kylejmarsh

Somewhere along the way here I found a good roof label macro and modified it to fit my use - which was great up till now that there seems to be a roof label fill which is background color (white) but it covers up the arrow for the roof plane itself. Does anybody have this issue yet and how can we control the label background on a roof label? I haven't been able to find it.

Oh another thing - is there a way to make the Automatic Dimensions all be on a single dimension string, instead of all having different offsets? Honestly I end up deleting most of the automatic dimensions so I can get a couple of strings going - guess I really don't use them much after all. Though if I had the ability to set up layer as well as 'keep as single string' I may have a use for them actually

This is going to screw up my workflow a bit, but that's fine. I have been using Automatic dimensions only for locating exterior corners - these are carried over into a number of different drawings like a floor framing plan, roof plan, etc. for plans which only need the overall length of things - then I use the 'manual' for locating interior wall strings and window/opening centerlines, and other stuff that doesn't need to go on the other plans. I also have an 'overall' one which is just the overall lengths or the length of the main building sections.

You can see them here on the right - I use these off-sheet guides to help me line things up. I set all four sides up with strings, then it helps me line everything up. The different colors only show up on my @modeling layer and not on my main @plan display layers that show up on my drawings.

Undo takes a long time usually.

If you're not specifically trying to keep that file, my suggestion would be to start a new 'clean' file and then use the 'select multiple floors/all' and then copy and paste it over to the new file.

Otherwise make sure to check your automatic framing is turned off, that can do it. Or referenced pdf files in the plan like an old 'as built' plan you were tracing can really lag it down too.

1 hour ago, Kbird1 said:

Thanks for sending that - checked it out and it seems like that only allows me to set the layer for all dimensions, manual + automatic, and not to break them apart separate like before. Am I doing it wrong or is that what you found too?

One other thing - they are broken for two different sets of templates - my concept template (11x17) and my CD template (24x36) - so I guess it could be related to the model file itself. Just can't figure out when all these links would break and how it happened.

Just to clarify, the Details are still in the model file, still titled the same thing as before (never touched it), but now won't work. However they do work for a past template (an old one from march) so I guess can go back there as a starting point. Jsut wasn't sure how/why this happened or if it was a software bug.

At some point the link between the cad details in my template model and  my template layout became broken - so all my schedules/details/etc that I have synced together are all shot/kaput/broken. This happen to anybody else or just me?

From what I can tell - and just ran into this issue - is that the 'Automatic Dimensions' are now being created on the 'Manual Dimensions' layer, instead of their own layer. Has anyone else noticed this? Used to be they were on their own unique layer - not anymore. And I can't figure out where to change the layer they're generated on, because the 'dimensions defaults' were changed/expanded (which I'm glad about btw) but I can't find this option anymore. Anybody else figure it out?

Is anybody still having this issue with X13?

On 3/20/2021 at 8:58 AM, stevenyhof said:

Setup Default Views from .plan to .layout

I have found a way to set up and automate my default template .layout file using my default template .plan file.

In the video below I step through how to set up your .layout so that all your common views are already in place on your default template .layout file.

• I use pre set Plan Views (with print ready layer sets) of each floor. (Set up in the default template)
• I use pre set Cross Sections (My four elevation views). (Set up in the default template)
• I use CAD Details to connect my common cross sections. (Set up in the default template)

I wanted to find a way to set up my default .layout file so that I no longer needed to send layout views from my .plan file to the .layout file any longer as that seemed redundant for 95% of my drawings. 

Let me know your thoughts or if there are other ways to achieve the same automation.

https://www.loom.com/share/ba8e075063df47f5b4229acb30f7b4a9

I realize that as I explain this that the listener has an understanding of Plan Views, the Default Plan and Layout Template.

Once again if I do not make myself clear, I set this up once using my Default Plan Template and my Default Layout Template, so that all future drawings will have all the Sections and Plan Views set up in the Layout once you connect your current drawing to the layout when prompted.

Thank you,

Steve

 

 

 

This is the correct way to use this software IMHO. I have been using a template .plan file tied to a template .layout for quite some time. I actually have a .layout for small sheet/11x17 'concept' layouts with 1/8 scale views, and the full .layout for my 24x36 sheets (and an 18x24 for smaller jobs)

I have never, and still today can't figure it out, been able to get the 'Alt' / 'Alternate' behaviour to work in the multiple copies dialog. I wonder if this is because I'm a Mac User? Does anybody else use this alternate offset/copy distance?

Here is the dialog to refresh your memory. Theoretically we can use this Secondary Offset to change the spacing.

But I've never been able to get it to work - either by holding the Alt button or using the right click.

Here's what the Manual says:

Is this something that others are using, and if so how do I unlock it's power?

14 hours ago, WesternDesign said:

Attached is on of my standard "draft" details.

Very nice detail sheet - thanks for posting. 

Yeah that screenshot is from the logitech options app. Just getting the feel for the mouse - this thumb button could be useful. Maybe I can remap that horizontal scroll because I don't really see myself using it when I can just drag the screen around with the middle click.

Just got a new Logitech MX Master 3 and it's so far so good - but haven't been able to get the horizontal scroll/thumb scroll to work in CA. Anybody solve this issue or is this feature not supported yet?

On 4/16/2021 at 10:44 AM, robdyck said:

Kyle, you should submit a feature request to Chief for this. I have, but I feel like it needs more support. These types of things are a huge suck on drawing productivity.

I used to submit a bunch and see others have killer suggestions which never get implemented so, eventually, you quit suggesting things because why even bother. Plus I have kids now so I'd rather just figure out a work-around to these issues and deal with it quietly so I can get back to playtime or bottle time or whatever more fun thing there is to do. If Chief ever gets serious about a GUI upgrade and productivity improvements I'll be there to contribute, but until then if it ain't broke (or even if it's a little broke) then don't fix it.

On 4/16/2021 at 1:01 PM, BWoods said:

I tend to have to look up what I need to know every time from an older set of plans thats been engineered. 

You should get a copy of the codebook, and read through it. While you're reading through it, take what you've learned in each section and make a set of notes for your drawings. That forces you to read and understand it, and communicate it - and you'll always remember it after that.

Until then, still get yourself the latest Florida codebook PDF - probably from the ICC - Then you won't have to look at old drawings because you can just search for it in the codebook and you know you'll be right.

Good luck.

IMHO you should use different wall types for your 'existing walls' I use an (E) at the end to denote this. That way you can have it on it's own layer 'Walls - Existing' and have it turned off of materials list. You can give it a neutral fill like a white. You can control the lineweight since it's on it's own layer. Then for your new walls have the fill you want, are on a different layer, can be added to materials list.... so many advantages.

Only time I use a wall hatch is when there's a window removed / infilled in an existing exterior wall and it's a pain to do otherwise.

That said, I think there are a number of these items which would be nice to have control over the default appearance. Some others are, thinking of section views + autohatch:

- Insulation hatching. Right now it's a thin black line - a fat grey partially transparent one is what I like on my sections. Right now i have to change each one.

- Footing hatching

16 hours ago, kwhitt said:

I'll be glad to report it, I always do, but my question was whether or not this was a known issue.  Sounds like it is seeing Rob's reply.  In fact, I've reported several bugs and although Tech Support responds quickly, they never seem to get fixed.

I have reported this problem for years - both here in the forum and during the X11 beta test.

I use an iso camera of the floor plan with a normal plan view laid on top for the notes and details - that way I get a nice looking image for the concept layout.

I haven't been able to eliminate the issue, and was wondering if it was a Mac/Apple only issue, but now see it's general.

The only things I've found to minimize it: Make sure cameras are set up correctly at x=0 y=0 position, with z=10' or less above floor. Rendering style set to 'standard' Export to pdf at 144dpi. Then once you get your camera correct, don't mess with it in the model. If the camera Jumps around in Layout, try closing the layout and reopening. Maybe restarting Chief. Finally if it's still moving you can use a point-to-point move to line it back up, but it's always a bummer chasing these cameras around your layout.

Good luck - I remain ever hopeful that this issue will one day receive the attention it needs 

On 3/4/2021 at 5:37 PM, SNestor said:

Is only "real time" rendering disabled? In other words...can we still ray trace the old fashioned way (like in X12)...just not in "real time"? 

 

As a fellow Mac user I have looked into this topic a lot. It's not a Chief issue, there is a fundamental disconnect with the MAC GPU architecture and the way everybody else does it, so I don't even think it's an issue that the CHief programmers could solve - it's more of like an AMD level issue.

Luckily, they have solved it and in stunning fashion. To enable real time GPU rendering you'll need to get Twinmotion and export your chief model to .dae (collada) and import it to TM. I swear it's the easiest and most amazing rendering software I've used and right now you can try it out for free, then it's only like $300 or something. 

Use chief for the geometry, then when you want to render just export it and move it to TM - takes maybe 5 minutes to move it over there, and you'll save that much time on a single Raytrace if trying to use chief and it won't look half as good.

Do an ortho floor camera of just the foundation, then adjust the view to be front/side/whatever site you want to see. Who's asking for this view? I'd charge them extra IMHO 

You can edit what your reference display shows - it's one of your layersets - just find it/switch to it and turn on the layers you want to see. Ponywalls could be tricky because they have individual settings in the wall dialogue about what layers they show in plan view - you may have found a funny quirk but I would guess it would be in your Ref Display Layerset, make sure you're turning on your 'walls, layers' layer. that's a tongue twister - good luck!

8 hours ago, DRAWZILLA said:

As with anything, the devil is in the details, that connection should be referenced to a detail, don't worry about getting the model perfect, which cannot be done without spending too much time doing it.

That's my philosophy too. 80/20 rule why would I spend even a minute trying to make a beam pocket appear when nobody is ever going to care about that, nor will they notice it on the drawing, and I could be spending that time playing with my daughter instead. If you want a pocket to show just give your default floor beams some 'fill' - I use 70% transparent fills for mine - and it will give a bit of a beam pocket effect without the fuss.

That said, it seems like something that will probably be in the auto-behavior sooner or later, and I'm happy to see it added to the fuctionality.

Thank you. And you're running a mac too, so that's helpful. No PDFs on my layout file. But today I started a new layout file for a (much smaller) project and the feedback is almost instantaneous as you say. 

Also who the heck is downvoting me for this? 

If anybody else gets a chance - can you post videos/screencaptures of working in Layout? I'm interested to see what the lag time is like for everybody else so I can figure out if this is a standard issue or something unique to my setup. Thank you all.

3 minutes ago, Chopsaw said:

Without getting into computer specifications and plan file size, do you have a bunch of 3D views already sent to layout ?

Sure but they're on other sheets. This sheet only had 5 viewports sent - and they're not 3D views either - just 2d plan views one for the second floor framing, one for the first, and then my sheet notes you can see on the upper right there.

Does it operate much faster on your machine? Can you send a video so I can see if I'm nuts?