NEW USER: Seeking guidance...

[CA_Russell]

All,

 

Hello, I just switched to CA from VW this week, and love it. The SPEED and toolset is amazing!

Currently using CA x17 on a Mac.

 

I'm curious...

"Is there a way to build a layout using "hand drawn" methods (4"/ 6" walls), while also incorporating NOMINAL sized materials that I can use for PRODUCTION work?"

 

I'm trying to serve two masters at once and may very well be swimming against the tide, but I wanted to ASK the EXPERTS.

Thanks in advance for your time!

 

Sincerely,

Ryan Russell 

[JKEdmo]

1 hour ago, CA_Russell said:

"Is there a way to build a layout using "hand drawn" methods (4"/ 6" walls), while also incorporating NOMINAL sized materials that I can use for PRODUCTION work?"

Hi Ryan,

 

Welcome.  The way I might approach this is start with a "nominal" basic wall type definition, for example a 6" wide exterior wall or a 4" wide interior wall.  Useful while doing schematics or design development.  Later for CDs you could redefine the walls to actual wall width definitions.  You could selectively change each wall definition wall by wall or just redefine their wall type definitions so that they reflect actual construction.

 

- Jim

 

[DBCooper]

Although it is possible to start with INACCURATE walls for preliminary drawings and then switch to accurate ones later, why in the name of everything good about computers would you want to do such a thing?  All of your dimensions will change and then you will have to waste a ton of time going through and fixing everything up.  

 

A better solution for you might be to go ahead and use accurate walls from the start and then modify the display to what you want to see when working on your prelims.  For example, you can turn off the layer called "Walls, Layers" and you will only see the outline of the walls instead of all of the different wall layers like drywall and siding.  Or you could turn on the layer for "Walls, Main Layer Only" to just see the main (usually framing) layer of the walls.  You could even setup a "saved plan view" for your prelim plans using a different layer set so that all you need to do is switch from that to your construction docs very quickly without any fussing around.  In the picture below, the right side has "wall, main layer only" turned on so it only shows the framing layer of the walls.

 

 

 

Edited Saturday at 12:50 AM by DBCooper

[scottharris]

In the Quick Start video playlist, is a Floor Plan Basics video that may help you understand how Chief Architect works with walls.

 

[mtldesigns]

@CA_Russell

I have to totally agree with DBC, but I am anal on details. I have over 130 different walls I keep on a library drawing to drag and drop on my projects.  It really is easier to do this the right way than to have more work for you at the end.  Just for example, a typical con doc set, is you dimension to the studs.  A nom wall your dimensioning to the sheathing, the trades probably wouldn't want that method.  

 

Are you doing this for brochures or something?  

 

And good luck, welcome to the club.  Lots of knowledge here, I've been using Chief since X6 and I still learn something new everyday.

[GeneDavis]

If hand-drawn means squiggly lines, Chief does not have that option in 2D plans.  

[SNestor]

On 1/31/2026 at 4:23 PM, GeneDavis said:

If hand-drawn means squiggly lines, Chief does not have that option in 2D plans.  

 

You could send this to layout..."Floor Overview" using 3D top down view. Rendering technique Standard with hand drawn lines. 

If you change the framing layer to something solid...like Black. 

[Chrisb222]

You can do the same thing in 2D using an orthographic full overview camera, set to Top View with cross section slider set midway to the doors so the door swings show. And poche the walls:

 

But it's not a Plan View, so doesn't show dimensions and annotations.

[ChiefTylerL]

If you are looking for a view like the one above, but while showing the dimensions and annotations, you can use the method that is covered in this Knowledge Base article.

https://www.chiefarchitect.com/support/article/KB-01142/creating-an-image-for-use-in-a-brochure-flyer-or-website.html