MarkMc

I use them for architectural elements also still easier to have something to start with-general shape, thickness, height off floor or ground...and alter it. I often convert them to a symbols so I can use replace from library- all identical, or use as a molding symbol (gutter hangers, cornice pieces, newels...) can help with resizing things quickly instead of redrawing the entire thing. I do as few things twice as possible.

Well, un, yeah, no, ...sort of... My take is that say origin is set at absolute 0, 0, with global symbol mapping that is the start point for the texture on every object. I say sort of since I rarely use it unless there is an odd problem with a texture. Then I check it to see if it helps. Not long ago it solved an odd material problem on a fireplace here on the forum. I say sort of since I have no idea how or why that helped.

Don't know what you're using them for but I'm often using them for some part or symbol. Some time ago I took to saving every plan I use to make symbols or parts with, well almost all of em. Recently went through and organized those into sub folders to make them easier to find (almost 2oo in the last year, over 500 total!!) and adapt. Also made a symbol specific template-no room molding, all cabinets set to blank on all sides with 0" separations, and an annoset/ layerset to suit. For the folders-I use Directory Opus, a tabbed file explorer that allows me to save different tab configurations called "listers" so I saved one with just the folders that I use for symbols.

Just tested this. Made a "leaded glass" window from a cabinet(he loves to do that:) Front is opening, back is side panel inset (slab door, glass material) I had some muntins (molding lines and 3D molding lines) around and just sort of placed those to see if this worked. Convert to symbol, system supplies square casing, messed with origin. I don't have X8 on my machine so attached plan and library won't help a lot (they are X9) but figured if someone else needed em for reference. Leaded window.zip leaded window.calibz

Block them after you change the color and add to library-then rename the blocks. For psolids be sure to make one for plan views and one for elevation. Nice to have a shortcut key for "explode architectural block" also nice to have a default fill that you like..

Libraries are the same in Interiors except some details and structural. Easy enough to make from polyline solid in elevation. If you need a molding profile on top will need to do that anyway, then convert to symbol (and save that plan for future use.

Yes it's X9. I haven't tried it but looked like it might be the best solution. The panels I made are difficult to position on the wall. I tried using them as railing, balusters and such.. don't go there. If trying that, might try placing all the panels in a blank plan around a cad circle of proper radius, then raising heights to suit. Then either block or convert the whole batch to a symbol. At least you would only have one thing to position and changes could be made to the panel plan and swapped in and out of library.

Could be pilot error.

Did that for the first two tries. Weird

Sounds like using a wall may be better than what I tried but here is- made wainscott panel with angled top and bottom, converted to cabinet door and set stretch plane so it can't resize.. Placed in a bow front cabinet as side panel inset, fooled with origins, Hard part is working out radius of the cabinet Then 3D view, delete surfaces and converted to a symbol. I only went as far as making it a millwork symbol (the height on that could be resized, doubt any of the rest. Wonder if making it a molding symbol might be an option. Anyway, kept me amused for a little bit, maybe it helps, plan with stuff I used and symbol in it. curve wainscott.zip

Finally got it -downloaded and deleted 4 times, then saved to a new folder and worked. Wonder what...?

Anyone having trouble with latest update? I've getting error . Tried twice.

There are gaming laptops that have desktop CPUs like i7 7700K. With most of those you won't have to deal with Optimus which I find an advantage especially with multiple monitors. I often run my 6700k with main screen, a 24" off display port, TV off HDMI, and a 15" DisplayLink off a USB with no issue. The older machine can get fussy if I use for DisplayPort. These machines are about 8-1/2 lbs and only get 2 hours on battery. Note that some no longer have easily swappable batteries. Don't know about more lights on the GPU but haven't noticed a need. Raytrace runs off the CPU and will use all the lights that are on, so more likely need to turn some off.

Here's how I do moldings. Once done I disonnect one edge of the molding line, copy and paste that into a warehouse plan where I keep molding stacks I've done in the past. Generally I keep the pieces at a 6 foot length and also paste a cad block next to it that shows what the stack looks like along with a name of some sort so I can quickly identify them. Then when I need that stack I can copy and paste into a new plan. I use this exclusively for top moldings since it allows me to make the overhang on the side of a cabinet slightly different than the front, avoids issues when cabinets are not quite what CA expects. I also like it in particular for baseboard since I'm prone to doing funny things to toe/sub bases to get what I want (which mucks up molding in applied to the cabinet in the DBX) A rare vid from me- hope this works. molding line.mp4

Yup-I was only interested in offering and demonstrating a method for bead inset cabinets and these cabinets are from the first batch saved. I have a batch of hardware saved with modified exactly the way Graham suggests, which I eventually used in the actual plan. Easy enough to do what Graham says and save to your library.

I saw it demonstrated at KBIS. Looks about the same as Chief's.

I do that as a matter of course when I don't want a symbol to resize in a direction no matter what. May not be needed here but I've done so many odd things with door symbols I often set a plane outside the symbol so nothing odd happens.

The first round that we tried some time ago required a new symbol for every door style. The plan I posted uses something different and is easy to change the door style. I just made some cabinets , starting with a full height door, and added to the library. The doorstyle can be changed to anything you already have in the library. Just did these in about 5 minutes. If the main doorstyle is set to use default they work globally.

A simpler way, make a copy of cabinet door you want in user library. Open symbol and offset the y origin, set depth stretch plane to 2" (anything outside the symbol). Place that as a door panel next to the same style door (unaltered) also set as a panel.

Was waiting for a client so here is one version. Open the DBX for the door to see settings since you have to make a new symbol to change the doorstyle. sliding door.zip

From what I've read where the 1080 makes a difference is with 4k monitors and that may just be gaming. A web search will give you more info though most will reference gaming. If it were me I'd likely go to the 1070 and if I had more money spend and options existed I'd put it into upgrading CPU, RAM speed as opposed to quantity- doesn't look like they give you many options for the SSD other than size which is the other place I'd be going- brand and connection type not just size IMO. Am very glad I sprung a few bucks to go to Win Pro over home- more control over updates and nonsense.

I ran into something like this back a ways on one plan - don't remember the solution but got it from tech support. May have involved a legacy plan- call them.

In the Chief 3D library on line there are catalog for: Office Accessories, Cubicles (in furniture), Grouped rooms- Office . You can get some things not there from the sketchup 3D warehouse. And an enormous number of things can be made by altering cabinets within chief and saving to your library. It's a long time since I used the Interiors version but I think all of that is available to you. (you may still discover that Premier is worth the cost for productivity) It's pretty simple to make your own templates, most of us do. May want to also have a warehouse plan where you can store symbols to copy and paste- or work out a good system for your user library to make life simpler.

Must have been doing something wrong when I tried it earlier.

plan attached with floor in two directions- open the materials dbx for each to see-look at ALL tabs.For vector view change the pattern directions as Graham suggests. TIle -you can only change tile size pattern by switching to custom pattern and changing the scale- gets very tricky-see tile on wall. For symbols and materials (and most anything else) I like to use the reference manual as opposed to just videos. floor.plan