Help Database

 We will create the monogram by using a 3D Text symbol for the initial and by creating a circular medallion for the initial’s background.

Starting the plan

We will create the monogram in a blank new plan, then save it as a block to the library.

1. First, launch Chief Architect and select File> New Plan  to start a new blank plan to create the monogram in.
   
   
   
2. Select File> Save As   and create a new folder in Documents named 'monogram' to save the newly created file into and give the file the name ‘design monogram.plan’.
   
   
   
3. Now that we have created and saved the plan that we will be creating the monogram in, we can begin creating the plan.
   
   
   

Creating the monogram

1. Select Build> Wall> Straight Exterior Wall  and drag a short section of wall across the screen so that we will have something to design our medallion against.
   
   
   
2. Use the Backclipped Cross Section  camera, place the cursor in front of the wall and drag a short line through the wall to create a view of the wall.
   
   
   
3. In the Cross Section view, click the CAD Configuration  toolbar button to quickly switch to this toolbar configuration, allowing for easy access of the CAD tools. 
   
    
   
4. Use the Circle  tool to create a circle against the backdrop of the wall.
   
   Place it about two feet above the bottom of the wall, which is approximately where it will be placed when put up against the storm door.
   
   
   
5. With the Select Objects  tool, select the circle and choose the Open Object  edit button.
   
   
   
6. On the General tab of the CAD Circle Specification dialog, in the Size section, change its Diameter to 8”.
   
   
   
   
   
7. Click OK to apply this change and exit the CAD Circle Specification dialog.
   
   
   

To turn CAD into a 3D object

1. With the circle still selected, click the Convert Curve to Polyline  button on the Edit toolbar.
   
   
   • This begins the process of turning the circle into a 3D object.
   
   
   
2. You are then asked to choose the number of sides to the polyline, change this to 24 sides to make a fairly smooth circular polyline.
   
   
   
   
   
3. The polyline now looks like this.
   
   
   
   
   
4. With the polyline still selected, click the Convert Polyline  button on the Edit toolbar.
   
   
   
5. Choose to convert to a Polyline Solid and click OK.
   
   
   
   
   
6. The Polyline Solid Specification dialog displays.
   
   
   
7. On the General tab, choose ½” Thickness.
   
   
   
   
   
8. Go to the Materials tab to choose a color for the medallion.
   
   For the purposes of this example, we will be using a grey color.
   
   
   
9. Click OK to apply these changes and exit the Polyline Solid Specification dialog.
   
   
   

Return to floor plan:

1. Select the Window menu and click on the Floor Plan to return plan view from the Cross Section.
   
   
   
   
   
2. The medallion polyline solid is up against the wall segment.
   
   
   
3. Click the Default Configuration  toolbar button.
   
   
   
4. Using the Select Objects  arrow tool, select the wall segment and delete it as we no longer need it as a reference point.
   
   
   

Creating the Initial for the Monogram

1. Open the Library Browser 
   
   
   
2. Select Chief Architect Bonus Catalogs> 3D Text> Standing> Uppercase> 'A' - 'M' 
   
   In X2 and newer you will need to download the Bonus Catalog 3D Text from the Catalog Downloads section of our website.
   
   In X1 and prior, select Geometric Shapes> 3D Text> Letters > Standing > Uppercase> ‘A’ – ‘M’
   
   
   
3. For the purposes of this example, we will choose the uppercase standing letter ‘C’ for ‘Chief Architect’
   
   
   
4. Click just in front of the medallion in the plan to place the letter.
   
   
   
5. Using the Select Objects  tool, select the letter C and choose the Open Object  edit tool to display the Geometric Shape Specification dialog.
   
   
   
6. On the General tab:
   
    
   
   We will try to keep the proportions similar to the original and make the letter about ¼ its original size so that it will fit comfortably in the 8” medallion.
   
   
   • Set the Height to 6”
     
     
   • Set the Width to 5”
     
     
   • Set the Depth to 1”
     
     
     Note: Chief Architect will not accept less than 1” depth.
   • Set the Floor to Bottom measurement to 24” 
     
      
     
7. Go to the Materials tab to set the appropriate material for the C.
   
   For the purposes of this example, we will choose a dull brass material.
   
   
   
8. Click OK to apply these changes and exit the Geometric Shape Specification dialog.
   
   
   

To position the Madallion

1. With the letter C still selected, drag it up so that it is flush to the medallion.
   
   If it snaps into the medallion so that just a bit of the letter shows in front of the medallion, that is just the effect we want.
   
   
   
   
   The two items are now properly aligned in plan view.
   
   
   
2. Select the Window menu and return to the Cross Section view. 
   
   
   
3. In the Cross Section view, select the Letter C and drag it to the center of the medallion.
   
   
   
   
   
   Note: You may find it helpful to use the full-screen cross hair cursor to line things up. This setting can be turned on in Edit> Preferences> Edit> Cross Hair> Enable in Plan and Cross Section.
   
   
   
4. Once the letter C is centered on the medallion, return to plan view.
   
   
   
5. Using the Select Objects  tool, select the Letter C.
   
   
   
6. While holding the Shift key on your keyboard down, click to select the medallion as well so that both of these items have been group selected.
   
   
   
7. Click the Make Architectural Block  button on the Edit toolbar to make an Architectural Block of the monogram.
   
   
   

To specify a label for the medallion

1. With the block still selected, click the Open Object  button to display the Architectural Block Specification dialog and edit the block.
   
   
   
2. Go to the Label tab and check Specify Label.
   
   
   
3. Call the label ‘Monogram – letter C’.
   
   
   
   
   
4. Click OK to apply these changes and exit the Architectural Block Specification dialog.
   
   
   

To add the symbol to the Library Browser:

1. With the block still selected, click the Add to Library  edit button.
   
   In Chief Architect X2 and newer, this will place the monogram directly into the Library Browser. 
   
   You can right click on it to select it and choose Rename to name it to Monogram - letter C and move it into your User Libraries.  You may want to even create a folder in your User Libraries for monograms such as this one.
   
   In Chief Architect X1 and prior, expand the Architectural Block library and select the My Architectural Blocks library.
   
   Give the block the name ‘Monogram – letter C’
    
   Then click OK to add the newly created monogram to the Library Browser.