Chief Architect 10 - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

genbuilers · 12-15-2006, 05:25 PM

Loking for professionals that use this program. Any pros or cons? Are there any other types of programs that you like or do you use outside cad designers?

J F · 12-15-2006, 06:26 PM

hey gb

we have used quite extensively for the last 2 years...we love it.

Like everything else in the world...everything worth having takes a lot of work....be prepared to spend some time with the program...I personally spent about 4-6 months before I got profficient (sp?)...but I'm not too smart...it's a GREAT program...you get out what you put in.

see Mike Smith on Tauntons site (breaktime.com?), he got me into it a few years ago, unbeknowst to him ((thanks mike!)

Jay

J F · 12-15-2006, 06:30 PM

Here's a link to our ws pics:

http://premierbasements.com/project1/index.asp

All Chief Architect drawings

hatchet · 12-15-2006, 07:05 PM

I am currently using CA10. If you're looking for a fairly easy design program - it fits the bill very well. If you're looking for an easy design program with estimating capability - look elsewhere. The materials list is pretty unreliable - at first inspection it seemed pretty accurate. They're apparently working on this for V11.
Overall I'm happy with the purchase as it's relatively simple to put together a decent schematic drawing in a matter of minutes. Then another couple hours to get to very nice 3d renderings.

house bldr · 12-15-2006, 10:56 PM

I have the program and like it, you can really do some cool stuff with it unfortunately I just scratch the surface of what its capable of.The material take off list is pretty accurate if your drawing is,but you have to be meticulate or it will be off.I only use mine for framing material so I can't speak for the others.Really the only con I can think of is the price!

georgia dawg · 01-23-2007, 09:17 PM

I've recently been using Home Designer Pro v7. It's just a lite version of CA. It has a smaller library and fewer cad features, but it still lets you create plan sets and does roof generation well. CA will give you a credit for the full price of Pro if you decide to upgrade to CA later. An added bonus is that your HD Pro plans are fully editable in CA. HD Pro is great for basic plans and presentations, but I don't rely on its estimating or framing features. You can find it for about $350-400. However, don't go cheap with non-pro version of Home Designer for about $50. Its roof generation tools are totally different and lousy and you can't create plan sets. just my .02.

The Remodeler · 02-05-2007, 05:23 PM

I recommend Chief over any others. Very user friendly and you get
tutorials with it when you purchase it. I used SoftPlan for years and it
was a pain to use. Had to trick it all the time to get it to do what I
wanted. If you don't have 2 years to waste learning a Cad program,
Chief is the one to go with for sure. It also has a client viewer program
disk you can load in your customers computers, so they can view files
you E-mail them. Great feature.

TempestV · 02-05-2007, 07:36 PM

I've got CA10, agreed, it is a great program, but then again, all I really have to base it against is a really crappy architecture program that sells for $10, so I don't know how it stacks up against other high end programs

**Cole** · 02-05-2007, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TempestV

I've got CA10, agreed, it is a great program, but then again, all I really have to base it against is a really crappy architecture program that sells for $10, so I don't know how it stacks up against other high end programs

It will do the job, but if you want to work on more detailed structures, you would need to move up to something powerful.

I am not a CA user but I am an ArchiCAD user.

ultimatetouch · 02-05-2007, 07:54 PM

what about punch software? Is that any good. I want something I could use for basement remodeling and additoins and second story additions. Something that will givethe customer floor plans and rendering 3d capabilities.

**Cole** · 02-05-2007, 08:05 PM

With any kind of CAD/Design software, you get what you pay for!

Punch is on the lower end scale, homeowner grade software.

TridentOps · 02-16-2007, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cole

With any kind of CAD/Design software, you get what you pay for!

Punch is on the lower end scale, homeowner grade software.

It looked good at first...

I think I need to take a look @ chief architect now. Heres a question, does anyone here think that as a builder who is going to focus on residential construction will chief architect cut it? Or do I NEED autocad? Im finding thats its time for me to move into a better software package. Which one is the question...

The Remodeler · 02-16-2007, 07:12 PM

If you purchase the full Chief Package, it will do the job for you for Residential Construction. You get several tutorial CD's with it for the learning process. It's very user friendly compared to most cad programs. Should be able to get the full package for under 2500. I have been using it for 2 years and love it for the ease of use and detail.

TridentOps · 02-19-2007, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Remodeler

If you purchase the full Chief Package, it will do the job for you for Residential Construction. You get several tutorial CD's with it for the learning process. It's very user friendly compared to most cad programs. Should be able to get the full package for under 2500. I have been using it for 2 years and love it for the ease of use and detail.

jeez, how the heck did I miss this one? I kinda wish I had bought this instead of 3ds max...oh well. soon!

The Remodeler · 02-20-2007, 06:10 PM

Come on, Give me a break

The Remodeler · 02-20-2007, 06:52 PM

Mods crashed me on my last post. Had 14 Posts and needed 15 to post my Chief Forum link. Stupid I have to say. I know why they are doing it, but it's overkill for spammers. On my forum you need yada yada yada.

NO, THE MODS CRASHED YOUR LAST POST BECAUSE ADVERTISING ANOTHER FORUM IS AGAINST THE SITE RULES.

PLEASE READ AND HEED OUR RULES BEFORE POSTING AGAIN.

The Remodeler · 02-20-2007, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TridentOps

jeez, how the heck did I miss this one? I kinda wish I had bought this instead of 3ds max...oh well. soon!

If you purchase Chief, be sure to tell them you have no USB or Paralell ports avaliable for keys. That way they have to give you a Version that supports a special activation # per Computer.
For instance: I use my main office computer for my final drawings and that Activation # came with the program. I called them and got another one one for my Laptop for free because I told them that it is the one I take to job sites to get the main dimension drawings. They issued an activation # in seconds for that reason. Don't no how far they will go with that, but I do know that when I had SoftPlan it was $500.00 per user Key and that sucked, Plus the program was over $3000 and it totally sucked compared to what Chief can do. I picked up V10 for $2200 2 years ago on a Promo for the whole 9 yards (Everything) DELUXE. I'm sure Version 11 can be picked up for under $2500 and it will be worth all of that for what it can do.

kaman · 01-17-2008, 10:01 PM

Can anyone tell me the differance between CA10 and X1? I have found a copy of CA10 on ebay and can't seem to find out much about it compared to X1. The X1 is running about $2200 and I am guessing the Ca10 might go for half or less. Is it just the older version? Is it close to the same in features. What did the CA10 run new?
Thanks in advance

rbsremodeling · 01-18-2008, 11:17 AM

X1is the up date to CA10. Suppposedly new improve features etc.

dougthewndowguy · 01-18-2008, 12:03 PM

Chief is a good program but expensive. Try TurboCAD. The cost is reasonable and it has a great company that sells videos on how to use the program call CAD Course. You can buy it from cad coures and see what deal they will give you on training. Tell Robert Berry that Doug referred you.

Douglas