Plan and Layout Template

[builtright3]

Hello my freinds,

I spent that last 3 days building my layout and plan template off of one of my current jobs.
I cant find any instruction that gives me enough inforamiton to prepare the the current job for a new clean template. Im concerned that I will delete too much and I dont what to messup what I have built. Can anyone help me with this or point me to a video or somthing that will help me though the process?

 

Any help would be appreciated. 

 

[JonathanK]

I can understand the hesitancy.

 

I would say just make sure that your current active plan is saved, and just do a File>Save As, and save a new plan file that you can dink around in and continue playing with things.

 

Once you get that all good to go, then just File>Save As Template.  Make sure your planning space is cleared of all walls, windows, doors, and general items you don't want brought over to each new plan you create.

 

By default, the File>Save as Template function pops up a dialog box that asks if you want to delete any unused items, unlink external references, etc...

 

Do the same with the layout file as well.

 

Not sure if that helps you or not...

[SHCanada2]

I turn on all layers, and delete things I dont need

[DBCooper]

I like to use the "save as template" tool.  Here is a tech article that might help:

https://www.chiefarchitect.com/support/article/KB-03094/creating-custom-templates-from-existing-projects.html

 

[builtright3]

Thanks guys for the insight.
I also just changed my signature to read x17 instead of x16

[builtright3]

1 minute ago, DBCooper said:

I like to use the "save as template" tool.  Here is a tech article that might help:

https://www.chiefarchitect.com/support/article/KB-03094/creating-custom-templates-from-existing-projects.html

 

I did check out the tech file. I was confused by some of it. I dont always do well with written instruction but I always try. One on one help or video's are much easier for me.

[SHCanada2]

at a minimum turn on invisible walls and remove them. I've been caught by this a couple times

[DBCooper]

They also have a video, not sure if it covers all of the same stuff as the tech article since it is only 2 minutes long:

https://www.chiefarchitect.com/videos/watch/248/creating-templates-from-existing-plans.html

 

Edited Monday at 09:33 PM by DBCooper

[builtright3]

Thank You guy's

[Chrisb222]

16 hours ago, builtright3 said:

prepare the the current job for a new clean template.

 

Hi Joe, using a static template really never worked for me so here's what I do. And this may not seem right to some, but I change up my plan defaults, saved plan views, object information panels, schedules, cameras, etc all the time. Something changes on almost every job, or multiple things, during the development of that job. My plan and layout are always evolving. I created a new SPV on my current job that I'll use going forward on every new job, and I added some macros to my window Custom Object Fields. So that means if I had a one-source static template, it would now be out of date. Because of this, I always use the last plan as my source file for the next plan. Sure I can update that static template but it seems like going backwards to me.

 

To start a job, usually I will open the last plan and pull out and delete things that are unique to the old plan, scoot common things like kitchen and bath objects off to the side, then use Edit Area (All Floors) to select and delete the entire structure. Next I update my defaults to suit the new design (window style/color, wall type, etc) and start drawing in the same 0,0 area as the last plan. Layout is similar in that I open the previous job's template and roll.

[builtright3]

2 hours ago, Chrisb222 said:

 

Hi Joe, using a static template really never worked for me so here's what I do. And this may not seem right to some, but I change up my plan defaults, saved plan views, object information panels, schedules, cameras, etc all the time. Something changes on almost every job, or multiple things, during the development of that job. My plan and layout are always evolving. I created a new SPV on my current job that I'll use going forward on every new job, and I added some macros to my window Custom Object Fields. So that means if I had a one-source static template, it would now be out of date. Because of this, I always use the last plan as my source file for the next plan. Sure I can update that static template but it seems like going backwards to me.

 

To start a job, usually I will open the last plan and pull out and delete things that are unique to the old plan, scoot common things like kitchen and bath objects off to the side, then use Edit Area (All Floors) to select and delete the entire structure. Next I update my defaults to suit the new design (window style/color, wall type, etc) and start drawing in the same 0,0 area as the last plan. Layout is similar in that I open the previous job's template and roll.

Thank you!
This is confirming axacty what I was thinking. Why have a saved template at all? If anything you can use the last job that best fits what you are trying to do and prepare it just as you are suggesting.
However, I do understand the concept of the template and will probably try to keep a template up to date using the same process, but will not call it a template I call it "NEW PROJECT". Deleting all floors seams to be the safest way to prepare for the next job.

I will typically block my kitchen and bathroom designs and add them to the libuary so I can just pick one that best fits my new plan and alter it. The libuary is my favorite tool, I put everything in it that I can for reuse.

This would be a good thread to keep going becasue there are so many differents ways you can build your tempates, boiler plates, new project... Whatever you wan to call it.

[SHCanada2]

potato potahto I think. For my plans I will sometimes need to add layers or layer sets that are one offs, and would be clutter for every plan. If I add a new layer I think will be useful, I will add it back to the template, same with default sets. And to be honest sometimes I am lazy working with current plans where I will draw dimensions using one set and then decide they are to big or small, and then I just change the text height, which means the dim set is no longer what it was intended to be. If I used my latest plan as the next template, I would either have to revert that or live with the inconsistency, which may bite me later.

 

I try and keep notes for stuff I want to update on my template.

 

But my template also has 4 walls on the main floor, and a basement, and two terrain regions, and .... stuff that I want to be there for the next plan. IF you use the current plan which may for instance have to have had 6 terrain regions, then you would have to delete them for a flat lot plan, or set them all to the same elevation.

 

Its work either way

 

 

[builtright3]

57 minutes ago, SHCanada2 said:

potato potahto I think. For my plans I will sometimes need to add layers or layer sets that are one offs, and would be clutter for every plan. If I add a new layer I think will be useful, I will add it back to the template, same with default sets. And to be honest sometimes I am lazy working with current plans where I will draw dimensions using one set and then decide they are to big or small, and then I just change the text height, which means the dim set is no longer what it was intended to be. If I used my latest plan as the next template, I would either have to revert that or live with the inconsistency, which may bite me later.

 

I try and keep notes for stuff I want to update on my template.

 

But my template also has 4 walls on the main floor, and a basement, and two terrain regions, and .... stuff that I want to be there for the next plan. IF you use the current plan which may for instance have to have had 6 terrain regions, then you would have to delete them for a flat lot plan, or set them all to the same elevation.

 

Its work either way

 

 

Yes, you’re right. I don’t think that there will ever be a perfect science to it.