DavidJPotter

I have worked with end users who work from USB storage devices or even from Google Drive or Dropbox. Such storage locations and devices are for transport and storage of tiles not for use as a location to actively work on a plan or layout file. Send a copy of your file to Tech Support for evaluation. In the mean time if you have been actively using a USB or other secondary location for your files being actively worked other than your physical hard drive, knock that off. Chief automatically makes back up copies of files as you work (on a PC they are stored in an "Archive folder" located in "My Documents - Chief Architect X6 (or whatever you are using) Data". I wish you some luck, as you will need some now in such a situation. DJP

Welcome to the forum! I personally would enjoy seeing examples of your father's creativity! искренне DJP

I have not experienced this in any version whatsoever. Sorry. Send a copy of the plan to Tech Support along with other data they will need to evaluate the situation. DJP

I have a self built desktop (see signature) and an old Vista HP laptop for field work. On my desktop I have versions 7-17 of Chief Architect on two separate hard drives, one that runs XP for legacy titles and my main hard drive that runs Windows 7 x64. I intend to replace the laptop with something more up to date in the near future. I looked into just using a laptop some years ago and decided not to because I would have to spend a lot of money on a laptop that would be as good as my desktop (I built the desktop for about $1,000.00 whereas a comparable laptop would have cost three or four times that amount). The old laptop I have, I bought used for $500.00 three years ago, it has served me well (I currently run X5, 6 and 7 on it), it is not fast but it is still reliable. If you are willing to learn computers and hardware a little, you can not only save money but also time in terms of knowing what to do when things mechanically "Go South" as they often do. Everyone is different so just be honest with yourself and do what you consider best for you and your needs. DJP

I believe that you need a Structural Engineer LIcensed in your home State and Ideally one that lives in the area where you intend to build the structure so his or her stamp would then be valid. DJP

I have versions 7, 9.5 and 10 installed on a hard drive that runs Windows XP x32. That is the native environment those versions were designed to run within, trying to do otherwise is a dice roll relative to performance. DJP

I often do not use "Automatic" stair functions but when doing so, input values are calculated manually for each stair, so in your posted image, you are only half way there. Manual is manual all the way, so plan on doing the manual math. DJP

3D- 3D Defaults - Auto Rebuild Terrain DJP

Yes, you can draw a relationally correct segment, single room or series of rooms using the software. I do a lot of kitchen and bath remodel projects where all that is drawn is the target room plus adjacent spaces. Commonly when I do a room addition, I draw the entire house at least as a shell so the client can see the impact of the addition attached to the main home. I also have several Licensed Interior Decorator clients who hire me to draw relationally correct "as-built" home models that they then take and use to design renovation projects from. The "easy, uncomplicated way" to do this is to learn the software and its tools by way of study and practice to a point where you are just creating your conceptions, which takes a while to do but is worth the effort. DJP

Most likely the mortar line color is "white" and so when the view is converted to vector lines, the white lines do not then show. Change the pattern lines to "Black" and then they will show and print on layout views. DJP

repost 022015

Scott, both shadow boards are set to 1.5" in depth, one is set to 18 tall and the other is set to 24 " tall, so they are merely occupying the same space relative to their depths, at least that is what I see. When I vary the depths then I can see both shadow boards. Admittedly, I rarely use shadow boards so my observations may be off some. DJP

Were I you, I would directly get on the phone to Tech Support as they are the only certified source for this kind of help. That is what I would do myself. DJP

Check the "Framing" tab of each roof plane and you will find that your settings are forcing the unsightly results, adjust those settings to reflect exactly how you are actually building. DJP

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