DavidJPotter

You will have to change the layer of the post for it to show in Wall Details or just manually draw it with 2D CAD. DJP

You must have the exact version of Chief to open HD files: X8-HD 2017, X7-HD 2016, X6-HD 2015, X5- HD 2014 etc, to do otherwise like opening a 2015 HD file in X8 when you send it back He will not be able to open or edit the file. And each file opened in Premier MUST be set to be opened in HD. That setting is in "General Plan Defaults", look for it. DJP

If your laptop does not have a "dedicated video support with its own video RAM, you are screwed. If you can insert or add a dedicated video card then there is hope. Initally take Chopsaw's advice and then check if you can add on a decent video card, preferably with NVIDIA chips. DJP

Here is a link to an article on how to do what you need to do. http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/how-to/pc-components/how-set-default-graphics-card-3612668/ and http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/365904-33-switch-graphics-cards DJP

I think you will find the right Windows Dialog by searching "video settings" or "video Cards". DJP

My laptop only has a single video card (no mother board video support), perhaps someone with a similar mach up can help. What I mentioned was based on numerous posts at Chief Talk, I will do a search there and see if I can find a definitive post and share it with you. DJP https://www.chiefarchitect.com/support/article/KB-02761/chief-architect-minimum-system-requirements.html https://www.chiefarchitect.com/support/article/KB-00106/troubleshooting-3d-camera-view-display-problems.html

Here is a link to Joe's cabriz file named "People" on my dropbox, it is even zipped 27 Mb: https://www.dropbox.com/s/ib2oburf91jyvuo/people.zip?dl=0 DJP

You manually set the better card as your default within Windows. DJP

The proper procedure is to un-mull the windows, copy them to a new location, then still un-mulled reflect them, then re-mull them in that order. If you care to report your initial thought feel free to do so. DJP

Most roof planes can be raised or lowered manually using the "Transform-Replicate dialog" using that dialog's "Move tools" Te exceptions are Under the Window tools bay and box bay, those roofs are part of a symbol and cannot be separately edited but such symbol windows can be edited by moving its handles in a camera or elevation camera views. Try it and see for yourself DJP

Lots of us here use chief for commercial but unlike you my percentage of commercial to residential is not as high. With it's built in tools, layers, layout and procedures It can do commercial jobs quite well. You do not need a license to survive from others, just do it. I have designed shopping centers, restaurants, banks and I have seen others design quite beautiful commercial structures. DJP

I think I missed the point earlier. It sounds like you do not use Chief Architect. I sounds like you need 35 pages of drawings to Chief Architect, then to PDF. Sight unseen what you want done is going to take a lot of time in Chief Architect, probably $1 - 2 M dollars are you willing to pay a fair price? I commonly charge $75.00 per hour, and I would require an upfront prepayment of $500.00. Let me know please, yea or nay. DJP

Without viewing your attached plan, I can say with certainty that auto build roof is very limited and one has to learn how to take that product and then manually edit those results to what you really want. This takes time and patience to learn how to manually edit roof planes but has to be in your toolbox sooner or later if you wish to become a competent roof designer, the way out is the way through. DJP

"Convert" is the wrong word to use, there is no way to do that. What can be done is to import the PDF, scale it within Chief. Then place it on a custom layer and lock it. Then trace over the exterior walls with the Wall Tool, add windows and doors. Before moving on you match the dimensions displayed in the PDF, this is because scaling of an image is a matter of getting it close, perfect scaling I have found to be hard to do. Then do your interior walls and doors etc. Then turn off the PDF and dimension your interior walls based upon the PDF's dimensions If you have another floor then that will require another scaled PDF, you can then use the Reference Floor display to help align one floor to the next. DJP

What works for me is simple persistence, not much of a tip but is all I have to offer, just don't give up until you get a product. DJP

I can help you. DJP

Patience and perseverance is all I can think of, one should be able to at least get close to your posted image. DJP

Or Call Tech Support on Monday. DJP

Default Settings - Text. Chief is a mechanical device and "knows or remembers" NOTHING it only responds to settings whether Default Settings or other settings which you control or not at your choice or peril. DJP

The only way I have successfully used X1 is within the operating system it was designed for: Windows XP x32 where it runs stably and reliably. In Windows 10 it will "run" but all kinds of unwanted behavior also occurs. I dual boot both XP and W10, XP is for Versions 7, 9.5, 10 and X1, Windows 10 I use for more modern versions. DJP

The best look.ng Ray Traced grass I have ever seen was done by Jentu Montego (Jentu Designs) where he made is own custom grass texture material. It is a bit of trial and error work but in his case it was worth the time spent. He has, in the past shared this custom texture here, last year, I think. DJP

Yes but the process is as simple as it is unforgiving if you make a misstep. Read the section in the Reference Manual about flipping floors (changing floors and then experement using a simple test plan to make sure you fully understand the steps and get perfect test results before inflicting the procedure on your intended model. DJP

You tweak materials, any materials until you are satisfied with the results, works for any material. DJP

I do not reroute any default folders as you have shown, the files in those folders do not amount to much space, what takes up a large amount of space is my "Plans" directory as i have a LOT of plans (see attached image) DJP

Part of the learning curve is getting it wrong, then asking for help or study followed by practice and then getting it right. We all did it wrong first on the way to getting it right. DJP