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Toolbar Talks: Popular Software We Use Apps for Designers - Designers Show #113

Hey, everyone!
Welcome to the Designers Show by Chief Experts, where design isn't just an art—it's a profit center!

In this Designers Show, Dan Baumann, John Schrader and Rene Rabbitt dive deep into the tools and technologies shaping the design world. From the historical depths of Google Earth Pro to the instant video magic of Loom, we uncover the resources that are revolutionizing workflows. Whether you're a design veteran or just sketching out your first ideas, this episode promises insights that will supercharge your productivity and client interactions. So, plug in those headphones and join us as we explore the game-changing tools that every designer should know about!

 

 Introduction and Welcome (00:00 - 00:25)

  • Introduction to the designer show with Dan, Renee, and John.
  • Mention of Robin's absence due to teaching commitments.

Discussion on Apps and Toolbars (00:25 - 01:06)

  • Casual chat about various apps and tools.
  • Mention of a possible confusion about the show's title, which seemed to suggest a discussion about the Chief Architect toolbar.

Upcoming Classes Announcement (01:06 - 03:35)

  • Announcement of upcoming classes in Minneapolis.
  • Details about the beginner-intermediate class with only six sign-ups, making it a small and intimate class.
  • Introduction to the intermediate and advanced classes in November.
  • Emphasis on the importance of having a basic understanding of Chief Architect before attending the intermediate and advanced classes.
  • Brief discussion on the difference between beginner-intermediate and intermediate-advanced classes.

Summit Announcement (03:35 - 04:34)

  • Mention of the summit from March 1st to 10th.
  • Emphasis on the transformative nature of the summit and its impact on attendees.

Discussion on Chief Toolbar (04:41 - 06:18)

  • Introduction to the Chief toolbar.
  • A quick Q&A session addressing an issue with missing viewers in the library.

Rene's Custom Toolbar Layout (06:23 - 08:17)

  • Rene showcases his custom toolbar layout, which includes kitchen tools, shower tools, style palettes, and more.
  • Mention of Rene's website where these toolbars can be purchased.

Creating a Custom Icon in Chief Architect (08:20 - 10:31)

  • Step-by-step demonstration on how to create a custom icon within Chief Architect.
  • Explanation of how to customize toolbars and add specific icons for different functionalities.

Customizing Toolbars with Library Items (10:37 - 11:27)

  • Demonstrates how to link a library item (like a toilet) to a custom toolbar icon.
  • The system auto-generates potential icons for the library item.
  • The custom tool is linked to the specific library object.

Limitations and Tips on Toolbar Customization (11:27 - 12:50)

  • Drawbacks of custom toolbars:
  • Can't be shared on other computers.
  • Limit of 400 items.
  • Can't transfer a toolbar from one configuration to another within the program.
  • Recommendation to build a comprehensive toolbar in one configuration.
  • Mention of potential changes in future Chief Architect versions to make sharing toolbars easier.

Toolbar Backup and Restoration (12:50 - 14:00)

  • The importance of backing up custom toolbars.
  • How to copy and store toolbar configurations.
  • The process of importing a toolbar configuration if needed.

Extended Tool Configuration (14:00 - 16:29)

  • Discussion on the extended tool configuration.
  • The presenter's personal toolbar setup and the reasons behind it.
  • Mention of potential toolbar crashes and the need for backups.

Customizing Toolbar Icons (16:29 - 20:58)

  • How to customize the appearance of toolbar icons.
  • Each toolbar has an associated PNG file that can be edited.
  • The process of accessing and editing these PNG files.

General Toolbar Tips (20:58 - 21:04)

  • The importance of creating a comprehensive toolbar system for efficiency.

Discussion on Apps and Hotkeys (21:19 - 21:40)

  • Mention of an app that can detect if the library browser window is open or closed in Chief Architect.
  • The app allows users to set hotkeys to target specific library items.

Sharing Favorite Apps (21:45 - 22:01)

  • Encouragement for viewers to share their favorite apps in the chat.

Customizing Toolbars with Hotkeys (22:05 - 23:03)

  • Discussion on the benefits of setting up hotkeys for frequently used tools.
  • Mention of the "E" key as a hotkey for the "Open" function in Chief Architect.
  • The importance of setting up hotkeys for tools used with the left hand.

Using Juxtapose for Image Comparison (23:03 - 28:41)

  • Introduction to Juxtapose, an app for creating image sliders to compare two images.
  • Demonstration of how to use Juxtapose to create before-and-after image comparisons.
  • Discussion on the benefits of using Juxtapose for presentations and client interactions.
  • Mention of the need to store images in Dropbox for Juxtapose to work.
  • Explanation of how to create animated GIFs using Juxtapose.

Using Heyzine for Flipbook Presentations (28:41 - 32:59)

  • Introduction to Heyzine, an app for creating flipbook-style presentations.
  • Demonstration of how to use Heyzine to create a flipbook from a PDF.
  • Discussion on the benefits of using Heyzine for client presentations and sharing designs.
  • Demonstration of how Heyzine transforms uploaded PDFs into flipbook-style presentations.
  • Mention of the ability to download the source code or flipbook from Heyzine.

Using KUULA for 3D Tours (33:03 - 34:01)

  • Introduction to KUULA, a platform for creating 3D tours.
  • Demonstration of how to use KUULA to create point-to-point 3D tours.
  • Discussion on the benefits of using KUULA for client presentations and showcasing designs.

Discussion on Exporting DWGs from Chief Architect (34:01 - 40:09)

  • Tips on exporting DWGs from Chief Architect for engineering purposes.
  • Emphasis on paring down layers and sending floor-by-floor exports.
  • Mention of potential issues with large 3D files and the benefits of using software like TwinMotion.

Using 3D Warehouse for SketchUp Symbols (40:09 - 41:02)

  • Introduction to 3D Warehouse, a storage platform for SketchUp symbols.
  • Discussion on sourcing 3D models, such as people, from 3D Warehouse for use in Chief Architect.

Using Substance Suite for 3D Texturing (41:02 - 41:49)

  • Introduction to the Substance Suite, a tool used by Chief's content team for creating textures.
  • Discussion on the ability to paint textures, bumps, roughness, and height onto 3D meshes using Substance Painter.
  • Mention of the process of enhancing 3D models from 3D Warehouse using Substance Painter.

Using Google Earth for Mapping (42:01 - 42:06)

  • Brief mention of using Google Earth for mapping purposes.

Using Google Maps for Scaling (42:12 - 44:05)

  • Demonstration of how to use Google Maps to measure distances and capture views.
  • Tips on how to scale images in Chief Architect using the measured distance from Google Maps.

Rene's Website and Tools (44:19 - 45:45)

  • Rene introduces his website and its features.
  • Discussion on the "Industry Tools" section, which includes a code lookup and resources.
  • Mention of the "Plot Site Contour Map Generator" tool on Rene's website for generating contour maps.
  • Plug for Rene's Discord server, which offers VIP content, including terrain videos.

Using Snagit for Screen Captures (45:51 - 49:44)

  • Introduction to Snagit, a tool for screen captures.
  • Demonstration of how to use Snagit to capture entire web pages, grab text, and mark up images.
  • Mention of the benefits of using Snagit for documentation and communication.

Using Zillow for Property Information (49:49 - 50:54)

  • Discussion on using Zillow to gather information about properties before visiting them.
  • Tips on collecting images, property details, and other relevant data from Zillow.

Using Canvas and Matterport for 3D Scans (51:03 - 51:44)

  • Introduction to Canvas, a tool that provides Chief Architect plans based on 3D scans.
  • Mention of Matterport, which offers high-quality 3D scans.
  • Discussion on the benefits and limitations of both tools.

Using Hover and Eagle View for Exteriors (51:57 - 52:33)

  • Introduction to Hover and Eagle View, tools geared towards exterior contractors.
  • Discussion on the usefulness of these tools for capturing exterior dimensions and roof pitches.

Google Earth Pro for Historical Imagery (52:41 - 54:32)

  • Discussion on Google Earth Pro's feature of viewing historical imagery.
  • Demonstration of how to access and view historical images of specific locations.
  • Mention of potential uses, such as checking for unpermitted additions to properties.

Google Earth Pro vs. Google Maps (54:32 - 55:01)

  • Comparison of features between Google Earth Pro and Google Maps.
  • Emphasis on Google Earth Pro's measurement capabilities.

Using OneNote for Keeping Notes (55:13 - 57:08)

  • Introduction to OneNote as a tool for keeping and organizing notes.
  • Demonstration of how to search for specific notes and topics within OneNote.
  • Mention of OneNote's integration with Microsoft 365.

Using Loom for Quick Video Recordings (58:13 - 60:40)

  • Introduction to Loom, a tool for creating quick video recordings.
  • Demonstration of how to record, save, and share videos using Loom.
  • Discussion on the benefits of using Loom for client communication and support.

Other Useful Apps and Tools (60:40 - 62:43)

  • Mention of various apps and tools, including:
  • Grammarly for grammar and spelling checks.
  • WeTransfer for sending large files.
  • Asana for task management.
  • Notability for handwritten notes.

Closing Remarks and Class Announcements (62:43 - 62:55)

 

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