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Lew, You are correct on the direct-x engine then open GL Ken: I think you mean Dave Pittman .... Lew

Jim: Hmmm, my oldest file is Sep 14 ? I have changed no settings since buying this PC in Jan so rely on the trash can if you want I would caution against it Lew

Todd: most file types have to be zipped before uploading to the forum look at the upload dbx to see which do/don't Lew

If you ever need one, they're in your Recycle Bin Ummm, maybe some drive cleaners will empty the recycle without even asking as part of the cleanup to speedup your PC etc Lew

Noooooo, nothing new seriously, I just wanted to be able to see if the CAD file had something in it Lew

since I already have Draftsight installed should I swtich to Solidworks Edrawings ? I only plan to use it to verify that a CAD file "works" before importing into Chief I probably won't be doing that too often either Lew

Todd: thanks for the reference I now have Draftsight once I saw that the file was good I played with Chief's import settings until it came into Chief properly I was not able to get the CAD to Walls tool to work so I had my partner/friend trace over it I find the CTW tool to be worthless Lew

Dave Pittman posted this in the old forum I've re-posted here so it doesn't get lost.... Chief Architect Software History From time to time, someone becomes interested in the history of the program known as Chief Architect (Chief). What follows is a compilation of information gathered from elsewhere on and off of Chieftalk. If anyone has a correction, or detail on any element in the list, like an old flier or something, please pm or email me and I will update this post to reflect the changes. If any of the Chief staff have access to pdf copies of old fliers or "What's New files" that they would be willing to share, send them to me and I'll add them here, that would be great. The Beginning Source: Dermott Dempsey ~ Started working for Chief Architect, Inc (ART, Inc.) in 1998 "Chief Architect Inc. was originally called Advanced Relational Technology Inc. because it started out as a database software company. Jack Simpson the owner and founder of the company used to joke that the only reason he started writting home design software is because Oracle basically put him out of business. He started writing Chief while he was looking for a job and if he would have found one, the company probably wouldn't exist. Actually, there was a lot more to it then that. He was in the process of designing and building a house in California at the time and he saw the need for an easy to use home design program. He was also trying to teach himself C++ and Windows because it was just around that time that both were becoming popular in the PC world. Through the right combination of vision, hard work, and a little bit of luck, Chief Architect was born. Chief Archtitect eventually moved to Idaho because Jack grew up here and still had family in the area. I started working for Chief Architect back in 1998. At the time, the development team consisted of Jack, myself, and one other programer and we worked out of Jack's attic. It was a very nice attic and we had a great view of the lake, but it was still just an attic. The rest of the company was in a small office across town. This led to all kinds of communication problems. It was a very different company back then. Everything was done very ad-lib and the company seemed more like a start-up then a mature business. The company was in the process of putting out version 6 and I remember having a hard time believing that they had actually done this 5 times before. The bug database was a stack of papers and notes on Jack's desk. If someone wanted to raise the priority of a bug, they would come by Jack's desk and find the bug report and move it to the top of the pile because he never managed to get to the ones at the bottom." ==================== Version List (newest first) 2013 CA-HD14 (Oct.) Box Image 2012 CA X5 Box Image Brochure "What's New in X5" (New features start on page 7 of pdf) Room Planner (CA-RP) iPad app released 2011 CA X4 Box Image First 64bit version, "What's New in X4" (New features start on page 5 of pdf) CA-HD12 (Oct.) Box Image 2010 CA X3 Annotation Sets,"Premier" and "Interior" sub-set versions released. "What's New in X3" (New features start on page 8 of pdf) CA-HD10 (Oct.) Box Image 2009 CA X2 Feature Summary Page CA-HD9 (June) Box Image 2008 BHAG-HD8 (April) Box Image 2007 CA X1 Box Image 2006 BHAG-HD7 (August) Box Image 2005 CA 10 Box Image 2003 CA 9 Feature Summary Page (v9.5) BHAG-HD6 (Sept) Box Image CA-HE5 2002 CA 8 (Jan) Symbol Wizard, CAD to Walls, New GUI Feature Summary Page 2001 CA 7 House Wizard 1999 CA 6 or CA 99 (July) 1997 CA 5 or CA 97 (Aug) 1995 CA 4 Brochure Metric Units, 3D Roofs & Foundations. 1993 CA 2 (1992 or 1993 ?) 1992 CA 1 (May) The first Version (not sold commercially) 1991 CA Development started KEY CA # = Chief Architect Version (ART CAV1 to X1 & Chief Archtitect from X2 onwards) CA-RP = Chief Architect Room Planner Mobile App. BHAG-HD = Better Homes And Gardens Home Designer (ART with BHAG) CA-HE = Chief Architect Home Edition (ART Only) CA-HD = Chief Architect Home Designer (Chief Architect Only) ==================== Misc Files System Requirements for versions 7 through X5 ==================== 3DHA (Broderbund) Version History 1.5, 2.1, 3.0, and 4.0 (based upon Chief Architect) Summarized from information found here: http://countryplans.com/3dha/index.html 1.5 (1992) There was no capability to create roofs in the initial version of this software. It was designed to allow the user to create a general layout or floor plan. But it did include the standard 3D views we are use to today. 2.1 (1995) Box Image The BIG change from versions 1.5 to 2.1 was the addition of Roofs. 3.0 (1997) Box Image There was no single BIG breakthrough from version 2.1 to 3.0, only many smaller ones. 4.0 (2001 Mar.) Box Image A New Rendering Engine - The software that creates the Applied Material View. This is probably an improvement to the old engine as any change would have been an improvement. I believe the old engine was based on DirectX technology where the new engine is based on OpenGL. House Wizard, New User Interface (GUI), Curved Stairs 5.0 This version was not based upon Chief Architect any longer, and is not compatible with earlier version files. ==================== Lew

Todd: not that I have heard of you may need to discuss with CA's tech support tomorrow Lew

Cheryl: I agree it would be a nice feature to have Lew

Check out this prior thread http://www.chieftalk.com/showthread.php?64629-Chief-Architect-Software-History&highlight=history Lew

yes, it would be nice if CA gave "Chief Bucks" that could be used towards the SSA or upgrade fee Lew

Scott: it is an excellent work-around and as Glenn said in another thread it may lead CA to fix the retaining wall so it operates like the workaround then it will an "intuitive" tool again you may not care about the "average user" but CA should - CA must care cause if they get "frustrated" with tools that don't work and having to use workarounds that they can only learn thru "trial-and-error" or the good graces of posters who share them then CA may lose customers due a reputation for being "buggy" and "difficult" Lew

Scott: back to semantics again if a tool which is designated as a "retaining wall" is not doing the job then using a "regular wall" is a workaround the average chiefer getting started is going to read the manual and the retaining wall would be the "obvious" choice using a "regular wall" would not be "obvious" and in fact is counter-intuitive Lew

The standard wall is much easier to edit than a generated Retaining Wall, which usually ends up a mess with a many, many beaks in the top and bottom that are just too hard to edit Hmmm, sounds like CA needs to revamp this tool ... Glenn/Scott: \ thanks for the info on a work-around Lew

Charles: the images are not showing when clicked ??? you may have to edit the images in a Photoeditor my partner had to "touch" the images and could add water in the sinks etc Lew

Phyllis: sorry, no such list that I know of Lew

also, there is usually a limit of 8 lights video cards that cost $$$ may allow more can't remember if this is for renders or rays or both ??? Lew

I never get these messages as I do my own "save as" and add date and time to the file name as a former programmer I prefer to be in control of my backups Lew

Rich: it is a start Lew

Curt: I am the client for this project I have leased that space to start a museum there are 3 rooms inside that space which the plan doesn't show I have to go there soon and get the dims yeah, I know how to create a wall type about that thick and trace over it etc with my health issues I have little patience for "frustrations" with a plan that has "issues" my partner/friend is better at dealing with them could I do it - yes I choose not to .... I probably shouldn't be doing the museum but my preservation friends will help and I will hire the rest out I will only be able to be there two maybe three days a week and by appt. other times will depend on volunteers Lew

Curt: I have traced many plans in the past some my partner had to do I've asked him to do the tracing for this one as he's better at it than I am I get frustrated too quickly if there are oddities Lew

Curt: thank not sure why the plan Is a mess ? the current building manager "inherited" the plan it is a 1921 HS converted to a arts and cultural center no idea who drew the plan I have iittle experience with AutoCAD plans so wasn't sure if it was the plan or CTW time to do a trace Lew

Perry: thanks seems there are a zillion ways to do things .... Lew

I think you have to have a wall in your Wall DBX that matches the thickness of the walls you are trying to create Perry: I already tried an 18" and a 20" wall but no joy with CTW tool Lew