DavidJPotter

When no plans exist and I must create them, I do so on site only. The problem with field notes is the problem Scott alluded to: what do you do when you get home and they do not add up???

That is why I measure, make notes and then input them into my laptop on a full version of Chief while there. That way when I come to something that does not add up, I am still there to measure it from inside and out until I get that resolved.

I also take digital photos for Architectural detailing and sometimes landscaping that I add when home. Clients and I do not like multiple trips when one elongated one will do.

I do not own a smart phone or pad and so will never be a canadate for the aforenamed app and I agree with Scott in that I believe such a thing is more useful to those who consider a laptop to big and clumsey to tote around. What I do works for me and that is all the happy I need.

DJP

I have several clients that use X5 and Windows 8 and it runs fine for them so I would assume that you need more up to date Video Card software drivers.

DJP

No, perhaps it is a Mac issure only?

DJP

repost 5-17-2014

Photo Shop (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MbZNcly4bM),

Corel Paint Shop Pro (http://designertoday.com/Tutorials/Paint.Shop.Pro/797/Custom. Textured.Text.Corel.Paint.Shop.Pro.7.Tutorial.aspx) etc,

not really my forte but I have made several successsful custom textures using Paint Shop Pro.

DJP

The idea that lessoning or increasing anothers "reputation" annonimously is irresponsible and unethical, so I intend to ignore what is by default BS.

DJP

I may be that the texture file has white grout and so the pattern file in vector view would have white pattern lines, which do not work well on layout, when I come across such a material duo I change the pattern lines to "Black" so that they show up on layout. If that is what you mean of course.

DJP

Jon,

Dormers like stairs are kinda twitchy IMHO, here is a tutorial I made done in Home Designer Pro 2012 but I assure you the dormer tools and roof behaviors are identical whether you are in Pro or Chief Premier-any version:

DJP

If the dwg file was shared with you from "Paper Space" (similar to Chief's layout, scaled down to fit a specific paper size), then you have some work to do. Probably the easiest way to handle this would be to ask the AutoCAD creator to give you a copy of the "Model Space" views which are at a scale of 1' = 1' thus making your job easier.

If you do not know the AutoCAD person you will just have to try reimporting the dwg using different scales or use Transform-Replicate to "resize" the drawing until it scales out properly in Chief (I have done all of the above in the past, so I know it can be done)

DJP

Take a look at the material color and pattern line colors (which you can see in full color) but sent to layout any pattern lines that are natively "white" will not show up in a black and white environment.

The only way I know of to send fully colored elevation views to layout is as a bit map image. Bit map images are not easily annotated or dimensioned, so I just use black and white (vector view) instances to layout.

Why your elevations arrive to layout red, I have no idea (I have never seen this happen in my 20 years of use of Chief Premier), so I am at a loss of words to comment otherwise (perhaps your video card and or its drivers are not up to snuff).

DJP

One would need to know what the easements and set-backs are to tell if a structure would or would not fit on a particular lot, most cities have requirements for parking relative to such commercial buildings as well.

I think no one has replied due to your request being too general and nebulous to respond to.

DJP

I am not sure what you are describing, I imported some skp files yesterday with no trouble at all, it may be that the 3D Warehouse file is corrupted or poorly made. I need more data (description) to comment further.

DJP

3D Warehouse objects are free, they are not culled by any quality control, anywhere. The window you downloaded and used is poorly made, that is all there is to say other than "you get what you pay for". Some symbols from 3D Warehouse are well made and some are not relative to use in Chief Architect Software, that is all you are up against.

DJP

It appears to me that the image you posted was produced by "20-20" or some such cabinet program like they use at Home Depot and Lowe's.

I commonly just use the standard "plan view" for cabinet layouts since you have dimension tools and annotation tools. I suppose for a more "3D" look you could use the Doll House camera but that camera offers no useful dimension or annotation tools.

You should not expect Chief Architect Premier to be like someone else's software application, it is what it is and does what it does quite well but it is not something other than what it is.

DJP

No one but you can decide whether or not they are "worth" the cost. I bought them when on sale and I enjoy having them.

DJP

Post a plan copy or at least a screen capture or sketch. Lots of us "know how" but it is not clear what you want to do that you presently can not do with illustration.

DJP

Your images do not display, sorry.

DJP

The only reason I can think of that "Core Catalogs" would not be present would be due to them not being installed ("Library - Install Core Catalogs"). Try that, and if no joy then call Tech Support on Monday.

It used to be that Core Catalogs installed when you installed the program but this is no longer the case, they must be downloaded manually by you after installation of the program.

DJP

I know of two Architects who are excellent designers and Chief Users in San Diego:

D. Scott Hall and

Joseph P. Carrick, Architect - AIA

Chief versions 9.5 to X6

Both are accomplished Architects and Chief Users, their contact information can be had here on this forum. I can also help you if you wish.

DJP

http://www.chiefarchitect.com/support/article/KB-00730/

http://www.chiefarchitect.com/support/article/KB-00816/

http://www.chiefarchitect.com/support/article/KB-01006/

DJP

I do not understand what, exactly your question is from what you wrote, sorry.

DJP

I know you have made an effort (I have watched you try for years), a more uptone, upbeat approach might attract more than "tired of trying" laments.

Self interest works better with most people.

You might survey the local users you actually know and find out what interests them and then promote your meetings as "having that or those things" as a part of the meetings and thereby breath a little Life into potential meetings.

When we had meetings here in Austin, the sponsor  (Debbie Gray) would do surveys on a regular basis to find out what our members were interested in and then promote that as "what the meeting was about" to me and to the group. I would then make a point to put together a presentation about that subject of interest during the meeting.

I wish you well!

DJP

I do not have this problem, nor have I ever heard of such a problem, in any version of Premier so I would guess that the problem is specific to your PC and its software drivers.

Make sure your mouse driver software is up to date, first and foremost,

DJP

Learn well by study followed by practice the tools used to edit and customize roof planes as well as the settings that control and effect roof planes. Tutorials help but the key is getting defined any terms used to describe what to do (if you understand the words, you can then understand the actions necessary to get a wanted result).

Study, which includes clearing up any misunderstood terms or symbols. followed by successful practice is the road to competence.

DJP

Here is a short You Tube video of me looking over and fixing your file:

http://youtu.be/h610pq1xW1w

DJP