rlackore

I suggest uploading the plan file you are working on, and provide notes/images/drawings. Be specific.

Here's a symbol you could use. The flanges aren't as large a diameter. It's based on 1" iron pipe. Stretch planes are set up so it resizes correctly: pipeshelf.calibz I just noticed you're on X10. I'm not sure an X11 library will import into X10, so here's the .skp file that you can import yourself: pipe shelf.skp

Eric, thanks for pointing me in the right direction. Indeed, it appears that the Opening Indicator is tied to the Sash position (Window Specification>Sash>Inset). As I change the Inset value, the Opening Indicator follows along. My mistake is my expectation that I can adjust the Window Specification settings to display the window condition more-or-less accurately in Plan View, which in my specific case requires a Sash Inset value of 0" - thus the Opening Indicator moves outward along with the Sash. I guess I'll just have to decide which is more important to me: a more accurate Plan display, or a more accurate Elevation/3D display.

Opening indicators in Vector View appear to "float" in front of the window sash: I don't recall this behavior in versions prior to X11. I've messed around with the window specifications, but the behavior appears to be independent of the window settings. Can anyone confirm if this is new in X11? Is there a workaround or a setting to place the opening indicator flush against the sash? My search through the Reference Manual was fruitless. Many of my projects have non-perpendicular walls, and I really don't like the look of opening indicators floating off the windows (and doors).

BigGreenEggXL.calibz

You can set this up in Default Settings>Layer Sets>Camera Views

Do us a favor and attach the .plan file - it will help us give a better answer to your question.

Layersets don't retain wall display settings. It may help to review this video.

It works fine for me: ...and it should, according to the Reference Manual:

I'm not interested in the debate over whether Chief is being deceptive - I'm interested in how the image was produced. As others have noted it doesn't seem like the effects can be achieved "in camera" - some tricks must have been used, whether in post-processing or by manipulating Chief's tools in unconventional ways. Besides the color difference between the window/terrain/building shadows, another thing I can't figure out is how to make the material pattern lines grey; as far as I can determine the Technical Drawing technique renders all lines - pattern, edge, etc. - only as black.

Play with the Shadow Intensity slider.

All I did outside of Chief was create a gradient background in a free image editor (Gimp 2.0), which took about 30 seconds from opening the program to exporting the image. Chief includes all the tools necessary to create the same look - you can't expect them to provide all of the content as well.

Create a gradient background in your favorite image editor: Create the camera and set the technique options: Get the result: The only thing I'm stumped on is how they achieved the grey shadows on the terrain.

I did another project where the whole house was timber frame and pitched, and I placed the SIP and the shingles together within the roof surface definition. The timber elements were modeled separately as beams, posts, etc.

Last one I did was a low-slope application. I placed the SIP as the roof structure, and the protection board and membrane as the roof finish. I modeled the open-web trusses separately - they were spaced quite far apart. This worked out well for this project, all things considered.

Yep.

IMO Chief is ill-suited to straight-up 2D condocs using nothing but CAD tools. If you plan on only modifying the 2D, then I'd use AutoCAD or another robust 2D CAD platform with which you're proficient - unless the revisions are very minor. Otherwise, model the project in Chief to leverage its abilities to quickly develop elevations, sections, etc.

A colleague in my office did a 42-unit project; it was manageable because the only interiors that were developed were for the model units. He also did a lot of detail work in AutoCAD.

Okay, it took me a while, but now I understand that the Mullion Depth has to be set to a positive value that equals the distance from the face of the wall finish (interior or exterior) to the face of the window frame (interior or exterior). I think I have this correct. For me, this is completely counter-intuitive. EDIT: If I set the Mullion Depth to a value greater than what I've described, CA has a Serious Error related to rendering the window preview and I have to Abort.

Hey Glen, why don't you post your plan so we can see how you solved the puzzle.

This still doesn't work with an inset frame (for drywall returns, for instance):

You might try a ramp, turn off the default railings, then draw new railings and set them to "follow stairs", then assign a "gap" material to the ramp.

Select a Layout Box and click the Open Object tool.

Check this thread: Write the Master List file fails on close

This thread may help: 1hr and still going... Scroll to the bottom for my reply and explanation of how to fix the problem.