DavidJPotter

Not to rain on your parade at all (more power to you!) but this is also a job that Chief Architect Inc should also do (to make their documentation more useful) and should be posted to "Suggestions" as well. DJP

What I do for large projects is to keep each building in its own plan file and then make a copy of each building, gut the interior so all that is left is exterior walls, windows and doors. Then convert each building to a symbol so that the plan file with multiple buildings contains only building symbols. This cuts down on the overall number of "3D faces" your PC-Mac has to deal with per second. There is no reason, I can think of to have a fully relationally perfect copy of each and every building in a development unless you are Lucas Film LTD or the Government. DJP

I would just skip it and draw a 2D CAD box about the same size as the plan view appearance of the TV giving it a white fill. Once there you can easily layer it in plan view to show on top (sometimes the default 2D CAD block of a symbol is obscured, even if you "open symbol - 2D CAD Block) so my solution will work no matter what. DJP

To amplify on Joe's answer you set a "North Pointer" relative to the house and rotate the objects that make up the site plan to the house and its North Pointer. You never rotate the house at all what so ever. Like many things in Chief Premier there is usually more than just one way to do something and this is true for site plans as well, pick the method that works for you but do not rotate the house. DJP

Carefully look at a Window Schedule Dialog for such settings (create one, open the dialog of the schedule and then see the relevant settings to suit). DJP

Without knowing anything about your "expensive computer" no one can have anything but guesses. You can be sure that something is ascue but as to what, I have no specific idea with nothing to go on but your complaints, sorry. It could be some malfunctioning hardware, bad settings, virus, malware, it could be one or more of many unwanted things. What do you have and how is it set to run presently? DJP

People are not taught how to study in school, mostly it is to pass tests and get grades. My phiolosphy is to help and by helping others, one is then helped. Unintelligent persons will always be with us. The best way to become more intelligent is by way of study, a great way to learn is to teach and help others. I have learned much from you guys here, I look forward to what you guys dream up next so everyday, I look forward to my visits here. if you do not love building, construction and those who design and build then why on Earth are you still here? DJP

The first thing you should do is to create a "North Pointer" object that is accurate relative to the structure, then the rest is rather easy. Using the default "North" (up-screen) would be difficult to impossible to do. Then you can use the "Input Line" tool using vectors and distances. This method has not changed since version 9.5. DJP

You can merely turn off "3D Patterns" layer in "Display Options" but of course that turns off all pattern files, try it and see if that does it for you using only vector views. DJP

I think the longest I usually run Ray Traces is about 10 minutes. I haven't needed to try anything longer since the old "POV-Ray" days, my 10 minute ray traces look better than those old POV renders of version 9-10. If yours are taking longer than ten minutes or so, you have too many light sources turned on or your PC or Mac sucks wind. DJP

I haven't had any printing to PDF troubles with X7 at all what so ever, nothing noticed or complained of to date. DJP

Placing-locating the wall would be the "easy"part, the remaining problem of placing a door in a space too small to receive it looks like to me to be the problem. (Door objects will only fit precisely between wall breaks and it looks like you do not have sufficient space (width) to also place your door. Aligning the 3" wall can be done by using the "alternate move handles" of the 3" wall (each wall object has end handles on the ends and move handles in its middle, alternate move handles are located between the end handles and center move handles. Using the alternate move handle you can precisely locate a wall relative to another or other walls and override wall snaps but like I say, the problem appears to be the space left for the door which may require several trys to obtain a delicate balance of door and wall. DJP

I prefer working directly for a client as opposed to through a third party like Guru or Elance but I have picked up work at both places and still do. Often times I skip an offered job there because it feels like the person is looking for a cut-rate job instead of a quality job. I do this work more for affinity for it as opposed to just the money, if it does not look like "fun", why should I bother with it (Life is short). DJP

Check out "Edit -Preferences-Library Browser" for starters. A lot of things function or not based on settings there. DJP

I recommend using elevation regions for each of the differing levels but there must be a small gradient change between differing levels,I mean you must expect some transition space from level to level. You draw the region and then open its dialog and set its height for the space it controls , using just elevation regions alone you can get done what you need and want.Try it and see for yourself (it won't bite, much) DJP

Make sure that the material assigned has both a color-pattern for Vector view cameras and a texture file for render-Ray Trace views, the better quality textures give the best results and allows you to finely adjust the Materials "Properties" where as a simple color only allows poor quality and no property adjustment, worth mentioning. DJP

Let us know how Avast did (do you have the free version or paid?). I run several programs that I bought that have kept me virus and malware free since 1999 ( I hate that @$#%&). The best program I have used to date is called "Spy Hunter" it is expensive but very thorough. DJP

Here is my look over on You Tube: http://youtu.be/OgPQYT5bf1M DJP

Please do a "Search" here as there have been several "threads" (discussions) already about this matter. The first thing is making sure that just the minimum "light sources" are turned "on" per ray trace (each unneeded light sources adds time to the overall time necessary to get a good image). Then adjusting light sources in location and intensity and adjusting how materials in the view reflect and react to light. It is an ART that one learns through applied study followed by lots of practice, failures and successes. Have at it. DJP

There is an extensive thread of posts about Thea and its use with Chief in the old forum, look that useful thread up for yourself. DJP

Scott, In my own defence, I now have several software programs to prevent and remove malware and viruses. It seems there are enough antisocial personalities who have nothing better to do but to make internet life miserable for others. I consider the money well spent (I currently use: Spyhunter, Reghunter, Advanced System Care Ultimate and Hit Man Pro). Since I started using these software applications I never for long have this kind of annoyance. Only through constant vigilance is Freedom obtained. DJP

Dave, "Speed" in ray tracing depends upon the complexity of your 3D model, your lighting, material settings and then lastly your hardware. In order to actually have tests that might be useful, you must have a single plan file, set exactly the same by all testers, otherwise it is then just useless opinion an not "Scientific", base line results. DJP

Whether and if your Library Browser shows or how it shows is controlled in "Edit - Preferences - Appearance - Library Browser", take a look. DJP

The posted image would need to have it's background removed and then converted to a .png image to show that transparency. If you do not require a transparent background, the existing image should work as it is. My advice is to find another texture and use that, doing what you need done to that image would be a lot of detailed editing for dubious results. I have attached several similar trellis textures I use DJP

Here are some basic tutorials for manual roofs: http://djpdesigns.net/html/roof_dialog.htm http://djpdesigns.net/html/join_roofs.htm https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qR8vwRQ1L2g https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ix5Y4OAfQQQ DJP