DavidJPotter

The way I do it is to open my layout. Then on page one I double click on the plan view or elevations on that page to open them in a plan view edit window. This way when you export that view to DWG it exports at a true scale of 1' =1' and can easily then be opened in AutoCAD at that same scale. You go through the layout exporting each view from its plan view edit window. You can also print to PDF the entire layout as a reference to the dwg file exports for the intended AutoCAD person to use. If you export from a layout page directly the resultant AutoCAD file will be scaled to the paper size of your layout making it more difficult for the AutoCAD recipient to then scale for his or her use. Do not waste your time confusing other people, keep it simple and straight forward please. In short, convert the views and not just the layout, share the layout as a PDF file. DJP

I like to keep it simple, I use a Logitech four button, scroll wheel mouse, on my laptop I use a wireless version of the same mouse. DJP

As a Beta Tester I file reports and requests directly to the Beta Administrator. http://beta-reporting.chiefarchitect.com/. But I also have a user name and pass word. One can also e mail files and communications directly to Tech Support: https://www.chiefarchitect.com/support/ . A Google search is all that is necessary. DJP

I spent some time looking over your plan while videoing what I did and why. I hope this helps you because most of the design decisions need to be made by you and not me: https://youtu.be/0GlwnJVvGrE DJP

I have seen this phenomena as well, especially using pony walls, it is annoying but livable, a better solution would be apprecaited but after all, it is just a mechanical device being a mechanical device. DJP

Your attic walls are in place but did not fill, fully the gaps of the attic for some reason (unknown). You can click on the existing wall poly-lines of those attic walls and using their edit handles, reshape them to fit your needs in any camera view, probably the best camera to use is an elevation camera for exact editing. DJP

Auto rebuild walls and ceilings setting in 3D Preferences might be off. It may be that there is no corresponding structural wall beneath the missing attic walls in which case you will have to manually draw those missing walls in yourself. I have not looked at your plan, I will do so now. DJP

Some of the best users on Earth live and work in Australia: Glenn Woodward, Ed_Downunder and several others. Welcome to the forum! You can send Glenn Woodard a "private message: using this link: https://chieftalk.chiefarchitect.com/index.php?/user/106-glennw/ DJP

Your posted image is from a vector view camera which by default shows line edges where walls connect (default behavior for that camera type), I do not consider anything is "wrong" but Chief just being Chief. You should also manually draw footings under the bay when you get time, it will look better when you do. DJP

The original poster seems to be saying that unless we all lite torches and storm the offices at Couer d' Alene that we are being counter productive to the forward advance of Chief Architect software. Ridiculous! This forum is for help now with Chief Architect Inc software within what it is capable of now, not some airy fairy utopian future, now. That means workarounds or clever procedures now, not later but now. What gets added or fixed is directly effected by our feature requests, communications, suggestions and bug reports not by some magical process unknown to man. Perhaps the original poster is suggesting the promotion of other software as a "solution" to Chief Architect problems. Anyone is welcome to promote whatever they wish but not to use that as a way to imply that Power Users or Chief Architect Inc have ulterior motives or evil intentions. This thread and its underlying premise is BS. DJP

I agree with Glenn and Perry, the auto story pole tool does not work perfectly but does work well. Almost everything requires some editing and control from the end user. DJP

You now set the terrain object to the house using the "Building Pad" input box, I usually set my terrain to the lowest point of the house which is usually the bottom of the garage door. After that you may want to further edit the terrain but setting it do the garage is usually the starting point. DJP

If you are using Chief X8 you can get help from Chief Architect Inc Tech Support relative to printing to PDF. DJP

the difference between a dwg and dxf is layer management. A dwg file natively imports with layer names, a dxf file does not support layer names. DJP

Edit - Preferences - Edit - Show start - end indicators DJP

See if this help video helps: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWibFFtn9Ik Once settings are set out of sequence, it will take a while for you actual settings to work. doing it right the first time is a key, once it is done out of sequence (Edit Default settings - Floor for each floor first) it takes awhile to smooth out the software. DJP

I believe Dermot Dempsey once explained on the Old Chief Talk that they have an on going list of feature requests and bug fixes. The existing list of those back then was and is a large list. The powers that be have meetings to discuss future changes weighed against the actual person power they have at hand. And then decide what to implement in the next version. That is a continual on going process. Not all possible features can be added at once. What they had was able and useful and they have consistently improved their products. Is it perfect in every way, NO. Power users and others are not magicians, they can only tell you want works now based upon their own experiences. Pronouncing Power users and Chief Architect Inc guilty of not being all things to all people is a ridiculous proposal proposed by unreasonable, unhappy persons who do not have enough real problems in their lives to have a proper prospective. It is not perfect nor do I see it becoming perfect in the near future but it is good enough for me now. DJP

Also try the "Cultured Stone" library calibz file. You can download free texture making software directly from Acme Brick or Boral Brick websites for unlimited selections, just takes a couple of additional steps. DJP

I have done several commercial projects using Michael/s method to success. I then use the 2D grid to then layout light fixtures and apply a ceiling tile material and align it to my 2D grid which also works well using the X-Y adjustments of the ceiling tile texture. It is all quite easy and straightforward to do. DJP

I think the difference is competence. Competence means a willingness to study and practice to fully understand something. Study is based upon the definition of symbols,words procedures and terms. A software program is a tool and it performs best in competent hands and minds. I am not saying anyone here or elsewhere is incompetent, but I am saying that the difference between power users and lessor mortals is hard work and a willingness to study and learn what one currently does not know. I am the first to say that Chief Premier is less than perfect but a clever intent user always finds a way to success, while others whine and moan. We rightfully expect improving software but one should first start with the mug one sees in the mirror before placing blame elsewhere. Who is responsible for you and your outcomes other than yourself? DJP

If this was easy to do, then everybody would be doing it. DJP

The proper way is to open the exterior wall - Define and then change the exterior material which then directly effects all such walls in the plan file. Changing the exterior material via the materials tab of a single wall just effects that one wall only. It is also a good idea to go to Edit -Default Settings- Materials - exterior walls" which controls auto-generated walls that the program makes. DJP

I made a You Tube video of me fumbling around with your plan (https://youtu.be/F_IQNL86PQw ), If you make a copy of your plan as I did you will also need to reset default settings in the clone plan for it to fully emulate your original plan. You ask " why is my plan file corrupt?" it is a collection of wrong guesses as to settings, incomplete cycles of action and loose ends as well as unsound procedure in its creation that all contribute to an unusable-unstable result. I learned these lessons the hard way by making mistakes and losing hours of work until I amended my ways. DJP

No I have not experienced this for many versions but I suspect such problems come from insufficient PC hardware or software drivers. The last problem I had like this was in version 7 with faulty mouse drivers, in some cases updated video card drivers can be at fault. take a look and see for yourself. DJP

Look in your "Library Browser - Architectural - Fixtures - Faucets - Shower." DJP