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don't know I've never used the material lists tool never had a need one builder seemed interested but .... Lew

Chief doesn't do "cut lists" use "structural member reporting" tool to choose lumber sizes Lew

it would sure be nice if the softwares would shake hands with each other... it's known as BIM Chief doesn't do BIM very well concerning inter-operability I've been asking for industry standard BIM for over a decade dream on - but I wouldn't hold your breath ... Lew

I will research "top of the line" at purchase time then back down a step or two to what I can afford putting most $$ into things that can't be upgraded later doing this gives the best chance to have a fully viable PC 5+ years in the future who knows what will be out 5 years from now try to be ready for it Lew

try to build a model for your house or a family or friends house that you have constant access to when you are done - you will have a good understanding of how to use the software meanwhile, read EVERY post on this forum for awhile they will not make sense - but then you will start to pick up concepts and tips etc as you progress try a few of the solutions for the problems that are posted watch ALL of the training videos then watch ALL of them again after finishing your first model you will be amazed at what you pick up the 2nd time learn the manual section by section as you build your model(s) Lew

Run a quick Plan Check this is so very very intuitive - NOT !!! why is this still around as a "solution" after a decade of complaints CA get rid of this "trap" ASAP .... Lew

with Cad you draw walls and doors and windows using lines etc via cad tools with Chief you PLACE walls, door, windows objects that are BIM smart (Chief has BIM but it is very limited BIM in relation to the rest of the BIM industry) in Chief you PLACE in 2D then generate 3D using an engine that is similar to a gaming engine you can also create in 3D and generate the 2D this is Chief's ultimate goal - do "all" design in 3D then generate the 2D Lew

Chief isn't CAD software? No, Chief is 3D modeling software while it has Cad tools it is not dedicated CAD like AutoCAD etc Lew

yes, only get the Quadro card if you will also be running CAD software that can benefit from it Chief is not really based as CAD software and is better with a good gaming card Lew

Scott: good luck with the Brother they did replace my CW model twice but the third time it was out of warranty still works great as an 11 x 17 scanner I have one of the 8.5 x 11's setup as a scanner only at my museum why the printheads die ??? Lew

Brother MFC-6490CW Oldckd: yesp, that was the first Brother I bought and still use as a scanner had two replacements sent while under warranty - third time Brother said it was out of warranty - too bad by then I had 3 other smaller ones that then started having same problem you are lucky indeed Lew

Everyone of my Brother printers broke printing black fine replaced the cartridge and no black at all did clean - then secret clean - then super secret clean Brother was good about sending replacements multiple times until warranty ran out I had about 6 of them - same problem with all no more Brother printers for me Lew

Chief has never handled fireplaces very well, p-solids are it Perry: I agree and have never understood this ? Chimneys have been around for 1000's of years there are some very common designs there should be a chimney tool that can create these standard shapes via dbx settings I have been suggesting this since I started in 2004 CA - please get this feature added soonest Lew

create a separate cad file for each floor import each cad file one at a time onto a new floor in chief scale the cad file try the Cad to Walls tool - but I have never had any success with it more likely you will need to trace over the walls with chief walls and then place doors and windows etc Lew

CA has never had an issue with users selling symbols Lew

I started in 2004 and until 2013 I saved every symbol I found and bought almost every collection offered why, because I am a "collector" and because I wanted to support those who made and offered them If the price was right I bought them - turns out there were only a few I skipped In Dec 2012 I retired and closed my doors and I stopped collecting why not try to make a little money for your efforts ... Lew

you should plan to spend a min of $1500 for a decent gaming laptop I have been buying computers since 1978 decades ago I went with a $2K rule - every 4/5 years I buy a new PC with the newest OS with the latest round of features 1 step or so away from top-end and that will cost $2K more features, more ram, more CPU than the last PC but still spending $2K you can probably get with less $ if buying a desktop as laptops just flat out cost more than desktops for same "features" if you are in business - get used to it I now have a 2008 desktop Win7 and a 2008 laptop Win7 and a Surface Pro 4 Win 10 when I get my Surface loaded with everything I need I will probably stop using the desktop and laptop I am retired now and don't need a 17" screen if you can afford an LCD projector I would go smaller on the laptop screen size otherwise 17" is the minimum I would recommend spend $$$ on items that can't be upgraded later - like screen size and cpu get a PC that allows for more ram and a video card that allows for more to be added when needed get decent internal storage but it is very easier to add 2.5" HD's externally using USB think outside the box - for any devices that can use USB etc why put that $$$ inside the box ? Lew

looks decent to me Lew

I guess I'm remembering days long ago when laptops have full-size slots for video cards and could be swapped out my current laptop was purchased in 2008 assuming the video card can't be upgraded it is important to focus on getting the best one you can afford same with screen size and resolution spend $$ on items that can't be upgraded later Lew

Graham: it is possible to upgrade a laptop's video card it was probably easier a decade ago when they were bigger and heavier but it is still possible https://intotomorrow.com/upgrading-the-graphics-card-on-a-laptop/ http://www.notebookreview.com/howto/how-to-upgrade-your-notebook-with-an-external-graphics-card/ http://www.pcworld.com/article/2923779/how-to-upgrade-graphics-in-a-laptop.html http://gizmodo.com/give-your-old-laptop-a-new-graphics-card-with-these-diy-1685307443 Lew

specs look decent if you drop to the $500 range you will probably regret it later a PC should last about 5 years or so put the $$$ into items that can't be upgraded later more ram and storage can usually be added later concentrate on the hardware that can't be upgraded Lew

http://www.dell.com/learn/us/en/19/help-me-choose/hmc-video-card-inspiron-lt I believe if the video card is independent it is swapable I have a 2008 laptop with an Nvidia card with 512 MB I don't do much in the way of rendering or rays my partner did those this was my laptop for doing client presentations with a 17" screen Lew

I doubt that it is always get a dedicated video card to run Chief preferably Nvidia with a dedicated video card you can also upgrade in the future if needed ( usually) get at least 8 GB ram on video card - preferably 16 GB or more Lew

Alan: many years ago I requested that when we build stairs that we be allowed to create "assemblies" so that if needed we could move the stairs and everything attached to them would move also I also suggested the same for walls, paintings, moldings, polyline solids etc if the wall moves all that "assembly" should move accordingly - if desired good luck on adjusting everything - sounds tedious Lew

I agree with Johnny at least look on ebay and upgrade to X4 or higher you can create a search that will send an email whenever a new auction starts a zillion features have been added since ver 10 avoid X3 - library was horrible and required a subscription which is no longer available Lew