Chrisb222

Thanks Mick for having a go at this. Yeah good idea. I think you're onto something but I haven't figured it out yet. I followed your idea and opened the OOB Residential Template and changed the NAME of the default text layer, set it to Use Layer for Text Style with a new saved 1" scale Arial text style, then saved it as a new template, opened a file using that template, and all of the Text Defaults used that new named layer as the Default layer (except those with a hardcoded dedicated text layer, i.e. electrical, framing, HVAC etc). I created a text element using the Text tool and it defaulted as expected, using the new renamed layer as the default with the correct 1" scale text style. Then I opened a plan from the OOB template (so the default layer would be a different name) and pasted, expecting it to carry with it the new default layer & text style, but it did not. It reverted to the OOB "text" layer with its associated text style. This is different than the behavior that prompted the topic; when I pasted text from one plan file to another, it brought the source plan's defaults with it. A funny thing though, since my new changed layer was set to use the 1" Arial Text Style, when I hit Paste it LOOKED like it would be a 1" scale object but the actual text was the OOB font @ 1/4" scale (see image). Very weird Look at the grips, they're where they would be if it were a 1" scale size, but the text object is 1/4" with the OOB default font: As soon as I did anything, the grips jumped out to their normal location around the bounding box. Yes, good idea but that's still not assigning a different Default Layer. I did a lot more testing but could never duplicate what happened earlier, and also have not been able to determine how to change the default layer used by Text Defaults except by changing the name of the OOB "Text" layer.... which really isn't assigning a different actual layer at all. I read once there's on old saying around here: "It's a Chief thing!" Lol

**EDIT: So the question in the thread title was answered; the default layer for Text cannot be changed, it's a System layer and should not be renamed. Thanks to @Kbird1 and @SNestor for working with me on this problem, and to @Dermot for solving the mystery. I'm looking to change the default layer for text so that text copied from another plan is pasted into the target Default layer that I set. When I open Default Settings > Text, Callouts and Markers > Text > Edit, click the Line Style tab, settings on the Layer line tell that Text default which layer to be placed on, but has no effect on which layer is set to be the default layer for pasted text (see image). Changing the layer setting there simply unchecks "Default." I need to change which layer is the overall Default. I've searched every setting I can think of, searched Help, searched this website, and can't find that setting... and it's driving me MAD (not to mention bringing my productivity to a screeching halt). I know it can be changed because different plans have different layers set as the Default text layer, that's where the problem came up. I just don't remember how I changed it. Thanks

If I was on vacation at the beach, I would consider this a blessing.

Haha, did not mean to offend. Yes, Cabinet Shelf tool. You can make them whatever thickness you want, as the floating shelves are usually thicker than the default Shelf. Thanks for the "Solution"!

I use the Shelf tool. I know, right?

A door can slide left to right by dragging, and you can raise it off the floor in the dialog box:

Two things. One, you can create a wall type that does not have any wood in it. Two, yes, some fireplace enclosures are framed just like a wall. It just depends on what type of fireplace you're after.

On my PC laptop it's the "p" key On my Mac desktop I use the mouse not the pan tool

Gotcha, yeah I didn't read carefully enough. I don't have a formula for getting that exact, I usually fake it close using cad lines in an elevation.

Why not? Should be the same as your porch depth +/-

Appreciate all the insight, thanks to you all for contributing. I think I finally have the solution to the problem. A long time ago I calculated the sizes of the items in the roof structure tab to replicate the end result I want. However, as a result of working through the ideas presented here, I found that changing the sizes of those items around a little, and using 5.5" for the sub fascia (which is what is actually used), combined with checking "Same Height Eaves" and NOT "Same Roof Height at Exterior Walls", I can still get the end result and it seems the porch beam now builds correctly every time. Thanks again for all your help.

Try turning off the layer "Cameras, Cross Section & Elevation" In this pic it looks like the camera view is active (open), and that you have "Always Display Active Cameras" checked in your 3D View defaults. That will cause the callout for any open camera to always appear, even if the layer is off, until the camera view is closed. Not sure where it is in X7 (been awhile) but look for a Default setting something like this: ...and uncheck it, if you don't want to see open cameras in views with their layer off.

Yes, as mentioned in the OP X12 Residential Template, nothing changed except Roof Structure to match my template. Like Steve said, the gable sub fascia is part of the problem, but I need it to be the same as it will be built

Does anyone know of any differences in the OOB room defaults that would cause a porch to behave differently than other rooms?? I've searched the default settings but couldn't see any difference. Maybe there are aspects of a 'porch' that are different in the hardcode??

1. Yes I get that but I didn't move the baseline to the center of the wall, chief did that. 2. The beam builds correctly when the porch is changed to any other room type, while the baseline remains in the center of the wall. So.... Thank you again for your thoughts.

I know you didn't say it was fixed, just pointing it out. I've tried different post and beam sizes over the years, never made a difference. I think Charles figured it out, because Chief definitely moves the roof baseline at some point to the center of the wall, just not sure why. Anyone: The biggest puzzle to me is how the original test file in the OP will show the beam correctly when the room type is changed. Try it. Change the room to Patio. The roof baseline doesn't move, but the beam aligns. Totally weird.

Thanks Steve, I appreciate you going to the trouble to make a video. Yeah I had it narrowed down to the gable sub fascia like I said in the OP but @CharlesVolz was also right that the roof baseline somehow shifted to the center of the wall....?? And moving it to exterior fixes the beam....???

User library is a good method but I prefer having that stuff already sitting in the template plan. Cabinets too. If they use default materials, it's easy to go into defaults and change the materials, but at least everything else is set how I want it. Cabinet sizes, crown molding, lazy susan etc. Range hood is there. All kinds of stuff. Most of my kitchens use a similar island too so that's there, ready to go. I also commonly reuse the same basic master shower with tile surround, that's in the template. All of it is already in rooms too, which can be modified, or delete walls and draw new from scratch. Just some thoughts.

Yeah that's what I do. All that stuff is right in the plan already.

In your screenshot, your porch beams are also misaligned. Nope I rebuilt the porch using OOB Deck Railing/Fence wall type and the program shifted the baseline to the center as soon as I changed it to a low pitch, and broke the beam. I think the program is shifting the baseline because of the low pitch, but I'm still puzzled why on the original test plan changing the room type to Unspecified fixed the beam, WITHOUT moving the baseline back to the exterior layer, changing the pitch, or turning off Auto Roofs....

Hi Charles, thanks, yes I see now the roof baseline is shifting to the center of the wall for some reason, and moving it out fixed the misalignment. However it required canceling auto rebuild roofs.

Yeah I do that when I can't get anything else to work. Like I said, if I change the ROOM type it aligns correctly. That's what has me puzzled.... Right, that works, but then my soffit is 2" up in the fascia, which doesn't look right. It's weird how changing the room to "Patio" makes the beam sit correctly.

Draw a polyline solid (personally I would start in an elevation view), apply a glass material, size, shape, and position it in plan and elevation views.

Changing the Pattern offset doesn't have any effect on the Texture Source, which is a picture file (look at your screenshot in the lower right, it tells you where Chief is getting the texture jpg) And your 3D view looks like Standard, which uses the Texture. Switch to Vector view and you should see the offset. You'll need to study some instructional material as Solver suggested, it's a little complicated when you get into scale sizes and pattern repeats.

Yeah I just hit the Toggle button and it changes. And the Toggle button does not affect the "Patterns, 3D View" Layer checkmark.