robdyck

I prefer that both lines of all arrows remain consistently parallel whenever possible. My method for adding this text is somewhat different. I make sure my arrows can't move or adjust themselves and I replicate the arrows and a text box vertically a set distance. I then adjust the angled portion of each arrow and then lastly add my text. If I need to make a vertical adjustment because of space, I either center the text on the leader line or drag the horizontal portion up/down to snap to the center of the text.

Yes, working on 2 Zero Threshold project right now. Our foundations are probably quite different than yours, but I use a concrete foundation wall with a reduced thickness at the top to provide a bearing ledge for the floor framing. This allows me to bring the grade up to within 6" of the sill plate. The sill plate is directly under the floor sheathing. Generally speaking, it would be my understanding that a the top of a concrete driveway / sidewalk is not considered as grade level, but rather the substrate below it is. TBH, I'm not entirely sure if your question was in regards to the building methods or sloping the terrain in Chief.

From the standpoint of a builder, I'd also want to see how the slope is being achieved when all components appear to 'flat', but I realize that may be handled in a different drawing. I'm ok with simply noting slopes in 1/4" scale section views, but for any thing over 1/4" scale, I prefer that the slope is shown as accurately as possible.

My comments would have been similar to Rene's; at that scale I'd try to be sure that the flashing components are highlighted. The roof assembly components could just as easily be identified with the callout for that assembly. Here are some of my illustrations; feel free to examine and pick apart what you like / dislike and then determine how you might adjust your detail.

This has always been the case when using trusses with this type of roof configuration. If you really want the correct appearance you will need to do some manual editing. Perhaps the simplest method is to use 2 separate roof trusses, 1 for each roof plane. It still requires editing the polyline of the higher truss, but I find that a bit quicker and more stable than editing the truss framing members.

In this case 'ca' could mean Canada, not Chief Architect! @dskogg and I know that a face frame cabinet is beyond extremely rare in Canada. In fact, of all the houses I've been a part of, I've never seen them so I'm not actually sure I believe any of you who say a face frame cabinet is even a real thing. You can make a picture of anything these days so that's not proof! Seriously though, they are not the norm in western Canada!

I don't think this functions the same as what you have in mind but the distribution polyline is pretty close. In this example I made a CAD block of spiral ducting and then added that block to a distribution polyline. There are significant limitations to this and it's not a method I would necessarily recommend. There's cases where it works well and others...not so much.

This could all be done but it would be pretty gross! The spreader symbol would need to include a face material to represent edge banding. Box construction: Framed Separation: Max. 1/16" Doors and drawers would need to be symbols with 3d offsets. And, if travelling this road, then the drawers should be modeled with a separate component to represent the front member of the drawer box. This type of cabinet construction usually has the drawer faces added to a drawer box.Cabinet Spreader.calibz

Plinth blocks are an item that don't generate a 3d component. Plinth blocks do not display in 3D views, but are counted in the Materials List.

Yes, using the Edit Area (All Floors) tool you can neatly cut a portion out and move the left or right remaining section the appropriate amount. A little trial and error along with the undo key and you'll have it figured out in no time!

Perhaps the solution might be to allow both wall and door to be transparent. By adjusting the transparency you can control how the 'intensity' of the display of objects behind the glass. Using my tempered glass material with transparency at: 10% 50% 100%

For slopes on lots or exit paths, I create a cad block of my desired arrow, save it to the library and then use a polyline distribution path.

Post your plan or send me a file download link and I'll point out the problem and solution right away.

In response to some of the earlier conversation in this topic; While in some ways a sloped garage floor modeled accurately may seem trivial, when designing an accessible home with an attached garage and a zero-threshold concept, the accurate modelling of the garage floor and exterior sidewalk slopes are critical. These calculations shouldn't be left for trades to make on site. I appreciate that you'd take the time to submit a comprehensive suggestion, Charles! Railing control on a per edge basis (like landings) would also be helpful to add to your suggestion.

I know that not everything makes sense here. For example, if the roof structure is really deep, you shouldn't need the ceiling plane, right? But Chief won't build trusses without the ceiling plane, it switches back to rafters even when trusses remain checked.

Also, edit the roof structure depth to be the full depth between the ceiling and roof (24.5" in your case).

Balloon through ceiling above. Also, edit the roof structure depth to be the full depth between the ceiling and roof (24.5" in your case).

I'm with Charles, most of the time a note will suffice. When I must show a slope, there are different approaches based on your desired end result. For a ground level sloped slab that may be irregular in shape, I'll use a 3d solid. For a rectangular sloped slab that will have railing on an edge, I'll use a ramp with my own railing wall set to 'follow stairs'. For a sloped balcony that needs to be framed, I'll use a roof plane and possibly a ramp as well (to get the railing to slope). The project has to be pretty special for all this!

If you zoom in, you should be able to see the label's handles separate from the fixture. Alternatively, in elevation view you can double click on the fixture and specify a label offset which will apply to that particular view. Either way, there will not actually be any CAD type of snapping to the actual label.

One can also build the framing for the vaulted ceiling and then re-size and replicate a ceiling joist / rafter downwards. Paint material, layer, etc.

Thanks for your reply Doug! This is where our codes differ. The ABC does not (yet) have this statement. You were able to provide a much better explanation than the local building official I talked with. And to reiterate, I wasn't challenging the use of the closure but rather I wanted documentation to support the use.

I'm curious about the use of this Doug. I ran into a similar issue on a recent project where the building inspector asked for fire shutters on bedroom windows. The inspector indicated that because the house was a certain distance from the property line, he wanted fire shutters installed to protect our house from a potential fire at the adjacent property. I challenged him on this. The building code clearly indicates that in residential applications, our responsibility when building within a certain proximity to the property line is to limit the spread of fire from OUR HOUSE to other properties, not the other way around. SO, if our proposed house is on fire, how does the fire shutter with a fusible link know the difference between fire from outside or fire from inside? Especially in the case of a bedroom! Couldn't a fire shutter trap an occupant in the bedroom by closing off the only available means of egress due to a fire from inside? Currently I'm not aware of any product literature that addresses this but if you have some information to pass on I'd appreciate it!

These have never worked correctly. The soffit plane follows the line of their roof plane. In order for the soffits to correctly join, a roof plane would need to be able to generate more than one soffit plane per eave.

I'm not going to claim I've got the best method, but for simple rectangular items like this, I'll use a beam. Obviously I place it on an appropriate layer and adjust the schedule reporting if needed. The reason is simple. You can edit a beam or other framing member in section view!! Often an actual beam needs to be wrapped. This is easily accomplished in section view by copying (pick your method) and then it's dimensions can be dragged / tabbed or adjusted through the dialog. If I needed a more complex profile, I would use a molding line / polyline.