In the latest episode of The Designers Show, Chief Experts Dan Baumann, Rene Rabbitt, Kevin Transue, and John Schrader took viewers on an interactive ride through the world of Chief Architect software. With the episode focused on a live Q&A format, the team answered viewer questions in real-time, offering hands-on tips and techniques to solve some tricky design problems.

From troubleshooting ceiling and roof issues to creating custom staircases and playing around with ductwork, this episode was packed with practical advice for designers of all levels. Whether you’re new to Chief Architect or a seasoned pro, this episode had something for everyone.

What You’ll Learn from Episode #137:

One of the coolest parts of the episode was the live plan review, where a viewer’s dock design was experiencing some issues with ceiling planes and overhangs. The hosts jumped right in, showing step-by-step how to fix the problem by adjusting room definitions and ceiling planes—something every designer will face at some point.

Ceilings and Overhangs – No More Mysteries!

One of the biggest takeaways was learning why room definitions are crucial when it comes to ceiling planes and overhangs. The hosts walked viewers through how to ensure their ceilings showed up correctly in 3D models and how to deal with missing overhangs—essential fixes that make sure your design looks just as sharp in the virtual world as it will in real life.

Customizing Staircases and Railings Like a Pro

Another highlight was the deep dive into customizing staircases and railings. The guys showed off some cool tricks in Chief Architect, like how to create stairs without railings and then add them in later with custom designs. Plus, they saved those designs to the Chief Architect library, making it easy to reuse them later. Whether it’s a straightforward staircase or a winding beauty, you’ll walk away from this episode ready to build your own masterpieces.

Complex Walls and Ductwork Made Easy

For those into wall assemblies and HVAC systems, this episode didn’t disappoint. The team demonstrated how to build complex pony walls, showing how to save these designs and easily recall them for future projects. And when it came to ductwork, they showed how to design a custom duct system that fits any space, walking through solid modeling tools to create solutions for heating and cooling systems.

Get Involved: Join the Chief Experts Forum

One of the best parts of this episode was the interactive forum collaboration. The hosts reminded viewers that the Chief Experts Forum is the perfect place to share your design challenges and work together with other Chief Architect users. Whether you need feedback on a tricky plan or just want to bounce ideas around, the forum is a great resource for building your skills.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next?

As the episode wrapped up, the hosts gave a shoutout to the upcoming 2025 Chief Experts Summit—a must-attend event for any designer looking to level up their Chief Architect skills. With hands-on workshops and expert advice, the summit is the perfect opportunity to get more in-depth training.

Show Notes: Designers Show #137 – Chief Architect Q&A

Hosts: Dan Baumann, Rene Rabbitt, Kevin Transue, John Schrader
Episode Title: Chief Architect Q&A - Designers Show #137
Date: October 2024

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• Ceiling and Overhang Fixes: Learn how to resolve issues with missing ceiling planes and misaligned overhangs in Chief Architect.
• Custom Staircase Designs: Explore ways to create, save, and reuse custom stairs and railing designs.
• Ductwork & HVAC Design: Step-by-step guide on how to create HVAC systems and custom ductwork using solid modeling tools.
• Wall Assemblies: Tips on creating complex pony walls and how to save them for future use.
• Collaborative Design: How to use the Chief Experts Forum for real-time troubleshooting and design collaboration.

📌 Chapters:

• 0:00 - 0:25: Episode intro and casual conversation.
• 0:25 - 2:01: Stream setup issues and viewer interaction.
• 2:01 - 3:24: General updates and personal stories from the hosts.
• 3:24 - 4:37: Plan review setup for viewer’s dock design.
• 4:37 - 10:06: Fixing ceiling plane and overhang problems.
• 10:06 - 14:22: Importance of proper room definitions in Chief Architect.
• 14:22 - 20:01: Matching room and ceiling properties.
• 20:01 - 26:00: Forum interaction and plan collaboration.
• 26:00 - 33:03: Troubleshooting soffit and overhang issues.
• 33:03 - 40:18: Customizing staircases and railings.
• 40:18 - 44:00: Complex pony wall and wall assembly designs.
• 44:00 - 52:00: Advanced stair and wall customizations.
• 52:00 - 57:00: Ductwork and HVAC design.
• 57:00 - 64:40: Creating plumbing symbols and saving custom designs.

📌 Resources Mentioned:

• Chief Architect Software: Key tool for the episode’s demonstrations.
• Chief Experts Forum: Collaborative space for troubleshooting and design discussions.
• Spiral Ducting Library: Demonstrated for HVAC system design.
• Custom Toolbar Setup: Tutorial on setting up custom toolbars in Chief Architect.

📌 Upcoming Events:

• Chief Experts Summit: A hands-on learning event for Chief Architect users, offering intensive workshops and expert guidance. Learn more here
• For more episodes and upcoming events, visit ChiefExperts.com.