Chief's Roof Skill Saw

[retire45]

The thing that gets me sometimes with Chief is when you get what you initially asked for it come is a different and underpowered way.. like the right-click wall draw.. why that did not get applied as a left click I wonder... either because it is buggy for now or not annoy those comfortable with chief... Another is the "sticky" tool... Why should it have been implemented as a "tool"... A command should simply persist until another is used, bypassing even the spacebar...

The array is ok.. right-click is nifty..
It is critical to always try out competing CAD programs to maintain an objective view of the one you hold dear..

Louis..... soon a manhunt will be launched....

[louis]

Rashid,

I'm an auto cad convert.

I took two years of auto cad classes at the local community college.

[retire45]

Autocad widely known as cumbersome and not what to model software after... The manhunt is actually intended to get you to stop teasing... Don't look outside your window...

[Allen42acj]

Hi Joe
Glad your not really grumpy..
There are always room for improvement in any program..
Did you get the "what's new" video?
Thought you got the free upgrade and was wondering if that was extra..

[Joe Carrick]

HI Allen,

I'm going to call on Monday about the X1 videos. I had purchased the premium package in January for v10 and my upgrade IMO should have included the X1 videos. We'll see how sales and customer service feel about this

The reference manual and online help just don't quite give you all the nuances of certain tools. In the case of the array tool, in my mind it's difficult to use because I might want a specific number of copies at a given spacing in one direction, a different number in a second direction and another number in a third dirction. Being able to specify all directions and distances and quantities before making the copies would be much more helpful than the complex series of clicks and drags. Actually counting the number of copies while dragging is difficult for more than about 5-6. This is IMO a classic case of not fully investigating the user needs and suggestions prior to designing the software.

I've been involved with several user groups for CAD, Accounting and Windows Database Programming. The more successful development efforts have one thing in common - a well defined concept of the user interface. I wasn't here when X1 was being planned so I don't know what input ART got, but in some instances they "missed the boat" while in other they "hit the mark". I just think the batting average should have been a little better.

I really would like to see better construction (framing detail) in the next release. Roof Structure should be able to be defined in the same way as wall definition (what is the thickness of the roofing material?). When roof beams penetrate a wall, the framing should be modified. Currently, it appears to be ignored.

These are just a few things that could be improved in the future. But don't get me wrong, I'm pretty happy ..... just want the world .... ??

[sdsinc]

For what it's worth - I would love to know what the skilsaw tool is. Even better, I would love to see an animation of how to effectively use it.

BTW - Autocad user since 1986 but now use CA for all work start to finish.

[Allen42acj]

It might be good to have a length or count to stop at with the multi copy..
Getting close to the transform replicate doing that..
I'm still watching the what's new one..

[Allen42acj]

Hi Rich
If you really want to get back on topic
If I have it right.
Put 2 breaks in the roof plane and drag that up to the peak..
Stop at the peak in X1 and go past the peak in 10,then rebuild (F12)..
Tim O does the fancy pictures..

[rbrodie]

I'm going to call on Monday about the X1 videos. I had purchased the premium package in January for v10 and my upgrade IMO should have included the X1 videos. We'll see how sales and customer service feel about this

Joe, could you please let us all know about this? I'm in the same boat having purchased the premium package in February... Thanks.

Allen, thanks... you win the prize. There is a prize, right Louis???

[Allen42acj]

Might not be the way Louis was talking about..

[rbrodie]

Well, if not, Wendy's brownies are still coming to RI soon...

[Allen42acj]

I thought it was a party at her house in NH..
No tax on beer there...

[rbrodie]

Louis, are you paying everyone's airfare to Wendy's?

[RJ75]

I thought it was a party at her house in NH..
No tax on beer there...

Allen and I could carpool

[Allen42acj]

Think I'll use the van..Not to great on gas but lots of room for more people..
Rob,you have to get to RI..