DavidJPotter

Here is my You Tube take on your problem: DJP

Scott, I am in a similar state of mind in that I find the current state of electrical connections annoying and vexing but I also continue to assert that end user intervention and intent to succeed can overcome that tool's weakness (I do what I have to do when creating electrical plans). DJP

I have been Teaching Seminars and doing on line tutoring in Chief Premier since 1999. I am not an Architect nor am I a State Licensed Structural Engineer but anything that needs to happen with house plans and how that is accomplished in Chief I can do and help you to do. Data about my on line help services can be read here: http://djpdesigns.com/tutoring.html , I am available on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9AM to 7PM Central Time for tutoring. Let me know when you would like to get started! DJP

This specific request should be made in "Suggestions" along with a specific description of how this tool would work if deployed. Glenn Woodward is in my opinion one of the most competent Chief Premier users I know of, so if he does not know what you are talking about then it your responsibility to make clear why such a tool is necessary and what it does. Most of us here just use Chief Premier and are unfamiliar with Revit, Archicad and how such other programs work. I am blissfully ignorant myself though I am open to positive change. DJP

That is as may be, but the point is he has asked for help of professionals and he should have it. DJP

My views are often unpopular here. Any software will be found to be rather less than perfect. To obtain perfection requires End User intent and action. I agree that the electrical tools in Chief are not perfect in action but I also will say that electrical plans can be made that are perfect in every way. You just do what is necessary to achieve desired results. Placing this responsibility at the door of software, I believe is just a little irresponsible because goo electrical plans can and are created all the time using tools as they are. A lack of perfection is annoying when it occurs but you just persevere until you have what is acceptable to you is what I am saying. DJP

The settings that I alluded to exist and are there, that you cannot see them is your concern, not mine. There is no substitute for the ability to look and see what is there, I am sorry if you cannot or will not see what is there to see. DJP

I often make custom columns from a combination of cabinets, slabs, poly-line solids and 3D molding poly lines, so the tools are there already just not specialized as a "Column tool" per se. What version of Chief Architect Premier are you using please? DJP

There are settings you can access within a single roof plane specification dialog to alter automatic returns, however to be able to really edit and shape such returns the best method is to create manual returns using custom roof planes to emulate such things, I usually use auto returns unless greater control is required or desired. DJP

I was able to open it in my copy of X7 and I immediately made a copy just in case that plan actually becomes unusable. The error messages states that your .plan is corrupted. That means that at some point the plan may enter a state where it can no longer be opened by anyone. This is a common event when new, untrained users are involved, making too many guesses as opposed to educating themselves on how to properly use the software. A trained user never gets a corrupted plan, ever. I will need to work on your plan live on line with you so I can find out from you what your intentions were versus what is found in the plan relative to its default settings and preferences. Once we have the plan stabilized (no error messages) then we can start making construction documents. Let me know if you are willing to work with me and we then will. In terms of a Materials List, well that is a different order of magnitude: in order to have an accurate Materials List the 3D model must be perfect in every way, inside and out. The entire model must be built exactly as it will be built in the field, every stick, every stud, joist etc. The materials list in Chief Architect Premier just measures what is in the 3D model and NOTHING MORE, so if the model is perfect from foundation to roof ridge then and only then will the Materials List be accurate. This requires extreme skill with the software and a thorough knowledge of local building practices to pull this off. This level of accuracy is not necessary to creating plans and so takes at least TEN TIMES longer, one has to triple check everything from stem to stern, that takes additional time. In terms of myself, I do not offer "Take Off" professional services. You would be better served to share your plans with such a professional who does offer professional Materials Take off services that to try to make a 3D model do this on its own. For instance the foundation must be accurate in every detail, every grade beam and footing must be completely accurate for that to then read accurately within the Materials List. I am not a structural Engineer and so you would have to hire such a professional to design the foundation which could only then be modeled into the .plan file. I am sorry to dump all this new data upon you but I do this for a living and for several decades, I know what is required. DJP

What software name and version are you using, LIke Gene said making a statement like you made you can't possible be using Chief Architect Premier. DJP

Because they are mulled. In order to change their size, un-mull then, change the size and then re-mull them. DJP

The labels can be selected and moved in plan view and also they can be move to the front using each label's dialog box-Line Style tab. DJP

I think you have the problem taped, it is either corrupt mouse software drivers or the mouse itself. Mice are a nickle a million, get a new one. DJP

You can also control the size or width of boxed eaves by way of the "Roof Specification Dialog". In terms of changing the pitch that can also be done by way of the "Roof Specification Dialog - Pitch" input box per roof plane but when you change the roof pitch you will also have to reconnect the roof planes to the adjacent roof planes (valleys) by using the Join Roofs tool. (when you change the pitch the mating edges angle changes) DJP

In terms of specific Help with Home Designer Software and home design, currently all official training comes out of Coer D'Alene Idaho from Chief Architect Inc. I have been providing one on one help for Home Designer and Chief Premier users over the internet since 1999. All you need is a broadband internet connection. Please contact me below by phone or e mail and I will help you to the degree that you desire. DJP

Wall heights are controlled first in "Edit - Default Settings - Floor - Ceiling height", the individual Room Specification Dialogs where you wish to diverge from Default Settings. There are no other applicable settings for Wall Height, provided roof planes are in place. DJP

No, no ever not on any of several PC's I have had or any version back to when I first started with 3D Architect. Please contact Tech Support they will be interested to help you. DJP

Claire, please post a sample of what you are talking about so we can SEE what you mean. DJP

I second that motion, Windows has a built in archive that you can use, you may have to reinstall X9 afterwards but it is unlikely for this anomaly to happen a second time. DJP

I have versions 7, 8, 9.5, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 15, 17, 18 and X9 on my PC. Since 1994 what happened to you never happened to me. Contact Tech Support and if you want to reinstall X8 you certainly can. Part of the installation routine built into each new version is to bring forward all prior Users Library and Bonus Libraries you had present in your earlier version. I have observed this to be the case now for several versions. This is something you did and not Chief Architect. DJP

KBird has the right idea in that different annotation sets by default (when they are understood and used) automatically place text and other objects on appropriate layers while using a particular annotation set and you can customize annotation sets and create specialized text layers within those annotation sets to place text on whatever layer you desire. The "trick" if it can be so called is understanding, choosing, customizing annotation sets and their sets of layers to do your work for you while you work. DJP

I can help you, I specialize in working with Home Designer Software users DJP

The thing about the Materials List in Chief is that it just measures only what you put into the model and nothing more. The only way I ever got a completely accurate Materials List is by modeling every grade beam, create all framing automatically and then manually edit it all making sure to add all necessary bracing and other structural objects that are not added automatically. All relevant settings that effect materials must be set perfectly otherwise you just get an inaccurate waste of time. I have done this twice in my career. I told the client that to produce an accurate Materials List, I first must work with a Structural Engineer so they can design the foundation and its grade beams and specify all bracing and structural concerns. Armed with that data I then check and triple check that the model reflects that in detail. Only then will you then get an accurate materials list. I also told this client that such a 3D model will cost them a lot more than one used just for construction documents due to the involvement of a Structural Engineer and the additional time and care necessary to make a perfect 3D model. Only under those exact conditions have I ever acquired an accurate materials list and that is why to date, I have only done two such lists. Most of the time I just skip it. When I was working for a remodeling company many years ago when I first started, my boss asked me to pursue and research the Materials List feature and the above is what I found to be true. It has always been quite useful for simple calculations like flooring etc. Most relatively new users simply do not have the skill and understanding of Chief Premier and its tools to create a useful materials list. It can be done, I have done it but it is a rather intense and exacting process. DJP

I have used it for many years/versions mainly for realigning glass block and a frame for remodeling purposes and certain tile patterns. Since these are small jobs I have never needed to worry about "Global" but rather just specific materials on a specific surface. DJP