ComputerMaster86

I have downloaded and imported just about every library CA has on their web site. Although I sometimes have to wait a couple seconds for the libraries and items to load, I have yet to have any major issues. I never had my computer or software crash as a result of the library. I have about 160 bonus libraries and 106 manufacturer libraries currently added to Chief. Having all those loaded inside Chief is probably not necessary but, I never know when I might stumble upon something useful I can add to my plans.

Here in Michigan, the Michigan Residential Code requires at least one egress door that is at least 36" wide and 80" tall. I did notice the actual 2015 IRC does allow the egress door to be as narrow as 32". It seems as if a lot of the AHJ's are overriding the IRC's 32" width requirement and requiring the egress door to be at least 36" wide.

I only wish I would have known about Chief Architect a few years ago. I probably would have started investing in CA and learning the software a lot sooner. I am curious though, about what year they started their rent-to-own program for the software? In my trade school architectural drafting training we worked with Autodesk Architectural Desktop now called (AutoCAD Architecture).

According to what I read doors are allowed to swing into that space.

The International Residential Code requires 21 inches of clearance in front of bathroom fixtures. Can anyone tell me if doors are allowed to swing in to that space?

I know this is such a small thing but, I just figured this out by messing with the door settings. I bet most everybody on here knows how do this. Maybe some newby's might not know this. Anyways, if you would like an opening in a wall but don't want it to be a cased opening just follow the steps below... 1. Insert a cased opening. 2. Click on the cased opening in plan view. 3. Click on the door Icon for "Open Object". 4. Click on the "Casing" tab. 5. Deselect "Use Interior Casing" and "Use Exterior Casing" if it is not grayed out. 6. Close out of the door settings dialogue box.

I don't think there is but, I was wondering if there was a way to change the precision of angular dimensions? For example, if (35.89456*) is displayed and user wants it to be in whole even degrees (76*). It almost as if the angular dimension tool settings are lacking a little bit.

I recently did some exterior elevations of a pole building that was covered in G-Rib steel with a 36" tall G-Rib steel wainscotting. I used a pony wall with the transition being about 36" above the floor. I then used a molding polyline set to extrude to the outside of line to create the look of a piece of steel Z-bar where the two walls of the pony wall meat. I think it turned out pretty well for well. I had to break it at all windows and doors.

There was earlier in the year. I have it but, was hoping to download the updated 18.3.1.2-Win32.msi version of it. Chief Architect has removed the ability to choose the 32-bit version from the download page but, I think they are still floating around somewhere on their web site.

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?