DavidJPotter

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

Everything you need to make customized electrical symbols already exists within Chief Architect Premier. You can easily customize the plan view symbols using the "CAD Block Management" tool and dialog, the appearance of the 3D aspect of such electrical symbols is less important than the 2D or plan view appearance. I suppose one could search and download symbols from 3D Warehouse but I have needed to do so except for larger electrical devices, not controls. Some of these Knowledge Base Help Articles may be of specific help to you: https://www.chiefarchitect.com/search/?q=customize+electrical+symbols DJP

After the fact, no actual suggestions. I have XP on my PC for antique software applications I still need to run. I have Windows 10 for modern applications that were designed to run on that platform. There is a free uninstall program offered by IOBIT called "Iobit Uninstaller" that does a more complete job of uninstalling applications (better than what is in the Control Panel). Version 18 (X8) is designed to run in Windows 10, 8 and 7, it may work in Vista but I am not sure, it was never designed to run in Windows XP. DJP

I think some persons here feel like another's opinion that differs from theirs is somehow a personal threat to their integrity. As I have said before, the purpose of this forum is to offer help in the here and now. This forum has a "Suggestions" forum for make suggestions for future change. Continuing to declare guilty the generality of Chief Inc or this forum and its users is just to impune a generality (everybody knows..., everyone feels...) there is no such entity as "everyone" there is only you and me. Using such tactics are merely the tools of unhappy persons. I speak only for myself and I am happy about Chief now and Chief in the future, especially if we ignore the naysayers and just get the job done now. DJP

How to solve problems using Chief Architect Premier can be posted here. Specific questions about sales options should be given to Chief Architect Sales. Welcome to our group! DJP

When you get intermittent loss of function, save-close and reboot Chief and see if that helps after reopening that plan. DJP

This forum is for Chief Architect users (not software programmers or Software Architects). Users are looking just for "What works and what does not work". There is an official way to request features (Suggestions) and to report bugs (Tech Support). Here We are mainly interested in the "here and now" (What can and cannot be done now). DJP

It is quite likely that the two houses will not have the same floor level to each other even if slightly different. I would create the terrain plane and then build house one, setting the terrain to house one. Then draw the first floor of house two setting its floor level to the terrain plane surface. Once that is done I would then finish house two with its custom floor level, adjusted ceiling heights and roof placements. The last time I did a multi structure development (nine buildings) I made ten plan files, exported each structure as a symbol and then imported those nine symbols into a terrain plane that matched the property. Each structure symbol had a different floor level on this property with connecting roads and parking lots. For two structures I do not thing this method is necessary but just mention it in passing. DJP

I started to make a video and then found that I would have to eat my earlier words. This should be submitted as a "Feature Request" because it is needed, I can think of some convoluted workarounds to get this done but the point is, they need to add some additional input box controls in the shape tab so this can be done using that dialog. DJP PS: Feature Request submitted

No You have to do a Full plan back up including the layout file AND if any image files or other files not specifically connected to the plan file or files they must be manually included OR embedded into the layout file and plan file, this has been true since Version 4 and is still true. Any other file attachments should be put in a CAD Detail Window before sending to layout, that way that type of file (PDF or image) will be sure to be included when transferring files using full plan back up. DJP