rlackore

Preferences. Drop your .pat files into this folder: ...or if you don't use a network, you can drop them into the default program directory. On windows it's typically: C:\Program Files\Chief Architect\Chief Architect Premier X8 (64 bit)\Patterns\

That's clever as heck. I'll remember that one. Thanks.

I've given up using fireplace objects with separate openings. Instead I use a window to create the "fireplace". It's a lot easier to position within the wall, and it cuts its own opening. Plus it's quick and easy to swap materials to get the firebox to look the way you want.

When you create a Detail From View something perverse happens with 3D symbols: instead of using only the 2D Cad Block that is assigned to the symbol, Chief includes the symbol's 3D geometry in the new block. For instance, here is a chair symbol's assigned 2D CAD block. I've selected it so you can see the CAD lines that have been used to define it. Here is the block that Chief created when I created a Detail From View: Notice all the extra lines - this the result of Chief including the 3D symbol's actual geometry within the new block. Why? Maybe because sometimes we assign 2D CAD Blocks to 3D symbols that aren't fully representational of their actual geometry. I often used "cleaned up" CAD Blocks because I prefer my floor plans to appear less busy. Here's an example of a gas cooktop with Chief's block on the left, and my cleaned up block on the right: Anyway, when you explode the block in the Detail From View, you end up with a bunch of extra geometry that you'll have to select/modify/delete, etc. Or, don't explode them - they should continue to display as they did in your Floor Plan. Joey's suggestion is good, but it doesn't always work, because the geometry in the new block may be different colors, styles, weights, etc., and you'll get a dbx that has those options grayed out:

No picture attached. But in the meantime you could check Default Settings>Camera>Generic Sun>Intensity, or Default Settings>Camera>3D Views>Lighting Options>Daytime Ambient.

Glen, where is the Railing Panel tab in the Stair Landing Specification dbx? I've never run across this setting, but would love it if I'm just being dumb, because it would really helpful. Thanks.

David, I believe Griffin means "rabbeted". Griffin, to answer your question, there is no satisfactory method I've found to model a commercial steel door frame, either in plan or 3D. Several of us have Suggested this be fixed, so far no joy. Again, if Chief is going to tout itself as suitable for light commercial construction, this is one of several very important issues they need to address.

As Alan mentioned, GIMP is a free and powerful image editor that can help with creating and transforming materials, including creating usable bump and height maps. Like Photoshop it has to be learned - you can't expect to pick it up in a few minutes. However, there are other, easier to learn free image editors (I prefer FastStone Image Viewer) that can be used to create bump maps by manipulating saturation, highlight and shadow, contrast, etc. I also use Genetica by Spiral Graphics. It's payware, difficult to learn, and is no longer actively developed, but it can produce very good results.

Garreth, I don't have your CAD data to examine, but I suspect that Chief IS importing the LAYER properties correctly. It is also importing the ENTITY properties correctly; it just so happens that the entities (in your case a contour line) have been defined within the originating CAD program with attributes that do not conform to their native layer defaults. So within the CAD Data the "_Contour" layer may be Color "Blue" and Style "Dashed" (for example), but the contour line itself is Color "Red" and Style "Continuous". Here's the relevant Import Drawing Assistant dialog box page: Note that the checked option reads "Import all layer attributes into the current layer set." You can also choose to not import the layer attributes. Neither choice addresses the actual CAD entities (lines and such). If you want to be able to manipulate CAD entities during the import process (for instance, changing all entities to have the attributes of their assigned layer), then you can post the request in the Suggestion Forum.

No image file attached. It's very possible that individual entities (lines, polylines, text, etc.) within the original CAD data have attributes that are defined differently than the defaults of the layer to which they are assigned. I suspect this is the case, and that Chief is importing the contour lines correctly, but that the contour lines have been defined by the originating CAD program as having attributes (color, style, etc.) that are different than the layer's default settings.

I've used Spiral Graphic's Genetica program for many years; sadly, they ceased development a long time ago.

Within the camera view select Adjust Sunlight: Maybe you're using the Generic Sun instead of the Sun Angle.

When I made that roof fix it didn't solve the issue for me: I must have missed something.

My solution only fixes the visual issue; there is a deeper underlying problem that the room volume below intrudes into the attic gable wall above. The floor plan indicates there are stairs going to the attic; is this a mistake? If you need the attic, then you also need the sheathing layer; unfortunately the position of the gable wall doesn't work for this - it needs to be moved to align with the perimeter edge of the attic platform. If you don't need the sheathing, then I would change the ceiling framing to something more realistic, say 2x6 joists instead of 2x10s. My point is that you need to figure out the design, because it doesn't work as is.

Easy fix is to select the room below, open the Room Specification dbx, go to Structure>Ceiling>Ceiling Structure, click Edit, and Delete the 3/4" High Density Particle Board layer.

it's part of the ceiling framing from the room below. Trying to figure out how to fix it.

Post the plan, please.

Here is a (fictional) 4-port USB Receptacle: Lutron 4-port USB Receptable - Single Gang.calibz

Here is the 20amp Duplex Receptacle: Lutron 20amp Duplex Receptacle - Single Gang.calibz

Could you attach the plan file?

It's a valid zip file, but you have to select it in your file explorer and give it a ".zip" extension.

I had to make a duplex receptacle with USB charging ports. Here is a Lutron model with optional finishes. The receptacle and wallplate can be assigned separate materials. Lutron.calibz

Attached. Main Plan wall fixed.plan If it isn't fixed when you open the plan, then the problem must be something else.

As Chopsaw and I mentioned already, just do a copy/paste from the site plan to the house plan, then position the site data correctly in relation to the house.

As Eric mentioned, the Framing Specification (Roof Beam) dbx gives you control of placement: If that doesn't work for you, you could use a polyline solid just as easily.