rlackore

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.

No. In ACAD you use the drop-downs to PRE-select the properties for whatever you're going to draw next - not to change the properties of an existing object (that is done in the Properties dbx, which unlike CA can be permanently docked and automatically updates for whichever object you have selected). These selections remain in effect until you change them. This functionality simply isn't available in CA.

Insert the default the symbol from the Chief library. Select the symbol and open the Symbol Specification dbx (toolbar icon looks like a pencil with chair). Select the Options tab and enter the new Height Off Floor. Close the dbx, and save the new symbol to your user library. There is no need to mess with the 2D block.

Yes, I get that. What I'm talking about is the ability to affect the object itself, independent of the layer settings. Here are a series of screen shots of an AutoCAD menu that shows the pull-downs to quickly change the current settings for CAD objects: It's a different method of working - I'm not saying it's right or wrong - but I like the flexibility it provides.

CAD lines/objects will always be drawn on the current CAD layer. Unfortunately, as I outlined in my previous post, you do not have the ability to change a CAD object's color, line style, or line weight on the fly - it will always inherit the settings of the current CAD layer; any changes you want to make must be done after the object has been drawn. It's a shame that CA doesn't allow us the kind of flexibility available in other CAD programs.

Thank you - I really appreciate it. I struggle mightily with anything related to terrain.

I think what the OP may want is the ability to quickly define the line properties BEFORE drawing the line. One of the difficult transitions from AutoCAD to CA is illustrated by this behavior. For instance, in AutoCAD, there are drop-down boxes to quickly select the "default" drawing layer, line style, line width, line color, etc. - without having to modify a layer set or dig through dialog boxes.

If you're using polyline areas, all that CAD stuff will get drawn on the Current CAD Layer - and they will be whatever color is assigned to that layer. AFAIK, you can't change this behavior.

Rich, Would you be willing to post this part of your plan? I would really like to be able to open it and study how you did things.

Have you tried using the "move to front of group" command for the table?

To assign the new rotated material to a different area of the SAME FLOOR (within the same room definition), you can use a material region.

Here you go: new.zip Dwg and .plan files included.

Is this what you mean? If so, just add a manual roof plane and adjust the height and position as desired.

It would be nice if we could mirror layout boxes instead of having to add all the extra geometry in the plan file.

A real brick ledge (and reverse brick ledge) tool that doesn't make me jump through hoops.

Perfect Larry. The one place it didn't occur to me to look, though considering my first response to the post, it should have.