robdyck

With the file open, go to File / Manage Auto-archives. You can select all the arrows from an archived plan, and copy-paste-in-place into the current plan file. To select all arrows, select one, then use the Match Properties tool to select the rest.

For me, Chief now crashes regularly using section / elevation views with Vector technique. Is the only solution to spend another 5K on a different PC?

Does anyone else find that: Automatic Balloon Framing doesn't seem to work correctly (messes up the cladding) Hang Floor Platform Above on Wall doesn't seem to work correctly (messes up the cladding) Horizontal Frame Through doesn't seem to work correctly (or at all) It would be great if we then didn't need to go outside and start filling in pieces of exterior cladding. #1 & #2 create cladding issues on the exterior, when one would assume they are supposed to affect the Structure"! It seems that we get to pick between manually editing framing, or patching exterior materials. So, for framed walls, we can use Chief's tools, then check "Retain Wall Framing" and then undo the use of Chief's tools. Handy.

I said it was silly! And yup, you'd also want to include the area column!

One silly way, would be to create a floor finish material named "Conditioned" and one named "Unconditioned". You could create a room finish schedule including just that column.

I call dibs on the 7th and the 9th floor.

@GeneDavis is gonna nail down that contract, hire all of us, and we'll have a nice little Florida Vacay! Lots of bar meetings will be required!

It doesn't work because of inaccuracies in your roof planes. The roofs are not centered correctly / don't have matching elevations. I've fixed that for you. 236429222_abdoexisting.plan

That's ridiculous. I can easily do it for 1.3M. Including travel.

Yup and while I didn't clarify it specifically, I was referring to that one file. Interestingly enough, I have cases where the wall on one side of symmetrical vaulted ceilings frames to my expectation while the wall on the other side extends upwards. So it's a bit weird to understand, but at least now I know that adjusting the roof structure thickness can make a difference.

Yes, it's because the roof structure depth is equal to or greater than the heel height (the difference between top of plate and baseline). In my original example, my roof structure thickness was 3.5".

FWIW, this appears to make no difference to the wall framing. Rather, it is the roof settings that control the plate height, not the ceiling plane. I figured out what I need to do differently. I need the roof structure depth to be equal to the vertical depth of the truss top chord, plus the depth of the truss bottom chord (for a flat ceiling). This setting then generates the plates at the correct height. This would be a hassle when using multiple roof pitches on different levels because that depth then needs to be customized for each roof plane. Because a typical residential roof truss has the top chord pivoting on the bottom chord (regional practice), one can use a Raise Off Plate value of 3 1/2" and then every roof plane will be set at the correct height, regardless of pitch. In this case, I have a 6:12 pitch so by adjusting the structure depth to 7 7/16", the plates generate correctly. Where it gets odd is that in my original examples, the plates are about 1" below the roof framing, even though the roof structure was set to 3.5". Now that I've figured this out, I will leave my default roof structure at 3.5" and adjust individual roof planes when needed as it will be quicker than manually editing wall details.

I appreciate the feedback Michael. This is essentially what I've done. For context, and for others reading this post, I would only do this where I'm creating detailed plans including high-quality renderings. Otherwise, the time involved would be somewhat wasted, unless one uses the same symbols repeatedly.

If I draw a new, matching roof plane in the same location (while keeping the existing roof plane, then Chief drops the plates back to the correct height. But, if I replace the initial roof plane with that new roof plane, the plates bump back up.

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".