Anyone use AutoCAD in tandem with Chief?

[Michael_Gia]

When I order trusses or floor systems I usually send a pdf of the plans generated in Chief. 
 

I want to change that and instead send an AutoCAD layout file instead of a PDF. 
 

This is to avoid errors of miscommunications when for example a dimension is missing etc. 

 

If they have the AutoCAD file then they can measure whatever they want. 
 

Anyone else do this?

[Alaskan_Son]

Can't say that I do, BUT I'm 99% certain AutoCAD has built in functionality for both converting vector based PDFs to DWG and for snapping to underlying PDF vectors.  Most PDF editors have snapping and measuring capabilities as well.

 

[SHCanada2]

1 hour ago, Michael_Gia said:

If they have the AutoCAD file then they can measure whatever they want. 
 

Anyone else do this?

some engineers and interior designers ask for this from me.

 

I just export it from CA and send it along.

 

For the truss people, they have never asked for a DXF or DWG file. ...that said they have made mistakes more than once, but it wasnt because it wasn't dimensioned, it was just that they missed it or in one case, got an off angle wall incorrect

 

[para-CAD]

I used to use AC as a 2D crutch.  Gone.

 

I make sure truss guys get span and pitch....and vault if part of the design...on my plans.  Framer's get the the truss plans...or if stick framed I send cut sheets to builders I trust who trust me.

 

Now I use SU as a 3D tool because I can 100% correctly model complex framing, something CA doesn't always do.

 

AC LT isn't too bad of a subscription....cross platform too.

Edited Wednesday at 06:35 PM by para-CAD

[jorgearaya]

@Michael_Giacreate a layer set and plan view for your drawing file export only, to minimize having to clean up the drawing file later for sending to consultants. Chief does not have native drawing export so when the drawing is opened in AutoCad it will always give you a warning that it is not a drawing created in Acad. 

It is common practice here to send out drawing files to consultants, usually called backgrounds. 
Lastly, yes AutoCad Lt and Chief it’s been our combo, the line work in CA is way too primitive. 

[johnny]

46 minutes ago, jorgearaya said:

@Michael_Giathe line work in CA is way too primitive. 

100% agree.  To me I dont even understand why they don’t fix this since its seems like such low hanging fruit. 

[Joe_Carrick]

IMO the lack of :

• a "Grapic Repeat Patter" in Chief's linestyles 
• start & end terminators 

is a major shortcoming of Chief's CAD tools.

[johnny]

This is an example of like-for-like drafting of a 2D shape in Chief by Rabbit (who i respect a lot) and in Vectorworks.  I think this highlights well the 2D differences in an example that occurs regularly.  

 

#1 in Chief....

 

 

#2 in Vectorworks...(sorry i used teams to screen record, if I do this again i'll try and use something better)

 

 

I’ll add that even though I’m working in 2D, in Vectorworks the behavior carries directly into 3D. If I extrude this shape, the 2D geometry remains fully editable....so I can adjust the underlying 2D lines at any time and the 3D object updates automatically. Also, if there are multiple instances of this shape in the model, I can modify all of them by making small edits to the original with no need to duplicate or reposition anything. That level of flexibility really starts to leave Chief Architect behind, and highlights how effectively 2D editing can drive precise and efficient 3D results.

Edited 20 hours ago by johnny

[Michael_Gia]

4 hours ago, jorgearaya said:

yes AutoCad Lt and Chief it’s been our combo

dimensions also come out really screwy from Chief into AutoCAD. 

I’m really considering the workflow of designing the home with my clients in Chief, but once the 3-D model is complete, I export the plans, elevations and sections into AutoCAD to do my construction documents. 

 

I’ll collaborate easier with the engineers and other architects. 
 

It might be a little more work but I’ll have universally accepted plans with proper annotations and dimensions. 

[ComputerMaster86]

I pay for and keep an up to date version (Perpetual License) of TurboCAD on my system.  TurboCAD has been a great affordable alternative to AutoCAD for me.  About the only thing I ever use TurboCAD for these days is to draw up something that is quite a bit outside the realm architecture.  Maybe a part drawing or some fabrication drawing.  Occasionally, I will open up DWG's that people supply me in TurboCAD for editing / viewing.  For condocs and design work, I am not really needing AutoCAD / TurboCAD no more.  If I could get Chief to "Come See the Light" on some dimension stuff and some more 2D capabilities, I would need TurboCAD / AutoCAD even less.

[Michael_Gia]

3 hours ago, ComputerMaster86 said:

I would need TurboCAD / AutoCAD even less.

I’m talking from the perspective of sharing and/or collaborating. 
 

Like it or not it’s an autocad world. 
 

And even when I tell those same acad jockeys to simply import my pdf construction documents and scale them they either don’t know how, are too lazy or as a policy feel this is over reaching.  Which I can’t blame them for. 
 

 

Edited 5 hours ago by Michael_Gia

[kMoquin]

I send my engineer dwg exports from Chief.

It's been seamless. No complaints from them. 

 

 

I learning Revit right now. (Just for fun. I have no plans to switch.) Maybe I'd like it more if I had as much time invested in Revit as I do in Chief but my honest evaluation is it sucks! Every lesson make me grateful I use CA.

[ComputerMaster86]

3 hours ago, Michael_Gia said:

I’m talking from the perspective of sharing and/or collaborating. 
 

Like it or not it’s an autocad world. 
 

And even when I tell those same acad jockeys to simply import my pdf construction documents and scale them they either don’t know how, are too lazy or as a policy feel this is over reaching.  Which I can’t blame them for. 
 

 

I understand what you mean.  I ocasionally get asked to provider DWG's for various resions.  TurboCAD allows me to save in DWG format.  If I ever need to further refine a DWG export from Chief Architect I do it in TurboCAD.  It seems though exported DWG's from Chief Architect has sufficed most of time.