DavidJPotter

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Everything posted by DavidJPotter

  1. Send me your files, all of them and see if you can find out exactly what version they were created in or at least the year they were created would help. When I get them, I will then tell you whether or not I will require any exchange from you for the service. DJP
  2. There are several videos about X7 on Chief's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ChiefArchitect as well as other information. DJP
  3. Actually you don't, I mean not really, rather you make them look like they fit angled walls by using filler strips (tiny cabinet objects to fill in fronts or the automatic filler option) and custom counter tops for the tops. This is actually how a cabinet person would do the actual project in the field and so it is a similar task in Chief. DJP
  4. If you mean in plan view, you make a copy of the wall type and give that wall type a different fill for plan view. If you mean in terms of camera views and materials lists, Glenn and Andy have concisely answered that question already. DJP
  5. What video card do you currently have? How is it set relative to dual monitors? What OS are you using? What Glenn suggested should work , I wonder what you actually did as opposed to what Glenn suggested? This should not be difficult to do whatever you have. DJP
  6. Once you complete that action, you will not have to do it again but contacting Tech Support is free (with an SSA) and always a good idea. DJP
  7. I agree with Ray, you have errant roof planes that need straightening out, nothing more. How it is done is usually one roof plane at a time, properly configured and edited per roof plane. DJP
  8. If I were to make an off-hand list of such persons, I would include DS Hall, Ben Palmer, Joe Carrick, Drawzilla, Glenn Woodward, EB Design, Dennis Gavin, Kilgore Trout, Gerry T, Bryce Engstrom, Cheryl Crane, Rod Cole, Terry Munson and please do not be offended if I left your name out, you know who you are. DJP
  9. My PC is far from new but has six cores in its CPU. Chief Architect Software Engineers and Architects have several times stated that "the more cores, the better". Chief Architect is not, I believe "hyper-threaded" but does benefit from the presents of multiple core CPU's, SSD.s and a well made, up to date Video card and RAM. The only usual limiting factor is one's budget, the more expensive machines give greater and greater performance but as it increases, the difference is measurable only by sicentific testing devices. Get the best you can afford and then be happy. DJP
  10. I posted this thread because I thought an "action definition" of Power User would benefit others. If you aren't currently considering yourself a Power User then how can you attain that for yourself. It takes a decision to attain the ability followed by applied study and practice in most cases. In some instances help can be obtained from here and other training orientated sources (Chief Tutor.com, Chief Experts.com and several other sources). For basic understanding, the video series created and offered via Chief Architect Inc is unbeatable. My point is that please do not wait until you are working on a project and get stumped as your only impetus to study and practice, rather set aside some time, every day for learning (study followed by practice of what was studied) until you attain the level of Power you desire. DJP
  11. If you actually created a custom layer it is not possible for it not to be listed, selectively in any Display Options, that is not happening, look again please. DJP
  12. I agree with Glenn, say what your software title and version is, tell us a little about your PC-OS as well, then state sustinctly what you specific problem is, then also post some screen capture images to help illustrate your problem or a copy of your problem plan. To do otherwise is merely a waste of time for one and all. DJP
  13. There is, for Cabinets material settings in "Edit - Default Settings - Cabinets - Cabinet types (3)", just to be thorough there are also settings in "Edit - Default Settings - Materials" for cabinets though the senior area is "Edit Default Settings - Cabinets - Cabinet types - Materials", you miss one Default setting, it comes back to haunt you later. DJP
  14. Sounds like a remodeling project and as such I usually have an "as-built" plan and then a copy of that saved-as and then edited to represent the proposed project. Things like headers and beams can most easily be represented using 2D CAD items on custom layers to show such Engineering details whether in plan or detail views. You can even draw the CAD objects in your "AS Built" plan and then copy-paste-hold position them into the remodeling plan if you like, There is usually more than one way to get portrayed what you need and want. DJP
  15. Commonly I use mainly floor plan views with different layer sets on and off to organize that material. Cross Sections I usuallly do using a crosss section camera that again potentially is dynamic in nature and allows for easier future changes. Where I use fixed CAD details is for those views that are repetitive or "bloiler plate"in nature, those I customize and save to my library for reuse as my Engineer dictates. CAD detalls usually are merely 2D snapshots of parts of the plan file with text and 2D lines, and overlays that communicate the detail. DJP
  16. What you would need to do is to make a 3D molding poly-line as a path along which your molding profile then extrudes along. I am not saying this is necessarily "easy" but does let you define, exactly the path and appearence of the resulting custom hand rail. 3D molding poly lines can be edited in both camera and plan views to adjust the custom object to exactly what you might need and want. DJP
  17. You can always use ""Control-Tab" to switch between the render view, ray trace window and plan view but to make 3D changes in the plan file you would have to start the render or ray trace over again to include new changes. That is merely the way things are programmed to work. I often start, view-evauate the ray trace, stop the ray trace, make adjustments several times until I then am satisfied with the look of the ray trace allowing it to finish, it is a process of adjustments and then retry until you get the appearance you desire. DJP
  18. That term gets bandied around from time to time. I thought I would try to define it in terms of Chief Architect Software. A power user is someone who uses Chief Architect after thoroughly studying how to use the software. A person who when they incounter a problem, reads the Reference Manual Section or sections about the tool with which he or she is having trouble with. When they increase their theory understanding of the tool or action they then implement that new knowledge using the software to validate that they understood what they just studied. (Demonstrated competence) This places them in the viable position of just creating what they wish to create, using the software and it arms them with the certainty that no matter what they are presented as a problem, they already have a workable solution. A good deffinition of "Power" is merely the ability to efficiently solve Life's problems. It is a condition that one earns through ardent application and effective study. This condition can be created or achieved with speed or over time, the deciding factor is an intention to know. DJP
  19. a lanai is a large outdoor area encased in screening. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lanai_(architecture) popular in Florida (at least that is where I have designed and 3D modeled them in the past). The ones I did I did completely with poly-line solids and 3D molding poly-lines. Here is a rendering of the last one I did: DJP
  20. When I reinstall or install a version of Chief, I customize my Preference settings and then open my "profile.plan" and customize it. Then I open and customize the layout templates I commonly use. I ahve never done otherwise than the above, nor felt the need to add to that routine. DJP
  21. The ability to place a niche in one click with its own dialog box so you could define its depth and shape as well as width and height. DJP
  22. I have been annoyed by that as well but when you confront the purpose of "Anno Sets" it makes sense that someone might want different arrows for different purposes in a set of plans. The current set up allows for that eventuality. I usually use the same arrow type for all dimensions and a different arrow type for text annotations. DJP
  23. I do not experience this in my plans, I wonder if there is an existing situation within your PC-MAC that is the source of this as opposed to Chief? DJP