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List of video's completed by Wendy to date. Thank you Wendy! http://www.screencast.com/t/vicroy80XHQ Chief_01_-_pref_and_some_defaults Chief_02_-_defaults_1 Chief_03_wall_defaults_1 Chief_04_wall_defaults_2 Chief_05_wall_grey,_start_dims Chief_06_bsmt_stair Chief_07_floor2_stair Chief_08_Anno_1 Chief_09_Anno_2 Chief_10_Anno_3 Chief_11_Anno_4 Chief_12_Anno_5 Chief_13_Anno_6 Chief_14_Anno_7 Chief_15_Anno_8 Chief_16_Anno_9 Chief_17_Anno_10 Chief_Sections_1 Chief_Sections_2

Johnny, Well I can only guess "mate" ? I am a little surprised at the wealth of information that is available on the website. Being a Canadian I am still learning about Aussie's, and don't get me started on the Americans & Canadians! Some thoughts are: 1. The plans are only a "leg" up for those that wish to build a two or three bedroom house. Their website says they save $10,000 Aust Dollars. 2. If new homes can be well designed and be low energy consuming the whole community benefits. (Climate change, etc) 3. The plans may be of some use to those that do not want "the Big Dream House". (hello America ) 4. The website outlines "Green" principles. They encourage "Good House Designs" (refer point 2. above) P.S. Keep kicking the tires of "Chief Architect". Good to see new blood being spilt at the alter of BIM, and the pursuit of a rational and simple program. ( don't even mention the Stairs, or Floor Levels )

Plans, Elevations and Spec - free download - Aust. Govt. House designs - http://www.yourhome.gov.au/ Download plans and elevationsPlease note, when you download the plans ensure you print to A3 paper in order to be at scale 1:100 You should also download the full specifications for your climate zone to give to your architect or builder. 3 bedroom + study: Complete set of plans and elevations3BR + Study All Plans and Elevations (link is external) 3 bedroom + study: Individual plans and elevations3BR + Study Floor Plan (link is external) 3BR + Study Site Plan (link is external) 3BR + Study Wall Setout Plan (link is external) 3BR + Study Window Schedule (link is external) 3BR + Study Roof Plan (link is external) 3BR + Study Sections Sheet 1 (link is external) 3BR + Study Sections Sheet 2 (link is external) 3BR + Study 3 Facade Options (link is external) 3BR + Study North and West Elevation (link is external) 3BR + Study North and West Elevation Alternative Facade (link is external) 3BR + Study North and West Elevation Gabled Roof (link is external) 3BR + Study South and East Elevation (link is external) 3 bedroom + study: Courtyard version (floor plan only)3BR + Study Floor Plan - Courtyard version (link is external) 2 bedroom + study: Complete set of plans and elevations2BR + Study All Plans and Elevations (link is external) 2 bedroom + study: Individual plans and elevations2BR + Study Floor Plan (link is external) 2BR + Study Site Plan (link is external) 2BR + Study Wall Setout Plan (link is external) 2BR + Study Window Schedule (link is external) 2BR + Study Roof Plan (link is external) 2BR + Study Sections Sheet 1 (link is external) 2BR + Study Sections Sheet 2 (link is external) 2BR + Study 3 Facade Options (link is external) 2BR + Study North and West Elevation (link is external) 2BR + Study North and West Elevation Alternative Facade (link is external) 2BR + Study North and West Elevation Gabled Roof (link is external) 2BR + Study South and East Elevation (link is external) Download specificationsDownload the specification for your climate zone to give to your architect or builder along with the plans and elevations. Adelaide specifications (link is external) Brisbane specifications (link is external) Cairns specifications (link is external) Canberra specifications (link is external) Darwin specifications (link is external) Hobart specifications (link is external) Melbourne specifications (link is external) Perth specifications (link is external) Sydney specifications (link is external) Please note the Design For Place house plans and content are only available on this website and are not featured in the Your Home book.

Resources for Design and Construction of Housing in Australia Excellent site for resources. Free plans can be download in pdf format - refer to House Design "Link" below: Passive design - http://www.yourhome.gov.au/ Materials - http://www.yourhome.gov.au/ Energy - http://www.yourhome.gov.au/ Water - http://www.yourhome.gov.au/ House designs - http://www.yourhome.gov.au/

Wendy, Good idea on sharing your "experience" with some of the esoteric elements of Chief. I particularly like your breezy and friendly approach and without CUSSING AND SWEARING. All I can say is "You Go Girl!"

SketchUp and Chief - can they work together better? I like Chief and have been using it since Chief 6. My comments are in the aid of making Chief better integrated with SketchUp. BIM is the "key" and it is here and increasing in application! (refer to ArchiCad and Revit latest versions.) For residential documentation Chief is my current tool of choice. I use SketchUp mainly for Concept Design. 3d Detailing in SketchUp aids the "complete" solution of details and conveys the detail to the client and contractor. I have being using Sketchup now for around 10 years. I am seeing its application improve in the design workflow. In the last few years SketchUp has improved considerablly in its use of plugins. The multiple plugins (over 800 plus) for SketchUp produced by various individuals of varing expertise has been the "achille heel" of SketchUp in the past. However with "Trimble" behind SketchUp and its large and increasing user base changes are accelerating. PLUGIN SOLUTIONS FOR SKETCHUP: This is being solved by the "SketchUcation Plugin Store" http://sketchucation.com/pluginstore and Trimble's Extension Warehouse https://extensions.sketchup.com/ Updates of Plugins are now automatic by using SketchUcation Tools plugin. http://sketchucation.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=332&t=59212#p538734 This tool allows the 800 plus plugins to be managed by only activating those plugins that suite the "tasks" at hand. For example Landscape, Free Form models, Canopy design etc. SketchUp Make is free and is used by every kid with a computer who is interested in 3d modelling. Building design and architectural students use it at school. I think it would be "clever" of Chief to better integrate models make in SketchUp using the BIM structure.

Scottisimo, YouTube has numerous Chief Architect Tutorials. search: " Chief architect tutorials on how to draw walls" for example:

Kevin, Chief is a great residential software program that has a nich market. Can it be better? It has to evolve and change to stay valid for future users. If it does not address simple 3d modelling as "flagged" in these discussions it could lose ground to SketchUp in the residential market. I think that SketchUp is evolving into a possible competetitor to Chief and its strength may lie in its previous weakness, the use of third party plugins. Check out the latest "BIM" plugin, I think you will be impressed. +PlusSpec | BIM for SketchUp https://plusspec.com/ PlusSpec is built to simplify BIM in SketchUp so just about anyone can use and understand. I trust Chief is watching this development on the horizon and hopefully learning from it and making Chief the best it can be.

Joe, You have identified an important file management tool (or process) required in using Chief! "EFFECTIVE" creation of user folders that "links" to the existing Library folder structure of Chief. Could you provide some screencaptures of what you are proposing. Ray

Calibz, What is your native language. We may be able to help using Google Translator if you post in your own language.

Plants - Aussie - Images (2d) - 01 free samples from: Envirographic http://www.envirographic.com/free.htm Five free sample images supplied as shown in attached image file. They have assigned plan icons when placed in Chief plan from Library. Steps to install into Chief X7 (may work with lower versions of Chief X?, I have not tried them) 1. Open (start) Chief X7 2. Locate Calibz file on your computer and double click Calibz file 3. Files installed into Library Message shows on computer screen "5 items added to Library" 4. Locate in Chief Library: Library > User Catalog > Enviro Graphic Samples (change name to suit your filing system as I have in uploaded file) Plants - Aussie - by EnviroGraphic_Samples.calibz

AccuTrans - Video Tutorials on use http://www.micromouse.ca/ Tutorial links from software author In response to my email to Wayne Hogue I have been thinking of making video tutorials for years and have only made a few. Following is the Dropbox links to download them. It is okay to share the links with others. Some video tutorials: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/85028196/Copy_Flip_Polygons.wmv (39.8 MB - 7 minutes) https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/85028196/Duplicate_Flip_Polygons.wmv (54.4 MB - 10 minutes) https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/85028196/Virtual_Digital_Probe.wmv (103.9 MB - 18 minutes) https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/85028196/Virtual_Probe_Meshes.zip (0.3 MB - meshes used in tutorial) https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/85028196/Display_Textures.wmv (74.6 MB - 16 minutes) Some video tutorials for 3D printing: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/85028196/Extrude_Gold_Coin.wmv (39.1 - 5 minutes) https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/85028196/Fix_Holes_In_Firebox.wmv (20.2 MB - 7 minutes) https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/85028196/Remove_Interior_Polygons.wmv (195.4 - 34 minutes) Regards Wayne Hogue MicroMouse Production

I have uploaded to DropBox the following models that import into Chief well. 1. female03 2. holdingfemale01 3. holdingmale01 DropBox link for downloading 3ds files is: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ha07t94cin7u1ib/AAA2fLeAfYpZzGThtv9XHcBXa?dl=0 Refer to topic in this forum titled "3d Models from WEB" to learn how you can download your own models. Happy raytracing.

To show the quality of rendering (raytrace) that can be achieved using the models discussed above I have attached an image producted in Thea Render which took 6 minutes to render using "IR - Presto (AO) which is the quickest mode available. As I do not do my raytracing in Chief I am sure some of the users would be able to produce a high quality than I have previously shown using Chief raytrace. Regards

My previous picture upload was a "bit small" I have attached two bigger pics for comparisio. Regards.

Examples of the processing of converting OBJ files to 3ds files for import into Chief. I have attached a sample of 2 women and 1 male. (Refer to jpeg image attached) Picture shows raytraced models in Chief X7 (3ds files can be used on lower versions of Chief) You will see they look good without raytracing. Models are from Reallusion available from the link below: http://www.sweethome3d.com/freeModels.jsp#ReallusionModels At the above link will see there collection of 19 people, all free to download and use. I have uploaded to DropBox the following to show the quality achieved in Chief. 1. female03 2. holdingfemale01 3. holdingmale01 DropBox link for downloading 3ds files is: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ha07t94cin7u1ib/AAA2fLeAfYpZzGThtv9XHcBXa?dl=0 Happy raytracing.

3D MODELS FORM WEB FOR CHIEF There are lots of good Websites out there that have only OBJ files. ( for example; http://www.sweethome3d.com/freeModels.jsp ) Using ACCUTRAN as explaned in the attach pdf will assist you in tapping into these resources. PROCESS OBJ files with JPEG material files are converted to quality 3ds with PGN files thru the ACCUTRAN converter: http://www.micromouse.ca/ (Free for 30 days, then $20 Can - note: fully functioning program after 30 days, honor system for payment) Just to be clear I have no association with ACCUTRAN. I have tested using 3ds files against Chief Architect CALIBZ files and conclude: 1. Chief CALIBZ are approx. 50% larger than 3ds files (including associated PNG files) 2. PNG files are about 50% larger than JPEG files but give a BETTER RESULT. 3. 3ds files combined with PNG material files give the BEST RESULT 4. Use of ACCUTRANS allows the conversion of OBJ files and associated JPEG files to the preferred 3ds (and PNG material) files and facilitates easy scale adjustment etc. I have attached the "ACCUTRANS - OBJ files to 3ds - Checklist.pdf" which includes a screen capture of the relevant Accutran data box with coloured numbers next to the area being discussed. NOTE: A CALIBZ file generated in Chief X6 when opened in Chief X7 produces BAD MATERIAL ASSIGNMENTS. Where as 3ds files can by used in either version of Chief and SKETCHUP too. Hope this helps Chief users to use better 3d models that can be SHARE. ACCUTRANS - OBJ files to 3ds - Checklist.pdf

Evernote +1

ON STEP 4 (of listed STEPS below for exporting the Room Planner file) I can not get the LOGIN OPTION to appear. - the green cloud symbol with a tick is showing - the rotating spoke wheel rotates continuously, I assume indicating it is connected to the "cloud". Using mini i-pad http://www.chiefarch...ticle/KB-02302/

ANSWER TO - How do I download a Room Planner file from the Cloud to a Windows 7 PC Hi Ray, We have a Knowledge Base article that goes over the process of importing a Room Planner file into Chief Architect of which can be accessed below: http://www.chiefarchitect.com/support/article/KB-02302/ The ability to "Share" files between separate Chief Architect accounts is a great reques t that I will forward onto our development team. Joshua Monaghan

UPDATE I created an account in Room Planner and saved my Room Planner file by using my Chief Architect Account login details. I double checked and it was saved to the "cloud" (green cloud symbol). In Chief X6 File...Import...Import Room Planner File. Login to Chief Architect Account, select and download Account is recognized, on opening, states that there are NO FILES in my account?? This is a function that is not explained and will cause frustration to users if a clear step by step procedure is not available for Room Planner and Chief Architect users. Using ones Chief Architect Account with password has "future problems" that should be obvious. I have sent a PM message to Scott Harris over at the Room Planner Forum I also made the suggestion for a SIMPLE method for Room Planner users to send files to their Chief Architect consultants, or contacts. It is a good little APP that has potential for the client to check out specific room details etc. Thanks again Glen for your time, and thank you Chief Architect for thinking ahead! Cheers, Ray

Thank you for the quick reply, 1 step closer but not quite there yet! How does my client deposit the Room Planner file into my Chief Architect account so that I may access it. I tried using their email address and password but it said it was the wrong email or password for the Chief Architect Accoun When I access my Chief Architect account it states their is nothing there to collect? Any ideas? Thanks for your assistance..

Chief X6 is stated as being able to read a "Room Planner" file. How do I download a Room Planner file from the Cloud to Chief X6 running on a Windows 7 PC I can not see how to download a Room Planner file from the Room Planner "Cloud". The file has been done on an Apple i-pad and saved to the Cloud. If possible how do I access the stored file on the Cloud to download to my Windows 7 PC? Is this possible? Thank you in advance for your assistance. Ray

Place for Chief Architect users to keep in touch with other Melbourne users. Regards, Ray