Overview:

This course is for those who want to go more in-depth into the program's many areas. In these 16-sessions we explore many of the program's features specific to a common task.

Handouts, checklists, and other downloads are available for many of the sessions that will help you follow along.

You'll also get access to the Templates and training created by Dan as part of this course.

Course Goals:

This course is for those who want to fully understand the Chief Architect program by doing a deep dive into each section.

At the end of this course, you will know how too:

• Set up and customize the supplied templates.
• Optimally setting up the software
• How the software interface works
• Have a better understanding of how each part of the program works
• How the 3D modeling works in Chief
• How to use the many CAD tools to draw and create elements for your plan
• How to do all types of roofs. Even complicated roofs
• How to assemble your plans on the layout
• Much more......

What's Included in This Course:

• The Plan and Layout Templates created by Dan Baumann
• Over 4-hours of on-demand instruction on how templates work
• Handouts and samples of plans used in this course
• 16-Sessions that show you how to use Chief Architect

Course Contents
Available On-Demand for Instant Access!!!

1. Plan Setup, Templates, Optimizations, and Interface (Recording Available)

In this introduction to Chief Architect, you'll get a firm understanding of how to navigate the inner working of the program. Including an Overview of Chiefs 4 main parts, Optimal Toolbar Settings, proper use of the mouse, things you must know about defaults and preferences, best keystroke shortcut, navigating the menus and icons, zoom tools, cameras, along with essential time-saving tips. You'll also have a chance to download the included templates and get them set up on your system.

2. Mastering Chief's 2D CAD Tools (Recording Available)

Chief Architect is a great 2D and 3D CAD program. It has tools that help make drawing and modeling more manageable, and you'll get more accurate results. In this session, you'll discover the right way to use the many CAD tools. Since everything is Chief centers around the 2D CAD function, it's essential to approach each drawing, understanding how it works and why it's crucial. Knowing how things like snaps, X-Y-Z, trim, fillet, chamfer, and many other functions work in Chief, you'll have a much better understanding of why all of those tools are in the program, how to use them and how they save you time throughout the drawing process.

3. Layout Strategies, Walls, Dimensioning (Recording Available)

There is a right way to start and create a Chief plan, and in this session, you'll discover what it is. Understanding how to dimension your plans and do it quickly is the focus of this workshop. You'll also discover the procedures and the tools used to layout everything correctly for the 2D plans and 3D Models.

4. Dimensioning, Platforms, Foundations (Recording Available)

It's not a 2D world anymore! If you've been in the industry long enough, you undoubtedly remember the days of 2D drawing with pen and paper. Welcome to the digital age. In this session, you'll discover what it takes to create an accurate 3D model for specific parts of your plan. It's a crucial step in creating accurate framing, sections, and elevations.

5. Stairs, Decks & Porches (Recording Available)

One of the great things about working with a 3D modeling program is that it understands floor and ceiling heights, among many things. It knows how to make the calculations for stairs and ramps automatically. You can also create detailed decks and porches, and in this session, you'll discover many tips that allow you to bring them to life.

6. Windows and Doors (Recording Available)

Imagine if you had to create every element of your plan from scratch. Fortunately, Chief gives you the tools you need to add these items to your plan with a few clicks. In this session, you'll discover how to add, change, customize, group, and display these elements for your clients as realistically as possible. Chief Architect also gives you the tools needed to plan and present kitchen and bath plans. Included is the ability to do it with the NKBA drawing specifications. In this session, you'll discover techniques and shortcuts to help you with all of your plans.

7. Cabinets and Kitchens (Recording Available)

Creating great kitchen and bath plans is a breeze with Chief Architect. In this session, we'll discuss the many tools you use to create floorplans, elevations, and great-looking renderings that you can use in your presentations and in your working drawings. 

8. Roofs – Strategies for Automatic & Manual Roofs (Recording Available)

The Automatic roof tools in Chief allow you to model many roof ideas quickly. But it's the manual roof tools that allow you to get the final results that you want. In this session, you'll discover the steps to add virtually any roof system to your plan. We'll start by discussing how the Automatic roof tools work. Then show you step by step the process of manually adding, editing, and creating the roofs you want.

9. Roofs – Manual Roof Techniques (Recording Available)

Roofs in Chief Architect are one of the more challenging areas of the program to master. In this session, we'll dig deeper into how you can create just about any roof you want and the processes you can use to figure out different roof types.

10. Layers, Layer Sets, Default Sets & Plan Views (Recording Available)

If you're drawing a simple one-view plan, you probably don't need to use layer sets or plan views. Anything other than that, and you will be able to save a lot of time in the process of creating workings docs with a firm understanding of layers and layer sets, default sets, and plan views. In this session, you'll discover how you can use these tools to create plans much faster.

11. 3D Slabs, Moldings, Trim & Solids (Recording Available)

Just about anything you draw can be a 3D object in Chief. Discovering how to add details to your 3D model allows you to show your clients a much better representation of their getting. With the details you can add, your plans will shine above the rest.

12. 2D & 3D Framing, Sections & Detail (Recording Available)

One of the advantages of modeling your drawing is being able to see how the structure works. With Chief's automatic and manual framing tools, you can also see how the structure gets put together. Getting answers to questionable structural issues can save a lot of money in a project. Your plans will fly through inspections, and your crews in the field will be able to construct your project in less time with fewer mistakes. 

13. Electrical, Lighting & Mechanical (Recording Available)

Creating electrical and mechanical plans is one of the easier things to do in Chief. Many built-in tools make adding electrical items a snap. Along with that, you'll also discover essential steps to set up the lights to get the best rendering results. If you need to show other mechanical items in your plan, we'll discuss that, and you'll learn some cool techniques to add items in 2D and 3D.

14. Assembling the Working Drawing on Layout Pages (Recording Available)

Assembling your plans on the layout is often accomplished when everything gets completed. In this session, you'll get an understanding of how the floorplans, elevations, sections, CAD detail windows, 3D views, and more are set up and assembled onto a layout. You'll also discover the importance of layers and layer-sets, default sets and plan views, and how they work with everything that you do. This session includes a layout template.

15. Schedules, Plan Notes, Renderings, Presentations

In this session, you'll see how you can add and customize plan notes and schedules in your plans. These tools in Chief have come a long way over the years and are fantastic. We'll also discuss how you can create high-quality renderings and walkthroughs and some presentation methods that will blow your clients away. 

16. 2D & 3D Terrain, Plot Plans, Import & Export

To truly get an accurate plat plan, you'll want to consult with a survey company. But often, you're already working with an existing plat plan, or you need something close that displays your building on the property. In this session, you'll discover how to create accurate plat plans as well as representations of a plat. You'll also learn how to work with the 3D terrain tools to create an exceptional rendering.