Archnot-Boltz

On 5/13/2021 at 11:32 AM, amddrafting said:

Seriously...

No, I always joke about poorly designed tools that yield consistently inconsistent results and are a PITA to use!

On 5/29/2021 at 7:08 AM, eckstan said:

CA should include grid line in this new version

What's "Grid Line"?

On 5/9/2021 at 11:09 PM, scottharris said:

Larry, our target X13 release is scheduled for the end of June

Is the Terrain Tool going to stop sucking?

21 hours ago, Chrisb222 said:

SSA is worth it to me simply for the ability to share 3D models, if I never got an upgrade. And really, for myself upgrades are fun but they also require work, and sometimes a change in how I do things, which diminishes the benefits slightly. Especially if the new features don't fit or improve my process. Sometimes I'd rather plug along with what I know rather than read all the update notes, migrate all my stuff, and learn the new ropes. I do, and feel it's a net gain, but it doesn't come free of cost ... in more ways than just dollars.

 

I'm a small design/builder, and sharing 3D models really sets me apart around here.

I'm with you there on the S&M aspect of having the pain with the pleasue (and to be clear, I'm not into S&M!). Many times, I just wished that they would just do periodic patch upgrades as they are developed. It's a major Biache to update previous version files, which I think should be handled by Chief providing  some coding that allows you to hit a button to keep the original drawing file and create an upgrade file that is usable with the new version. Seems a shame to not be able to always access an older project.

On 7/11/2020 at 11:15 AM, solver said:

I have no trouble selecting a window in plan or camera views. (select the right most window)

 

Wow, another dang "Secret Handshake"! I've been using Chief's inadequate bay and bow windows (as little as humanly possible!) since 1998 and still have to look up how to modify them if I haven't used either for awhile.

What does that tell you Chief? (either, I have a lousy memory, which I do or you should address the problem and make this tool or feature more logical and user friendly-and it's not my job to tell you how because I'm not a developer). Doug is a very experienced user and he has to rely on Problem Solver, although it may be described in the most recent manual but for me it was easier to search this forum. Many times in the past, I would bug phone support but today's a Saturday.

I searched "Suggestions" first because I know I've brought it up in the past but couldn't find it there because of an anemic search engine (many times it's easier and quicker to do a Google Search because they actually have a fully functioning search engine that doesn't ignore you if you aren't perfectly specific. Now, I'm going over to suggestions and again suggest that Chief rework both Bow and Bay Windows as they've never behaved nor displayed satisfactorily. But thanks to PS and Dermot for answering the question.-BB 

7 hours ago, SNestor said:

@gmdesigns45 -

 

This video might help you out...

 

Mr Nestor,

you are one slick operator. Very nice videos ( I just checked out one of your screened porch vids), excellent. BB

12 hours ago, glennw said:

The Fireplace tool is still available.

 

I remember using that one, way back. Haven't seen it in years.

1 hour ago, DRAWZILLA said:

They are also everywhere here in Calif. I have one in just about every job I draw in remodeling.  These days the codes won't let us extend them up anymore, the engineers won't calc. it out , so we have to tear them out and rebuild using a no chimney gas only fireplace in a stucco enclosure.

Sounds like clean California doesn't want you to burn wood. 

For sure they're afraid of seismic liabilty.

3 hours ago, lbuttery said:

Bradley:

that is the story I heard about the advent of roofs I'm confused Lew, Chief had roofs in V5. Maybe V1-4 didn't have the roof plane tool. I can't remember what version added roof  framing.

maybe someone else remembers ?

 

it still amazes me about all the work arounds needed to do a chimney - even a basic one In most new home designs, we either used framed chimneys with metal flue liners or Dog Boxes (no chimney) for gas fireplaces. I have drawn masonry ones and used 4" brick on 4" block with an implied flu liner or simulated modular flue block with a masonry wall. Open to below at each floor level. 

 

Chimneys are "standard" with houses and yet there is no tool to create them after all these releases

simply amazing-Detailing a true masonry chimney with smoke shelf etc is a bit of a challenge for sure. And stepping the taper is a pain but doable. Not sure what Chief would give us since chimneys are so variable in size and design.

 

Lew

18 hours ago, lbuttery said:

In the early days of Chief there were no roof tools

 

workarounds were created to use terrain as roof planes

 

eventually Chief had roof tools

 

I doubt if CA programmed terrain to act as roofs (does anyone know ?)

but they did see the desire/need for them

 

Lew

Lew, I've been using Chief since 1998 (version 5, I believe) and don't remember not having the roof tool. When I started, there was no Terrain Tool and the big Work-a-Round Tool was the Interior Soffit Tool and "Electronic White-out".

As a matter of fact, it was Chief's (more user friendly) roof tool that pushed me in the direction of purchasing Chief '97  vs. Softplan 9. That and the fact that Softplan was still DOS or just changing and cost around $1500,  when Chief had a pre-upgrade sale for $599.00 (if I remember correctly).Back then, version upgrades were under $200.00 and occured every 18 mos to 2yrs (and I looked forward to them until the unnessessary upgrade from V9 to V9.5). BB

2 hours ago, raltd9245 said:

you are 100% incorrect. ask chief for the number of architects that use their program, I think you would be surprised at the number. I order for Chief to grow they need to market all fields not just builders.

High or Low? I would think low in proportion to the number of architects that use the Big Boy Programs ( Archicad, Vectorworks, Revit, & ACad). One might venture to say that more homeowner dablers use some incarnation of chief than architects? The majority has to be builders, remodelers and non-licensed "residential designers".

The name implies "Architect" unless of course "Chief" refers to Native Americans, which is most certainly does not.

On 11/26/2020 at 12:40 PM, raltd9245 said:

 

Agreed, but tough to show in a plan view isn't it?

2 hours ago, Richard_Morrison said:

Why? Because people who need to draw walls like this are not Chief's target market, and never were. (And likely will never be.) 

Chief "ARCHITECT"?

11 hours ago, solver said:

 

I briefly read the above comments, and did not watch this video again, but see if it gives you an idea.

 

From this thread

 

http://chieftalk.chiefarchitect.com/topic/25172-framing-display-issues/

 

 

 

 

Watch on YouTube: http://youtu.be/pOY84lS_I6M?hd=1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

•  

Just another dang time wasting Work-a-Round! Please suggest Chief fix all the Pony Wall idiosyncrasies (including alignment controls of Both Pony Walls Layers with upper walls etc). You can do it Nicky!

On 10/22/2020 at 3:58 PM, bassbuiltinfo said:

the build terrain icon is showing next to my curser on the plan view and perspective full overviews.  Why is this and how can i get it to go away 

It means that you have RE-Build Terrain Turned Off in the 3d Settings Dialogue. I just found it for rebuild walls/floors/clgs which was aggrevating the heck out of me. I had my rebuild setting turned off because I was trying to speed up my very slow re-draws (large drawing file I think plus plan was created in x5 or 7 and converted to x12 after sitting for a couple of years. 

23 hours ago, solver said:

I can rarely if ever find anything using this. I just found the "House" (rebuild walls/floors/clgs) icon "fix", same as the this Terrain Issue the user is having issues with by Googling it. 

Rock n Roll! You have a better memory than me, Robert. Never hurts to continue or revisit the dialogue. Thanks

21 hours ago, Archnot-Boltz said:

Why does Chief rebuild the entire model for a simple 2d CAD Line edit?

When you are drawing 2d CAD items, Chief should not have to redraw the screen and for sure not re-build the model. I don't know if it has to do with the Polyline Solids which are 2d CAD that creates 3d objects and Chief can't or won't differentiate between the two? When CAD tools are activated or in use, couldn't Chief just deal with the 2d? Same with text. Text and CAD items show up automatically on layout sheets without having to resend so why not when working in model space?

39 minutes ago, DavidJPotter said:

I agree this has been a PITA since version 4!

 

DJP

Thanks David,

so, would it be safe for me to take this topic to the Suggestions Forum and request a fix?-BB

Why does Chief rebuild the entire model for a simple 2d CAD Line edit? Hitting the "Escape" button used to stop  a model rebuild, what happened to that function?

thanks, 

BB

Wow, I can never find old posts. Glad you found it. Never heard anything back from Chief in regards to the issue, so thanks for the reminder because I wouldn't have remembered. BB

28 minutes ago, Rashid_Garuba said:

Funny I just moved from Desktop to Laptop... depends on how mobile you need to be. Laptops have come a looong way... Hubs are now available for extra connections and the expansion argument is diminishing.. IMO.  These days I tend replace the whole thing every 4 years rather than upgrading parts. The ideal still may be a superfast desktop AND an ok Laptop for when you need to be mobile.. OR a Desktop small enough to be portable (depends on what kind of mobility is needed), while having better cooling than fast Laptops.. this is what I got..

 

 

Looks pretty rocking, I guess more bang for buck and portability than a 17"? I assume you hook it up to a monitor for dual screen capability?

DataCad17, I didn't know they were still in business. Any improvement over the Dos original which I found difficult to learn? thnaks-bB

On 3/19/2020 at 9:10 PM, Boogdaddy said:

Quick Background on me: 35+ years of residential and light commercial design. I am old school in that I learned and have always done my work, from preliminary sketching through construction documents with pencils, pens, layover and vellum. My father was a very talented illustrator who moonlighted drawing house plans, so I've been around design my entire life. However, I have reached the point where I can not even purchase the tools and materials I use day-to-day anymore. I still purchase my drafting supplies from DataPrint (see Image) and still develope certain details by hand, scan and import into my Chief Drawings There is not enough market for it so manufacturers of drafting equipment have literally just closed up shop. Coupled with my desire to get away from hand drafting, and h.ere I am. I have spent the last several weeks researching which program will work best for me.(Chief or Softplan, Chief is more Flexible but you won't like the stairs tool, especially when detailing) I'm a one-man outfit, and I don't do as much work as I once did. I occasionally build my own designs, both for myself and for clients. I have already purchased hardware (iPad Pro and MacBook Pro). I have already started doing preliminary design on the iPad using Morpholio Trace and Procreate. I'm surprised with using the Apple Pencil how little my preliminary design has changed.

 

I am VERY particular how my drawings look. Will CA be customizable enough to satisfy my particular taste? Are things like how dimension lines and tick marks appear things that I can customize? I do not like how they look in the default mode. The arrows are a definite no for me. The super thin tick marks that are the same line weight as the dimension line are also a no.(You can select the Fat Tick Marks in Chief) Can I go into CA after I get some training and time under my belt and change the way things are to make my drawings appear just slightly more like quality hand-drawn plans? There are a couple of guys using Chief that do beautiful Construction Documents. Back in 1997-98 I purchased the Demo CD & manual for $25 and started playing with the program. At the time I had used and was in process of OJT learning of Softplan in a builder's office. At the time, I was manually drafting some semi-customs for another builder and taking around 40hrs per plan. When I tried my first one in Chief, it took me around 50hrs for a similar plan. Then each time the hours dropped and I drew a ranch house in about 24hrs and  I wasn't providing alot of details like I do now. Once you go CAD you'll never go back because of the efficiency and ease or replication. 

 I'll never give up my parallel bar and tracing paper mechanical pencils, lead holders and good old #2 and hb pencils. Pretty much not using vellum anymore and will never go back to mylar and ink. Your drawings are very good and at a glance could have been a good Softplan drawing

.

9 minutes ago, DRAWZILLA said:

wow I haven't seen those type of codes in years I have a size 15 foot and I couldn't even fit my foot on a minimum tread in your state, remind me not to go there.

You need one of those Alternating Big-Foot-Tread Stairs!! PA has similar (with 9" nosing to nosing) and 8.25" max risers which allowed builders to keep building older plans. I always use a 10" min. rough cut treat regardless and will only use the 8.25" in an impossible remodel or basement stairs.

On 4/2/2020 at 12:46 PM, HumbleChief said:

I seem to be missing something basic in Chief and have never really understood attic wall creation. In almost every model I build there's some attic wall that does not generate. I've attached a super simple plan and expected the attic wall to be generated in the blank area shown. I can drag walls and get them done manually but seem to missing a simple Chief setting or something else I need to learn. I seem to run in to the issue on a fairly constant basis so any help greatly appreciated.

Here's a pic of the missing wall and the simple plan attached as well.

Thank you

 

 

ATTIC_WALLS_1.plan

I've been using Chief since 1998 and also have the same issue!