Chief Architect Tips, Articles and Tutorials


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Chief Architect Tips, Articles and Tutorials

Use this "Quick Quote Spreadsheet" To Estimate Design and Building Costs
Dan Baumann

Designers and Contractors all need to establish a design and building range of costs for each project. One method that is commonly used is the "Quick Quote" method. Download this spreadsheet and try it for yourself, . . . more

Chief Architect Training DVD Now Available

Discover how to get the most from the Chief Architect Training DVD is this short tutorial. The DVD includes 62 topics, 72 hrs of training, 967 search-able segments the average about 5 minutes each. If you're looking for ways to do better plans with more detail in less time, then this series if for you. . . . more

Does a Good Remodeling Plan Really Cost Your Client Anything?
Dan Baumann

Every remodeling project has to have a plan. It might as well be your company drawing it. With the right mindset and approach it's easy to help your customers understand why a good plan is so important. . . . more

Adding Graphics to Items in Your Plan
10-13-08 Dan Baumann

Using Chiefs Capture tool you can easily grab any item off your computer screen and make it into a Backdrop, Image, Material or Picture. Find out how easy it is to do in this video. 3 Minutes 55 Seconds . . . more

Chief Architect Promo Video from 1995

Sometimes it's kind of fun to look back and see just how far we've come. This is a promo video that I produced with 2 of my friends for V3 of Chief. Check out how simple the program was back then. In this clip you'll see I was using a Pen Laptop. Way cool! . . . more

Chief Architect X1 Webinars on DVD

You CAN Find And Discover Anything You Need To Know About Chief Architect with Over 960 Fully Indexed and Searchable How-To Tutorials That You Can Watch Anytime. . . . more

Estimating Database Checklist

If you are creating a new estimating database for projects, this list offers a thorough listing of Main and Sub Categories. You can also use it as a checklist to make sure you have included everything in your estimate. . . . more

Overview of New Features in Chief X1

In this webinar you'll learn about the new features in Chief X1 and get an impartial overview of this new release. Dan Baumann will show you some of the new features as well as discuss if it's really necessary to upgrade at this time. 1 Hour 30 Minutes. . . . more

Creating Pier Footings V10
Dan Baumann, CR

Using the CAD tools in Chief, it's possible to draw just about anything you want in 2D and 3D. So I put together a short video to show you how to create custom Pier Footings. . . . more

Adding Curved Roads, Driveways and Sidewalks in Chief Architect

Learn how to add curved roads and sidewalks to your plan. There is a method to adding curved items to a plan. In this tutorial you'll learn exactly what Chief is doing when you create these sort of curved items. . . . more

Using Graphics on Doors and Other Items in Chief to Enhance your Rendered Views

If you've ever struggled with creating accurate rendered views of the doors you use in your plan you'll want to check out how easy it is to do with Chief X1's build in Image Capturing feature. . . . more

Architectural Fonts for Chief

Chief V10 and X1 come with 3 nice fonts that install on your computer when you load the program. These fonts are City Blueprint, CountryBlueprint and Blueprintdbt. . . . more

Creating Bahama Shutters in Chief

Learn the steps needed to create custom shutters in Chief. In this tutorial you'll see how easy it is to use Chiefs slab tool to draw 3D elements in you plan. You can then take the items you create and move and copy these items to other areas in your plan. . . . more

Door and Window Lintels, Crown Molding, Custom Soffits V10
Dan Baumann, CR

Examples of how to create details in your plans using Chiefs Slab and Molding Polyline tools. Door and Window Lintels, Crown Molding, Custom Soffits. . . . more

Adding a Bahama Shutter to a Symbols Library

Learn the steps needed to add any 3D item to the Chief Library. In this tutorial you'll see how easy it is to take the items that you create in your plan and add them to the Architectural Library and the Symbols Libraries is Chief . . . more

Gable Detailing, Corner Boards, Concrete Steps V10
Dan Baumann, CR

Examples of how to create details in your plans using Chiefs Slab and Molding Polyline tools. Gable Detailing, Corner Boards, Concrete Steps. . . . more

Creating a Stone Wall with a Railing On Top
Dan Baumann, CR

Create a custom Stone Wall around your plan. In this example a 3D slab was used to create the wall, cap and tops and bottom of the railing. Molding polylines were used to create the pickets in the spire railing. . . . more

Tracing Over a Picture of a Blueprint in Chief
Dan Baumann, CR

You can trace over a picture of a blueprint or any other picture. All you need is a digital camera, a paper plan and a couple of dimensions. Just import the picture into Chief, scale it to full size and lock it on a layer. It's very easy and a great time saver, . . . more

Adding an Image of a Log Fire Photo to a Plan
Dan Baumann, CR

Any image can be added to a Chief plan. In this example a photo of log on fire were added to this picture. This tutorial explains the steps needed to add an image to the render views of your plan. You'll also learn a bit about photo editing software to make a background one color. . . . more

Custom Fireplace Surround and Cabinets
Dan Baumann, CR

Learn how to create a highly customized fireplace surround with raised panels, tile and more. You'll also learn how to do custom bookcases with arched face frames and framed end panels. . . . more

Creating a Walkout Terrain and Retaining Wall
Dan Baumann, CR

Learn how to add a Walkout Terrain and a Retaining Wall. To start, add a terrain perimeter box around the buildings and then use terrain elevation lines and splines to get the top of this box in the right place. . . . more

Creating Tapered Columns V10
Dan Baumann, CR

You don't have to struggle creating tapered columns for your projects. Here a quick and easy way to do it. In this example, I've used Chief's molding polyline tool to create the tapered columns. I'll show you how it's done in this tutorial. . . . more

Roof Detail for the Front Entry
Dan Baumann, CR

Adding the detail for the roof over an entry area doesn't have to be a huge chore. In this example, I've used Chief's 3D Slab tools to create the column beams and the arched entry roof. The roof was then added to fit on top of the arched ceiling area. Learn how this was done in the video tutorial. . . . more