Productivity Hacks Every Chief User Should Know - Designers Show #156
Welcome to The "Designers Show" by Chief Experts, where design isn't just an art—it's a profit center!
In this episode of the Designer Show, Dan and John unpack a toolbox full of Chief Architect hacks and expert tips to help you work smarter—not harder. From using X, Y, Z coordinates and keyboard shortcuts to custom railings, screen capture materials, and the underrated “rainbow bacon tool,” this episode is packed with gems for Chief users of all levels.
🔑 What You’ll Learn:
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How to truly think CAD-first with Chief Architect
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The power of the Tab key, coordinate systems, and custom hotkeys
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Tips for using screen captures to create new materials
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Eyedropper tools, layer management, and note schedules
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Custom railings, stairs, and post-to-beam setups
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When to use (or avoid) the Material Painter
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What not to overlook in your defaults
📍 Episode Chapters:
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00:00 Welcome & Introductions
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01:47 What is a “Hack” in Chief Architect?
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05:32 Understanding X, Y, Z Coordinates
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14:00 Favorite Hotkeys & Stream Deck Tips
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21:40 Layer Tools & Eyedropper Tricks
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31:40 Material Capture & Editing
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50:30 Porch Railings & Railing Offsets
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57:00 Notes Tool & Schedule Tricks
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66:00 Material Painter vs Define Material
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71:00 Upcoming Events & Farewell
🔗 Resources & Mentions:
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ChiefExperts.com – Live training, templates & resources
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TileBar.com – Tile textures for screen capture use
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Chief Architect X17 – Latest features overview
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Stream Deck – Programmable macro keys for design tools
📅 Upcoming Live Events:
👨🏫 Live Training in Bloomington, MN
💬 Stay Connected:
Subscribe to the Designer Show and never miss an episode! Have questions or topic ideas? Reach out to Dan and John at ChiefExperts.com .
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🖥 Dan's Website
😊 Dan's Social Accounts
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About the Co-Hosts: