Help Database

Creating a custom shade sail in Chief Architect is fast and easy.



To create the shape

1. First, launch Chief Architect and select File> New Plan .
   
   
   
2. Next, we need to draw the overall shape of the shade sail in plan view, which will will do by using a CAD polyline.
   
   Select CAD> Boxes> Rectangular Polyline  and click and drag out your rectangular polyline in plan view.
   
   
   
   
   
3. If necessary to reshape the Rectangular Polyline, use the Select Objects  tool to select it, then use its edit handles, and the Break Line  and Change Line/Arc  edit tools to create the correct shape for your Shade Sail.
   
   
   
   
   
4. Once you are satisfied with the shape, use the Select Objects  tool to select the CAD polyline, and use the Convert Polyline  edit toolbar button to display the Convert Polyline dialog.
   
   
   
5. Move the radio button to Terrain Perimeter and click OK to display the Terrain Specification dialog.  You should not need to make any changes in this dialog, so click OK.
   
   
   
   
   Note: If the Terrain Perimeter option is already greyed out, then the template that you started this new plan from must have already had an existing Terrain Perimeter in it. Locate and remove this terrain perimeter to continue.
   
   
   
   

To add elevation points at each corner of the sail at the height you will attach it.

1. Select Terrain> Elevation Data> Elevation Point  and click to place an elevation point, setting the appropriate value for each corner.
   
   
   
   For the purposes of our rectangular example, we set the upper right, and lower left, to 10' and the bottom right, and upper left, to 5'.
   
   
   
2. Now that the elevation points are set, use the Select Objects  tool to select the terrain perimeter and click the Copy and Paste in Place  edit button.
   
   
   
3. With this copy still selected, click on the Convert to Plain Polyline  edit tool to convert the plain polyline.
   
   
   
4. Next, with the plain polyline still selected, click the Convert Polyline  edit toolbar button again to display the Convert Polyline dialog, and this time, select the Terrain Feature option and click OK.
   
   
   
   
   
5. After clicking OK, the Terrain Feature Specification dialog will display.  Select the Line Style tab, use the drop down menu to change the Layer to a CAD,  Default, and click OK.
   
   
   
   
6. Select 3D> Create Perspective View> Full Overview  to create a 3D view.
   
   
   
   
   
7. Select Tools> Display Settings> Display Options  to display the Layer Display Options dialog for the Camera View Set.
   
   
   
8. Select Architectural Blocks to highlight it, then hold down the Shift key on your keyboard, scroll down to the end of the layers, and click on the last one titled Windows, Labels to highlight everything except for the CAD,  Default, uncheck the Display option, then click OK.
   
   
   
   
9. You should now see the shape of your shade sail.
   
   
   
   
   

To create a symbol out of this object

1. Select Tools> Symbol> Convert to Symbol  from the menu while in a 3D view.
   
   
   
   
   
2. In the Convert to Symbol dialog, use the drop-down menu to select the symbol category of Fixture (Exterior), click the Add To Library checkbox, select Show Advanced Options, and click OK.
   
   
   
   
   
3. Once you have clicked OK, the Symbol Specification dialog will display.
   
   On the 3D tab, specify the Symbol Name, such as Rectangular Shade Sail.
   
   
   
   In Chief Architect X2, check Double-Sided under Faces.
   
   
   
4. Next, on the Options tab, set the Height Off Floor to the value of the lowest point you set in the terrain.
   
   
   
5. Click OK to complete these changes and add the shade sail to the Library Browser in the Import category.
   
   
   
6. You can now move it into the appropriate folder in your User Catalog (or create a new folder for Shade Sails, if you haven't already), and place this shade sail symbol from the Library Browser into future plans, as well as change its size, specify materials, etc.