robdyck

One minor advantage is the appearance of woodgrain direction will be correct using the truss polyline. One major disadvantage is the edits to a truss polyline are not as stable as a solid. Click on the the edited truss and it might rebuild, even if its locked. Personally, I'd stick with the solid, and if I needed it in a schedule, I'd convert it to a fixture and then adjust those properties.

A spiral staircase would be an option. It will produce a smoother extrusion for the handrail than a similar 3d molding. You can then delete all the surfaces from the spiral stair to make it a fixture (good for vector view) or just make all other materials Opening (no material) which will show up fine in standard or pbr views.

I've experienced this issue several times lately in different files. Objects, like fixtures, won't rebuild in their correct location on the z-axis. Chief knows where they are, but doesn't move model them correctly until the dbx has been opened and closed. Anyone else seen this behavior? weird stuff.mp4

For this reason, my folder, my plan file and layout file have the exact same name. I distinguish based on the icon or extension. All pdfs I produce from that file share the file name with the addition of a single number indicating the order of issue.

Is there any place in a folder's properties to add keywords? I can't find that option but it must exist...

Perhaps @Alaskan_Son could help you out. I'd send him a PM. He's provided me with some very valuable, time saving macros.

Why would you put your clients names in the file name? I'm sure you've been doing things long enough that you have a file naming format that you like, but for the sake of simplicity maybe it's time to revisit that strategy. This might be a good chatroom topic, to discuss various file naming formats. Mine: For Builders: Companyname20201, Companyname20202, etc. For Individuals: Lastname2020 Easily memorable and searchable.

OK, I'll bite. How is it 'better'? Yes, the layout box dialog shows what's displayed, but it doesn't allow control of the reference displays. For that, you need to edit the SVP. Unless I'm missing something...I guess you can unlink the SVP...

Project Browser / Saved Plan View / right click / Edit View / Reference Display / toggle on or off

Along these lines, here's how I dealt with the spacing issue on a recent project. I used 2 schedules, one just for the elevation views. Not perfect perhaps, but it helped deal with the space constraints of the page.

Ha! I'm not just trying to toss in some terminology...I'm just using the product description of the commonly used moldings in my region, so its habit, that's all. https://metrie.com/search/#post-type=products&profile-types=architrave&materials=mdf&branch=na

Along the topic of considering door casing one should also consider if architraves will be used. No decent builder wants casing and architraves ripped into corners. And higher end homes often have casings wider than 3". So for such projects I allow hallway widths to be 4.5" more than the typical door size which varies from builder to builder. Some like 30" doors, some like 32" doors. When architraves (lintels in Chief) will be used, I allow 6". In either scenario, I always allow framer-friendly dimensions so that intersections of walls are easily laid out and framed using 2x lumber which results in happier framers, and straighter, more precise intersections, and then happier drywallers and finishers.

Just center it in the hallway to the left. I use center dimensions and inherently know the center dimension for a door from an adjacent wall, so for a 32" door it'll be 20" away from an adjacent wall to provide the 3" of framing. Temporary dimensions almost always provide the input option required, one one side of the door or the other, depending on which 'side' of the door you click on.

Yeah. Obviously you need to customize your drawing to your audience. I'd suggest that there's no point to providing dimensions to drain or fixture locations unless the builder asks for them and even then, only if the fixture models are known and the cabinet layouts are finalized, which is not typical for residential construction.

A simple way would be to have your plumbing fixtures on their own layer and define those layer settings for your foundation plan. The same would be true for a main floor framing plan. This starts messing a few things up from a layer control standpoint, like the lav in a base cabinet. My personal preference would be to use labeled CAD blocks representing only the necessary waste lines that penetrate the slab, footing, or walls.

Keep in mind that once you 'convert to text' it is no longer an actual schedule. If you prefer to use the text box, create a copy of the schedule, then convert that copy to text. Just make sure you do NOT end up with multiples of the same 'live' schedule.

a bit more context

Thanks for the tip Mick. Just for practice I gave it a shot. Here's what I did and the results: I copied the existing roof plane created a small room under it changed it's lookout dimensions to 3.5x1.5 (flatwise) changed the structure depth to 1.5" replicated it in the z-axis in order to raise the framing layer above the ACTUAL sheathing layer. built framing deleted the temporary room moved the framing only roof plane back into its original position moved 1 lookout into the correct location on the x-axis only framing result: it worked! the correct lookout is visible because of the correct grain direction. The incorrect lookouts are 'fixtures' The roof plane that represents the sleepers does cut the attic wall which I was able to correct with 2 clicks in the roof dbx I'm pleased with this because it's much more accurate as a model of the addition. The existing roof plane would remain in place, and the new roof plane will be on top of it. So this makes more sense than 'joining' the new roof to the old roof. Of course, they are joined...I'm just using 2 roof planes for the existing roof.

Thanks! I did make it...modeled after a one of the most widely used products whose name escapes me now. I'll post it on Monday although I may need a reminder!

Interestingly enough I just finished a job today that required 2x4 sleepers on an existing roof in order to support an over frame from an addition. Lookouts was my first thought but I couldn't control the pitch (the new roof was a 3in12 over an existing 9in12). I couldn't believe how difficult it was to try to get a framing member to lay flat on a roof. I gave up, used a solid converted to a fixture so it would populate in the material list and model. Same thing for bottom chord truss bracing on a vaulted ceiling. https://3d-viewer.chiefarchitect.com/go?share=265245076150206

Pretty tough to design a remodel roof when the as-built isn't correct... https://www.har.com/homedetail/29208-dove-ln-katy-tx-77493/9878636?sid=4437613

Yup. Been there. I also have a nice screen symbol if you'd like for your screened porch. It's a fixture so you've got layer control and you can 'pull' the shades open or closed as much as you'd like for various views.

Seems like additional layers would also help. While it might not be ideal to have interior doors or interior walls, etc, on their own layer that would also solve the label issues as indicated by the OP. Side benefit: It can also speed up Chief when working in an elevation view by reducing the number of surfaces being modeled.

So...too early on the Great Success gif??

Awesome!