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BTW: best practice is to use X10 and X11 names otherwise there is confusion with the much older Chief 10 and 11 (which really didn't exist back then) Lew

Andy: you should contact CA's customer support as they can advise best I have seen no mention of anyone using point clouds being imported into Chief of any version so I don't think it can but CA will know best Lew

currently CA's installment plan is for 12 months aimed to smooth out the cost the total is more than a flat out purchase Lew

I think $3,000 price scares off some customers I they can get software focused on the job they do they might go for a lower cost why would a landscaper buy Chief? if they don't do new construction or remodels etc break Chief into its 3 or 4 major components - yet continue to offer Premier for those who want it all Lew

I don't interiors, remodels, or schedules so a good many new features not useful to me.. Rashid: I have suggested many times over the last decade that Chief be sold in modules to help keep the cost down some need the landscape/terrain features and some don't some need kitchen features and some don't some may want the entire package like I did Lew

consider using the barn as an outer shell and build a self-contained "normal" house within that shell depending on where you live the building codes may require this check with your local building permit office to determine what is required The stairs will probably have to be relocated and designed to meet code Lew

Hi: do you have Chief ? if so, you should update your signature as replies can depend on which version you have If you have Chief or can download the trial demo look under MENU - FILE - EXPORT and verify which formats Chief can export and then which formats those printers need I know Chief can export .STL files you could also ask CA's sales team as they love questions like this Lew

it is feasible to buy Chief for $3K then when done with the project re-sell it for approx. 75-80% of its value or maybe rent to own (more expensive) if you think you can complete the project in short-order unlikely due to the learning curve for the software Lew

a few releases ago I called CA sales and paid a pro-rated fee to changed by SSA renewal date to May 31 that way I could participate in the beta if I wanted to and have time to decide about renewing upgrading Lew

Finally, multiple layouts can be opened at the same time ... Lew

it will otherwise be left to slowly decompose until it’s only the stuff of legend Michael: well said Lew

Unfortunately, Chief has limited BIM If Chief ever moves towards industry standard BIM your goal might be possible for now .... Lew

another consideration is use software like Planswift and coordinate with Chief Lew

in the older versions Chief used a 3rd party vendor software for Raytracing I don't remember the name I don't remember when Chief went to using its own internal raytracing "engine" if X1 was using the older 3rd party software maybe that isn't available anymore ? Is anyone still using ver 9.5 or ver 10 for raytracing as they used the 3rd party software Lew

also review the "seeking services" section daily as opportunities appear there often with software like GotoMeeting and TeamMeeting it is possible to do projects via the internet my partner and I did projects across the USA and a chalet in France while the client was in Saudia Arabiia we did a 9 hr live session with a client building a two story hotel in Alaska that needed assistance with various tasks beyond their Chief skills Lew

sending a client the .plan file before final payment may not be a good idea as they could take that file and seek the services of another If you have a client use a viewer be prepared to act as their tech support and their training agent The viewer is a cut-down version of Chief and unless the client is computer savvy and capable of learning the ways of Chief on their own they will seek assistance from you it is usually better to send PDF's from a layout prepared for a client there are tree types of layouts: 1. a permit set - a set of drawings aimed solely at getting a permit - usually under 10-12 pages on 11 x 17 paper 2. a construction set - a detailed set of drawings that contain everything a builder would need, including drawings for all the trades usually for new homes or serious renovations - usually 40+ pages on 24 x 36 paper or larger - formerly called "blueprints" 3. a client set - a set of drawings to convey "pretty pictures" to satisfy clients who prefer not to use "blueprints" for decision making I named my .layout files as .layps, or .laycd or .laycp as needed I had a client for a $1.6M new home who insisted he did not need 3D views then after the builder aborted the project due to illness I met with the client and brought a .laycp PDF printout of views I planned to place on my website one look and he insisted that I let his wife see them as she had no understanding of "blueprints" and they were an amazing depiction of the homes grandeur Lew

try using Windows File Explorer and search for *.layout on the various drives on your PC this will find any and all .Layout files move .layout and .plan files to the same folder then reconnect them together Lew

Bradley: when I first moved back to NY I mis-read the requirements and assumed only architects and engineers can practice there turns out that it is legal to have an architect or engineer review and stamp each page of the permit set I was doing a addition to my house and hired an architect to review and stamp since I am retired now - I no longer need to worry about any of this The elephant in the living room may be "insurance". I can't imagine operating at any level in the construction industry without liability and/or error and omissions insurance yes, it is very difficult to get E&O without being licensed one of the builder associations offers it to its members (can't remember which one) the caveat is that the more certifications you add to your business card increases your liability risk as a disclaimer can transfer liability to a "higher" entity but not to a "lower entity" If you plan on being a "designer" only - have a good contract and disclaimers stating what you are responsible for and what your clients are responsible for NOTE: its best if your clients are builders or remodelers etc who are licensed to sign/submit the permit sets In most states a homeowner can sign/submit but the courts disfavor trying to transfer liability to them as they are an entity with "lesser knowledge" for our homeowner clients we offered 3D drawings and basic floorplans we did not create any structural details or cad drawings showing structure etc IOW - we offered to create "pretty pictures" for them Lew

note: the area calc is highly dependent on who is asking for the info there are MANY official ways to do the calc this has been discussed in prior threads - maybe on this forum - certainly on the old one http://www.chicagonow.com/getting-re...-of-your-home/http://www.housemeasures.com/Article...-Standard.htmlhttp://www.propex.com/C_G_calcsf2.htmhttp://appraisalnewsonline.typepad.c...ating-the.htmlhttp://tlc.howstuffworks.com/home/me...re-footage.htmhttp://www.ncrec.gov/bulletin/vol29-...arefootage.htmhttp://theappraisaliq.com/determinin...e-part-1-of-3/ Lew

Hi Hammer7: yes, you should check out the Hometalk forum as it is dedicated to the HD products However, since HD PRO has many of the manuel features that Chief Premier has it can be beneficial to follow the Chieftalk forum as well Just be aware that some solutions that apply to Chief Premier may not apply to HD PRO if asking questions - its best to state that you are using HD PRO Lew

Here, the Building Code Act has very specific requirements for anyone offering design services directly to the public. Graham: yes, Ontario has very strict requirements some USA states are also very strict - many are not so yes, one must study the local requirements before running afoul of the law with the internet it is possible to have design clients world-wide my partner and I did project across the USA and even designed a chalet in France while the client was stationed in Saudia Arabia Lew

CA also offers a rent to own plan Lew

Hi: no, an architectural degree is not required to run a business using Chief Premier I had zero training except as a software analyst/programmer and my partner had an art degree we ran a fairly successful design business - but we did design work and did NOT sell ourselves as architects we worked with builders and remodelers to create plans with pretty pics and detailed cad drawings based on THEIR specs they signed and submitted the permits for a few homeowners who acted as their own GC's we acted as trainers it is very important not to oversell your services and skills due to liability issues your contract should contain disclaimers as to what you are and what you are NOT responsible for I had to include a disclaimer that if the client printed our plans then they had reviewed and found them acceptable If you want to - give me a call at 716 545 7101 and I can discuss more with you I am now retired due to health reasons but my partner/friend is still active part-time Lew

I recommend knocking off about $500 from the list price assuming your SSA is current that offers a good deal to the buyer and yet gets you a decent return also Lew

feasible for large scale projects but probably not for a residence or small commercial project Lew