What is the best way to create a series of plans?

[martinconst]

I am creating a series of plans with layouts of course. Each building changes in size and design, small variations. 

(ex: Plan 1 24x24 garage, Plan 2 24x32 garage, Plan 3 20x32 garage with loft and so on...all showing same views in the layout)

II have been trying the "SAM" method as CA would say for the plans. 

I would like to use a base template and just relink the new plan views and save, etc.

Not sure is this is the best method to produce this series?

Thank you for your help and suggestions.

CA X16 waiting for X17

[Alaskan_Son]

My suggestion:

• Draw Plan A and send to Layout A
• Make changes to Plan A and Save As Plan B
• Open Layout A, Tools>Layout>Referenced Plan Files, Browse to Plan B, click Okay and then Save As Layout B
• Make changes to Plan B and Save As Plan C
• Open Layout B, Tools>Layout>Referenced Plan Files, Browse to Plan C, click Okay and then Save As Layout C
• ...and keep repeating

[martinconst]

2 hours ago, Alaskan_Son said:

My suggestion:

• Draw Plan A and send to Layout A
• Make changes to Plan A and Save As Plan B
• Open Layout A, Tools>Layout>Referenced Plan Files, Browse to Plan B, click Okay and then Save As Layout B
• Make changes to Plan B and Save As Plan C
• Open Layout B, Tools>Layout>Referenced Plan Files, Browse to Plan C, click Okay and then Save As Layout C
• ...and keep repeating

AS-Ty

Looks like bullet 3 is key to linking all at once.

[ValleyGuy]

12 minutes ago, martinconst said:

AS-Ty

Looks like bullet 3 is key to linking all at once.

I just did one in November and did it very similar to how @Alaskan_Son said above. Once I completed one whole plan and layout (with saved camera views), I just saved and closed both, went to the file directory and duplicated a new folder, then renamed it. Open up that plan, adjust as necessary, then open the new layout and relink to the new plan - both are in the same folder and play nicely. Rinse and repeat....

 

  

[GeneDavis]

What do you mean @martinconst by the phrase, "linking all at once?"  What has been described here is using save as and making plans and their linked layouts, each .plan linked to its .layout, with new names.  Do you need to do something different from what Shayne shows, above?

[Alaskan_Son]

4 minutes ago, GeneDavis said:

What do you mean @martinconst by the phrase, "linking all at once?" 

I don’t think he realized that you could link the entire layout all at once. I think he was doing one page or view at a time.

[martinconst]

8 minutes ago, Alaskan_Son said:

I don’t think he realized that you could link the entire layout all at once. I think he was doing one page or view at a time.

Yes, that is what I was doing and very tedious. 

[martinconst]

VG-Thanks for sharing your file sequence that helps alot.

Very important Chief says to keep all plans and layouts in the same folder.

[martinconst]

VG-What does "Archive" do in this process. I've never really used CA Archive. I know what it means to archive but not sure in this method?

[GeneDavis]

cArchives are where the autosaves go.  Look at the Chief Architect Data files in your Documents folder.  See below.    

 

The captures and saves are automatic but the timing of the autosaves (or frequency, really) is set by you in Settings.

[martinconst]

Gene Ty, I always new that was there and just thought it was there for auto saves if computer crashes or glitches. Every once in awhile it asks me if I want to manage Archive files. Always said no without much thought.  I will explore my settings and Archive folder more. More of a second backup I guess. Is it similar to Exporting entire Plan Files where it captures all within that Plan? 

(I've been using CA since 3d Home Arch then Verision 8 on up for all my const building projects. I just semi retired-and now have more time and able to focus on design and more depth in CA. Took the belt off, got my coffee, and sat my but down...40 plus years)

Thank all of you for awesome help!

[ValleyGuy]

On 2/7/2025 at 8:06 PM, martinconst said:

VG-What does "Archive" do in this process. I've never really used CA Archive. I know what it means to archive but not sure in this method?

 

The 'Archive' folder I have listed is used differently than the CA Archive. I use the CA Archive files as @GeneDavis is showing as more how you described, a computer crash back up that  'Auto saves' every few minutes as per my set up default. My 'Archive' folder holds the plan and layout that is duplicated every time the client wants a change/revision throughout the process of completing the initial construction documents. Some of the benefits that I have seen: 1)I can have the current version in front of the customer making changes, and have the last version (plan, cameras, measurements, etc,) as a second plan opened for a reference. 2) I can tell exactly what revisions we discussed on what day. 3) I get feed back from the time log and the revision notes attached - this helps with gauging meeting lengths vs work vs billing. 4) I always have a solid plan that I can fall back on to have a fresh start with incase I mess something up while sitting with the client making changes. There are others, but these are the main ones. I'm a one man band so it's all purely selfish how I set up my files and I'm sure this system wouldn't work for some. Everyone has their own system, it's just my current way of filing things.

 

 

  

 

[Chrisb222]

On 2/7/2025 at 2:50 PM, martinconst said:

Looks like bullet 3 is key to linking all at once.

 

The only thing I would suggest in reference to bullet 3 is, do the save as before changing the referenced plan file. Just in case you either A, have auto-save turned on or, B simply hit save out of habit before doing the save as.

 

E.g. 

• Open Layout A, Save As Layout B, then Tools>Layout>Referenced Plan Files, Browse to Plan B, click Okay

[martinconst]

Chris, Shayne,

Great insight and advice, I will give it a try.

Ty again

Ps how do I show the file tree view you show? 

Right now I just show folder list, click and open, see file list, no tree list?