Lighthouse

Kbird1, thanks for the reply. I've attached a couple screenshots- One shows that the system is using the 970 card. The next 2 are shots of the Nvidia settings (the dbx had a scrollbar, so I couldn't show all the settings in one screenshot. I don't know what most of these options mean, are there any that you would change? Here's the other strange thing- when I went to generate the same view today, it went much faster. But when I go into taskmanager, the same background processes are running, etc. I did the speed test with all other programs except Chief turned off to control that variable. I can't figure out why performance would vary. I assume Chief caches some info so that subsequent views load faster? But in each case I started the program fresh to generate the view. But I often notice as I'm working that the programs slows down, even when I have nothing new running. I'm also careful to close tabs, etc. I wonder if there is some defect in the program or my PC (memory leak, or something), that causes it to slow down as it is used.

Hi Graham, thanks for the reply. I did a camera view from the corner of the living room in the Lake Point plan (see attached). It took 26 seconds to generate. Is this the view that you said took 6 seconds for you? If so, there must be something wrong with my computer. It says it is only using like 5% of CPU and 20% of memory. Any thoughts?

I use X10. I have a plan that runs very slow. I downloaded the LakePoint plan and it runs considerably faster. I'm wondering if my use of third party models for furniture, etc is slowing it down. The problem is I will have to find and examine each one to find the culprit. Before I do that I have a basic question- If a layer is turned off, can it still slow down the generation of camera views? For example, let's say there is a large 3rd party furniture model in the plan. If I have furniture turned off in display settings, could it still slow down the camera view? Or should it only slow it down if the layer is turned on. I ask because turning off layers does not seem to be improving performance. I also wonder whether having polyline solids affects performance. And does anyone know whether a poorly constructed model slows things down? For example, if walls are not aligned, or roofs not perfectly joined? Also, are there benchmarks of how long it takes to generate views of LakePoint? It's taking me 11 seconds for a perspective overview, 3 seconds for floor overview, 8 seconds for a section. On my slow personal plan, taking more like 30 seconds for an overview, etc.

I would like a second copy of X9, if that is what you are selling please let me know

Hi, I design high-end, modern (mostly) houses in the Metro West area of Boston. I've been doing it for 30 years, but things have gotten very busy in the last couple years, so I'm looking for part or full-time help. The catch is that while I have worked remotely with a number of CA users, I really want someone local to work in-house. Ideally this person would be meeting with clients and builders, measuring existing conditions, etc, which can't be done remotely. The range of work would be determined by your experience, but it could include all phases of home design from schematic through to large-scale details. In addition, I do a lot of lighting and furniture design, which would be part of the mix. I'm not sure there are many CA users in this area, so I won't go into a long description of the ideal candidate, etc. That said, a young(ish) person with good skills and aptitude would be nice, as I'm looking for a long-term relationship (possibly even taking over the firm in 15 years or so). Designing in the Boston area is not a bad way to make a living, so if you live in a city that is not doing as well economically, and you aren't tied down, maybe consider relocating? I know this is a long shot, but I just thought I would give it a try. My site shows some of my work. light-house-design.com thx David

got it, thanks very much

thanks for the reply- I can't find the 3d tab you mentioned- the attached screenshot shows what I get when I right click on the item in the library

Some of my plans in X9 are super slow both in 3d views and cad details. (I have a fast video card and 24gb RAM). CA suggested that my third party models may have too many surfaces, which makes sense. 2 questions: 1) once an object (e.g. a chair) is in a model, is there any way to know how many surfaces it has? In a 3d view I see a surface count at the bottom of the screen, but that seems to refer to the entire view, not the selected object. I guess I could take each object and stick it in a blank plan, but I'm wondering if there is an easier way? 2) I'm surprised that multi surface models would be slow once they are in a 2d cad detail, but they sure seem to be. Is it because CA is drawing many overlapping lines, which aren't actually visible in 2d? thx

thanks, that worked

I tried to create a new tile by: choosing an existing 10x10 tile in "plan materials" saving a copy renamed 12x24 changing the size to 12x24 (the size shows correctly in the dbx pattern window) adding to library then I open room and change floor material to 12x24 tile still shows up as 10x10 in camera views what did I miss? thanks!

thanks, balloon framing works! re zipwall, this is a special R6 zipwall. It consists of 1" rigid insulation and 1/2" osb. My standard wall assembly is 2x4 with fiberglass batts and the R6 zipwall. I think having the continuous insulation over the studs makes more sense than high R in the wall cavity, but then no insulation at all the framing members (studs, headers, etc).

thanks for the replies, I uploaded the plan

Hi, any simple answer to why my siding stops short of the roof? Is it a setting the the structure tab of the roof dbx? The siding is stopping at the ceiling height. I have 12" rafters, and a 6" fascia. I want the siding to go up to the bottom of the soffit. thanks! new flat roof.plan

Has anyone found a laptop powerful enough to run X9 at a decent speed? If so, could you provide the specs? Last time I looked into this the only thing that came close was an Alienware gaming laptop for about $2600.

I got an email this morning from Topaz Engineering saying they are having a clearance sale on wide format printers, in case anyone is interested. I don't know if their prices are any good, but thought I would pass it along. https://www.topazeng.com/

I find myself doing a lot of topo measuring recently, both to site the building on the lot and to do some landscape design. I typically use my old pls laser, which has the drawback of being very hard to see in daylight, and no ability to measure angles or heights. I'm considering buying a Leica Disto, and wonder if anyone has used this or other methods or tools. Ideally I'm looking for an efficient way to measure terrain and object (house, tree) height and distance. I would like to set up in a couple locations, and then pick spots with the tool which would create a file showing the distance and height relative to my setup. Thanks

Thanks Curt, that video is really helpful

That worked!! Yay, thanks Dermot

Joe, would it be possible to do a 2 minute phone call? My problem is that when I edit one annotation set, it changes the default for the other annotation set. My number is 781 259 1221 if you have a minute

this is where I'm changing the annoset dimension defaults. I still can't get it to work where I have two different annosets with different dimension defaults!!!!!!

oh, I just found it, let me try changing it in the annoset edit box

maybe I'm changing the dimension default in the wrong place, Where do you modify the dimension default in an annoset?

I'm trying now still now working. I created an annoset called 1/16", and set the dim default to 1/16. I sent that view to layout with a box that was measured in 1/16" increments. I created another annoset called 1", and changed the dim default, etc and sent that to layout. It still changes the other view, does not show the 1/16" fraction on the first detail

So I guess this means I have to learn how to use annosets, which I've been avoiding. Are you saying that within the same plan, I can create distinct annosets that have different dimension defaults, and these different defaults will appear intact on the layout? Because I just created two different plans, and sent details to the layout from the different plans (with different defaults), and even that didn't work!