robdyck

When using vaulted ceilings, Chief will (almost always) change the top plate height of the exterior wall. Then, when opening the roof tab, Chief reports a different top plate height than what it should (this also conflicts with what is stated in the manual). The top plate height should remain as defined by the room / floor, shouldn't it? With scissors trusses creating vaulted ceilings, the vault typically starts inside the top plate, which is similar to a birdsmouth on a rafter. I've never been able to figure out why Chief lifts the top plates. I use a lot of vaulted ceilings and I'd like to avoid manually editing wall details.

Around here, builders do hardly any take-offs. Almost all contractors do supply-install and material suppliers do their own take-offs as well.

My customers want the exact opposite! Fun.

For symbols with a 3d offset, is there a way to get the 2d CAD block to offset to match the symbol's position? A couple of examples: A toilet: I may want the 3d symbol offset so I can bump the back to a wall, but I'd actually want a 1/2" gap between the toilet and wall. A range: same as above. In the snippet below, the symbol is offset by 1/2", but in plan view the CAD block remains tight to the wall. Do I need to add a 1/2" polyline to the back of the symbol CAD block (shown in the last snippet)?

I have a few customers that use them. As for accuracy...it's simply input - output. Chief's material list is as accurate as the model I create. Is it finnicky? Yeah, it's playing with spreadsheets...everyone's favorite!! A soul sucking way to spend your time, but it is a great tool that in the right hands can be very powerful, and get's better and simpler the more you use it.

When importing any cad file, it's important to take note of the area that fills the screen. There are often some items very far away from the bulk of the drawing which can make it hard to locate the intended drawing. Fill screen and marquee select are a great way to find these items and control their display...or just to delete them.

There's nothing wrong with the dxf file. You just kinda need to know how these things are put together. I've cleaned it up for you. snell_topo_cleaned.dwg

It appears as though this update is working! I've been working in the dark for the past 3 months, so it's nice to be able to open a camera view again and see what I've been up to. I can even use the library browser with previews!

As you mentioned, the attic walls are not part of the room. And the style palette only affects the room.

Thank-you! Hopefully this helps.

You are correct. A probable solution is to make the walls around the room "ballon through ceiling above".

From what I can tell, the most recent driver for GeForce RTX 3080 is 511.65. Where did you find 511.72 or are you just messing with us?! I've got Nahimic permanently stopped.

I recently installed the latest Nvidia driver and now I get frequent crashes even in using section views with Vector technique. Still trying to figure out how to make this stop! If I do, I'll post my solution.

Reflections are possible, it's a matter of material definition and lighting. The reflections ares improved if using Real Time Raytracing. Can you post a plan file?

@SNestorNice explanation Steve!

You can add anything you want to your foundation walls (or almost any other object) using the Components tab. They won't be 3d objects but they will be included in a materials list.

@Alaskan_Son@MoeGia Thank-you both for your advice and suggestions. You're input is appreciated!

You need to post the plan so someone can review the settings within that plan file. Is that something you can do?

I'm not sure if it's at all helpful but for a series of lights, like recessed lights, I'll place the the outer 2 accurately, then copy one using point-to-point in sticky mode. Then, I'll select all those lights and use the Align/Distribute Objects tool to align and evenly space them. I'll repeat that process with the entire lined group of lights in the other direction to create a grid. And the Reflect About Object is my other major go-to tool for multiple light placement.

The technique would vary slightly depending on the type of view. Are you wanting to show them in a cross section view for con docs or in a 3d view, just to visualize?

It's not a frowny face, it's simply a sad face because all available options create a fair amount of additional work and deadlines loom. It's not directed at Chief or at any individual, simply at the reality of the situation.

Use material regions. It will probably end up being faster then constantly editing the material patterns.

One of the 'hassles' of CAD details, or images, is losing the Edge Line Defaults and Pattern Line Defaults. For proper appearance, every material then needs to be edited to replicate the pattern line defaults from layout. A hassle when there are plenty of changes.

I have not. Do you have any idea (from a programming standpoint) if it would be possible or relatively simple to allow section or elevation views to rotate?

@Alaskan_Son Ahh, now I know what you mean. Rotate the plan....I like it! Changed my mind. I'm in too deep with all the other pages. Half the work of some of these plans is getting stuff to fit on the pages. Which is why I HATE 11x17 sheets and 1/8" scale plans!!