Clemsongrad 0 Posted January 24, 2017 From what I am seeing using chief I don't see any particular deficits, but I'd like to learn work arounds before I'm in the midst of a project. I may have several coming up this year and would like to acquire assets and skills to be ready ahead of time. Thanks! Larry Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Griffin 13 Posted January 24, 2017 As with all commercial work in CA: As far as I know it's impossible to properly represent a common steel door and steel frame in a (for example) 12 CMU wall. I have not found a workaround. Suspended ceilings take an Eternity, and you need to 'pray' they don't change. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DRAWZILLA 778 Posted January 24, 2017 Chief wasn't developed for commercial work but it can be done if you have patience and willing to create things that Chief doesn't do. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lbuttery 192 Posted January 24, 2017 "anything" can be done in Chief but "workarounds" may be needed Chief is mainly for residences but it can do many other types of projects Lew Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
joey_martin 363 Posted January 24, 2017 Depending on construction type, you won't have much issue. I did a 12,000 sqft church with Chief...2"x6" construction with brick/stone/siding veneer, truss roof system...no issues. As others have said, the steel framed doors can be an issue, but nothing that can't be easily overcome with details and use of the schedules. I also did a 4,000 sqft fellowship hall...again no issues other than the steel doors. CMU/Frame construction, truss roof system, slab foundation. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alaskan_Son 2457 Posted January 24, 2017 1 hour ago, Griffin said: ...As far as I know it's impossible to properly represent a common steel door and steel frame in a (for example) 12 CMU wall. I have not found a workaround... Try using a doorway (no casing or frame...just a hole in the wall) and a symbol for the door and jamb. I'm sure it's not exactly what you would want to see but here's a very quick and rough example. It doesn't actually have the door panel because I just grabbed the first symbol I found and it didn't have a door. You should be able to get the idea though. You would just have to find or make the appropriate symbols and add them to your library. Biggest limitation is that you would probably have to choose whether or not the door was shown open or closed (or it would require 2 different symbols on different layers if you wanted to toggle between the views). 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kiwideziner 35 Posted January 24, 2017 I have done a couple of churches over the years with no real problems. It all depends on the construction . One I did had steel portal frames. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Griffin 13 Posted January 24, 2017 Thanks, Michael; this is a pretty good workaround. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
