MarkMc

What he said (beat me to it)

I've had a run of needing to create new templates tailored to each of my drafting clients and worked out a few things along the way. Posted a thing here

Why mess with Plan Views- Annotation sets are great but they don’t save the actual view or floor, plan views do. You can have several plan views with the same annotation set, some for changing floor levels, some for zooming in closer, showing reference display or not. You can have a plan view that uses all of the annotation defaults with a different layerset. Opening a plan view from the project browser creates a new tab with the plan as you saved that view. I’ve had to set up templates for several clients, each with some changes. But you can’t import plan views. I can start with a template with some but sometimes need others or changes. Few things I’ve found useful. All are almost the same procedure. Setting them up fresh and making new ones easily Import annotation sets and layersets you think you will need (I have a few variations saved for this). Plan view tied to annotation set-Select an annoset and zoom view to about what you will need on the floor you want. Click “save plan view” and name it. Same view and annoset on another floor.- While in that plan view click “new plan view”. You’ll get a new tab with the same view and anno-set etc. Change the floor THEN click Save Plan view and give it a name. Repeat as needed. Same view with different annotation set. -In a view you want Click New Plan View, get new tab, change annoset. Save plan view, give it a name. Same view, same annotation defaults, DIFFERENT layerset. From view, click new plan view, get new tab, change layerset only, save plan view. By now you should get the idea. To protect my plan views and avoid confusion. Move the “Save Plan View” icon out of the way so you don’t accidentally or automatically click it. Then add icons for “New Plan View” and “Save Plan View As” where you will easily find them. If you use hotkeys make the key combo for “Save Plan View” dissimilar to the other two and more challenging to reach. Something like- S,N for New Plan View; S,A for Save Plan View As, (both one handed) and Z,P (two hands for most folks) for Save Plan view. Finally- Upon opening a plan, open a second plan view. Change something in one of these, doesn’t matter what or which one. Then close it. When the little DBX pops up with “This saved plan view has been modified since it was last saved. Would you like to save the current settings?” Check off “Remember m choice during this session” and select NO. That way when you close the plan you won’t accidentally click yes and screw up your plan view. I’m teaching my clients to do this last bit since they don’t want to mess with all the other complications and I don’t want them returning plans with messed up layouts.

I have a different take on it. Where I see the confusion comes in is whenever you have a saved plan view. IF you send a view to layout with Plan View listed as "None" then you can rely on anno-sets. IF it has a named plan view that is what the layout box will use AND you can't specify the anno-set in the layout box. The problem arises when you work in a named view, ONLY IF you 1-change the anno-set OR layerset AND 2 save the plan view. You can change any sets while working and the layout box WILL NOT reflect those changes so long as you do NOT save the plan view. I now have been using plan views exclusively to send to layout but made a few changes to the toolbars. The only icon on the OOB toolbar relating to plan views is "Save Plan View" this is stupid under the circumstances and IMO part of why we see so many issues. I moved that icon to the far right of the toolbars, then add icons for "New Plan View" and "Save Plan View As" I also got in the habit of saying NO whenever the message pops up "do you want to save this plan view". I even try to force that box to pop up early in a session and check the box to leave me alone for this session so that I don't have to be sure to not read it when I close the file.

Ditto, I use blue for undercabinet and orange for room, didn't think to mention that.

Ruby won't do it. Here is what BT is talking about and I mentioned-few plan views from a remodel I'm working on. Import shows Blue DWG (s) that were converted from really bad real estate PDFs. To move between views use CTRL + TAB; OR click the drop down; OR open in library browser; OR resize the main window, tear off the Import tab, maximize the main window and use ALT + TAB to go between them. (I prefer the layout for that last one though) FWIW for the last 9 yrs. the majority of my meetings have been at clients homes with a laptop. I do use all the Side windows so have the ALDO. I do bring along a small USB monitor (1.7 lbs, 3/4" thick in case-3/8 without, no power supply needed) when TV and network is available it serves as a handy storage screen to send windows to while the laptop mirrors to the TV (used to use MS dongle, now a Roku which is easier and more stable) Since most meetings are at the dining room table without a TV that gets used for the clients to view.

Few things you can do. Use a layerset (or in my case as part of an annotation set) that limits what is shown on the plan. I have an annoset that I use to dimension wall cabinets that can be used for molding with less clutter. Less Clutter- It also helps if you -select molding from library first BUT don't just go and click, with molding selected then select molding line (or hot key it which is what I do) If you select and then just click on the plan you end up with a closed molding polyline which you don't want. It helps to start with the molding that has the deepest profile first, add others later. Alternatively if you don't remember to select a molding first run the molding line beyond the cabinet so you can see it

https://www.chiefarchitect.com/support/article/KB-03092/requirements-for-virtual-reality-in-chief-architect.html

Not exactly but several ways at it- use the ALDO (active layer display) and place it on layer you make and name that so it is at the top of the pile-per picture. There are things you can do with Plan views and or annosets or just layersets. Any of those can be toggled quickly.

Ran a quick test to confirm my suspicions. For RT to work for an interior shot using the 3D slider you have to zoom in so that the background does not show in the window. I tried turning the sun off, added two light sources and adjusted the lighting in the RT dialog. Attached are two images-one wide one showing closer in both with similar settings. Sun is turned off and turned all the way down in the RT dialog. Two interior light sources were added. I didn't mess with it more. I only use PBR nowadays and that does not have the issue with using the 3D slider.

I'd tried this once when I wanted a second schedule without callouts and fewer columns to use for copy-paste to a spreadsheet. Problem I ran into was rows that were rearranged didn't match the second schedule. I'd guess it works if the rows are left alone.

I found learning symbol stretch zones, planes and origins difficult. When doing that I printed out those pages from the reference manual and kept them handy (for several months Note-a useful tool is to have a perspective open, select the symbol in the library (open symbol NOT open object), alter stretch etc, then drag it onto the one that is not doing what you want. If your aim is good it will change though some varieties of symbols that I make can't be gotten at that way-too far embedded in the cabinet or whatever. Works most of the time for instant feedback. Attached is pic showing relevant settings used on the symbol I included in the plan and why they are the way they are. Origin controls setting to the floor AS LONG as the symbol is set so it can't resize. You need a different symbol for each height and width you want. Keep them in your user library and save the plan used to make (any symbol)-work out a system for symbol plans. You can alter them once made but that gets a little tricky. If for whatever reason you prefer to use the symbol on the side of a cabinet instead of the back the rotation and origins change-stretch zones accordingly. You have to delete the top and bottom rails (separations) from that face first before creating the space for the "side panel inset" symbol. Separations can be added back once that is full height if need be as I had done with the bottom rail at the back on the sample cabinet. Why use the side instead of the back? If you are using automatic labels using the back will turn it into a peninsula cabinet The will list as finished in the side column of the schedule-(I use custom OIP fields for side finishes so that doesn't matter to me) You are using the back for something else and placing it there complicates things. Why NOT use the side- mostly if you need to do something different with the side and I find it easier to use the back so do that most of the time. There is a suggestion area on the forum or you can send things to support. FWIW I had asked for this a number of years ago (likely more than once)-before there was a doable hack. I no longer want it as part of Chief- Sometimes a change in one place leads to unwanted consequences elsewhere.... First-I have a hunch that if it were part of the cabinet it highly likely that in a cabinet schedule depth (or width for extended stiles) would include it as part of the measurement since it would become within the bounding box. I want my cabinets to read -24" side extended 3"- not 27". Second- I always order extended stiles or sides oversize to be scribed in the field i.e. cabinet set 2" off wall with 3" extended side. Since the symbol resides within the bounding box (but appear outside it in plan) I can do that and slam it against the wall then move it out with arrow key for 2" AND my dimension will read correctly since Chief does not dimension to doors. Then if I need a detail of the cabinet it is all there and provides a reminder to note for installer to scribe. (win all around) Lastly- I don't need it any more, they made the hack possible a few years ago and it's easy enought. I already have the symbols (keep cabinets with them already attached in library so I don't need to do anything more than "replace from library" . So unless they could allow everything I already have from it I'd oppose it, besides there are more important areas for them to work on IMO.

Hoods- download the Stanisci catalog. Also make from cabinets ; make parts as cab door symbols. Medallion and a few others had hood parts as a head start. Learn about "delete surface", search symbol by Alaskan Son, had some hacking videos (may be gone though).

Info and parts to do it here Not so much "code each piece" as adjust those things you can get at to do what you want. Most common thing I use is converting to a cabinet door symbol then using it as a "side panel inset" in the "Front, Side, Back" tab. (can put just about anything into or on or as part of a cabinet that way... NO training on it specificially. Download that plan-open up some of the cabinets Then open some of the individual symbols to see what is going on with them and then read up on custom symbols, stretch plans/zones and symbol origins in the reference manual.

You don't need to delete it-you need to associate it with the annoset.

I been bringing along the older version of this DisplayLink Monitor to meetings for a long time now. https://www.asus.com/us/Monitors/MB16AC/ Thin, light, no power needed. plug and play by USB. I've considered connecting via wireless to clients TVs but most often the meeting is in the dining room. I have a MS wireless dongle and most smart tvs and Roku type devices allow connection BUT you have to be on the same network so I don't ask. Asus announced a 21" OLED version earlier in the year but no news since then and cost could be I use WinAero Tweaker to mess with fonts but it has limits as Mick noted.

Agree Perry for towers(and still do themselves for Dell I think) but not laptops - Clevo only makes laptops, check the link

no, if interested.. "A little known fact is that Alienware used to be a Clevo reseller until they became so profitable that they were bought out by Dell." from... About Clevo

Um uh, that's a desktop isn't it P? AFAIK only Asus tried a liquid cooled laptop. FWIW the Alienware laptops were Clevos until Dell bought them out, part of why I went that way when switching from Precision.

All mentioned are Windows machines. BTW-Hidevolution.com (source for Evoc) also carries the Lenovo and MSI workstations with Quadro cards if you decide to go that way. Folks in the Clevo section of the notebookreview forum often suggest contacting Donald there and that there is a discount for mentioning Notebookreview forum or being a member-not sure which check over there. FWIW if speaking with tech folks tell them that Chief likes the GTX cards, they often assume it would prefer Quadros if they aren't familiar with it.

I've used laptops exclusively for almost 15 years now and would second what Johnny and Kbird say about heat management-I've gotten to be a Clevo though both times MSI was in the final running, just decided on the Sager/Clevo (next time will be an Evoc/Clevo). In the higher end machines both brands have good cooling-thinner lighter machines need to be investigated for either though. Some information on specific models for most brands (few clevos but some rebranded machines) can be had in reviews at laptopmag.com. More extensive information can be had in the forums at notebookreview.com under each specific brand, here you will find every brand out there. Now those forums are comprised primarily of gamers and geeks so it can get to be a bit to wade through. I look for the owner's lounge for models I'm interested in and hopefully find an initial user review; more of those are available for higher end machines than others. That means few details on anything "thin and light". Since it's my primary machine I've gotten around to getting desktop CPU's in them making the machine start at about 8 lbs and at least an inch plus in thickness. Those also don't have long battery life so I have to bring a power brick when I travel, which I do often. (I use the Spectre for quickies and job sites though) The upside to the desktop CPU (beside juice) is I don't have to deal with Optimus. In the early days I ran Dell Precisions with Quadro cards, switched to GTX cards about a year or so after using Chief. Back then TurboCad ran just fine on the GTX cards, nowadays not as nicely as it lags a lot when going to Save As but Draftsight (which does less) is just fine. There are a couple of Acad users on here, maybe they can tell you more. In my case I'm not going beck to Quadros. I always got the Precisions from the business section of Dell which got me excellent domestic support (unlike the home section). Since switching I get the Clevos, and would get any other brand from a reseller -prices are competitive, usually have more configuration options (depending on brand), talk with someone who knows something, usually include support with them on top of factory AND in most cases they actually test the machine before sending it out. IMO the only way to go. External drive-I have a Western Digital MyCloud (some number?) Works fine. Didn't like the initial setup instructions much but fine when I got it going. Comes with decent collection of software including Acronis (for imaging-I already had Macrium so use that on a machine where I don't have a Macrium license). It was handy when I had the showroom so I could keep backup in a different location, now it's on my desk though and currently hardwired for the main machine-wireless and remote access as needed. I really couldn't justify a higher end NAS device but it's more than just an extra external (Buffalo which is in a drawer now)

I don't know the answer - if it can be done you need one of the Gurus. The issue is that the foundation wall thickness is a property of the wall, while the height is a property of the room. If getting properties from two objects into a referenced macro is possible it's more advanced than anything I know how to deal with. Your other thread has similar problems-not a simple macro. What I can offer is when learning this stuff it helps to have a way to see what each object has that you can get at. Here is a macro that I got here (from Joe I think) that can quickly read the properties from an object. Import it into the TMM (text macro management) then when needed select an object, open TMM (I use a hotkey), scroll down to this macro and see what is available. There are other ways to get the information but this one is handy. Object Properties.json

Here is one way but remember that I'm supposed to just be a kitchen guy so YMMV I put in a gable line since I find them helpful for a little control over the direction of slope- drew one roof, adjusted from to triangle, copy-reflect, fine tune and join, changed the materials since the default is not set to match. One way.plan

Not at computer, menu, build, roof, gable line then hit F1 for some instructions. Try it in a test plan with just 4 walls and play with different settings. Trim at front is a different story

A gable line should get you going in the right direction.