By: Dan Baumannchiefexpertsseminars.s3.amazonaws.com/10MistakesChiefUsersMake...8 - Education,...

Top 10 Mistakes Chief Architect Users MakeBy: Dan Baumann ChiefExperts.com

© 2009 ChiefExperts.com All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of this handout and the associated videos without permission is prohibited

1

WELCOME

The Top 10 MistakesChief Architect Users Make

By: Dan Baumann

What we’re going to discussWhat is Chief Architect?Will it make you an “Expert” designer?Should you create a plan of action for each project?How can preferences and defaults help?Are there steps you should take when laying out a plan?Are there steps you should take when laying out a plan?Is adding platforms really that tough to do?Are roofs really that difficult?What are layers and how can they help?What can I do with Slabs and Molding Polylines?How are details created with Chief?

2 www.ChiefExperts.com - Education, Resources & Support for Chief Architect Users

Longtime UserStarted using Chief 1 in 1993Been teaching and using it ever since




2

Longtime TrainerVideos v2 to v5 – DVD V6 – ChiefExperts 2005Live and online classes since v2


Why did I want to get into CAD?Was a techno nut starting in 1984Searched for years then I found ChiefMy drawings were not the greatestWanted to be more professionalPlan changes - easier and fasterPlan changes easier and fasterCommunication greatly improvedLess mistakes due to poor plansCould “Charge” for better plans

Now I couldn’t begin to imagine not having Chief


#1 – What is Chief Architect?It’s a fantastic 2D layout program




3

#1 – What is Chief Architect?Built in 3D and Rendering


#1 – What is Chief Architect?Excellent Built in 2D CAD Capabilities


#1 – What is Chief Architect?Combine all of your views on the “Layout Pages”




4

But – What’s happening as you draw?Chief is a very smart program (smartly programmed)It does not know what you want –You have to tell itThe automation can and will deceive youChief draws boxes – it’s up to you to get them right

Walls boxesFloor and ceiling boxesRoof boxes at anglesTerrain boxes that can be contouredCabinet boxes that can have different shapes and faces

It is NOT a structural program – It’s not that smart


It’s a CAD program – Get used to it!Understand and think in terms of CAD


#2 Will it make you an “Expert” designer?No – Chief’s a tool – It does not think for youHow do you become a good (great) designer?Your own or someone else’s experienceLearn how to ask good questions and listen – Use check listsAttend seminars, classes, read. – Study designJoin NKBA ASID NAHB NARIJoin NKBA, ASID, NAHB, NARIAttend Home Tours in your areaTalk to your building departmentUse plan books Take lots of picturesGoogle what you’re looking for – Use www.CoolIris.comWhen posted look for links at the bottom of the webinar page




5

#3 Have a plan of action – Why?Helps you focus on what you needHelps you approach the drawing more systematicallyDon’t waste anyone’s timeHelps you know which layer sets may be neededHelps you figure out what to chargeHelps you figure out what to charge

Download and Use the:“Project Planning and Quick Quote Spreadsheet”

- Look for the link on the webinar page –


#4 How can Preferences & Defaults help?Preferences – Affect how the “Program” worksSet mouse to "Click Twice to Display" contextual menusYour mouse is your “pick button” – it selects thingsSet Handle and Selection Fill ColorsTurn on "Show Same Wall Type Handles"Turn on Show Same Wall Type HandlesTurn Off "Select Room Before Wall in 3D"Change the "Edit Handle Size" to 5Use the “Extended Tool Configuration“ toolbar


#4 How can Preferences & Defaults help?Defaults – Affect how the “Current Plan” worksSaves you time – change things onceDouble click the icon to access items defaultsDefaults – What sort of things to changeDoor and window defaultsDoor and window defaultsCabinet defaultsTextDimensionsWalls




6

#5 Steps to take when laying out a plan?Think through what you want for a final planIf it’s an As-Built clean it up before proceedingSetup your DefaultsStart with a section to help you define the structureUse the right wall types – Don’t stretch walls in 3DUse the right wall types Don t stretch walls in 3DDimension with the goal of Eliminating FractionsGet the levels and platforms correct in your planAdd the RoofsAdd the StairsAdd the rest of the detail


My 10 most used KeystrokesShift + A - Auto DimensionCtrl key to move itemsCtrl + Z to undoCtrl + S to SaveShift Select - Choose Selection Icon FirstShift Select Choose Selection Icon First3 Key to Break Lines2 Key to Join RoofsShift + F6 to Tile ScreensF12 to rebuild the 3D modelMiddle mouse button held down to PAN the screen


“Half Time”Still to come:

Setting up platformsHow Roofs WorkThe Magic of LayersSlabs and MoldingsHow details are created

I Have A Resource Available For You




7

I have a Resource Available For You…I want to show you…How to save time by using Chief the right wayHow to stop guessing how to do thingsHow to benefit from the tips & shortcuts that I offer that are not found anywhere elseyHow to create 3D models that your customers will loveHow to do remodeling plans the right wayHow to create detailed and accurate plansHow to make more money by selling your design service


Chief Architect Online Webinar Series15 information packed online classes starting October 8Each class is 2 hours, held on Tuesdays and ThursdaysAccess to all of the X2 recordings when postedAccess to all of the information at ChiefExperts.comCopy of the X1 DVD and online access

www.ChiefExperts.com - Education, Resources & Support for Chief Architect

20

Copy of the X1 DVD and online accessPriority support for Chief Architect questionsThe X2 DVD once the series is over

Early Registration BonusRegister before Oct 8 and receive 3 additional webinars

Creating and Adding Symbols and Other Items to Libraries That Everyone Can UseGetting Paid More for Your Design Services Creating Better As-Built Plans and Applying Them to the Working Drawing (Value of all 3 webinars $177 00)

www.ChiefExperts.com - Education, Resources & Support for Chief Architect

21

Working Drawing – (Value of all 3 webinars $177.00)



8

Why do the same mistakes happen?Chief is getting more complex – more optionsNo Time! – people are busy – I learned a bit at a timeEveryone has different learning stylesDifferent expectations of the results they wantDon’t understand that there is a processDon t understand that there is a processNot ready or willing to make a commitmentDon’t know where to get direction

That’s my job – I’ll show you how!


“Don’t Go It Alone”Save time by using Chief the right wayStop guessing how to do thingsGet tips & shortcuts not found anywhere elseSee examples of what Chief can really doDiscover Step by Step what to doDiscover Step by Step what to do

You Can Make and SaveMore Money Using Chief


What have others done about this!“I have had so many "aha" moments in the months that I have been a ChiefExpertsmember. My only regret is that I did not join and participate when I started with Chief 8.0.”

"Dan has been a mentor for me since Chief V4. I started out watching his training videos. He has a wealth of knowledge and truly has a passion for teaching it to those willing to invest the time to learning.




9

How Much To Invest?15 webinars and full access $795.00Additional 3 webinars $177.00

Total Real Value $972.00

Special Webinar Investment: $595!!!Or 2 easy payments of: $310


To Sweeten the PotFirst 10 investors receive for free:

1 hour of One to One consulting with Dan $95.00

3 Customized Layout Pages $150.00

Go to the “X2 Webinar Info” link and Register Now

Price Goes up to $795 on Thursday, Oct 8 at 9am CST2 Payments ENDS on Tuesday Oct 5, 2009 at 3pm CST

26 www.ChiefExperts.com - Education, Resources & Support for Chief Architect Users All Rights Reserved

#6 Adding platforms the right way?Platforms are the 3D boxes controlled by floor and ceiling height. (New floors cause them to reset to default)




10

Things to remember about PlatformsAlways start a plan on the first floorGetting platforms in ASAP makes the 3D model easierUse walls or railing to divide platformsRaising Ceilings on 1st floor and up moves upper floorWhen adding a new floor it will reset to “Defaults”When adding a basement changing the ceiling height moves the concrete floor Up and DownRoofs baselines are placed in a plan based on ceiling heights


Use the Select same Type tool to adjust and check floor and ceiling heights in your plan

#7 Using the Automatic Roof ToolsWhat are Roof Planes?Roof planes have unique characteristics other items in Chief don’t have. A roof plane is a 3D CAD box that can be placed in your plan anywhere you want.It can have any thickness shape angle and location in 3DIt can have any thickness, shape, angle and location in 3DIt interacts with other roof planes automatically or by using the supplied tools. If it covers a wall it will cut off the top of the wall/ceilingIf it’s higher than a wall, Chief will add a wall called an “Attic” wall to meet the bottom side of the roof.Framing fills roof planes based on it’s shape & thickness.


#7 Using the Automatic Roof ToolsThe “Automatic Roof Tool” is not magic. It does one thing

It adds a baseline (CAD Line) on all exterior wallsThe height of the baseline is based on the ceiling height of the room next to the wallIt builds 3D Polyline CAD boxes (roof planes) at an angle from the baseline and tried to join them together in 3Dthe baseline and tried to join them together in 3D

It will get between 0% and 100% of your roof correct




11

The Height of the room next to the wall is where the baseline is placed


Once the Baseline is in Place Chief Builds Roof Planes Up From Those Lines


As the Roof Planes Build From the Baseline Chief Attempts to Connect all the Edges




12

What The Automatic Roof Tool Does Not DoDoesn’t use any sort of database intelligence to add roofsDoes not take any structural elements into considerationDoes not read your mindIt is not programmed to confuse you (that’s done by you)Will not add ‘Baselines” over interior wall automatically


Will not add Baselines over interior wall automatically

The Automatic Function is a tool that is used to get your roofs started.

At some point you will make a commitment to use the Manual Roof Tools and stop using the Automatic

roof function completely.

Items Used to Manually Edit Roofs

“Roof Tools” or R – To add Baselines for roof planesOverview of the “Snap Points” of a polyline shapeCtrl+D – Make edges and shapes parallel3 – Break Polyline tool2 J R f T l2 – Join Roof ToolCtrl + Alt + V – Copy and Paste in PlaceDimensioning Polylines

The Parts of a Roof Plane



13

ALL ROOFS START WITH A “BASELINE”

Join Tool or #2The “JOIN TOOL” will join roof edges together 100% of the time

The only reasons this tool won’t work:The wrong edges have been selectedThe wrong edges have been selected

orThe Roof Edges were not meant to

be joined together

orThere is a “Break” in one of the edges

Join Tool or #2 – Hip to Hip



14

Join Tool or #2 – Ridge to Ridge

Join Tool or #2 – Ridge to Hip

Join Tool – Valley to Valley Plus +



15

Join Tool–Ridge to Gable End or Fascia

Join Tool or #2– Ridge to Fascia

Reshaping Roof Planes Using The CAD Tools



16

#8 Understanding and using layersLayers = Ability to turn things on and offIf you can’t see something in your plan it’s either not in the plan or the layer is offLayer Sets = Ability to turn “Defined Groups” of items on and off in your planReason = To draw everything in one planGreat for Working on Specific Areas of a plan All Off/On


#9 Slabs and Molding PolylinesSlabs = 3D BoxesChief is all about making Boxes – Make your ownCan be used in many areas of your planEdit them in the view you draw them in

Molding Polylines = Profiles Extruded on a lineGreat for trim in plan and on elevationUsed to make items in your plan – Post Footing


#10 How are details createdDetails = Items drawn with the CAD ToolsLearn to use the toolsPoint to PointBreak ToolTrim and ExtendTrim and ExtendMultiple Copy

Add your details in a “CAD Detail” windowOR in a Saved Camera Cross Section




17

How Much To Invest?15 webinars and full access $795.00Additional 3 webinars $177.00

Total Real Value $972.00

Special Webinar Investment: $595!!!Or 2 easy payments of: $310


To Sweeten the PotFirst 10 investors receive for free:

1 hour of One to One consulting with Dan $95.00

3 Customized Layout Pages $150.00

Go to the “X2 Webinar Info” link and Register Now

Price Goes up to $795 on Thursday, Oct 8 at 9am CST2 Payments ENDS on Tuesday Oct 5, 2009 at 3pm CST

50 www.ChiefExperts.com - Education, Resources & Support for Chief Architect Users All Rights Reserved

Thank You For Attending

The Top 10 MistakesChief Architect Users Make

By: Dan Baumann

By: Dan Baumannchiefexpertsseminars.s3.amazonaws.com/10MistakesChiefUsersMake...8 - Education,...

Documents

Transcript of By: Dan Baumannchiefexpertsseminars.s3.amazonaws.com/10MistakesChiefUsersMake...8 - Education,...