rlackore

When a PDF is created, filled areas are broken into multiple triangles. Some PDF viewers have difficulty displaying these triangles properly, and the result is the imperfect smoothing (anti-aliasing) at the boundaries. The printed output should be correct - it's just the on-screen display that is wonky. These articfacts can be better or worse depending on: 1) The complexity of the filled area's geometry. 2) The DPI of the exported PDF. 3) The PDF printer. 4) The PDF viewer. Check your PDF viewer's options, and turn off anti-aliasing; this may provide a more acceptable on-screen result.

Gene, I've specified those frequently for ledger connections but have never considered using them for interior framed walls - it's an interesting solution. Simpson doesn't publish a lateral load capacity in the 'F2' direction, otherwise, these could be used to brace interior framed shear walls instead of cutting back the form. Thanks for the tip.

It doesn't have to. The only scenario I can think of where it would be absolutely necessary is if the interior framed wall was being used for lateral load transfer, in which case you would probably want to be in line with the concrete core of the ICF. Because the embedded webbing in an ICF generally runs vertically, it's common for an interior framed wall to not align with the webbing (which you can screw the end stud to). And, depending on the manufacturer of the ICF, some corner units have a vertical web just on either side of the corner, so problem solved. The framer can always brace the wall to the floor or roof/ceiling.

I'm not sure this is the best solution: Existing_2.plan There are little slices of roof plane I can't eliminate:

Select the roof plane on the first floor and move it up to the second floor, then select the relevant edge and drag it against the 2x6 exterior wall that is aligned with the wall below. You can then move the roof plane back down if you want.

Study the attached plan to get you started. You can accomplish most of this by setting the Roof properties within the Wall Specification dialog box for each wall. ShedGableShed.plan

Don't forget you'll need to shed water from this area:

The near wall can be selected and dragged up out of the way. I'm not sure if there's a more automatic solution for that wall - someone smarter than me may be able to figure it out.

For the far wall, you need to align the wall below with the wall above; then drag the roof edge against the upper wall, then your setting should work:

You can turn this behavior on/off in Preferences:

That cursor indicates that you have angle snaps turned off. Turn angle snaps on, and the icon will disappear.

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.

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:

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

Thanks.

It isn't?