Replies

1. 
   CloudHidden | Aug 02, 2004 08:33pm | #1

   If you use the advanced search on "Chief Architect" you'll find a million past threads on that.

2. 
   Piffin | Aug 02, 2004 08:44pm | #2

   Run the search button here for Cad, Cadd, design softawre, Chief, Vectorworks, and Softplan.

   Start with that two or three hours of reading.

   Mike and I will be showing off our SP and Chief programs at Rhodefest Aug 13-14

    

    

   Welcome to the
   Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
    where ...
   Excellence is its own reward!

3. 
   FastEddie1 | Aug 03, 2004 07:19am | #3

   If you get Chief, be sure yoiu get at least the base version of 9.5 ... I think that is still the current version number.  Don't be fooled into thinking that you can get by with the $500 version ... it's not wiorth the aggravation.  And you might find it's worhth the money to upgrade to the full version.

   Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell'em "Certainly, I can!"  Then get busy and find out how to do it.  T. Roosevelt

1. 
   traini | Aug 03, 2004 08:25am | #4

   Once again I thank this form for this great question . I to have  to choose between Chief arch. or a newer version of Audo Cad.

   I am a small contactor and have used Audo Cad.2000 Lt. for a few years on a older Computer. My new computer has Windows XP and the older system willl not work without an upgrade.  Having to spend money on a new Audo Cad I thought I to would Check out Chief Arch. I recived the Free Demo Disk but am unsure of it's value as a stand alone Arch. software.  My older Auto Cad. does allow me to do drawings of decks , small additions, Bathroom layouts, Garages etc. The new Chif Arch. however sure looks good for complete house designs put I am not sure if it would be the one to use to draw up a fence for a client or   a natural stone patio.

   If money was no object I would have both both on my computer But design and putting to-gether the drawings to start the job never bays as well as doing the job itself.  I did take a Auto Cad course at the local College and it seems I would have to spend some real time to learn Chief Arch.  in order to do it right.

   I look forward to  finding other systems out there.

   George

1. 
   Berd | Aug 04, 2004 06:57pm | #10

   George,

   Autocad 2000 LT will work perfectly fine on a XP system,  why do you need to upgrade????? I use it every day on a one year old Gateway at work.

   just wondering??

   Berd

1. 
   traini | Aug 05, 2004 09:11am | #11

   Thank you for the thought however My 2000 LT will not install and Autocad says on their  web site that it will not. I have seen batches for sale  on the internet. I sure wish it would work and I will try again.

   I have also continued to try the Demo form Chief Architect quite a toy, However if I do purchase  Chief Architect I do feal I will also need AutoCad for Misc. jobs.

   George

1. 
   xMikeSmith | Aug 05, 2004 01:11pm | #12

   if you purchase Chief , there is nothing you will need ACAD Lt for...

   i own both... with the same thought in mind as you... but i haven't even loaded ACAD on any  of our machines since ACAD Lt 98Mike Smith   Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore

2. 
   JohnSprung | Aug 05, 2004 10:50pm | #13

   I also have LT 2000i running on an XP machine. 

   It was easier to use on NT 4 Service Pack 6.  On XP you have to manually change from useless little pictures of file folders to a text list of names, sizes, and dates every time you open some file that's not on the short list.  NT will let you click on an inactive window and go directly there.  XP instead makes that irritating blink of the active window, which you have to mouse over to and close first.  XP is a pain in the tush and a major step backwards.

   -- J.S.

4. 
   Isamemon | Aug 03, 2004 08:44am | #5

   I too am a design build firm. Remodels, additions and new

   Chief is now version 9.54. I have the full version

   to me worth every penny. I think now 1500 for the program

   it is spendy and has hardware locks making it a little difficult to move from one computer to another unless you buy a pasword version, even more money

   Big learning curve, good support , real supportive website/forum like this where you can write in and get answers within minutes 24/7 from other users and Chief support staff

   to use all functions you need to have a good computer, look at what they say is minimum and push it. lots of ram and an open gl video card needed, you coul blow another few hun on upgrades to run it fast . One of the rendering programs in it, pro-ray, can tie your computer up for hours to produce photo realistic drawings

   I have used other programs and will not go back. I started with base programs but moved up with frustration over not being able to do all I wanted. However basic floor plans, layouts etc can be done in basic

   If you dont need all the functions check out thier consumer version sold under better homes and gardens.

   They do offer a 30 day money back, and easy trade ups if you start base and want to go up

1. 
   AlterEagle | Aug 03, 2004 09:55am | #6

   Don't get the password version I just did that when I upgraded to 9.5 from 8 (I used it for years) get the usb version... you have to totally uninstall the pass. version now before you can move it, so I'm trying to get mine changed.

   Chief is great software by the way... a lil' tweakin' you can get it to do practically anything you want... I also think it's 90 days for a new purchase and 30 day on an upgrade if you want to return it....

   ...the tutorials are worth every penny as well if you only design 4 or 5 projects for your company / year like me... I have a tendancy to need to re-ups on a few things, getting old :)Alter Eagle Construction & Design  | Decks-ca.com |  kingofcrown.com

2. 
   FastEddie1 | Aug 03, 2004 03:40pm | #7

   Hammer - I started out with the Chief version 5.0 which was sold not as a better Homes & Gardens product, but as a lite version of full Chief... I think it was called Chief Home Edition 5.0 .   It was very frustrating to use ... they had stripped quite a few features to make it less expensive, and maybe it would have worked for a weekend diy who wanted to play contraftor/designer, but I thought it was a waste of money so I upgraded to the base version.  It works well for me, but I can see that the full version would be useful.

   I think it's a shame that Chief has stripped so many features from the full program to save a buck ... or whatevert tehy intended to do.  Look at AutoCad LT ... it costs a fraction of full AutoCad, but does almost everything.

   Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell'em "Certainly, I can!"  Then get busy and find out how to do it.  T. Roosevelt

3. 
   MStettinius | Aug 04, 2004 04:39pm | #8

   Thanks for the info. They list three versions on their website rangeing from $1100 to $1800, Are these the same version with different levels of suport and training programs? It doesn't realy explain the differences but I have ordered the demo and hope that it will all make more sense after I have seen there demo. I just don't want to spend money on it and give up from frustration. They also list a Kitchen and Baths program to add to it, can anyone justify the additional cost?

   Thanks to all for the info. I am new the the site but I am enjoying the discussions on so many topics.

   Michael

1. 
   BillHartmann | Aug 04, 2004 06:55pm | #9

   Here is some

   http://www.chiefarchitect.com/products/chief9/options.htm

   Then download the Comparison Matrix for more detials.

5. 
   Isamemon | Aug 06, 2004 06:19am | #14

   Chief is now doing 30% off for full bundle

   thats like 500 off