Ange822 Posted October 23 Share Posted October 23 Hi there - I have made some custom "decorative gable timbers" as 3D architectural blocks. I wondered if there was a way to add an insertion point or have it insert connected to the underside of soffit. Otherwise I have been just inserting and moving in the z axis which is no problem but wondered if there might be an easier now that I am going to be sharing my library of blocks with some other co-workers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robdyck Posted October 24 Share Posted October 24 No insertion point for an arch. block. I'd suggest saving the block for future editing, but also converting to a fixture. Set the height reference 'From Roof', about -7" to top. Then, it'll be pretty quick to place in roof peaks. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ange822 Posted November 1 Author Share Posted November 1 On 10/24/2024 at 11:07 AM, robdyck said: No insertion point for an arch. block. I'd suggest saving the block for future editing, but also converting to a fixture. Set the height reference 'From Roof', about -7" to top. Then, it'll be pretty quick to place in roof peaks. Thank you for your help @robdyck I will give that a try! I have another question I'm hoping maybe you can help me with. I am trying to "notch" the bottom horizontal chord of this 3D solid. Is it possible to just notch 1/2 the beam depth instead of doing a "hole" all the way through? I know it's getting nit picky so if not it's not a big deal I will move the vertical member in front of the horizontal by 1/16". I'm just wondering so the 2 textures going vertical / horizontally aren't right on each other if that makes sense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DBCooper Posted November 1 Share Posted November 1 Assuming that everything is a solid, then yes, you can make a notch. Basically, you build another piece for the notch using a solid, move it into the proper position, and then use the poly subtract tool. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ange822 Posted November 1 Author Share Posted November 1 7 minutes ago, DBCooper said: Assuming that everything is a solid, then yes, you can make a notch. Basically, you build another piece for the notch using a solid, move it into the proper position, and then use the poly subtract tool. Amazing thank you so much! @DBCooper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ange822 Posted November 14 Author Share Posted November 14 Is there a way to edit a symbol after creating it? I have been trying to research symbols vs architectural block etc. but for this instance I made these symbols into "fixtures" so I could specify the elevation reference from the roof. When I right click on the user catalog item, I don't see "open object in X15" like specified in the Article from chief below. When I "edit CAD Block" it only lets me edit the 2D plan view CAD block, not the 3D symbol. https://www.chiefarchitect.com/support/article/KB-00809/converting-an-object-into-a-symbol.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robdyck Posted November 14 Share Posted November 14 On 10/24/2024 at 9:07 AM, robdyck said: I'd suggest saving the block for future editing, Did you do this? The ability to edit a symbol is quite limited and it's usually easier to explode the arch. block, edit the components and create a new symbol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ange822 Posted November 15 Author Share Posted November 15 @robdyck Okay no worries, I do still have all the blocks I just didn't save them. I will do that for reference. I was hoping it would be easier to modify the symbol after the fact. Am I missing something though in that Chief article where it says to edit / right click and open the symbol to edit? Thanks for your help with this! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robdyck Posted Friday at 08:30 PM Share Posted Friday at 08:30 PM 6 hours ago, Ange822 said: @robdyck Okay no worries, I do still have all the blocks I just didn't save them. I will do that for reference. I was hoping it would be easier to modify the symbol after the fact. Am I missing something though in that Chief article where it says to edit / right click and open the symbol to edit? Thanks for your help with this! The editing of a symbol like a gable end truss is limited to what you can accomplish by using stretch planes and deleting surfaces to create new symbols. I actually wouldn't recommend using a symbol at all for a deco. truss. Just use the arch. block. Very easy to explode and adjust as the design evolves, or replace from the library when the roof pitch / scale changes. Obviously, this means saving new versions of the arch. block. If you use a lot of timber components, which I know you do, I'd suggest having a Chief Plan file just to store all these arch. blocks, posts, beams, etc. in addition to adding frequently used items to your library. Keep in mind that you can make more elaborate deco. trusses using...wait for it...a truss! A 3d solid would be my last resort for modelling these. Lots of different ways, all with pros and cons. The best method is somewhat dependent on EXACTLY how you will be using it. Is it for elevation views, renders, materials lists, construction component detail drawings, schedules...? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ange822 Posted Monday at 06:15 PM Author Share Posted Monday at 06:15 PM @robdyck Thank you for your response and recommendations, they are greatly appreciated! I don't have any experience with the trusses so I will have to look into that! Great idea! I have created a user catalog for now so I can share it with my colleges. I included the arch. block incase they need to edit it. (thank you for this recommendation!) I think this best suits how we are using them (for conceptual design only). However in the future I would love to look into the material list / construction component detail drawings / schedules / pricing components that Chief can offer. I would be happy to share this user catalog I created if you would use it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robdyck Posted Monday at 08:46 PM Share Posted Monday at 08:46 PM 2 hours ago, Ange822 said: I would be happy to share this user catalog I created if you would use it? Thanks for the offer! I can tell you that I would not use it simply because you and I have different needs for these types of components. My guess is that your work with your employer gives you the need to re-use some of these. In my work of custom homes, every time I need timber components they really are unique to the project and I have to be careful not to re-use them! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ange822 Posted Tuesday at 06:12 PM Author Share Posted Tuesday at 06:12 PM 21 hours ago, robdyck said: Thanks for the offer! I can tell you that I would not use it simply because you and I have different needs for these types of components. My guess is that your work with your employer gives you the need to re-use some of these. In my work of custom homes, every time I need timber components they really are unique to the project and I have to be careful not to re-use them! Okay no worries! Yes that is correct, I am sharing these with other colleagues so our plans can be more cohesive. Thanks for all your help Rob! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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