ericepv Posted November 15, 2016 Share Posted November 15, 2016 I am trying to lower a pendant so that it is 30" above the counter. I know that this can be done by adjusting the stretch zone but after watching the video, reading the help section & going through various Chief Talk posts, I still cannot figure out how the values are calculated. Can anyone give me a simple explanation of how to do this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe_Carrick Posted November 15, 2016 Share Posted November 15, 2016 Open the Symbol dbx. Turn on the Origin display in the preview panel. The origin for this type of Symbol should be at the top. Set a Stretch Plane at z = - 9 That will prevent the symbol from stretching at any location except 9" below the ceiling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericepv Posted November 15, 2016 Author Share Posted November 15, 2016 Joe: I just tried what you suggested, this is what I got: I also tried +9" and got this: Eric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe_Carrick Posted November 15, 2016 Share Posted November 15, 2016 The -9" should be subtracted from whatever the default z origin value is. IOW, you want the Stretch Plane to be just below the escutcheon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericepv Posted November 15, 2016 Author Share Posted November 15, 2016 How do I show that in the dialog box? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg_NY61 Posted November 16, 2016 Share Posted November 16, 2016 Post a plan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericepv Posted November 16, 2016 Author Share Posted November 16, 2016 The plan is attached. JBS-Kitchen pendant.zip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rlackore Posted November 16, 2016 Share Posted November 16, 2016 Open the Symbol Specification dbx and change the Z-value in the Sizing>Height tab (I used Joe's -9" value). This will restrict the symbol to stretching only the pendant stem when you change the height in the Object Specification dbx (remember to turn off Maintain Aspect Ratio). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericepv Posted November 16, 2016 Author Share Posted November 16, 2016 21 minutes ago, rlackore said: Open the Symbol Specification dbx and change the Z-value in the Sizing>Height tab (I used Joe's -9" value). This will restrict the symbol to stretching only the pendant stem when you change the height in the Object Specification dbx (remember to turn off Maintain Aspect Ratio). I entered the values exactly as shown but I still do not get the result you show. The stem lengthens as needed but the fixture is also elongated (as shown in my original image). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rlackore Posted November 16, 2016 Share Posted November 16, 2016 First open the object (not the symbol) and RESET the size. Then proceed with the steps Joe and I outlined. If that doesn't work, try the attached symbol. Barnd Pendant reset with Z-Stretch.calibz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericepv Posted November 16, 2016 Author Share Posted November 16, 2016 OK, I'm still not getting it (my brain must be on vacation). What I ultimately want to end up with is a pendant that is 10" in diameter and 30" above the countertop. Even when I resize the object first, it ends up being elongated when I follow the steps you outlined. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rlackore Posted November 16, 2016 Share Posted November 16, 2016 To fix that Reset the size, then adjust the Object for the size you want (10" Depth and Width) with Maintain Aspect Ratio, then save as a Symbol and set it up the way you want during the import. Barn Pendant Resized with Z-Stretch.calibz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericepv Posted November 16, 2016 Author Share Posted November 16, 2016 Still not sure how you did *** but that's exactly what I need. Many thanks to you! Eric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneDavis Posted November 16, 2016 Share Posted November 16, 2016 Please go to YouTube, search "Chief Architect Symbols" and take the time to watch the many instructional videos there. Plenty of examples of sizing and stretching there for you. That, or line up some one-on-one instruction via Skype or something. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericepv Posted November 16, 2016 Author Share Posted November 16, 2016 Gene: I have seen these videos on Chief's website. Perhaps one on one consult would be best as the video is quite vague. Eric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneDavis Posted November 16, 2016 Share Posted November 16, 2016 Go to YouTube. Many more videos there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkMc Posted November 16, 2016 Share Posted November 16, 2016 I had an awful time learning this. I kept prints of the pages from the reference manual on my desk. Then just kept at it. I'd make several copies of something and see what happened. The key to what Robert is telling you -he saved as a new symbol, then resized the length of the NEW symbol. If you do EXACTLY what he suggests, in the order he gives, you will get the same result. That idea, making a new symbol, was a big aha for me in learning how this works. A symbol will ALWAYS relate to it's original properties. That is if you change the size of the symbol (as you did to get the diameter you wanted) then go and change the planes or zones that will have an effect on your original change (diameter). This often creates unwanted results (as is the case for your symbol). Making changes and adding to the library does NOT help, it is still the same symbol with the same original properties. You must convert the changed object to a new symbol for it to have new default properties. The new symbol will have the new size and start with default stretch planes not selected and listed as "0", the default origin will also be at 0,0,0 for the class of symbol, AND the bounding box dimensions will also have changed. Yes, sometimes you can just resize a symbol and get what you want, I find it easier to figure it out by saving after each change. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericepv Posted November 16, 2016 Author Share Posted November 16, 2016 OK, I've watched the videos and re-read the instructions but what I just don't get is where the values come from and where to apply them and why. Once I understand that part, the rest will make sense. Thanks to everyone for trying to explain this but I guess I'm just too thick to figure it out unless I can have it shown to me directly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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