Users of “Chief” please answer.
Applying oneself full-time daylight hours, 9 to 5 (or whatever), using all the learning tools they offer, how much time to go until proficiency?
On average, how many hours of Chief work do you do?
How well does it do kitchen and bath cabinetry?
Do you use its roof framing and lumber takeoff tools?
Single package cost ranges from about $1500 basic to $2400 full enterprise. What to get?
Replies
Gene,
I purchased Chief about four years ago. It took about twelve hours to get somewhat proficient. I purchased the tutorial disks as well. They are helpful. It is quite good at kitchen and bath cabinetry imaging and layout. A great tool to work through design with the clients in the 3-d view and also helpful to get a general sense of any given space. I have not spent nearly enough time trying to get more proficient as the current level of effort has us booked up through next year. It pays for itself with the first project.
I am still working through the roof functions and framing. My engineer has to stamp all the structural stuff, so I just send him the CAD file and he cranks out the framing. The materials takeoffs are helpful because you can get a quick idea of linear feet or square feet of materials or areas that you will be working on. The southwest representative is here in Austin and always answers my questions fairly quickly. I highly recommend it.
Bruce
gene .... best way to get proficient is to take some training from someone like Steve Blake at Berryvale software
the manual, the training CD's .. all help.. but on-site intensive training is the fastest way
also.. if you have someone in the office who will concentrate on design , that's important...
me.. i wear too many hats to become "proficient" i can get out some great sets of plans... but it takes me a long time..
and it's not anything to do with Chief.. i'd have the same problem with Softplan or VectorWorks... and forget about ACAD or ACAD Lt..
proficiency will come with practise, just like anything else.. playing the piano, learning golf, becomming a carpenter.. and when you become good at it.. they willl upgrade the software and you can restart the learning curve..
i do know a couple guys who do nothing but plans for contractors.. but last time i talked to them they were still using Version 7.. didn't want to lose thier proficiency.. so thye forego all the benefits of version 8, 9, & now 10..
come to JLC -Live in Prov. next week.. Steve Blake will be there with Chief, offering show specials.. you can also see Softplan , they both usually have big boothsMike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
Gene,
You need to hit on Mike Smith.
He's the chief Chief Architect here.
He even di d aseminar at Rhode Fest so we could write off our attendance.
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