Reasons why materials would flicker when a camera is rotated include: structure placement, large terrain, materials occupying the same space, and video card specific issues.
Floor height varies depending on the type of foundation that you choose to build, and the Subfloor Height Above Terrain value that you enter in the Terrain Specification dialog.
Converting a CAD drawing into a plan’s terrain perimeter allows you to create a perimeter that bounds the 3D terrain and defines the property.
To model expansion joints in a sidewalk, create a single section of sidewalk, then replicate it with small gaps in between each section.
Saving your houses or other structures as 3D symbols allows you to place multiple buildings in a single plan to create 3D views of an entire neighborhood, subdivision, or lot with multiple structures.
Walkout basements are a type of daylight basement typically located on sloped terrain. They feature walls that are above ground at the lower end of the slope so that a door can be positioned above the terrain at that end. You will need to create sloped terrain and adjust the Building Pad Elevation and/or terrain data so that the terrain is at the appropriate height relative to the structure at both the high and low ends of the slope.
Images of plants can be imported into Chief Architect and modified to display in your camera views just as the plant images contained in our library catalogs.
You can create stairs that follow your terrain by drawing stairs in your desired area, while snapping them to landings at each end.
Create a plot plan polyline by inputing distance and angles into the New CAD Line dialog, then convert the polyline to a terrain perimeter.
If you have added Hills and Valleys to your terrain at the same location as a Flat Region, the flat region will have priority over the hills and valleys.
Retaining walls are automatically drawn with footings and a terrain break, which creates a sharp drop in the terrain along the wall.
The height of a retaining wall is initially determined by the heights of the terrain on either side of the wall. Once placed, a retaining wall can be modified using various edit handles in a Cross Section/Elevation view.
Before you can use the terrain tools to create terrain objects, you must add a terrain perimeter to the drawing, and then be on that floor to add terrain objects.
Many surveyors save their surveys into a DWG, or DXF, file that contains the elevation information about a lot. Chief Architect can import and use this data.
Using terrain features, 3D/polyline solids, and molding polylines, you can create a custom in-ground swimming pool.
Gates cannot be placed directly into Terrain Paths, but they can be added to Fencing.
Window wells enable fast egress for any basement level window.
Chief Architect will automatically raise the floor platform off the terrain for you. The amount that the floor is raised depends on the type of foundation.
Creating a stacked fence with a solid lower portion, and a railing on the upper portion, can be accomplished using the Fencing and Terrain Wall tools.
Creating an outside solid stone or brick wall can be accomplished using the standard Fencing tools.
Displaying any shadow for a building in plan view is easy when you design with Chief Architect.
Use the Landscaping Accents and Materials Wire and Lattice Bonus Catalogs to create lattice objects underneath a deck in Chief Architect.
