tchomes

I just got back on here to see the responses and am amazed at everything I read and watched. Huge shoutout to everyone who contributed on this thread. I am all about efficiency and with my current workload, I'm trying to minimize the repetitive steps, like opening and copying the information from a window. That is what I currently do. I'll do some more reading on the Ruby tool. Thank you! Roy

Thanks for the tip... I haven't quite got the hang of the live views yet. Yours looks awesome though.

Thanks Joe for your reply. Sounds like there is a way to do it. Now I just have to figure it out. Is there a manual on how to write macros? I've written macros in Excel, but not sure what language Chief uses. Roy

Just following up... Yes, reloading the library worked! Thank you again Dennis.

Thank you Dennis. I will give that a try! I assumed I wasn't the only one that had used the catalog. Roy

Is there a way to extract the material list properties into a custom text box? For instance, I always list the sqft of roofing area on my plans. It would be nice if I could pick an attribute and assign it to the text box in my layout so I didn't have to open the material list and copy the number over to my layout. Then when my roof changes slightly, I have to do it all over again... Just a thought. I usually list total sqft of countertops, roofing area, different flooring areas (tile, wood, carpet, stained concrete). This is something that my builders love about my plans as it makes it easier for them to do takeoffs, but I would like to be able to automate this. I have not used the Ruby tool (not sure even what it is), but am I missing something? Thanks in advance to all the experts out there. Been using it for 10 years, but some days I get aggravated and come to the forums for help on efficiency. Roy Homfeld Tracy's Custom Homes Farmersville, TX

I am using the new James Hardi Library for X8. How come the components don't have patterns associated with their textures? I was so excited about the new library until I went to create my construction documents and noticed that none of the library items have patterns associated with them, so all of my walls just show up blank. I know the work around is to copy it into user library and add the pattern, but this is very disappointing. Is this something that can be remedied? Thank you, Roy Homfeld Tracy's Custom Homes Farmersville, TX

I am planning to attend the National Homebuilder's show in Las Vegas in a couple of weeks, but missed the deadline to book a hotel room through the NAHB and it appears most of the hotels on the strip are completely sold out or are charging an arm and a leg for a room. If anyone has an extra room or can't go, I would be interested in taking it. I am looking for a room for Monday, Jan. 19 through Wednesday,Jan 21. Thank you and I look forward to seeing some of you all at the user's breakfast on the 21st. Roy Tracy's Custom Homes Farmersville, TX

Thanks for the response Dan. I have been in contact with a couple of other users privately and believe they can help me as soon as I get some time to forward them the work. Thank you again, Roy

I am looking to revise... discard and start over, with a new website to showcase my custom home design business. I have over 200 homes that I have designed and sold ranging from plans created in CA10 to X5 (I have X6, but haven't switched yet) and would like to create a searchable database with standard floor plan and front elevations to keep the website clean. Ideally, I would like to hire someone who does web page design/development and is well versed in Chief Architect so I could provide the files/.pdfs and receive a finished product. Most web designers I have visited with need .jpgs of the floor plan (without notes/dimensions) and front elevation already trimmed to a constant size along with all the attributes identified for each plan (sqft, # bed & baths, garage entry location, # floors, ect...) This is time consuming with the volume of plans I have and I am busy everyday working new plans for clients. If someone has that experience, I would be happy to discuss the project in more detail and maybe we can work together. Thank you, Roy Homfeld Tracy's Custom Homes 2918 Andrew Dr Farmersville, TX 75442 (903) 274-6022

I would be interested as well. Not sure what area of Texas you are working in, but I live/work Northeast of Dallas. I design custom homes for many area builders. Depending on the amount of work you have, I potentially could help you out. I have a part time drafter that works for me, but otherwise my throughput is limited by the amount of other designs I am working on. If you only need occasional updates or renderings, then I can probably assist. I have been in business since 2007 and roughly complete 40 to 50 custom homes a year, 1,500-7,000 sqft. Roy Homfeld Tracy's Custom Homes Farmersville, TX 75442 (903) 274-6022

I am in the North Texas area. I have been using Chief Architect since V10, 2004. I am interested in getting together occasionally. I am a self taught user. I know there are probably lots of ways for me to be more productive in Chief, but unless I don't know how to do it, I just do it my old way. I am currently running X5. I have X6, but just haven't made the leap yet. I swamped with work and can't really afford for any down time. Are you using X6 and do you like it? Roy

I just figured out a work around... I exported the view to a layout, which is what I wanted to do anyway, and it showed up correctly with my reference floor in the background. When I went and opened that view, everything appears to be working correctly. Weird. Anyways, thanks for being my sounding board. Roy Tracy's Custom Homes Farmersville, TX

I have a couple of older plans that I have had to come back and tweak, and the reference floor functionality seems to be off. I created these in X4 and am currently using X5. When I turn on Reference floors with F9, I see the first floor with the same layer setting as the layer I am currently using for the 2nd Floor. I have a layer set set up with dash lines for only the walls, but no matter how many times I change it, it doesn't work. If I switch my main layer set to the reference layer set, I get what I am looking for, but it is for both 1st and 2nd floors. It won't differeniate between the two floors. Very hard to work with it like this as I can't tell the difference between what is on the 1st floor and the 2nd floor. Thanks in advance, Roy Tracy's Custom Homes Farmersville, TX