why wouldn't i use chief for neighborhood design?

[sutcac]

Just send an e-mail, usually with a Chief file zipped and attached demonstrating the issue, to support@chiefarchitect.com They will start a support ticket and the response time is usually quite prompt. The response may be just "thanks, we'll report that to our developers for future consideration" or something to that effect, but they have said repeatedly this is better than just posting something in Suggestions.

[johnnyprc]

Here is what I sent:

Dear Sir/Madam,

I’ve run across, what I believe to be, an error in Chief Architect’s handling of “standard” curb-cut apron conditions now mandated by local code authorities for prescriptive design/installation methods. I believe this relates to ADA and “best” practices of the street to curb to driveway (or sidewalk) concrete construction means and method. Attached are standard details architects/designers/planners and builders run into on nearly every new subdivision and plat. This condition cannot be duplicated in Chief without a great amount of effort – for an otherwise benevolent task.

Both curb cuts for driveways and sidewalks should contain the option for the apron to be flared out at straight degree back to the driveway. Again, please review attachments. You will find nearly all Cities and Counties (except in rural condition) require this standard.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

[johnnyprc]

I'll tell you, I said I thought I could get it to even work with "great amount of effort", well I actually cant get it to work at all. At least they got the message.

[johnnyprc]

For those interested - I was able to use the "terrain feature" to somewhat work for the 3D visual - though its a very light Band-Aid to the issue. I still very much hope Chief gets this fixed, since everyone showing their driveways in these newer standard plats are showing the wrong detail.

[Mattyt12]

Its a pain but you could uncheck 'has curb' dialog in the road tool and manually draw the curbs in using the 'terrain wall and curb' tool, placing a previously created apron symbol where required, you can just see it in the attached cropped render.

[johnnyprc]

Not a bad idea Matt. So you made a apron symbol?

Its still shocking to me that Chief doesn't show this correctly. If I tried to permit a site plan without the right apron detail they wouldn't accept it. That is on the top tier of their "watch-for" items around here.

[sutcac]

I just add the CAD over the top of what the terrain is showing for the site plan. But, yes, it would be nice if this was all automated.

[Mattyt12]

That's correct Johnny just mocked one up in sketchup, more for raytraces than anything else. You could generate a CAD block with notation and link via the 'Symbol Specification' dialogue box, if you wanted to.

[Gary Doski]

I designed a very large neighbourhood concept (around 300 units) with X3, but Chief couldn't cope with such a huge environment. I decided to design every 5-10 units in seperate files with the proper coordinates, and unify them in 3D Max. That was successful.
If you're going to use primitive models for each dwelling unit in the neighborhood, it's possible that Chief could do the job. Otherwise it's very unlikely.
What i found out is that Chief generally starts to struggle when the size of the plan file is larger than 35 Mb.

This is a 100 acre parcel with two 12 story hotels and about 250 out buildings. It was a bit slow, but manageable.