Chief Architect X3 Series - 12 Step By Step Workshops For All Chief Users

Optimizing How YOU Use Chief Architect X3 to it's Fullest

2. Learning The Chief Architect 2D CAD Tools

Understanding How YOU Can Save Time When You Use The 2D CAD Tools

1. Introduction to Chief Architect 2D CAD Tools
2. What You Draw Is Based On CAD Polylines
3. Review of Common Tools

• Shift+A = Auto Dimensions, Bumping and Pushing,
• Angle Snaps - Sets drawing angles,
• Set snaps in plan setup, Grid Snaps,
• Snap Tools - What they do, 
• Edit Behaviors - how things act on the screen
• Right mouse button is used to resize items
• Set Items Handle Size, Other Tools - Line Weight,
• Print Preview, Temp Dim., Edit Polyline Parts,
• Show Arc Centers, Display Grid

4. Group Selecting Items with Marquee Select
5. CAD Tools Used Regularly

• Drawing Lines, Lines w/ Arrows, Bending Arrows,
• Arcs, Circles, Boxes, Splines, Point & Snap Tools,
• Point Markers, Drop Down Menus, Delete Points

6. Understanding The EDIT Tools
7. Drawing an "Info" Cross Section Manually

• Using CAD Detail Windows, Dimension CAD Boxes,
• Multiple Copy & Transform Replicate
• Using Copy, Pushpin, Using Multiple Copy,
• Understanding XYZ in Transform Replicate,
• Resizing Items

9. Point to Point Snaps

• Snapping Edges, Corners, Centers, in Boxes,
• Evenly Distribute Copies, Snap Points Offset,

10. Shaping CAD Boxes

• Break Line Tool, (#3 Key) to Break Edges,
• Corners & 90 Degree Breaks, Cross Boxes,
• Point to Point Snaps,
• "Copy - Point to Point - Snap", Cursor Snap

11. Trim and Extend Tools

• Start & End Info, Creating Short Stub Walls,
• CTRL+Tab to Switch Views, Trim and Extend,
• Using the "Fence" Tool, Trim Framing/Angles,
• Trim Inside Items, Insulation Hatching

12. Working with Angles in CAD

• Draw Section Rafter, Creating a "V" with 3 Breaks,
• Parallel Tool, Parallel Edge or Entire Object,
• Group & Add Items to Library
• Break Tool To Cut Lines, Revision Clouds,
• Convert Lines and Walls to Arc's

13. Fillet & Chamfer, Tools - Custom Countertops
14. Using the "Reflect" Tool

• Never Draw More Than 1/2 of Anything,
• Reflected Copy of Section,
• Polyline Using = Make Outlines of CAD
• Objects, Replicate Roof Objects,
• Using the All Off Layer Set

15. Q&A - Craig, Getting Rid of Trouble Fill Patterns
16. Q&A - Rick, Import and Export
17. Q&A - Stephen, Drawing Modular Block
18. Q&A - Rick - Ruby Counsel

3. Assembling The Working Drawings On The Layout

Discover How Complete Plan Sets Are Assembled and Created in Chief Architect X3

One of the main goals of using a program like Chief Architect is to create working drawings for your projects. Having a clear understanding of how to assemble all of the views that are being produced into a finished, printable drawing will help you have a clear picture of how to setup and work with the program.

Downloads Available in the Members Area:
Presentation Handout PDF 6 Pages
Sample of Layout in This Presentation PDF
Actual Chief Plans and Layout Used in this Demonstration
4 Sizes of Chief X3 Layout Templates Sample

1. Introduction

• Discover the End Results First
• Layout files are .layout
• Layout saved with 1st view added
• Any size & unlimited pages
• Organize and arrange all views
• Print to paper of PDF

2. Types of View on a Layout

• Layouts hold 6 types of views
• #1 - Floorplans - Linked to Plan
• #2 2D CAD Details
• #3 Saved Elevation/Section Cameras
• #4 CAD & Text on the layout
• #5 Pictures/Render views
• #6 3D Vector (Camera) views

3. Linking a Layout to a Plan(s)
4. Overview of Layout Tools
5. Important Things to Know About Layouts

• Keep plan & layout in same directory
• Items on a layout are in viewports
• Copy views on a layout
• Use Layer Sets
• Page 0 is Master Sheet
• Using Macros for page numbering
• Use Templates to save time

6. Open a Sample Layout

• Scrolling through Layout pages
• Page 0 is Master Sheet

7. Examine the Layers in a Plan

• Overview of Layers and Layer Sets
• Keep Everything in One plan file
• Accessing layers and layer sets
• Everything has to be on a layer

8. Creating a Layout

• Finish the plan first
• Opening/Creating a Template
• Create borders on the layout
• Never draw Plans on the layout
• Setting page /printer size
• Get PDF995 Print Driver

9. Setting up the Master Border

• Adding Items to page 0
• Everything on page 0 shows on all pages
• Using Macros to add page numbers

10. Adding Plan View to a Layout

• Send to Layout - Menu
• Turn off Create Copy of Layer Set
• Copy and change Layer Set
• Changing View Scale
• Copy plans to other pages
• Open views from a layout
• Changing the Scale of a view

11. Adding CAD Details to a Layout

• What is a CAD Detail
• CAD Detail management
• Keeps all drawings in one plan
• CAD Details sent to layout are Viewports
• Draw in the CAD Detail View

12. Elevations and Sections on a Layout

• 2 Types of Lines in a Camera Section
• 3 Types of Elevation Cameras
• Sending Views to Layout
• Camera Versus 2D CAD Items
• 3D Camera Lines
• Updating Camera Lines
• Editing Camera Lines on a Layout
• Don't use CAD lines on Layout Views
• Group Select Camera Lines
• Use Backclip Cross Section
• Add Detail to Camera Section

13. 3D Views on a Layout

• Render versus Vector View
• Sending Render views to Layout
• Adding Photos to a Layout
• Save Graphics to a Layout
• Sending Vector Views
• 3D Views are not linked to plan
• Save your cameras in plan view
• Moving items to different pages

14. Copy Plan/Layout and Relink
15. Add, Delete & Move Layout Pages
16. Layouts Have Their Own Layers
17. Create/Save Layout Templates
18. Use Print Page to Adjust Size
19. Printing the Layouts - PDF

• Naming Your PDF Files
• Setting PDF to Print to Scale
• Printing a Check Plot

5. Walls, Platforms, Intro to Pony Walls

Working with split levels and other difficult modeling situations

Having a complete understanding of what sort of information Chief needs to build 3D models as quickly as possible is extremely helpful. In this workshop you'll discover simple techniques to make sure everything is added to your plan correctly. You'll learn more about setting up the structure of the model, creating and naming rooms, adjusting floor levels, adding and adjusting levels, how to easily adjust floor and ceiling platforms, adding and adjusting foundations, creating and adjusting garages, adjusting floor and ceiling platforms for individual rooms and more.

Downloads: None

1. Introduction
2. Overview of the Wall Dialog
3. Converting Straight Walls to Curved Walls
4. Create a Round Room
5. Tips for Layout Out Walls

• Group Selecting Walls
• Changing Wall Attributes
• Changing Materials on Exterior Wall

6. Overview of the Wall Dialog and Uses

• Using Invisible walls to Define a Space
• No Room Definition Uses
• Attic Walls Explained
• Moving Wall Tops and Bottoms in 3D
• Framing Options for Walls
• Changing and Setting Resize Defaults
• Lining Up Wall Surfaces
• Changing Wall Types
• Break Line Tools for CAD and Walls

7. Adding Foundations Under Walls
8. More Wall Dialog Info
9. Correcting Materials on Walls
10. Aligning Walls and Foundations with the Main Layer

11. Creating a New Wall

• The Remodeling Template Info
• Setting Up a Different Material on the Wall
• Changing the Color of Existing Materials

12. Working with Double Walls Especially Furred Walls
13. Rooms Represented with Invisible Walls on Layers
14. How Platforms are Added in Chief

• Setting Floor Heights
• Creating a Split Level
• Adding New Floors
• Changing Floor Thickness
• Setting Heights of a Group of Rooms

15. Adjust Room Elements with the Select Same Type Tool
16. Creating Foundations
17. Pony Walls - 2 Part Walls

• What is a Pony Wall
• Aligning the Parts of a Pony Wall
• Showing Both Parts of the Wall in Plan View
• Creating a Pony Wall Ledge
• Interior Pony Walls in a Basement
• Reshaping Footings for a Pony Wall

18. Comments from Craig Meyers
Regarding new EPA regulations and a
website with great CAD details http://apacad.org

6. Pony Walls, Garage Foundations, Intro to Stairs

Adding more of the complex detail items to your model

1. Introduction
2. Pony Walls

• Aligning Pony Walls
• Showing the brick ledge

3. Changing Walls and Aligning Different Sizes
4. Aligning One Side of Different Thickness Walls
5. Using Slabs To Adjust Pony Walls

• Brick Ledge on Top of Pony Walls
• Using Slabs
• Using Molding Polylines

6. Adjusting Walls in Elevation
7. How Walls, Attic Walls and Roofs Interact
8. Resetting Walls Back To Default Top and Bottom
9. Changing Material on an Attic/Gable Wall
10. Adding a Garage Room and Foundation
12. Draw a Section To Determine Heights
13. Adding a Garage Curb Block
14. Showing the Garage Slab Slope
15. Introduction To Stairs in Chief

• Add Stairs from Lower Floor Going Up
• Making the Correct Riser and Tread Sizes
• Openings in Railings are Doorways
• Creating "L" Shaped Stairs