File managment

[Randyc]

yall give me some tips?

 

we do mainly houses

 

we have builders that say take this house change this bathroom and we are going to use it here?

 

so  how do ya save files.. 

 

we do mostly builder name and address   but its getting out of hand

 

or just customer name..

[CJSpud]

I use customer name as well as version of Chief I am doing the plans in.  Be creative .... do what works for you.

[DavidJPotter]

I have a folder (Directory) that I named "Plans" on my storage drive.

 

In that folder I have sub folders, one for each client or project, the file names include the date I created or modified the plan and layout files.

 

Each corresponding plan file has its layout files that go with that project, all image files, PDF and other documents are filed with the plan and layout files per project.

 

I usually create as a sub folder for each project a folder named "Archive", this folder contains earlier versions and related data that is not the latest but might be needed for reference later)

 

See screen capture below

 

DJP

[DRAWZILLA]

I use different folders for each Chief version, then by customer name. only a few times have I had the same name in a folder. if so, then I just include the city in the name ( I work in about 50 cities). Like "Chief X8 jobs".

[Joe_Carrick]

I use "Project Folders".

 

  D:\Chief Architect Projects\X8\

     <Project Name>

        Correspondence

        Images

        Materials

        Miscellaneous

        Plan

           <Project Name>.layout

           <Project Name>.plan

           (text files with consultant and project addresses, etc.)

 

I have a CAD Detail Window in the Layout that allows me to specify a new project name and have the current Project duplicated with a new Project Name.  This provides a completely new set of folders & files.

 

I then just have to open the new Layout file and relink the Plan file. 

[lbuttery]

separate folder for each project - even if same builder

 

123_OAK_MODEL_LBX8.plan  (same for .layout)

 

this keeps plan and layout in sync

 

123_OAK_REMOD_LBX8.plan for remods

 

123_OAK_ALT01_LBX8 for alternative

 

LBX8 for me and version - JK for my partner

 

123_OAK_MODEL_160420_1430_LBX8.plan etc for backups

 

when needed I do "save as" with date/time

then do another without date/time to keep plan and layout in sync

 

backups as often as every 5 minutes when making lots of changes

especially if one I'd rather not do again

 

Lew

[DMDesigns]

I uploaded videos showing you how to perform the whole process of making plans and saving clients, measuring & drawing asbuilds, drawing new designs, the works over at: http://www.chieftutor.com

 

If your interested. 

 

-Dave