PLANsLLC123

Just checking back in, in case the resolution might help someone else... I was able to check in with CA Tech Support and they isolated it to my docking station. Apparently, the HDMI cable to the Monitor that was plugged into the Docking station, then to the laptop, needed to be plugged directly into the laptop. Thanks again for the help.

Will do. Thank you both for your help. Tim

Yes...I checked that out.

I updated my signature line to reflect I am using x10 and the laptop identified after my signature line. Thanks, in advance.

I am revising an old plan and trying to open an Ortho View to put in layout, but I am getting a Black Screen. This project has been running very slow. Also, it takes forever to save as a .pdf file and, once save, the .pdf file is not printing. I keep all my files on an external hard drive. I have been having a similar situation when I opened Wall Specification Window or Door Specification and got a black sceen instead of interactive tools. Also, when I open the Materials window the picture of the tea pot always comes up grainy. This project has worked fine in the past, i.e. I have opened and moved Ortho views to layout etc., and can do so in other projects, but the sluggishness is specific to this project, while the Black Screen issues have been intermittent within various drawing files. Do these symptoms point to anything obvious to anyone more savvy at the computer than myself ? ...which does not take a whole lot... Appreciate any opinions or suggestions. Tim

I am trying to cut a hole in the roof. I used the Rectangular Polyline Tool to highlight the area for the cut, but when I try to convert the polyline to "Hole in Roof/Custom Ceiling" that option is not highlighted for use. I just did this on a previous version of same drawing and it worked fine. I am baffled. Any ideas what I need to do?

I figured it out....the two walls that attached the new structure to the addition were checked 'no room locate'. Once I unchecked the boxes the program recognized the new structure. Thank for considering this dilemma with me...if you did.... Tim

Greetings CA community, I am hoping for some help on the attached plan. The project involves an attic renovation and a two-story addition. The attic renovation has been completed, although not perfect...can't get my floor heights right and have to fix the dormer roof...but...the main question concerns the two-story addition. I ran into this before, but can not remember how to fix....I can't 'add a second story over existing..it knows it already has a second story and offers me the option to add a 4th story. I tried extending existing second story walls out over the space, but it does not recognize the floor. Any help in understanding what I need to do would be appreciated. Thank you, Tim Design_Concept__6_(w-Addition).plan

Mark, Just an FYI follow-up...I researched and went with the Asus MB 169B+...which features the 11 x 17 screen. Should be arriving tomorrow...anxious to try it out. Looked around for the 21", but no luck yet. Thanks for pointing me in this direction. Tim

Glenn, That's a game-changing suggestion, thank you. I messed with the Magnifier settings, which work as you describe, and pinned the 'Magnifier' icon to my taskbar. The function works to enlarge the categories of options on the Active Display Option dropdown. I may still invest in the extra monitor that Mark suggested, just so I have more screen area to set various views of the project(s) for clients to see all at once...so they can see the full power of CA on display...oh, and make some decisions about their projects too. Thank you for all the help and suggestions. Tim

Looks like HP makes something similar as well, but without the 'usb' power source...its' a whole new world...who knew?

I just followed up on your suggestion to see all the features. Great suggestion, thank you sending. Set up time was one of my concerns and this solves that. Thanks again, Tim

Greetings Kbird, I had not considered that. Good idea. Thank you.

For now, I am considering getting a separate monitor to set out for the group, but have the laptop close to me. The practice of 'walking through' the plan has been a hit, along with the added bonus of 'real time' renovation, has worked well and a practice I plan to continue. I just wanted to make sure there was not an easy way to enlarge font, before I went to the expense. Thanks again, Tim

Thank you. This is very helpful. Tim

To All, I would like to know if there is an option to change the font size in the Active Display Option Menu? The panel size is fine working in my office on my 32" Monitor, but I begun the practice of taking my laptop to the client's home for design presentations and make revisions, as needed, on-the-spot. However, invariably, I need to turn off 'Rafters', or some other display for presentation clarity, but I am unable to see the various options on the Menu without pulling the laptop close enough to see options, then, pushing it back so everyone can see the screen. I tried grabbing 'minimizing' the screen then pulling corner 'handles' to enlarge, but the font size stays the same. Any ideas? (In case it does not show up after my signature, I am running CA X9) I look forward to your feedback. Tim

Trying to attach my plan, but apparently my file exceeds the 25MB max? File size I am trying to upload is 75MB, I am not sure how to upload... I will try the suggestions made. Thank you

To All, My client is wanting to replicate a feature in a previous home that used a soffit around the Living Room to obscure some uplights for the ceiling. In my design I have created a soffit and dropped it from the ceiling five or six inches and have added some eyeball cans shining down on a 'feature wall', but have been unable to figure out how to install lights 'inside' the soffit facing upward to light the ceiling. In the real world application we will install L.E.D. lights inside the soffit, but I am hoping for help using C.A. tools to create this effect so it is seen in a 3D view. I have tried cabinet lighting, tube lighting etc., but it seems a soffit has a 'top' to it that dissallows light to shine through...even if I could turn a tube light up-side-down. An on-line video suggested "3D > Lighting > Add Lights", which I did, however, to view these lights I understand it is necessary to utilize the time consuming Ray Trace feature to see the effect in 3D. Is there another means? I have attached a sketch of what I am trying to achieve. Any advice and suggestions are appreciated. Thank you, Tim (Using C.A. x9) C.A. Question re. Uplights.pdf

Ahh...good to know. Thank you. That will come in handy.

That automatically displayed with the stairs. So, doing as you suggest and adding a couple framing member polylines, then line selecting dashed, would work fine...I just need to 'white out' the single stringer.

Yes, exactly.

Here is a shot of my plan, with the stairs in question highlighted. Any suggestions welcome. Thank you, Tim(A.4) FRAMING PLAN.pdf

Thank you for pointing me in the right direction. I did try a search initially, but search term(s) I used did not yield this result. Sounds like adding strings is a fairly common concern, according to the posts. Thanks again, Tim

Is there a way to add a fourth stringer to a set of stairs? Thank you, Tim using Chief X9

Thank you Solver. That worked! The house roof also reflected the short eave I have on the garage, but I was able to move the house eave independently. Simple solution..., thought I had tried it (?) Feeling dumb.. DRAWZILLA....thank you for advice re. multiple floors. Helpful to know. I used a similar technique on a Barn that had a large shop area below and living area above, adding a second floor allowed a Mezzanine level that incorporated a first floor paint booth and bathroom with 8' ceilings and a stair landing. Thanks for sharing this practice. Thank you Both!