robdyck

It doesn't reference any global variables, however it does reference a polyline that is part of a site plan layer set, and is not displayed in that main floor plan view. So, just trying to understand this...when I open the 'main floor plan' view, the macro is not executed until I also open the 'site plan' view which contains the polyline and macro. A little context: This is for my garage and shop plans which are all setup to auto-execute as much as possible because of the general simplicity of the structure type and likewise, the construction documents. Obviously, I don't want to calculate the building area, I want it to display automatically. And...I didn't want to (at least not yet) change the default for "Garage" rooms to be included in the Living Area calculation, so I was using a polyline macro that you setup for me (which works great BTW and has saved me plenty o' time). For this case, the solution seems to be 1 of 2 options: Correct me if I'm wrong with these assumptions 1. Change my default for "Garage" rooms to include in the Living Area and use the Living Area macro OR 2. Place the polyline I'm currently using on the final main floor plan view, and adjust it's line type and drawing order so it doesn't affect my desired display. Any thoughts? This could of course lead to a suggestion for Chief to enable multiple groupings in the room dbx for area calculations.

double click on the room in plan view. That will open the Room Specification dialog box. Structure Tab.

I have a text macro in a garage plan that references the area of a polyline. In layout, that macro appears blank unless the plan file is open. Is that normal? I needed to open the layout file only (or so I thought) and make a few adjustments before printing.

I believe the easiest way to accomplish the 2-ply on-flat header for interior door is to specify a single ply, then group select all of them in plan view and replicate up 1.5". That will result in the correct count and build, although the cripple studs above the opening will be 1.5" too long. If that is unacceptable, they can be trimmed by group selecting all of them, and reducing their length by 1.5" (keep the top locked). Another option would be to increase the door height RO by 1.5", then select all the hdrs and replicate down 1.5". This will result in a the wrong RO being reported, unless you change it after the framing has been built and locked. Chief's header spec dbx is not near good enough. Suggestions have been sent in but AFAIK there has been no indication of upcoming improvement in this area.

post your plan.

@ChiefUserBigRob There might be something in this post that helps...

It won't be an issue if you add the wall covering to each wall, but it is an issue if you add it to the room. It probably should be noted and sent to tech support and Chief could look into and possibly correct that behavior. They may not be aware of this oddity.

It seems it's because of the wallcovering. When I delete or change the wallcovering, I can then select the walls. Seems weird to me. I certainly wouldn't use the wallcovering option for changing the paint color. Use the materials tab / walls instead (Room Spec DBX).

I assumed because that's the usual culprit...I'll check out your file and let you know if I figure anything out!

The internet can tell you... https://www.chiefarchitect.com/support/article/KB-00706/selecting-an-individual-wall-in-a-camera-view.html

Yup. Most frequent users would have the default for that room type adjusted to not have any baseboard. Glad you figured it out!

A screen capture of the output isn't helpful without at least showing the input. Post a SS of your camera settings for that view...

on the 2nd floor, build a room the size of your desired stair opening, define it as "open below".

Don't use a box window. Draw your walls. Define the room to have a raised floor. Place normal windows.

I'm sure you're aware Rob, but conventional pole barn construction would utilize strapping on both side of the posts (if the interior will be finished). Of course, you can infill frame between posts with stud walls, that would just be a slightly more expensive option. As far as modeling the structure...use "posts". And it's easy enough to change the main structural layer of your wall type to or from an actual framing material depending on if you decide to infill frame, or strap the structure.

build a room using railing, walls, or room dividers as needed, then define the room as "open below"

It's important to understand which will be simplest to convey the options to the client. If the terrain is more complicated than the structure, it may very well be beneficial (to you) to convert the house to a symbol to aid the client in the decision making process. That being said, a simple solid that is more or less the shape of the house would serve that purpose without slowing your computer down the way complex symbols will. If you start converting these complex items into symbols, you almost certainly will wish you had separate files as opposed to several repeats of the same symbol in one plan file. That would slow my computer to an unbearable pace.

Exactly. Super easy to show various site positioning options. Convert to a symbol and assign a new layer, like "Terrain Perimeter, Option 2". Once the client has signed off on the site positioning, you can move any CAD, text, dimensions, etc necessary for the site plan into the 'new' final position using the point-to-point move tool. Just place some temporary points to help with accuracy.

For this type of scenario, I create a sub-folder in the project folder, then copy and rename the plan and layout file as needed. Yes, if you need to use the 'new' layout file, you'll need to relink the layout boxes. I'll make copies of the plan as often as necessary in order to keep other plan versions which, like you alluded to, may become relevant again. Once the project is completed, I'll delete the unused files if they're of no further value to me. But to your original question, you could use layer control, and saved views to show an optional building placement. Remember, you move the lot, not the house!

'cause that's where it is. Logical, that's all. Also, it's easier to distinguish from another object that is in the same location in plan view. BTW, Solids built in elevation view will generate in plan view based on the floor you're on in elevation view, which of course is usually floor 1. 2 ways to control that: toggle the floor in elevation view before drawing a solid ( I usually forget to do that) OR copy the solid and paste-in-place onto the correct floor in plan view, then delete the original. As for the layer, I always expect that the 'working view' is not the layout view or final view. So, when I use a solid for the exact same thing as a material region, or any other object for that matter, I keep them on the same layer and that layer would not show up in a final plan view. I do that just to reduce the chance for my own error in display. For an exterior alteration, I usually simplify my wall layers just to speed up the 3d views. That means no building paper, no drywall, no interior casing on windows, no floor coverings etc. Anything I can get rid of that won't negatively affect either my 3d view, or the type of final drawing I'll present is eliminated.

Bill, I think the problem is the stub walls for the arched build-outs. They are creating a room that is undefined, plus they are occupying the same space as a solid. I placed a cross box to mark the location of the build out (just to maintain the dimension reference), then deleted all the build-out walls. Problem seems to be solved. Unless you need all the construction layers of the material regions to generate a materials list, I'd suggest getting rid of the unnecessary layers both for material regions and walls. It'll greatly speed up the 3d views.

Good tip. I certainly do have that configuration in this plan. Once I know my roof is complete, I'll uncheck the 'auto' and see if that cures it! Thanks!

They build correctly if I uncheck "Automatic Height". This is odd.

Has anyone else seen a bug like this? The lookouts are being positioned plumb as opposed to being aligned with the roof structure. I will be sending a bug report.

@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'.