DavidJPotter

I use the Time Tracker for all my billings. I prefer to manually turn it on and off (not a big fan of automaticity). I have found it utterly accurate. DJP

I get occasional crashes before and after the upgrade to Windows 10, not zero but nothing out of the ordinary for a person who daily and constantly uses Chief. DJP

I think you should call Chief Architect Sales. Most of us are single license users. There are some users here that use multiple seats (license instances), the thing you want to do is to have only one user (license) operating on a single file per unit of time (two or more users cannot open and alter a file simultaneously, if that is what you are wondering). You can have a network server for files and access that file from different PC's but only one at a time (not two or more at a time). This is my opinion and you should verify this with Chief Architect Sales. DJP

I downloaded your file. When I looked over the box window I could see nothing obviously "wrong" inside or out. Please more succinctly define "look correct" or what is wrong or missing please. DJP

I would estimate based totally upon ignorance that I have mastered about 80% (the other 20% I just do not use often enough to claim "Mastership" of). If you really want to learn this stuff then make an effort to teach others, that is when I really found out I didn't know as much as I at first thought. DJP

Preferences control how the program acts whenever you open it. Default Settings controls only the plan you are editing-creating. Your "Profile.plan" is what is copied each time you order "New Plan", so if you want to change or edit the Default Settings of the "Profile.plan" (metric users would use "ProfileM.plan" these are to be found in C:/My Documents/Chief Architect X7/Templates"). So like a lot of things in LIfe you have to know how and where the things are that you want to control and then do so. DJP

Learn where and how to set all default settings, Dimension Defaults can be controlled in its Defaults Dialogs. Learning and mastering Default Settings takes awhile because there are so many such settings. Take the time to really study and practice controlling those settings and you will then be much more efficient thereby. DJP

The fundamental-fundamentals are found in the definitions and nomenclature that the software uses, then learn where and what all Default Settings are for and what they do and do not do (there are many of these and how you use them or not will determine how efficient you become). Roof and Terrain tools require lots of careful practice to master along with your general study. Do not guess but rather learn how it works and then follow the intended procedures and conventions. I have seen plans created by new users that became corrupted and useless due to too much wrong guessing. Be competent and enjoy! DJP

Part of learning this software is learning what each tool is for and what it does and does not do. The floor camera will not (is not programmed to) show anything other that what is on the "Floor" that camera is created on. The "Full Camera" will include all possible objects from the viewpoint of the camera, the floor camera will not. Objects will appear or not based on whether or not they are checked "on" or "Off" in your camera view "Display Objects" dialog also, so it can seem a little mysterious as to why objects may be visible in plan views but then not in camera views (that is due to them being on or off in Display Options as well). Watch the introductory videos and read the Reference Manual carefully, stopping to practice what you read about as you go and you will eventually get comfortable, there is much to learn! DJP

Contact Vince Kunisek please: http://www.vincekunasekdesign.com/index-stockplans.html DJP

Contact: Allen Seale Architect 512-892-1977 Austin, Texas OR Don Hurst Architect 512-394-1234 Austin, Texas Both of these men use Chief Architect

I believe those settings are for gaming aficionados, I have never changed mine or felt a need to. Glad you got a solution! DJP

Never bothered to count. If you are "overwhelmed" then it is time to upgrade your hardware or off load unnecessary objects. Each person should decide those things for themselves. DJP

Hit the "F6" key (orders a "Fill Screen". If that does not work, you may have accidentally placed a part of a wall (not hard to do) far away from your building and when you fill the screen (F6) it includes that tiny length of accidental wall, leaving your building off screen. It is fundamental good advice to carefully study the Reference Manual and watch the introductory video tutorials to get better orientated. DJP

Method and habits may become confused. I learned from Dan Baumann and I ascribe to his philosophy from the standpoint of planning out your design before you actually start to create it. By that I mean sketch out the floor levels using 2CAD and dimensions so I already have a good understanding of floor levels, floor platform thicknesses etc. Then I set ALL applicable defaults (it saves time and clicks later on). Then you start actually creating the 3D model. Often times as the design takes shape, certain fixed ideas I or the client had fall away and evolve. There is no system that would fit all users and clients. The key is taking the time to fully understand what you are doing and how to best use your tools and then enjoy the process. Let the nit-pickers waste their time worrying. There are some constructs that are more difficult than others (requiring thinking out of the box), a great example of this is the work of Yusuf in Ethiopia. He has figured out ways to create effects that others missed using Chief. DJP

You can unlock the Truss layer and then edit trusses that Chief Architect makes or you can create your own using poly-line solids and poly-line solid holes any shape you like, just takes a little longer. Since I am not a State LIcensed Structural Engineer, I would not do this without a consulting Engineer. DJP

For me the symbol process is simple and fast, so I do not see the bother, such things are a matter of opinion anyways. Do what you like, I like symbols for large projects which makes the planning and layout easy and simple. Symbols are a nickle a billion that can be made and thrown away quickly. DJP

The way I have adopted for large commercial projects on modulated terrain is to have a plan file for each building. Convert each building to a symbol and then place the symbols into a single plan with terrain. This makes the locating process a lot easier since you are raising and lowering symbols instead of multi part building constructs. The buildings converted to symbols can be gutted inside to create fewer 3D faces in the group plan. The single plan files are used to communicate each building in detail and the group plan is just for the site plan and site plan renderings. DJP

I have noticed the same behavior. As far as I know there is no default setting for mulled windows, only general window defaults. DJP

repost 08202015 DJP

Does it only manifest using a specific camera type (does it also happen in vector view for instance?). What are you render camera settings? Try changing the settings and see if that helps at all. DJP

When I want to do this sort of thing I use a particular font which is an outline font "Swiss721 BlkOul BT Black" (see image), works for me anyway. DJP

I would do a plan file and schedule per building (per floor if necessary) for the purpose of schedules and only one plan that contains all buildings like for a site plan. This way you can easily separate per floor and per building however you like. DJP

I use Chief Architect in my business (remodeling and custom home design), I use the free version of Sketch Up as an adjunct ( I mainly use it to make symbols and Architectural appliques for special projects), my best Sketch Up resource is the 3D Warehouse where you can pick from thousands of free symbols to use in my Chief Plans.I have seen some very nice constructs made in Sketch Up but I am set in my ways and do not feel the need to master a second application. DJP

I believe K Bird created this library file, works for me. DJP Stainless Steel.calibz