MarkMc

A- 2D plants will show through window in standard view but not show through window in RTRT B- lower daytime backdrop intensity not just the sun

As Rene Pointed out it sounds as if you are using CPU Ray Tracing NOT RTRT which is found under Physically Based. I say that because you are referring to Passes. CPU RT uses passes, Real Time Ray traced show Samples That would also explain why your GPU is not getting used, it should hit 100% but will gradually drop off IF you have cap live samples checked. First screen shots showing how you get into CPU ray trace and what shows up once you start it. Then while it's running this will be on top left of window. At the bottom of screen CPU RT shows Passes. Rene shows you where to get to Real Time Ray Tracing at bottom of your screen using RTRT you will see Samples Once that is all sorted your other questions can be dealt with. For some of your questions there are threads that deal with improving either type of ray trace overall with some excellent guidelines. _always have a roof, always have a foundation, sometimes for the sake of just the render add a second floor, watch out for holes in the structure, polylines that go from the inside to the outside- there are other issues that it looks like you are running into that apply only to CPU ray trace (there is a thread a few years ago) Might want to post the plan, or a stripped down version. Also are you using Win 10 or 11 it matters.

You found the Chief Architect forum so I don't know if you can do this in Home Designer (which has it's own forum) But you can also make columns from cabinets which allow a lot of control and alteration and will take molding. Can then turn those into a symbol which can make placement easier (again all in Chief Pro) Column on left is one single cabinet, column on right is two. For #2 Copied the first one, then copied in place, adjusted the height of one to be the top, and the other to be the bottom. Changed the molding on the bottom, changed the faces on the top (all sides match front as a side panel inset) and changed the material. Can even make a round one

Need your signature please to show version and hardware. In X 12 and X13 use a custom schedule for the cabinets that are a different color.

Perry's method is easiest in this case. In some other situations you can alter the bounding box to determine where it cuts into the wall.

Note that in the first chart I posted notice CPU usage for every core hit 100%.Only Chief and one tab of FF were in use during that time; been seeing results like that for several years now. I have directly asked developers about it and been told Chief uses multiple cores.

I used AVAdirect.com. I had an idea of what I wanted and a budget. In the process I talked with Kyle Mizer who helped with availability of parts comparable to what I wanted (quiet performance) if some were big delays or where I only knew a little. Kbird knows a lot of specifics too BTW Ultramon may do what Fancy Zones does but I don't use that script and think PT is likely easier with that. OTOH Fancy Zones does not deal with swapping monitors the way UM does. Windows has something built in but not as effective when you have different resolution monitors as I have.

Since we have had tabs, drag a tab over to the next monitor. I can also span across using UltraMon but rarely do.

Just fine, didn't do any RTRT but expect it would be just as always even with that. I get some work with worse symbols and textures if not quite as large as that and do plenty of RTRT. Been happy enough with it. RTRT would briefly peg the GPU usage to 100% then drop (as long as cap live samples is checked) and use between 50 and 65% of the GPU memory.

I opened Chief Lake Point plan and Layout I have it on all 3 monitors- one elevation on the 4k, layout Plan Shell, Foundation, 3rd Floor , 1st Floor, and front elevation on middle; 3D standard on the third. Moved one roof plan up and used undo. Here are system usage for GPU and CPU from opening to now. 1st is current, min and max. for both 2nd is HWInfo shows current, min, max, avg. Only included GPU CPU was the same as HWmonitor

My reasoning would be future proof since you need it now. A 12th gen gets PCIE5 which appears to matter with next gen GPUs. Those are said to be a leap in performance (and power draw) this time. The newer socket allows for future upgrades. Your getting the newer socket to allow future upgrades for at least a version, maybe more. I'd take the grand from the GPU and put it there myself.

Chief won't use the extra memory, at least I never get it to use all I have. At a cost difference of over $1k from the place I use I'd spend it elsewhere for instance to move up to a 12th gen if cost is a factor. Else save for next gen GPU coming in fall or so.

Looks to be a nice system. I think you mean Z590? as there is no 250. Wondering why not a 12th generation? I believe the socket changed again. In which case maybe a larger power supply to be ready for upcoming GPUs which are said to be taking a lot of power and have different cables. And what is there for cooling-CPU, case fans and paste? Personally I'd lean toward a 3080 NOT Ti and put the money somewhere else (well based on track record I'd actually lean toward a 3070 :)

I use three 27"; one 4k and two 2K. Primary set in corner on angle with flanking at 45degrees to it. All about 25" from my nose at eye level. Had some neck issues in the past and this solved it. Got the 4K thinking text would be clearer-not once scaled so that sits to the left and just holds email, Your Phone,m, Directory Opus file manager, and Legal billing job timer. Center is a Benq PD2700Q 2k, other two are Dell. They were cheaper and had smaller bezels, wish I'd gotten PD2700 instead. Work on the center, right one is extra Chief, Bluebeam ( I get lots of reference PDFs and sample plans), web browser and Xnview (reference photos) each as needed all at full screen OR split to left or right depending. I move any as needed with a keyboard either to other monitors or to split screen using UltraMon (though have Display Fusion) Center screen taskbar shows icons for all active windows while side windows only show what's on them. Occasionally but rarely will span two monitors with a window. Unlike many I keep the ALDO, LB, and PB docked to the main. I'd undock them if they would stay together with tabs. If I really need more real estate I drag off a window to second monitor and swap them. That only gets the Aldo and it can be closed without affecting the main screen, then swap their monitors. Eyes-Been wearing trifocals for decades but this year also got a set of bifocals top for computer and bottom for reading. Wish I'd gotten those years ago. Only problem with them is when I forget to change glasses and get up to go into other room, bumping off walls When I had the studio and met with clients I ran four (though the my sketchy memory wants to say sometimes 5?). 17" laptop, Benq 27, a 24 taller than normal, a 15" display link via USB and a 40 something TV. I don't think I could last long working on the TV. At under a pound, 3/4" thick; I take the 15" display link when traveling and always wish I had a third monitor.

Somebody asked me about this since supposedly the NKBA (i9n all it's wisdom) is asking for this on the test ??? I'd just spec it IRL, seriously. Two quickies here and the plans after I mucked about a bit. . In any case it can be cheated a bit using line drawing on top of a PBR- but that puts line on everything. A somewhat better method is to do a save as of the plan, in second plan delete the cabinets, and use a referenced display in 3D with special layer sets for each. The cabinets really need to be the camera you start with to get the RTRT with lines. the rest is done in standard. You could of course do both in standard and only one with lines. WARNING- computer can get a little funky when making these adjustments and can be frustrating YMMV As I've noted before IN REAL life trying to produce this is a dangerous and useless waste of time. Dangerous since it raises unreasonable expectations by the client who should be selecting finishes from real life-ALWAYS. Useless waste of time-as if KD's don't have enough to do getting a job sold and out the door, now expect them to do the work of a dedicated renderer for the same money they are getting ? So glad I decided to skip the test back when it was a wee bit more civilized. glazing.zip

Custom door symbol-material regions for walls. Bit tricky to get the frosted glass to match between the two (I didn't try) part frosted.zip

attached plan with a real quickie made using a regular door, I usually do another way but was in the mood. for this. Might be easier to understand than what I typically do. quick door.zip

Don't know about Ruby but it does not have access to the API in Chief so I don't see how but then someone smarter than me may know a way. What I do know works is using Bluebeam review. I do this for most files- set automatic bookmarks based on page regions - like label area with page number, space, page title. Takes a couple of minutes. (I don't have this part as my version is older but may upgrade just to get it ) In current and newer versions you can then create a PDF table of contents from all the bookmarks, again a few minutes, then insert that back into the original file. You then have a table of contents that are bookmarks as well as individual bookmarks. The last thing is you can add a hyperlink set to All pages that goes back to the table of contents. I don't know if any other PDF program does this, I don't see it in TurboPDF or Foxit, PDF Exchange Pro (cheaper than BB) might do at least some of it.

That's what I use all the time with no problem. I also keep cabinets checked though which means you get the dim for the front overhang. If I don't want that, can either remove the 1-1/2 OR turn off cabinets get the full run then drag diamond to get the cabinet (as long as that layer is on) I rarely use P to P dims and tell all my clients not to use that since too often it's not to a snap point when it should be.

you never showed the DBX of the cabinet depth. The dimension used there is the BOX DEPTH same as any make would. Your image shows boxes that are 24" deep for the tall You can show the doors in plan view by setting that in defaults and turning the door layer on This is what a label would look like if the cabinet depth were 24" including the door

There is a CAD to walls option but it's tricky-I never use it. OTOH I do bring in lots of dgw files. With Grid Snaps OFF!! Import into a CAD detail not floor plan. Have an input point at 0.0 Bring all the layers with it. Take a look and see, if you don't like it try NOT importing hatches, all depends on how things were drawn. then select the complete imported drawing and move one corner that would be on every floor using point to point to 0, 0 now turn off layers you don't need (most of them) keeping walls, windows and doors. Select all, copy and the paste hold position into a cad detail in a separate plan. (grid snaps off) Select all and place on a single layer like Import 1st, while select open object and set lines color and style to be by layer-something easy to see compared to wall-orange, purple, bright green... Set that layer as your current CAD layer, select all, Block, make the insertion point your 0 0 marker. Copy, paste into the floor plan at the correct floor level. Unblock, make sure it is all on that layer, then lock the layer. By unblocking it you can snap to it, by locking it you won't mess it up. All that is under 15 minutes once you get the hang of it. Go to defaults, plan, check use grid snaps, change the snap unit to be the thickness of your sheet rock, then UNCHECK grid snaps. This way if your walls snap to a a framing layer while drawing you can move them with the arrow keys that distance each tap. Trace exterior walls, trace interior walls. AFTER they are all drawn go back and move with arrow key or drag if needed and/or change wall definitions for varied thickness walls. add windows and doors, resize windows/doors as needed. Move on to next floor. Once all floors are in then adjust window heights where needed and proceed with details. While it's not automatic it's pretty fast and certainly beats tracing a PDF and or sorting deciphering dimensions from a print or worse scribbled on manually. It's my preferred method of any.

Fair enough but your link is for Desktop cards and the top end RTX would be a 3090. For mobile cards looking at what is available on a Precision *A4000 Mobile) to the closest gaming card (RTX 3080 mobile) I found this for you. In most the RTX is slightly ahead. The ones that count from what I've seen using CA across 5 machines are Passmark and Open CL (I don't game) The extra memory of the RTX won't be used in Chief so not the advantage for RTX that is listed. FWIW an 11th gen laptop with a 3080 and similar specs to a Precision runs about $1k less and can be found with more customization and control over the system itself. Um? the OP's issue is on Win 11, have your tried X13 on Win 11? your signature says you are running Windows 10? As far as my suggesting to stick with RTX over Quadro...why do what works.

a gaming machine that runs on windows 10. I am NOT recommending an Aware or any Dell. Dollars to donuuts I'd bet my 2070 would hold up against the Precision. Almost every view i Chief is 3D, the developers work on RTX cards and it's been said often by Dermot and others that Chief does not get anything from the extra expense of Quadro cards which always cost more than a gaming card for which Chief is optimized. Go look at the list of software that support Quadros. I'd go to HIDEvolution, check a few machines, call someone, call tech support. You can get a comparable machine, with upgraded thermal protection, burnt in and tested, built to order AND save between $500 and 1000. I'd even go so far as to say get an 11th gen CPU.FWIW this is my 3rd Clevo running CHief and the old one now dontated to my nephew, a 6700k with a GTX 980M 8GB ran X13 during testing without issue, just no RTRT

FWIW, when I first switched to Chief I'd been running Precisions for several years. After just about a year I switched to a gaming machine (clevo/sager) glad I did and would not think of swapping back. For Chief gaming machines work better, now if you run Autocad or Solid works then you will see "some" benefit but Chief will NOT run as well. Image showing one one of the Better? cards in a precision against a 3080

Opened your plan on the laptop, opened 4 of your cameras, moved around, switched one to RTRT- no problems, no fans or noise on mine. Columns on right show maximum temperature hit. Issue could be Win 11. A quick search shows that apparently there are ways to downgrade to 10 Here's one I didn't check them all. Back when I ran Dell Precisions I had one that cooked and got them to swap out the MOBO and fans since those were not running. BUT FWIW I had the thermal protection upgraded on this laptop with upgrade paste and thermal pads (and Clevos are good at cooling) when I got it