MarkMc

I'm in Highland. Know two builders who use it, one kitchen dealer (but he may be on a home product?)-one builder is pretty good with it but has largely switched to SU, the other is soso. I'm ok with interior/cabinet, symbols, material, annosets and cabinet schedules- pretty dumb with roof, terrain and only do limited framing.

Dimension format carries with the plan. So you can use a template specific to either imperial or metric. Chief supplies templates for both. Set whatever format you prefer for your default plan template. OR use "file, template, new plan from template" and pick what you need. (I almost always create new plans this way) You can also create annotation sets that use one or the other. That would allow you to switch between the imperial and metric as you draw within the same plan. (annoset- "framing" with dim default 'framing imperial'; annoset "cabinet" with dim default "Cab_metric") Whichever was used to draw a dimension is what they will be until you change them. Changing existing dimensions from one system to the other- To change an entire plan have all dimension visible and unlocked, group select, open the DBX and change the primary format. To change one specific set of dimensions (this is particular good if you are using annotation sets) - -Change the primary format for any named dimension default (i.e Framing dimensions) You can access this in the overall default DBX or by way of the annoset panel. This is fast and easy but leaves you open to mucking up your annosets. (and you need to learn annosets which is a good idea) NOTE that changing one named dimension default (framing dims) in an annoset to a different named dimension default (framing dims M)for that set will NOT change already drawn dimensions since they will still be inheriting the properties from the original named default. Only changing the primary format of the original default (framing dims) to the other system will change already drawn dimensions. OR you can have both. In the dimension default DBX, secondary format, uncheck "use default format" check off "include secondary format" and make the secondary format whichever is not the defaults - that allows both metric and imperial to be shown at the same time. For instance I have an annoset I use that shows both formats in it's dimension default that I use when I am creating certain symbols where the dimensions I receive are metric but I need to know or show the imperial. There is no way to swap secondary for primary but you can always turn off the display of the secondary once drawn by opening the default again. There is no way to turn off the default format. Play with it to decide what works best for your needs.

You can download the beta and still use X7 BUT files are not backward compatible. If you want to give it a test ride: Don't allow windows to set it as the default program for plan and layout files. I immediately do a "save as" for anything opened in 8 and prefix the file with X to avoid confusion or total loss. There are only two of us so that has worked out well. First thing to do if you go that route is open help and scroll down to Whats New in...to see what to watch out for and what goodies are included. You could then see how the features you're interested in work (and report any issues). Actually everything we've done has been in X8 for some time now. Half hour ago I just set it to the default on my machine. but then I like risks YMMV ;-> I think it's the best update since I've been using the program (X3).

I set up some annosets so each will dimension locating different objects- pull a string for wall cabs, another for base, room, openings casing, framing...). Not automatic but a couple of clicks and get what I need with little to no delete needed.

can do it in X7- only difference is the back of the cabinet will look the same as the front-attached plan Raised panel double door -I think you have to make one. Hardware place loose. Here is one way- shelving is held back -one way to get hinging done from a cabinet company. Shows all the doors, turn off layers as needed.

Control of cabinet sides and backs is huge for me. Also love labels on plines which allows me to get things into the cabinet schedule by blocking. Grateful for the new missing material dialog. And not listed improvement -clipped corner cabinets show toe space properly.

You have it right Larry-Ctrl+S is save- nothing to do with archives. That's why I set it for hourly- I can hit save without thinking before doing a "save as" go on for a while only to discover I need to go back beyond the undo number.

That alone made my day. We've completely switched over, 8 projects. YMMV.

Get thee to the beta- done as a single cabinet- make the front as needed, no toe, delete bottom separation, lower section opening with no shelves. Make back match front- I then changed to a custom back and made the top door section blank area. Place and set one set of doors- assign to a new layer-doors closed. Copy doors and rotate to suit- place on new layer door open. For the shelves I increased the left stile and added a shallow cabinet using point to point to get it in there. NOTE I would make absolutely sure how the hinges were going to work if I wanted to do that. Some brands won't do it at all, others may do it in a way that is unsatisfactory- I haven't sorted it yet but personally don't see it. You need to have X8 beta to open the plan file

you have options

Mine are set to hourly. While I do lots of save as, over the years I've gotten compulsive using Ctrl+S almost reflexively.

you can export your annotation sets then open the X7 plans in 8 and import them.

My last batch of reminders started at least 1-1/2 months ahead of time- there were several, each listed the late penalty. I've yet to find a good time for a bill to come in from anyone but have no complaints. I think support is worth the cost and the "software assurance" is a great deal given the rate of improvement in the program.

The "advice of others" has been to post a plan. All the image tells me is you have a problem. One thing though- where did you get that sink? I can't find a double drainboard sink in my libraries. Here is a single drainboard sink from the library. Now I have to get some work done and head to a funeral, someone else will have to help once you get around to putting up a plan.

Attached - all from the library, no changes made. Maybe heed the adivce of others.

At the office we are on PC but my freelance assistant uses a Mac at home sometimes and has not indicated any problems there. None with files he sends me either. We use back up entire as Dermot suggests.

I won't say it's easy, but I have gotten better at it. I use it often making a lot of cabinet doors which has helped some. I keep a copy of the pages from the user guide which lists origins and such (can also bookmark the help) to jog the brain. Every couple of months I forget that I'm supposed to click generate block and pull hair for a while. I find most of the time I am defining two stretch planes one (+) and one (-) for my needs. (Symbol will stretch at the plane of -x and the plane of +x, leaving the rest alone.) I rarely use stretch zones and honestly still don't get them. (Symbol will stretch between -x and +x evenly -leaving the rest alone.) I still can never quite remember if I should set an origin to plus or minus when it looks wrong and floats out in the room, so usually have to redo whatever I picked first unless I remember to open up some symbol I already set first to see what to do. Note remember to set the origin first when importing symbols, in particular from 3D warehouse, then the stretch planes if needed.

I used 9 and -9 out of habit to keep things symetric- not needed in this case. NOTE that after you resize a symbol the symbol will resize correctly in 3d -but if you want it to look right in plan you have to go into the dbx -2D block and click "generate block" . If you don't and only look at it in plan you will go round and round and... DAMHIKT

A warehouse plan is another option. I use a few-for instance a plan with a bunch of countertop items, appliances etc. Helps when you need a lot of similar items and want to set heights and layers ahead of time. Now that you mention the electric I could see using that myself, will put it on the list.

Never mind, on closer inspection with a wilder wood it is not working yes global symbol mapping and stretch to fit in the material dbx- may want to change the scale of the image or get a bigger one depending on how fussy you want to be. This one is made from a single cabinet that has been split. then again-appears to work with rustic maple- on both single split cabinet or 4 separate ones

Horizontal vertical elements - create wit poly line solids, create them in elevation but be sure to give them a "fill" before flowing. Once you make one of each they can be duplicated and moved with transform replicate. Might want to assign them their own layer. Walls, try dragging each end in until they no longer protrude, once both sides are in drag back out, might work. No other answer I know of.

Leave the roof in place and delete the walls, redraw the walls. When I made the first one that worked to keep the walls contained. I was able to add connecting side walls but kept them a bit inside the perimeter. I don't know it it will work once you have the elliptical roof, or if you add a second floor. Front wall-wall type, glass shower.

copy to your user library, open symbol, options, sits on floor

Yeah Joe that's it. In 7 I'd use shelves from the cabinet toolbar- those can have layers assigned that will hold when inserted into the user library. Just no closet rod included.

Here's a partial in Chief- two roofs one top one bottom- needs a little work where they meet (may not be possible though). Back wall is a material region- front one is a pline solid. Exterior furniture inside.