Replies

1. 
   StevePince | May 14, 2007 06:39pm | #1

   I am a decidedly non-power user of Chief 10, and have had the same questions.  You've probably been over to the Chief chat room, where you found what I did:  opinions ranging from "I'll wait," to "Can't wait."  The problem I've had with Chief has always been that it's smarter--way smarter--than I, so the basis upon which I'll make my decision is if it is easier to use (at least, that will be my rationale.)  Personally, I think I'll wait another couple of months before I break down and buy, and I'm sure I will (addiction to the new and powerful is a terrible thing.)

   As a parting note, on its website, Chief says its primary (my term) support is given to the owners of the most recent version.  Heaven knows, I need good support.

1. 
   Hiker | May 14, 2007 09:58pm | #2

   Hey Steve,

   I am not a power user either, but my efforts, as strained as they may be turn out a decent product.  Have you gone to any of the training sessions?  If not, I highly recommend it.  I did the intermediate last year and learned to do some power user things that I would spend days one in about ten minutes.  I hope to do some more training in the near future, but too darn busy right now. 

   Bruce

1. 
   StevePince | May 14, 2007 11:48pm | #3

   Bruce--

   One of the reasons I went to Chief was for marketing--I have learned that you can show people the best designed house in the world on and 8 1/2 x 11 piece of paper, and they'll say "okay."  Show them the same thing on Arch C or Arch D, and they're all agog.  Do it in color, and they'd just as soon fold up the plans and live in that as build the house.  I can only imagine if I could develop some proficiency in the rendering arena--especially the exteriors.

   My problem is that I rarely do any design work except for my own spec houses, so I have never been able to justify the time it takes to learn even half the capabilities of Chief.  For my purposes, I'm happy with whatever the local municipality requires where I happen to be building at the time.  When I build, a simple set of builder's plans, which sometimes I change in the field, on letter size paper is simpler to manage, and has all the necessary info (for me.)  However, to trick potential buyers into thinking I know what I'm doing, I print out a two-page set of plans ( floor plan & electrical) using a nice layout on Arch D.  It works!!

   I'm only a short drive from Chief's offices (okay, it's about 4-500 miles), so maybe later this summer I'll drive through Yellowstone and keep on going to one of their two-day seminars.

   Steve

    

   ps  Pull the trigger and let me know how you like it!

1. 
   MikeSmith | May 15, 2007 01:01am | #4

   steve..... i'm more or less planning on  Coeur d'Alene in late August for a User Group meeting and some advanced training

   http://www.chiefarchitect.com/training/location/2007_UserMtg.html

   ( 'course.. what i really wanna do is play a round on that golf course )

   anyways... i was working with the beta version of X1.. and i was impressed

   i'll be ordering  mine next month

   i've upgraded  every time about a month or two after the initial release

   5  to 6  to 7 to 8 , 9 & 10

   my theory is you just fall too far behind if you don't upgrade... and i can usually get it all back with the first  design i do on the new version

   since  i spend very little time  on the computer doing the design, my proficiency never gets there either, but , like you .. i find it such a powerful marketing tool  that it is well worth the investment in time , money , computers and printers

   it also looks like i won't be upgrading my computer this time.. apparently Vista is a bust when it comes to cad systems based on Open -GL

   Mike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore

   Edited 5/14/2007 6:06 pm ET by MikeSmith