Electromen

I opened the .plan file and although it's a large building, the 3D was as fast as a 2,500 sq ft house.  3D Full camera came up in about a second.

You mention Layout files.  I never open the Layout until the drawing is done.

Post a plan file here and I'll test it on my machine.

Which aspect of CA do you find slow?  3D views, Rendering ?

I have a Mac Pro, purchased in 2017.  6 Core, 3.5Ghz, Dual 3GB video cards, 256 SSD, 16GB RAM

I bought an external enclosure that accepts internal SSD and HDD drives connected with Thunderbolt 2.  Inside I installed two-1TB Samsug SSD, one 2TB Samsung SSD and one 6TB WD HDD.  I'm using the 6TB for Time Machine backup.

Then I removed all the RAM and installed 64GB.

The speed increase has been significant in almost every aspect.  Total cost was about $1,200 but compared to $6,000 for a new Mac Pro, I'm happy.

HERE's the Enclosure

Did CA send you a license yet ?

Zoom in tight on the door.  Now slowly zoom out until you see a diamond shape above or below the door.  Slide it.

Is it possible to create a HotKey for Library items like custom walls or a Dryer Outlet? 

I use X-Keys in the attached photo.  Each Key is customizable and easy to program.

Press a key and that item comes up on the cursor.  

Creating a new key for Library Items like Exterior wall types that I've created would save time.

This is XKeys-60 with 60 keys.  80 and 128 are available

Good news,  you may want to let 3D connection know s the can add it to their list.

According to https://www.3dconnexion.com/supported-software/software0.html

CA is supported but only in Windows

Download and Install CA on his new Mini.  Sign into CA and Temporarily switch your license to it.  Open one of your drawings and test.

I've switched back and forth.  It's easy.

I just found this and all can say is WOW.  Style Pallets are going to be a huge time saver.  

Just changing interior trim from wood stain to white with one click for the entire floor saves many steps.

38 minutes ago, Renerabbitt said:

Okay, as this topic is garnering more and more elaborate setups, I'll share mine.

I have 3/4 of the available tools programmed to a hotkey touchpad interface...but my absolute favorite by far is one that changes the active saved plan view with one button on my touch pad. It took a bit of scripting to get it to work but man is it a time saver...changing plan views in under a second. For plan view 16, it mouse-clicks the drop down, hits page up, then pressing the down arrow key 15 times, etc.

Here are the labels that I insert under the clear plastic covers of my Keys on X Keys

XKeys labels Chief Arch.pdf

I use programmable XKeys.

I went through all the layers and can't find anything unusual

Rob, You know you need outlets to the left and right of the kitchen sink, right?

I'm an Electrical Contractor.  I use CA to design the electrical system, lighting, communications and audio.

I import the Architect's .PDF and start from there.  I do the electrical last.

I meet with the homeowner and they watch a 40" TV that mirrors my computer.  I add all of their furniture, cabinets, etc

I've never experienced a problem like the OP.  

16 hours ago, Kbird1 said:

 

I too had a small SSD for many years , so for along time I used Windows 10 ability to "relocate" Libraries to another Drives to give the Small SSD some breathing room.

 

For example I Move the Location of My Documents to D:\Documents   --- This in turn moves the Chief Data Folder(s) to D: too as Chief automatically installs the Data Folder in My Documents, (Documents in Win10)..... I also keep my Client Folders/Plans in My Documents for the same Reason, I then backup My Documents to an external 8TB USB Drive Daily too. ( for this reason I leave my User Library in the Data folder too)

 

I also Moved the Downloads, Pictures, Videos, and Music Folders to D:\ 

 

Make these New Folders on D:\  1st , then move their Location to the new Folder and agree to move all files to the new Folder.

 

This is one of the Tutorials I 1st used to do the above "move", their is actually a Tutorial for each of Windows "Libraries" but the method is the same for each.

 

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/74952-move-location-documents-folder-windows-10-a.html

 

I have also made Folders for CA-Undo and CA-Temp On my fastest SSD 

 

Personally I don't like having my only copy of anything only in the Cloud , and now you have 1TB there is no need for you to either , just use it for "backup" or Onsite/Mobility needs or accessing from another computer.

 

Whether it makes things run faster I am not sure......

 

Now you have more Room you can in the future install other Programs to D:\ instead of C:\ though, rather than just letting their Installer put in it C:\ by Default , make a D:\Programs Folder and Install Programs there instead.

 

Mick.

 

 

Thanks Mick,

I took your advice and moved the entire Documents Folder to the new SSD.  I need to decide about using the Cloud, I like your advice about using it as a back up/

I bought a second Internal SSD, Samsung 860 EVO 1TB

Right now it is formatted with nothing on it.

I wondered about moving CA Folders to this new drive and leaving the CA Program on the original SSD containing the OS.

The Folders would be:

Data

Library

Temporary 

Undo

System Library Database

New Plan Templates

Would this make the program run faster?

Second question?

I currently save my Plans and Layouts to the Cloud.  Should I move these back to one of the SSDs?   The only thing I really need on the cloud are printed Layout in .PDF. I use them on the job sites.

If yes, which one?

15 hours ago, BrianBeck said:

To be clear Gamepads can be connected to the mac but they are not supported when using Chief on the mac. There are technical and performance related issues that prevent their use on the mac currently.  Gamepads are currently only supported in Chief on Windows.

 As I mentioned in an earlier post, I was able to create a Walk Through using the PS4 DualShock Controller and an App called JoyStick Mapper.

The only problem was the walking speed.  Even after slowing the camera movements to 1/16" increments and slowing the mouse and App., It still moves a little too fast.

Hopefully CA will work on this and it will be appreciated.  Choosing just ONE required controller works for me.  Spec it and I'll buy it.

Thank You

4 hours ago, BrianBeck said:

Game controllers are not currently supported on Mac so the option to use them will not appear in the menus.

Brain,  I just recorded a Walk Through using the PS4 DualShock Controller. I used an App called Joystick Mapper just to prove that it works.

I'm hoping CA will work on this feature for Mac. Walk throughs are  one of my main sales tools

2 hours ago, BrianBeck said:

Game controllers are not currently supported on Mac so the option to use them will not appear in the menus.

I connected a Sony PlayStation DualShock 4 Wireless Controller to my Mac.

It is recognized in both USB and Bluetooth.

Here are two screenshots.

Just now, BrianBeck said:

Game controllers are not currently supported on Mac so the option to use them will not appear in the menus.

I'll test one today and see if it's recognized by the OS. I'll let you know the results.

According to what I've read, the Mac OS should recognize the PS4 or Xbox controller without any added drivers or software.

Yes X12

I'll have to borrow a Playstation 4 controller and see if it shows up.

The Wii U controller I have is not compatible

Do you have to connect a controller before this option shows up?

Is Gamepad not available on Mac?  I don't see it.