rlackore

I prefer using a single set of annotation layers for each discipline, then use Use Text Style with a text style for each drawing scale. So if I'm producing a 1/4" floor plan, selecting the 1/4" Floor Plan annoset will ensure all the floor plan annotations go on their respective layers (Floor, Text; Floor, Dimensions; Floor, Markers; Floor, Callouts) at the proper scale. Of course, this setup depends on not requiring floor plans at multiple scales within the same drawing set.

Use a point-to-point dimension, or what Alan said - probably better.

Thanks Dermot.

Joey, go back and carefully read my post and the text in my screen shot. We are talking about two different things. My defaults are not set incorrectly - it doesn't matter what my defaults are. The point is that the Layer Eyedropper only applies the Layer, and of course the object then inherits that layer's properties (or as Jim Lawes noted, keeps it's non-default properties). What I am talking about is a function that transfers ALL of an objects properties, whether they are checked as defaults or not. I'm going to quit now. I don't know how else to explain myself.

Glen, The green dashed lines on his screen shot lead me to believe he already has a gable roof - but that shouldn't affect the display of the icon. I'll be interested to discover what is going on.

Heck, I don't see it either. I'd tell you to just add the icon to the toolbar, but I can't find it anywhere in the Toolbar Customization dbx. Maybe try resetting the toolbars with the RESET TOOLBARS button: right click anywhere in a blank toolbar space, then CUSTOMIZE TOOLBARS>TOOLBAR>RESET TOOLBARS. Hopefully that will bring it back.

You're looking for this guy: Is it really missing?

I don't know what the KB article told you to do, but make sure that you're modifying the exterior or interior wall material in Wall Specification>Materials, not in Wall Specification>Wall Types>Wall Type Definitions. This is the dbx that will change the material after inserting wall breaks:

Maybe we're misunderstanding each other. Here is a screen shot explaining: The X6 Reference Manual confirms this behavior through omission - IOW it mentions only "moving" an object to another layer.

If by "associated attributes" you mean those that are assigned to the Layer, then you are correct. I'm referring to the attributes assigned to the object that are different than those assigned/associated by the layer.

Rotate the 2D block 180 degrees, explode it, re-block it, assign the new block to the symbol.

Yep, that works, until you add it to the library.

Yes, good point.

Simple answer is no. The greatest tragedy is that I'm slowly becoming unemployable because my ACAD/Revit skills are degrading at an incredible rate. Plus I'm 50 years old. No firm is going to hire an old Chief user.

Fair enough. It's curious why those checkboxes should make a difference.

Doug, you're essentially correct. But I want to emphasize that it's not an all-or-nothing proposition - the methods can be used within the same plan to great advantage. ACAD uses Method 1, but allows Method 2. Glen's most recent post basically describes how ACAD works, which provides a very flexible and powerful work environment, especially when you're detailing in CAD.

The difference is that the ACAD Match Properties function matches ALL the properties: layer, line style, line weight, and color. Chief's Layer Eyedropper and Layer Painter only change the layer.

Mine hangs on the wall. Not sure what you mean. Duplex 15inches AFF.calibz

I was in the same boat as you when I was compelled (forced) to change to Chief Architect. The best advice I can give is to thoroughly familiarize yourself with Chief's Annosets and Layersets - these are the central components in Chief's paradigm of how to control the display of different content, or disciplines. What follows is a brief overview of how I approach the problem (your mileage may vary): 1. Use the Layer Display Options dialog box (dbx) to create all the layers for all the disciplines you'll need. You can use whatever naming convention you want, but be aware that though you can rename Chief's "hard coded" layers, you can't delete them (eg the Walls, Normal layer cannot be deleted because Chief expects it to be there whenever you invoke one of the normal Wall commands). Also create layers to hold the annotations for each discipline (eg Electrical, Dimensions; Electrical, Text; Electrical, Callouts; and Electrical, Markers). 3. Use the Layer Set Management dbx to set up your Layersets (sort of like layer filters in ACA). Layersets allow you to control which layers are visible, as well as the line style, line weight, and color of those layers. These layer properties can be different in every Layerset (eg for your Electrical plans you'd turn on the layers that hold all the electrical discipline content, including the annotation layers). 4. Use the Annotation Sets dbx to set up your Annosets. You will need one Annoset for every drawing scale of every discipline (eg if you typically create Electrical drawings at 1/8", 1/4", and 1/2", you will need three different Annosets, one set for each scale). When you're working in the plan file, use the Layerset to control what you're seeing while you draw. When you're ready to annotate, use the Annoset appropriate for the discipline and drawing scale - this will ensure all the text, callouts, etc are drawn on the correct annotation layer and at the correct scale. When you're done, you can assemble the document set by sending each "drawing" to Layout. Good luck.

You're correct. You don't get it.

Sorry, I forgot to include a step. Within the Symbol Specification dbx, Options tab, you also have to de-select any of the Options tick boxes. Then save to your User Library.

Maybe start by reading Chapter 21, Terrain, of the X6 reference manual. Page 695 begins the discussion on Terrain Modifiers.

Maybe it's me, but I'm not sure what the image is showing, or what you're trying to achieve. Maybe you could explain further, or attach the plan file.

You're not missing anything in your example. But what if you want to quickly draw a centerline, in red, with a fat line weight, on your CAD layer? My point isn't about setting up or controlling objects by their layer properties - CA already does this as a default behavior. My point is about controlling the object properties INDEPENDENT of the layer properties.

The difference is that with the ACAD method you have immediate, independent control of all four things: layer, line style, line weight, and color. Why can this be useful? Let's say you want to draw a string of exterior walls, but want them to be on a layer other than the default (Walls, Normal). Simply select the layer in the drop-down, now all the walls you draw will be on the selected layer, rather than the default. Or maybe Walls, Normal is fine, but you want the walls to be a different color so you can easily distinguish them (for whatever reason) from all the other exterior walls. Again, use the drop-down to select a color, now all the walls you draw will be drawn on the default layer, but in the color you've chosen. No need to select walls afterward and change their properties in the dbx. Those are just two simple examples.