MarkMc

Using Tommy's suggestion build your own per your manufacturer and your typically used cabinets. It's a good learning experience though time consuming at first. With CA you will not need as many cabinets as you would find in a 2020 catalog since resizing in CA is faster than drag and drop. Few tips- build your library cabinets in a single file and save it keep a folder somewhere that you will save library and symbols items plans you create for future use make use of the object information fields in the cabinets to speed up creating schedules, simplify ordering and cut down on typing. I work under the principal that it is faster to delete text than to add it so every library cabinet created will have whatever common modes it "might" end up with (like both sides are finished and delete what is not later) Set anything possible to "use default" before adding to the library (materials, doors, drawers) so you can change defaults instead of each cabinet.v (exception to #5 would be things like a 3 drawer base where you want the lower drawers framed but the top a slab. Then set top to use default and specify the lower) Once you make a library for one brand/box construction you can usually adapt it to another to save some time. Don't try to build everything the mfg offers-look at what you use often and stick to that. In time you can add special cabinets either to that library or a general one for oddities. I design with just the cabinets from the Build menu (using keyboard shortcuts) as place holders. Once I have an idea where everything goes and what sizes are THEN and only then ...I use replace from library to access my cabinet library replacing what needs be with those I've made. Attached is plan with just a few sample cabinets (note I normally place the cabinet schedule in a CAD detail not in the plan as done here) screen shot of a basic library builder plan. Sample cabinets.plan

You can change how labels show based on what layerset is used. Macro placed in "specify label" field, custom OIP field "status" in this case is either blank or existing, then the automatic label is read from the comment field. There are other ways at it and likely some more advanced methods but this works. Attached plan two couches- label shows for one in all layersets BUT one called "existing", label for the other only shows in the "existing" layerset. Open em up and examine, macro attached for import. label for existing.plan label change.json

Multiple cabinets for each custom countertop. Can also be done with custom curved doors but won't look correct in plan. (sample included in plan) Ogee cabinet.plan

Go to plan defaults, set reference grid to 1/2", turn off grid snaps. Trace and let it snap to the framing, use the arrow keys to move it the 1/2" for the sheet rock.

Open cabinet on left has custom door symbol that inserts into the back of the cabinet- rotate Z axis of symbol, include a back set apart from door and offset y axis-front is just open, open cabinet on the right is the just an open framed cabinet with separation dimension to match door and cabinet reduced by reveals. A lot faster but won't read correctly in the schedule. Either one will resize and move as a single unit though

SSA won't transfer

...and if what you want is the frame to be on plane with the frameless doors just increase the depth of the cabinet

Search the forum, lots of info on laptops, computers, stress test. If using a laptop you need one that is not prone to thermal throttling since Chief is highly CPU dependant. A quick search turns up quite a few complaints about throttling on those machines. Check what clock speed your CPU is at when running Chief, might be an issue.

Looks good Joe. Guess you're waiting for show wall finish?

Well the face count for every door symbol would multiply dramatically. Download a LA Cornue range from the 3d Warehouse and import it as is to see how face count matters. At some point we get into 2020 territory. I realized that the above is wrong, face count doesn't change. What would need to happen would be a more complex bounding box or multiple bounding boxes for the door symbol.

I almost said that:) As noted in other thread understand how the program sees things, which means try anything / everything with an eye to that not just to where you want to go. Along those lines I use the reference manual constantly.

Add the stack. When reusing you will be able to delete a section if needed.

Meh, computers are not smart. As far as Chief knows the door or drawer is 3/4" thick so it places the hardware in relation to the front of that. I suppose it would be pleased to program doors otherwise but at what cost to performance. I find it useful to understand how the program sees things, then work within that framework, less frustration.

For hardware to sit on a recessed panel instead of rail or stile you need to copy to user library, rename, open symbol, change the Y origin so it sets back however much the recess is.

Specify the hardware for the offending door in the face configuration. It's not your door symbol it's the hardware symbol causing the problem. When you get around to your own custom hardware be sure to test out the symbol origins, in particular on appliance handles.

I create all my symbols in Chief, only use SU to break up found SU symbols. To make that out of faces first make a psolid, size to suit, convert to solid, then to faces. Faces allows you to have different grain directions. I make ALL my own door symbols so have no idea if any have shorter horizontal rails though I'd guess that there may be some. There should be a post somewhere I made in Tips? or Symbols on how I make door symbols that includes some parts to get started. Basically I start with a wall cabinet, 3/4" deep, framed construction. Set rails and stiles to desired width, back and sides as opening, side panel inset for the panel.

Attached fresh plan -cabinets on left have separations made using doors inserted into the back only. Symbol included on floor. Cabinets on the right are done using Mick's idea of shelves with custom symbols for shelves. Took some trial and error to figure out the Z origin for each. The down side to using the back is when you resize the depth of the cabinet you need new symbols AND auto labels are off (I don't use those anyway though but it does mess up one label macro I had) Using shelves for the separations will resize depth fine downside is new symbols if you need to alter the top drawer box height. examples of each all the way to the right and shelf symbols included. Suggest opening each cabinet DBX and examining fronts and back. Then open each symbol (open symbol not open object) and examine those. This sort of hack is something I use for lots of things- extended stiles, side extended back, extra control of toe spaces, alternate finish interior...lots. Worth learning.I don't really consider this a work around, rather a great tool Chief gave us that is fun to abuse :) no front separations.plan

Yes. Open the cabinets in the plan I posted and look at the backs. They have a custom door symbol used as a side panel inset. The door symbol has the depth locked to go to the front of the cabinet, and the origin changed so that it does. They are what shows as the horizontal stretchers. The only difference I suggested today was to completely eliminate stretchers from the front. If you need more info I'll be at a computer tonight.

Well there's nothing to let go of in 2020 now is there Last I knew 2020 did not produce editable cad elevations as dwg? I consider myself a wiener about stuff. I asked for variable reveals for several years when I first started and that was back before the work around I showed was possible.I used to make the faces and reveals look correct using traditional overlay and then a separate file to get the correct openings, eventually I decided that was scratching stuff that didn't itch. Bottom line is every custom maker and every contractor I've worked with has been thrilled with the level of drawings I give them thanks to CA. With every maker I've ever worked with, (and when I built them)-everything revolves around opening sizes and each has thier own standard reveals. They all want opening sizes from me for anything not standard, if I want different reveals or things to align I specify that. It is then the responsibility of the maker to do it correctly. IF I send in all sizes for everything then it is my responsibility if something doesn't add up...hopefully I get a call. I thought of a simpler way for you to get both (just in case you're using the Material list for your door and drawer sizes?) You can set your doors & drawers to finished heights using the front configuration and use "blank areas" for reveals. Then use side panel inset to place separations in the back so the openings are correct. The problem is that the front will NOT affect the back so if you change something in one you have to remember to change it in the other.

Chief doesn't do variable overlay which is what you are asking for-it only does reveals. So sanely working with it you can have either accurate reveals OR accurate boxes. The only way to get both is hacking the cabinet per the attached. I no longer bother with this and settle for accurate boxes which is what is needed for production. In the truly rare case (like once every ten years) that a client gets antsy about reveals I'll then show that for them with inaccurate boxes-not with the attached hack. Want both- pay for it, use something different, see someone else.... cabinet reveal and box match.plan

Check reference manual starting at page 758, railing follows stairs.

You set it in the nVidia control panel, manage 3D settings, programs. Select the Chief exe file by navigating to it. With the advent of Optimus on laptops Chief doesn't always display that correctly; I think because Windows reports the Intel card. Also usually some of the ports for external monitors, maybe even all of them, will use the Intel card regardless of what you try.

The other thing is it looks to me as if the op has locate center checked for cabinets, fixtures are a completely different setting. I never use the former, always use the latter.

Just keep an eye out, often on sale for $170-190. Think I paid 165, Saved me that much in the first 3 months, doubt I'll upgrade for 5 or 6 years

I use a separate dimension default that only pulls center lines for mechanicals and always an electric plan. I'm a fan of NKBA guidelines but don't like how they dimension. My sets include all they ask for plus, just wouldn't pass the test