ComputerMaster86

I am wondering where I can download (if at all) the current version of the Chief Architect Client Viewer but, the 32-bit (x86) edition? I have already downloaded Chief_Architect_Viewer-18.3.1.2-Win64.msi but, it don't give me the option to download any 32-bit version. I do believe Chief Architect is trying to phase out anything 32-bit (x86).

It would kinda be nice to be able to right-click on an individual library in the "Library Browser" then click on something called "Update Library". For those that have slower internet connections it might be handy to be able to update libraries one by one. At least, I know it would for me. I know, I need to get faster internet.

Please correct me if I am wrong. As I understand it here in Michigan, plans for low-rise residential structures (one and two-family dwellings and maybe townhouses) with not more than 3500 square feet of calculated floor area do not need to be sealed by a licensed engineer or licensed architect. Any plans for low-rise residential structures over 3500 square feet of calculated floor area plus any and all commercial projects require engineer or architect seals. The company I work for has a couple structural engineers that they work with. That is if anything needs to be engineered or if plans need to be sealed. I believe low-rise residential, as it relates to code, are residential structures not more than three stories above grade plane.

In my formal CADD training, I did some work with a program called "Autodesk Architectural Desktop" that is now called "Autodesk AutoCAD Architecture". I looked into "AutoCAD Architecture", "ArchiCAD", "Envisioneer" and "Chief Architect" when I first looked into purchasing an architectural design and drafting software program. I ultimately decided on Chief Architect. I think I made a good choice since I will most likely only be working on residential and light commercial projects. If I would have had about $5,000 to invest in a software program, I probably would have looked into ArchiCAD more. Sounds like ArchiCAD would have been a little overkill for the projects I may be taking on.

This new app is nice. So far I really like it. Maybe someday the app will also have the functionally to allow a person to view the elevations associated with their model.

Shoot, I probably missed it.

At home I use the tried and true Windows 7 along with Chief Architect X8. Yep you will have a hard time prying me away from my Windows 7. Anyhow, at my work we upgraded the Windows 8 computers to Windows 10. I use Chief Architect X8 on the work computer and don't seem to have any issues that I know of.

I firmly believe there is no one perfect CADD program out there. I have used different CADD and drafting software in the past. AutoCAD, TurboCAD, Architectural Desktop (AutoCAD Architecture) and SolidWorks to just name a few. I firmly believe they all have their strengths and weeknesses.

I always worry about the "If isn't broke don't fix it." Some software companies will go to great lengths to change their software and end up making their software worse rather than improved. I am all for change if it truely improves Chief Architect. I would hate for the so-called improvents to end up changing or making worse what is already good about CA. So far I really like many of the changes that were made in CA version X8.

I figured out I either need to manually add my own labels using the text tool or change color of the Polylines, Labels layer.

I use polylines and the new polyline labels feature added to X8 quite frequently. I draw up a lot of 2D roof layouts that aid in figuring materials for re-roof jobs. Is it possible to change the layer that the label for the polyline is drawn on? I don't even know if CA has the capability? Ideally I would like to have the polyline labels be on the layer that I choose.

I have Chief Architect installed on my home computer and work computer. When I am done using CA on my work computer at the end of the day, I just go to the Help menu and click on Deactivate License". It deactivates the license on that computer and closes the software. Then I just open up the software on my home computer and click on the button that says "Activate". I don't see what is so hard about doing this? Now, I can understand if a internet connection is not present. That could be an issue for some people. I guess that is why they have the hardware lock. I personally like the way Chief Architect handles there licensing. Shoot, you can have the software legally installed on multiple computers. I know for a fact other software programs don't typically let you do that. Having to deactivate / activate the license when using the software on different computers is a very very minor trade off for allowing the software to be installed on multiple computers. I for one hope CA doesn't change this policy.

I am just beginning to learn ruby. I have in the past messed around with JavaScript code but, never was no expert. Ruby seems to be quite similar although with different syntax.

Man! Ruby is great! I think I may have made my work a little easier, when doing 2D steel layouts for my boss. I normally draw these up in a program called TurboCAD, which is along lines of AutoCAD. I recently started experimenting with CA. You got me hooked on learning ruby. Now if I can write some Ruby code to generate a list of all the polyline labels. That would literally be like "mind blown!"

OK, Thank You! I will try that.

I am working with polyline boxes in Chief Architect X8 and their labels. I have noticed how you can add labels like %visible_length%, which gives the length of the line of the whole box. My question has to do with using %visible_length% in a math formula. Is their a way to type a math formula in the box under "Specify Label" in the "Polyline Specification" dialogue box that displays the answer of the math formula as the label for the polyline. My idea is to right a math formula that takes %visible_length% and subtracts 72" and then divides that value by 2? I guess my general question is can you even add math formulas to these labels like you type a math formula in MS Excel and the answer of the formula is displayed in the cell?

I have some custom wall types defined that have a wall layer for drywall in addition to a wall layer for paint. I also have similar wall types defined without the wall layer for paint. Is it generally a bad practice to have a wall layer for paint? Would it be a better practice to use my wall types that have drywall without the paint layer and then add the paint later? I guess I am wondering what is best way to add paint to walls that have drywall? I am thinking I might be going about it in the wrong way by adding a paint layer to my custom wall types.

I see, I didn't realize there was a page zero. Thank you so much.

Is it possible to create your own title block with Chief Architect or do you have to use CA's default title block? If there is a way, I am thinking of creating my own title block based on one I use in other software.

Both X1 and X7 will have a learning curve for a new person who hasn't used CA before. It would make more sense to try to learn X7 or maybe even X8 over X1. If a person learns X1 and then purchases and start using X8 at some point, they will be stuck learning all of the new features that have come in to play since X1. I am currently in the process of learning how to use CA myself. A lot of the training videos you will find on YouTube are most likely going to be done with newer versions of CA like X8, X7 and X6. You can purchase Chief Architect Premier X7 or X8 (Beta) through a monthly rent-to-own program. I believe you pay $199 a month for 15 months and then the software is yours to keep. That is what I am doing. I started investing in it back in October. The rent-to-own program is ultimately what sealed the deal. Before I purchased CA, I was looking into different 3D architectural drafting and design programs.

My boss, who is a licensed contractor, wanted to learn how to draw up construction documents for his business in CADD. Roughly ten years ago, he decided to take a few classes at a local community college. So even if a person didn't want to have to take a whole 2 year architectural drafting program, it is possible to take just a few classes. Even taking a few select classes in an architectural drafting program at a community college or trade school would provide a person with a certain amount of knowledge of architectural drafting and design standards. I would definitely recommended taking some architectural drafting classes.

I was having having trouble opening up Chief Architect X7 tonight. I installed Chief Arcjitect X8 (Beta) earlier this week. It turned out that after I ended the process "Chief Architect X7 Premier.exe" and then re-clicked on the program icon, it finally opened the program. I have a picture below.

OK thank you for all your replies.

Hi Robert, I just made the jump of purchasing CA about four months ago. So I am new to CA as well. Preferences control the program, they have an effect on all the files you open with the software. Once you get to know how all these settings effect the program, you can set all those settings up to your liking. Once all those settings are set to your liking, they will not change unless you change them again. For preferences, you don't have to worry about creating a template file. Default Settings only affect the current drawing you have open. If you want those settings to have an affect on future drawings, you have to create a template and use that template to create new drawings. Once you get know the different default settings and what they control, as well as, what settings you typically like to use, you can create a template file that has all those settings saved in it. I even have a template file that I started the week of new years. As I learn more about these default settings and what they control, I will often go in and tweak and update my template file. The idea behind default settings is to change all settings to values that are going to be common to your drawing. For example, you might have an interior door style you want to use on all or most of your interior doors. If you was to set up that door style under the default settings, you would not have to change that every time you place an interior door. Another example would be wall types. You may have a wall type you like to use for exterior walls and a wall type you want to use for interior walls. You could set your default wall settings so that every time you click on the exterior wall tool, it defaults to the exterior wall type you like to use. That also works for the interior wall tool and many many other tools.

Hi, Can both Chief Architect X7 and X8 be installed on the same computer without the installations conflicting with each other? I have heard CA will allow a person to upgrade to X8 but, still be able to use X7. I just don't want to mess up my X7 installation.