If you use Chief Architect to design homes, remodels, or additions, you know there’s always more to learn. In this week’s Designers Show #160, host Dan Baumann and the Chief Experts team—John Schrader, Rene Rabbitt, Kevin Transue, and Robin Rigby Fisher—opened the floor for Shop Talk Live, a working session where designers brought their biggest Chief and business questions to the table.
The result? Real answers, smart workflows, and strategies you can use immediately to improve your design business.
Building a Better Chief Architect Workflow
The conversation began with what most designers struggle with—templates, defaults, and consistency.
Dan emphasized that the key to speed in Chief isn’t clicking faster—it’s setting up smarter. Templates, toolbars, and default settings act like your digital toolbox, keeping your plans organized and your drawings clean.
When your templates are dialed in, you save hours on every project. The team discussed how to:
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Customize default layer sets and annotation sets for better plan control
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Create toolbar shortcuts and hotkeys for your most-used commands
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Manage multi-building or large projects without getting lost in layers
These simple systems create the foundation of an efficient, professional Chief Architect workflow.
Managing Clients and Projects Like a Pro
Beyond the software, Shop Talk Live dug into what makes or breaks a design business—communication and process.
Many attendees wanted to know: How do I price projects? How do I manage client expectations?
The team shared proven advice:
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Define your scope of work clearly and confirm it in writing
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Use production systems to stay consistent and deliver faster
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Choose between hourly or flat-rate billing based on project type and complexity
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Set boundaries that keep projects on schedule and clients informed
These insights remind designers that business success comes from structure and consistency, not chaos and guesswork.
Chief Architect X17: First Impressions and Tips
The conversation naturally turned to the newest release—Chief Architect X17. The team shared practical feedback on the latest updates, including improved rendering, interface refinements, and faster tools for layout and annotation.
If you’re upgrading soon, Dan and the team recommend setting aside time to rebuild your template and default settings inside X17 to take full advantage of the new features.
The Power of Community Learning
A recurring theme throughout Designers Show #160 was community.
Every pro on the call has spent years experimenting, testing, and refining workflows—but they all agree that sharing knowledge is what makes everyone better.
When you show up for live sessions, ask questions, and trade experiences, you discover shortcuts and solutions that books and videos can’t teach. That’s what makes Chief Experts such a unique learning hub—it’s about real people solving real problems together.
Key Takeaways from Shop Talk Live
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Systematize your setup. Templates, defaults, and hotkeys save you hours.
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Communicate value. Explain what clients get—not just what you do.
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Build repeatable processes. They reduce stress and raise profitability.
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Keep learning. Chief Architect evolves constantly—stay curious.
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Connect with peers. Community insight is your fastest path to mastery.
