've descirbed, I'd create the view cutting the sloped ceiling and landing. Then you can add a CAD line or points and dimension as needed. https://www.chiefarchitect.com/videos/watch/16/cross-section-elevation-views.html?playlist=102

Hey Chris, have you read "APPENDIX Q TINY HOUSES" (not shouting, just pasting!) Checkout section AQ102.2.1.2. Headroom.

If you hover your cursor where the taskbar and Chief meet, a dragging arrow should appear and you may be able to drag the taskbar down to its minimum height. I have a feeling your taskbar may at some point have been inadvertently adjusted.

You can change those properties in the 'Define Material' dialog box. Just copy the existing material, rename it and adjust.

Here's my version of Rachel's stairs: and yes I have nothing else to do -2 landings at the bottom -p-solid for stringer/trim at wall (for correct grain direction) -p-solids for vertical members -added lights to represent light rail below the handrail

My example was an existing rendering from a previous project and was only meant to illustrate the technique / methods. It's very simple to drag those railing walls under the stairs, or drag the stairs over the wall. To edit the wall shape, take a section view of the wall from the stair side. That way you can edit the walls shape to the 'cross section lines' of the stair. If you'd like more specific help, zip and post your plan. Once you've accomplished it, please post some more images!