rlackore

On 8/14/2020 at 12:07 PM, Alaskan_Son said:

Reference Display...

...just bear in mind that any referenced plan files cannot be re-positioned in relation to each other.  They are always fixed in relation to the origin. 

That is a really interesting capability, that initially seems filled with so much promise, only to fall short in so many ways. Sometimes I feel Chief doesn't follow through on their ideas and implementations. Nonetheless, thanks for pointing this out - I was completely unaware of this feature.

You can combine plan files in Chief, but they won't "auto-update" like an AutoCAD Xref, because they are now part of the plan into which they've been inserted.

I've been using TwinMotion, which may do what you want, sort of. You can export your Chief models as .dae files, then import them into TwinMotion - they can be "refreshed" within TwinMotion easily after you've made changes. There are quirks, of course, but TwinMotion is fairly easy to learn and is very fast and responsive. It does crash too often, which I think has something to do with Chief's .dae exports. This screen shot shows two Chief .dae exports, imported into TwinMotion; notice in the Import tab that they are two separate DAE files:

I don't know what controls which Floor Level a Polyline Solid is placed on, but moving it is easy: find it, select it, cut it, move to the desired Floor Level, and Paste>Hold Position.

2 hours ago, josbrp said:

do you mind sharing the file with the roof like that? i get big gaps on the walls when i edit the roof planes manually.

 

thanks

I can't share the file - I'm on X12, and you won't be able to open an X12 file on X11. Refer to the Reference Manual, I think it can get you headed in the right direction:

For more help, download the Reference Manual for your version of Chief - there is a lot of good info that will help you with manipulating roofs.

Turn off Auto Rebuild Roofs and edit the roof planes manually:

29 minutes ago, parkwest said:

On most of the projects I know the onsite planset must be the one stamped by the building department which is attached to the building permit.  Any revisions need the plans to be resubmitted to the plan review department... 

 

Imho, the best solution would be for the architect/designers and client to “get their act together” and finalize their plans, specs and selections before giving the plans to the builder. Isn’t that the intent and purpose of 3D modeling in the first place?
 

If you are the project manager, why would it NOT be your job “to distribute and enforce the use of the most current plans?”

 

One of the reasons I only build using my own plans is to avoid this revision nightmare in the first place.  This has allowed me to get the production phase down to 60 days, from breaking ground to certificate of occupancy.  This saves my clients a lot of time and money in carrying cost.

To your points:

1. In my jurisdiction, the original, stamped and approved plan set must remain on site. Revisions do not have to go through plan review but must be available for the building inspector. The inspector can make any call on whether a change is permitted or must be resubmitted.

2. Expecting zero revisions to the construction documents (plans, specifications, etc.) would be ideal, but is unrealistic. Errors and ommissions account for some needed revisions. Other revisions are required by changes in the scope of work, discovery, etc. Also, fast-tracked projects are, by definition, fluid and require continuous updating of the contract documents.

3. As the project manager for the architect, I distribute revisions to the relevant parties: the general contractor, the owner, and occasionally to consultants or specialty contractors. I do not interfere with the GC's obligation to keep his subcontractors in the loop. Of course, I answer questions from subs all the time, but ideally, the flow of information to most subs should go through the GC - not the architect.

4. Design-build is a different animal. As architects, we may be hired by the building owner, by a general contractor, or a developer. We are always intermediaries between different parties who often have competing interests. We do our best. Good for you for figuring it all out.

I can't tell you how many job sites I've visited and found the only physical drawing set available is tattered, unbound, dirty, and out-of-date. As a project manager and the architect's (and client's) representative, my best recourse is to always take a copy of the most recent drawing set with me, leave it on-site, and throw out the old set. When we run across a GC who can't get their act together, we don't refer or recommend them for future work. Perhaps you could do something similar: if a sub can't make the effort to ensure they are using the most current drawing set, don't use them on your next job, and tell them why. Of course, ultimately, as the GC, it's your job to distribute and enforce the use of the most current plans.

If you want a single room, you can remove the ceiling, then manually place a flat ceiling plane in the "flat" room, and sloped ceiling planes in the "vault" room.

I know this is a hack, but I use two double-hungs, stacked and mulled, to simulate the typical Eze-breeze four-stack unit:

It's not perfect, but it's relatively quick and easy and doesn't require a lot of messing around. It's not perfect in close-ups, but for most situations, it works reasonably well.

Some custom garage doors I had to make for a project.

Chief X12 library file: Custom Garage Doors.calibz

They use default Chief materials, so should import fine.

Two sizes: 9'x8' and 18'x8', three sections high.

Four flavors: panel lights; panel lights with grilles; panel lights with braced frames; panel lights with grilles and braced frames.

Like Eric says. Here's a project where I created a CMU areaway off the stone foundation (old farmhouse) and defined everything through the Room Specification dbx. Notice most of the settings are changed from the default. Placing the Bilco unit on top is simply a matter of finding/creating a Symbol. Areaway Doors.calibz

6 minutes ago, Alaskan_Son said:

 

You need to use %room.schedule_number%

Thanks.

15 minutes ago, BrownTiger said:

 

That is because %schedule_number% is not a macro, and you are right it will never work.

 

It isn't?

14 hours ago, Alaskan_Son said:

P.S.  Just to be clear, you can totally leverage schedules and still use manually copied and pasted text boxes. 

To a certain extent, but the %schedule_number% macro doesn't work in Rich Text boxes, at least not for Rooms. I will make a Suggestion.

For a few versions I've been using Rich Text boxes and macros to create custom room labels. However, I'm trying to leverage the power of schedules, and have figured out how to add the %schedule_number% macro to the default Room Label; however, any text (or macro) entered into the default Room Label appears after the room name, and I can't determine if there is a method to display the schedule number before the room name, e.g. 005 bdrm instead of bdrm 005. Has anyone else solved this problem?

Just now, solver said:

View menu, and make sure the window is maximized.

Didn't know it was in that menu. Thanks Eric.

This is in X12, but maybe it was there in X9:

It's not obvious, but it's easy. With the camera view open, use the toolbar icon:

or, in plan view, right-click on the camera and use the context menu:

Select the Exterior Room (it's a narrow band just outside the exterior walls) and check if the material was changed from the default:

2 hours ago, ChiefuserMathews said:

what you mean. I am not an expert in CA

Download a copy of the X12 Reference Manual. Robert was referring to this:

Lots of good info in the Reference Manual. I'm not saying this will solve your issue, but may be helpful.

Chief Premier installs the Chief_Blueprint.ttf Truetype font.

Glen, I completely missed that part of your post - and it was right at the top! I apologize. Thanks for the help.

Just now, DzinEye said:

.. but sure wish we had a basic 'offset' command that we could just input a distance on the fly.

I agree. I know this topic has been raised as a Suggestion. Chief is still way behind in basic CAD functionality.

2 hours ago, DzinEye said:

Did you set the 'jump' distance in Preferences?

 Nope. I wasn't aware of that setting.