by Kerry Hansen

Chief Architect held its annual Chief Academy near our headquarters in Coeur d’Alene, ID. Over 150 attendees and guests were welcomed to the Pacific Northwest, taking full advantage of the beautiful weather and the last few summer days by investing in themselves for 2 ½ days of in-depth training, 1-on-1 support, and networking events.

By Phillip Gibney

Chief Architect produces 3D Home Design Software for professional designers and DIY homeowners. From automated features for quickly creating floor plans, section details, and layouts to photo-realistic 3D renders for visualizing the design, the software is a powerful tool for those with residential design needs. Because the software is so powerful and robust, a question we often hear at Chief Architect is “what type of computer do I need to run the software”? Many computers are capable of running Chief Architect; however, depending on the specs, some will run Chief much more efficiently.  Investing in the right computer will also help ensure that the computer will run future versions of Chief effectively for a longer period of time, making your investment more cost effective over time.

by Phillip Gibney

Post frame construction is a building method in which a structure is framed using posts that are connected on the outside with 2 x 4 or 2 x 6 horizontal framing known as girts. The posts are typically placed in a concrete footing or can be connected to a steel fastener that is anchored into the concrete footing. Trusses are typically used to support the roof system. Once the framing is complete the structure can be finished for its intended purpose.

By Phillip Gibney

Update January 10th, 2023: Chief Architect Interiors has been discontinued. All of the features in Chief Architect Interiors are available in Chief Architect Premier. The main differences between the two programs were that the Interiors version didn’t include features for framing, decks, outdoor living, terrain, and landscaping. If you have a legacy license of Chief Architect Interiors and are interested in upgrading to Chief Architect Premier, this blog article covers the features gained in Chief Architect Premier.

By Phillip Gibney

Chief Architect live webinars are a great way to further your knowledge in the software.  This webinar series focuses on the process used to design the Austin Sample Plan. These webinars allow attendees to ask questions to Chief Architect staff and hear questions from other Chief Architect users. Sometimes a sneak peek of new features coming to the next version of Chief Architect is provided.

See the full webinar schedule to sign up. Can’t attend the live session? Sign up and we will email you a recording of the presentation.

• Session 1:  New Plan Tips & Space Planning
• Session 2:  Massing and Conceptualization
• Session 3:  Doors & Windows / Schedules & Dimensions
• Session 4:  Foundations – Crawl, Basement, Slab, Mixed
• Session 5:  Roofs – Styles, Options & Details
• Session 6:  Ceilings – Vault, Shed, Trey & A Reflected Plan
• Session 7: Wall Framing
• Session 8: Floor & Roof Framing
• Session 9: Elevations & Cross-Sections
• Session 10: Kitchen Design Part 1 — Floor Plan & Cabinet Layout
• Session 11: Kitchen Design Part 2 — Elevations, Dimensions & Islands
• Session 12: Bath Design
• Session 13: Remodeling/As-Built Overlays

If you are new to Chief Architect or using an older version, a free trial is available for download. 

By Danielle Schroeder

Congratulations to the Chief Architect Design of the Year Winners!

by Kerry Hansen

Dan and his family wanted to remodel their kitchen. They turned to Chief Architect to visualize the design and help with material selection.

When the time came for a kitchen upgrade, Dan Absalonson, a 3D artist on the Chief Architect content team, used Chief Architect’s flexible cabinetry features and the wide range of objects and materials available in the 3D Library. Together with his wife Kadi, they set their sights on a kitchen remodel. The tile and grout countertop on the island is what brought them to remodel. “My wife was not a fan.” With a budget set, the couple brainstormed all of the updates they could make to enhance the look and usability of their kitchen. “We got excited about replacing the laminate countertops and adding some new full height cabinets at the end of the kitchen as a pantry.” The previous owners had a large desk there, and as it was, the kitchen ended abruptly. The space felt empty and awkward. Dan and Kadi decided to paint the cabinets, replace the countertops, expand the island, add full-height cabinets, install new fixtures, and incorporate a few other touches.

By Phillip Gibney

The color and material selections of a space is about more than how it looks. It reflects the charisma of the occupant and how we feel in the room. Whether the occupant is serious and formal or loose and relaxed, crafting a design to the client’s desires while maintaining functionality is an art. In a world with an endless and ever-changing selection of colors, materials, fixtures, furnishings, and more, perfecting a design requires high attention to detail. Design trends are constantly evolving. The fundamental concepts of color theory and how material and color selections affect our emotions have stood the test of time. This serves as a guide for crafting the perfect space. 

By Danielle Schroeder

The results are in! Please help us in congratulating the November Residential Design Contest winners!

By Danielle Schroeder

Every year Chief Architect has monthly design contests where customers can show off their work. People with various backgrounds and design styles can compete in the Kitchen, Bath, and Interiors, Remodel and Additions, and Residential categories.