robdyck

Just tried it again using Windows 10 Display settings. No blurriness this time, because I'm an idiot. I thought before that the toggle button for "Fix scaling for apps" was on but it wasn't. It did mess up the way some of my text was displaying in plan view but easily fixed. Some CAD symbols with text however needed to be adjusted. This is a true sign of aging...needing the font bigger and then not knowing how the computer settings work. Yikes! Thanks for the suggestions, Mick.

Interesting. Higher resolution monitors may be the answer then (more $...YAY). I did try re-scaling the font using Windows settings and everything in Chief ended up blurry, even after signing out and letting Windows try to fix the blurriness.

I don't know of any place to control this. Seems like it'd be in "preferences"...

Hmm. No solution yet? My eyes aren't getting any better as I get older. It's tough to see that text and I also need to make it to display larger.

Straight line interpolation might be an option, but if it were the only option, it'd cause more problems for modeling than it would solve. Chief's tools will do exactly what you need but it does take a fair bit of practice to understand them. In my region, we need to plot the geodetic data for every residential lot (in an urban setting) using predetermined elevations set by the civil engineers who have designed the drainage patterns for the sub-division. The interiors of the lot also must be graded using a set criteria determined by the municipality to maintain appropriate drainage characteristics. Chief handles all of this wonderfully...if you're well versed in how the terrain tools work. That being said, I have made a suggestion for a straight-line interpolation tool using an elevation line where you could set the height at each end and Chief would model it straight in between.

A cad box or polyline with a solid white fill set to be transparent. A little warning here: this requires a bit of experimentation and knowledge of the end result from your printer. Different printers may handle the transparent fill differently.

There's the rub. On the one hand, more regulations weed out some competition. On the other hand, whenever costs go up, the amount of development goes down. Where I live, there's been no real housing market since 2008. The rich still build of course, but entry level and move-up housing development is virtually nil. And when developers' costs increase they invariably push back against the one negotiable item...labor. So while some may benefit from increased rules and regulation, it's probably safe to say that most lose. I'd rather spend more of my time designing instead of reading, interpreting, discussing (with officials) and then explaining (to clients) the constantly changing codes.

Here's a few examples of the same home, 3 'styles': Color, color with a whitening filter, and no color.

Robert, it didn't look like anyone got back to you on this, but typically you'd control this using the material definition. In elevation view, just use the 'rainbow' tool (Adjust Material Definition) and there you'll be able to find the pattern color and line weight options.

Have you found anyone yet? I can do it. Send me a PM if you'd like to discuss it further.

British Columbia is probably pretty close to California type requirements. Alberta is 10 years behind BC.

I absolutely agree with you. It was a statement related only to how I earn a living, nothing philosophical or political.

Legislation creates opportunity. Makes one appreciate every time the code gets a bit more complicated.

To show the pickets, remove the solid white fill. The rail is on top of the pickets so you can't see them.

I'm not sure Chief has ever been able to 'break' the stairs around a wall like that. You'll probably need to pull the stairs over the wall, and then use a p-solid to show the full height portion of the wall. You can move the full height portion of the wall to display in draw order 21 to cover the stairs in plan view. Also, uncheck winders. And no "railing at wall" on the left.

That's weird topical timing. I was just discussing almost that same idea with my wife yesterday. My fee structure is too detailed and while it has served me well, it prevents me from quickly quoting a project. Also, I'm losing on the high end homes but I make way more (per hour) on builder basic homes even with a thorough fee schedule that was designed to deal with the extra architectural demands of high end clients and the additional time in meetings. I struggle with finding the right formula. Everyone wants to see 3D but no one wants to pay for it. Also, the high end homes are always pushing the limits of the building code and require much more time in code review, something clients (builders or homeowners) have little appreciation for or understanding of the amount of time and effort it consumes. Thanks for bringing that topic up. Certainly helpful advice.

I used a vertical cylinder to represent the fixture base. And I set the pendant to an offset of -2".

Edward, do you bother with adjusting the light fixture display to 'sit' correctly on the sloped ceiling? Just wondering if it's a necessary level of accurate modeling for showing your client? You could set the pendants to be higher, then use a different symbol overlaid in the same location as the pendants to represent the fixture base. That might be a bit quicker than making a new symbol. Just thinking out loud about how I'd do it if I had to...

That answers that. I figured it would be compliant with your local codes and my comment was more of a curiosity than 'advice'. I was curious though so I did a quick search and I have to admit, it doesn't get as cold as I would've expected in NY. The insulated water line used to be acceptable (by some) where I live. Especially when magical spray foam was used!

Pot filler on an exterior wall? Summertime use only I assume.

In Canada, it'd be fair to say that the full price for Chief X10 Premier is equal to a month's salary. The annual fee for SSA is relatively similar to 1 monthly payment on a car loan. Lots of room for interpretation there but it's a starting point.

Hmm...I can't think of too many small businesses that can be started for under 10K. You can start a drafting business for literally the price of the software, a fairly basic laptop, and a business license. But of course the expense is relative to the income you can generate and do operate a home design / drafting business, you wouldn't have to have any other software unless you chose to. Perhaps it'd make sense to compare it as a percentage to your potential annual income. What does an average draftsperson earn in Spain?

Generally speaking, the floor truss should connect directly to the sill plate. Every additional and unnecessary connection weakens the lateral support provided by the floor truss to foundation connection. This may be addressed in the applicable building code.

Here's the jpg. Really simple. I usually set the size to around 200" give or take and a Gretzky transparency level.