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Chief Architect Premier X4 Full Windows Download
Chief Architect Premier is for all aspects of residential and light commercial design. Powerful building and drafting tools help design professionals quickly create plans according to standard building practices. Every element placed in the plan has commonly used defaults to make the design process efficient and productive. As you draw walls, the program automatically creates a 3D model and generates a Materials List. There are powerful Automatic and Manual Building tools to produce Construction Documents with Site Plans, Floor Plans, Framing Plans, Electrical/ HVAC Plans, Section Details, and Elevations. Finally, Chief Architect includes design tools for photo-realistic Renderings, Artistic Renderings and Virtual Tours to help clients visualize your designs.
Summary Features
Powerful Building & Design Tools
Automatic Roofs: hip, gable, shed, saltbox, gambrel, gullwing, half-hip, mansard – plus Dormers. With the manual roof tools, create any style including curved roofs. Materials Lists for Cut, Buy and Lineal materials for cost estimating and bidding Schedules: Windows, Doors, Cabinets, Rooms, Fixtures, Furniture and Plants Dimensions for One-Click Auto Dimensioning™, End-to-End, Interior, Point-to-Point, Baseline, Angular and Centerline Advanced Stair & Ramp tools for curved, flared, split and straight Automatic Framing. Define hand Framed or Truss framed roofs and floors. Electrical and HVAC tools Design with Smart Objects (BIM) windows, cabinets, doors, framing that have properties and behave intelligently in the design Elevation and Cross-Section tools Power CAD tools for details and custom shapes, include a catalog of over 500 architectural correct details
Kitchen & Bath Design Tools Create any style of custom cabinet including shaped, framed- and frame-less with the Cabinet Designer™ tools Use specific manufacturer catalogs for your cabinets Select from a library of thousands of custom door and drawer styles, cabinet feet, pilasters, hardware, wood species and colors Extensive Catalog of appliances, fixtures, millwork and furnishings – import tools extended the Catalog to additional manufacturers Block cabinets, fixtures, appliances & accessories to create architectural blocks such as a kitchen island or an entire kitchen. Save to the Library for future use – a great time saving feature! Access custom or name brand colors, materials and textures from the Catalog. Material Painter and Color Chooser tools allow you to import specific materials and customize for limitless design combinations CAD tools to design custom shapes such as tub platforms and add Section and Wall Elevation details
3D Design and Modeling Tools Seamless and simultaneous editing in 3D perspective, 2D plan and elevation views Artistic Rendering – watercolor, painting, line drawing, technical illustration, duotone and Glass House™ Photo-Realistic 3D Ray Trace Rendering Ray Trace Wizard with predefined settings for indoor and outdoor scenes 3D views for elevations, overviews, cross-sections, framing and Doll House™ Material Painter™ – apply colors, materials and textures from any image or website Color Chooser™ – Choose manufacturer colors, materials or textures for your design – or from a digital photo Record 3D views for virtual tours
Powerful CAD Tools CAD Solids – produce slabs, moldings, and shapes. Draw molding profiles, custom countertops, driveways, and other architectural objects or CAD details. CAD Drawing tools for lines, polylines, splines, arcs, sun angles and shapes Align, Distribute, Copy, Replicate, Reflect, Extend, Fillet, make Parallel and several other CAD tools for precision and productivity Convert CAD objects to architectural objects – draw a molding profile and save as a stacked crown molding for a room or cabinet Draw custom CAD details, access over 500 built-in CAD details, import DXF or DWG CAD files CAD-to-Walls tool imports an AutoCAD® file and provides a mapping for layers CAD tools to detail Cross Sections & Elevations
Plan Sets and Construction Drawings
Create construction documents with the Layout tool – send any view to the Layout – define scale and link to the drawing to update as your design changes Multiple Layers and Layer Sets – mask layers to create the view you need Annotation Sets (like Layer Sets) to group control Dimensions, Text, Arrows, Markers, Callouts, and Layers to streamline the annotation process Create Detailed Plan Sets: Site Plans, Floor Plans, Framing Plans, Electrical/ HVAC Plans, Section Details, Structural and Foundation Plans, Room Finish Schedules, Elevations and 3D Perspectives Use a PDF print driver to print to any size paper ICC – International Residential Code Checklist Time Tracker™ to monitor time spent on specific projects
Site Planning, Terrain, Deck & Landscaping Tools
Terrain Modeling, Landscaping Tools and Site Planning Tools for single or multiple lots Terrain Elevation Lines and individual Terrain Elevation Points Terrain Feature tools for Hills, Valleys, Flat Areas and more to modify the terrain attributes Import Terrain or GPS data and quickly produce the 2D and 3D terrain detail Road, Sidewalk and Curbing tools Set the north pointer and define seasonal settings for detailed shadow overlay Automatic and Manual deck framing; customize deck planking and materials Over 4000 Landscaping Plants Plant Encyclopedia™, with detailed information about each plant including integrated Hardiness Zone Maps
3D Rendering & Visualization
Reflective material type Create material definitions to represent reflective surfaces for ray trace views.
Improved lighting through windows in Ray Trace views Generate scenes with both natural and man made lighting. Enhanced feedback accuracy for time estimates when generating Ray Trace views Rendered Views now more closely represent Ray Trace Views
3D Rendering & Visualization
Perspective & Orthographic 3D Camera tools Orthographic is ideal for cross section and elevation views. Perspective is ideal for Full Overview, Floor Overview (Doll House), Floor Camera, Full Camera , and Framing Views. Camera views can be named, edited, and saved. Use 3D Settings Controls to adjust the display options and settings.
3D Navigation tools & Virtual Tours Create 3D views and navigate, spin, rotate, pan, orbit, tilt, and move forward or backward. Use the View Direction Tools to quickly set the view to top down, left side, right side or bottom angles. Record virtual walk-through tours while navigating in 3D views. Pause the recording or save frames as desired. Draw a line or spline and record along that designated path. Define the frame rate for recording an .AVI file.
Photo Realistic Rendering New Chief Architect Ray Trace Rendering Engine (replacing the previous POV-Ray ray trace engine). The new Chief Ray Tracer offers significant performance improvement with its ability to use multiple core processors. Lighting and materials now have specific properties that can be set for very photo realistic rendering.
Reflective material type Create material definitions to represent reflective surfaces for ray trace views.
Ray Trace Wizard A New Ray Trace Wizard with predefined settings for indoor and outdoor scenes to jump start your photo realistic ray trace renderings. The wizard applies predefined settings which can then be edited to your specific rendering needs.
Improved lighting through windows in Ray Trace views Generate scenes with both natural and man made lighting. Enhanced feedback accuracy for time estimates when generating Ray Trace views Rendered Views now more closely represent Ray Trace Views
Artistic Rendering – Watercolor, Line Drawing…. Artistic Rendering techniques include, 3D Standard Render, Watercolor, Squiggle Line Drawing, Technical Illustration, Painting, Vector View, Glass House, and DuoTone.
Advanced Render Technique Defaults Use Pre-set attributes or customize your own for the different Render Technique styles. For example, set the squiggle amount for Line Drawing or the colors for Technical Illustration.
Cross Section Render Technique controls Access the render techniques for Cross Section views through the camera specification dialog.
3D Focal Blur & Enhanced control of ambient light Use depth of field in Ray Traced views, just like a real camera. Create renderings that exhibit similar detail as real photography. Enhanced control of ambient light within Ray Tracing.
3D Views are optimized for multiple core processors and enhanced memory usage in 3D views Significantly enhanced memory usage, faster 3D views, and Send To Layout with multi-core processors. Adjust render settings for optimal processing speed and quality results.
Cross Section Slider™ Show views being cut from the top, bottom, front, back, left or right side. Adjust the amount cut away from the model.
Delete / Remove Surface tool Temporarily remove surfaces in 3D views to expose and visualize the underlying model. Panoramic or spherical backdrops
Cross Section Render Technique controls Access the render techniques for Cross Section views through the camera specification dialog.
Cross Sections & Elevations
Cross Sections, Back-Clipped Cross Sections & Elevations Use the orthographic camera to create an elevation or cross section view. Back-Clipped Cross Section views control the cut distance generated for a cross section. Auto-generate Exterior & Interior Room Elevations
Dimension, Annotate and Detail Cross Sections & Elevation Views Use the text, arrow, dimension, and CAD tools to add complete details to your Cross Section and Elevation views. Select and edit, delete, resize, or move objects. Add notes and dimensions or insert CAD details.
CAD Details Catalog & Auto-Detailing tool Toggle between displays for insulation and fill patterns. Choose from over 500 CAD Details to overlay on your design.
Opening Indicators – Doors, Windows & Cabinets
Plans & Layouts Enhanced “Send to Layout” and “CAD Detail From View”
Chief Architect Interiors files compatible with Chief Architect Viewer
Plans & Layouts
Layout tool – for construction documents Layout sheets are used to organize plans, elevations, CAD details, schedules, site plans, and other items for construction documents. The drawings can be scaled and printed at any size. All views are dynamically linked to the original model reflecting any update you make. Reorder the Layout pages for construction documents. Create templates for Layouts with borders and title blocks.
Set up multiple Pages per Layout File
- 1000 Pages
Advanced Layout Editing Edit line views sent to the layout, rescale views sent to layout, re-link views on the layout to reference different files.
Enhanced “Send to Layout” and “CAD Detail From View” Experience faster response times and improved line generation
Library / Catalog Browser Choose from thousands of items. Download new content from Chief Architect or from third party sources. The Library includes generic and manufacturer brands.
Project Browser A project organization tool to manage and navigate, project files, floors, elevations, cross sections, 3D views, cameras, and CAD details. Rename cameras, view multiple projects at once, easily access details and share them between projects.
Design Structures with multiple Floors Excludes attic and basement or foundation. - 30 Floors
Unlimited number of Opened Files Reference as many plans or views during a single session. Limited to your computer’s resources.
Plan Templates Choose pre-defined Plan Templates or create your own.
Time Tracker™ tool Measure working time per project, per client, or per task. Start and stop the Time Tracker. View, edit, and export a time log, and add notes for each project.
Residential Code Checklist Use the Chief Architect partner code to download the ICC’s Residential Code Checklist for National Building Codes.
Plan Database tool Create a plan database to organizing your plan portfolio.
Plan Check tool Provides a review for basic room egress, roof, wall layout, and more.
Rotate & Flip Plan tools Flip or create a mirror image. Rotate the orientation of the floor plan view on your screen.
Insert & Exchange Floors Use the Floor Above/Below tool to insert and exchange floors. Insert new Floors or levels between existing floors.
House Wizard™ Drag-and-drop room bubbles and arrange them before converting them to walls. Provides a quick way to lay out rooms that adjoin the project to illustrate how the completed project would look.
Model Maker™ Print designs that can be assembled into 3D Models
Loan Calculator tool Calculate mortgage payments.
Home Designer® Plan Share Share Chief Architect® plans with the consumer / DIY Home Designer® products. Your clients can use this for floor/space planning and change colors, materials and textures. Features a Plan Lock to prevent Home Designer from editing the Plan file.
Chief Architect Interiors files compatible with Chief Architect Viewer Share your Chief Architect Premier and Interior design files with clients using the free Chief Architect Viewer software
Rooms Automatic Room Connections
Rooms
Room Defaults – ceiling height, style, moldings, wall covering, floor materials Control the initial behavior by specifying default values. Define room attributes by room type. Enhanced interface for Room Specification dialog
Specify when a room is calculated in the Living Area For example, specify the garage or attic to be included or excluded in the living area calculation.
Name individual Rooms Name individual rooms from a defined list of types or create new names. Custom Room Label controls - assign room types as well as custom room labels. Rooms display dimensions with interior area measurements. Multiple Room Select to group edit the Room attributes.
Custom Room Label controls Assign room types as well as custom room labels.
Room Dimension Format Defaults Define the display of room dimensions.
Control over new Room specifications when additional floors are added Use the Floor Defaults dialog to set up a new floor’s attributes.
Display any combination of Room Label Size Layers Display the Dimensional Size and the Square Footage labels for a room at one time.
Automatic Room Connections Island rooms (rooms within rooms) automatically connect to outer rooms via an invisible wall to ensure proper room definitions
Accurately Layered Floor & Ceiling Platforms 3D model includes Finished Floor and Finished Ceiling heights. Use these layers to add dimension details and define cabinet and stair elevations. Define floor coverings, finishes, and sub-layers
Raised Floor Platforms Specify raised floor platforms that are automatically framed
Molding display control by Room Specify height, width, and orientation of moldings from floor or ceiling. Control the display of moldings in any room type.
Room Molding Polyline & 3D Molding Polylines tool Automatically generate a molding polyline derived from the room's perimeter. Reshape the polyline as desired and attach multiple molding profiles. Designate sizes for each profile and specify its height off the floor. 3D Molding Polylines create horizontal and vertical moldings.
Room Polyline Automatically generate a polyline derived from the room's perimeter. Use the polyline tools to generate a Materials List, view the area, or convert to a molding, slab, and other custom options.
Room Polygon tool Create a Room automatically with pre-specified dimensions.
Walls
Improved railings clip to ceiling surface
Pony Wall height controls
Thru-Wall controls
Improved Wall Connections for more accurate plan view representations of wall intersections
Align wall layers with foundation
Enhanced Wall Editing
Walls
Wall tools Wall Styles include interior, exterior, railing, pony, half wall, curved, angled, raked, stepped. All styles are customizable with unique layers. Wall Types include structural wood, stucco steel, concrete ICF, SIPS, glass block, railings. Draw and edit Walls in 2D and 3D
Create custom Wall styles with multiple layers All the Wall layers calculate into the Materials List. Curved Wall controls for radius, center, and ends
Half-Wall tool Draw half walls and specify their default values (also known as solid railings).
Solid Railing & Half-Wall material options Include wall assembly layers and control them just as you would a standard wall.
Improved railings clip to ceiling surface Railings that intersect roofs and ceilings are automatically clipped to fit the slope.
Pony Walls For a two section Wall, define materials for each section. Control window and door display, dimensions, alignment between floors.
Pony Wall height controls Adjust the height of individual Pony Walls by typing the lower wall’s height into the dialog
Double Walls for marriage walls and multi-family units Includes window and door control.
Thru-Wall controls Specify wall intersections / framing on a per wall end basis using the new Thru-Wall attribute
Improved Wall Connections for more accurate plan view representations of wall intersections Turn ON or OFF Thru-Wall connection display in plan view.
Create Raked & Stepped Walls Control heights of walls, add breaks and adjust in Cross Section and Elevation views. Define stepped foundations with vertical footing control.
Wall Align tool Align walls on another floor (individually or group selected). Toggle the floor reference to see through to the floor above or below.
Automatic Attic Walls Control creation and options.
Align wall layers with foundation Use the wall setting "Foundation to this Line" to specify the alignment of walls with foundations walls.
Steel Framing with C-Channels & U-Channels Specify steel framing members and show them in 3D Framing views.
Set up designs for Remodeling Place New, Existing, Demolition and Remodeling Walls on unique layers
Enhanced Wall Editing Adjust wall lengths by selecting dimensions or temporary dimensions that run parallel to the wall.
Continuous Wall Draw mode Right click to enable continuous wall drawing mode - speeds up wall draw time.
Invisible Wall Defaults Invisible Walls are typically used for room definition when a regular wall is not appropriate. Define the default attributes.
Terrain Walls Terrain Walls follow terrain contours. Wall Corner Boards & Quoins
Defaults for Corner Trim Set their size and material attributes.
Cabinets
Easily create Stacked Molding
Frameless Cabinet settings
Blind Corner Cabinet Controls
Improved Corner Cabinet Hardware
Cabinets
Convert Automatic Countertops to Custom Countertops Change the automatically generated countertop to a custom countertop that can be edited and resized independently from the cabinet.
Countertop Edge Molding Control the display of edge molding applied to custom countertops
Rounded Cabinet Corners Specify rounded or chamfered corners on a cabinet box. Rounded Countertop Corners for Automatic Countertops
Cabinet Moldings Add crown moldings, light rails, dentil and rope molding details to Cabinets
Easily create Stacked Molding Add multiple moldings to objects and specify vertical and horizontal offset distances with different Molding Profiles to create stacked moldings.
Cabinet Millwork & End Panels Pilasters, feet, legs, and moldings. All resize automatically as the cabinet changes. Attach End Panels to the sides and back of cabinets. Panels can be set to be automatically generated when an end or back is exposed, or they can be manually turned on or off. Control materials by specifying finished, unfinished, or automatic sides. The automatic feature can determine if the cabinet is exposed or against another cabinet.
Cabinet Fillers Create cabinet fillers automatically between cabinets, or add them manually.
Frameless Cabinet settings Change the cabinet style in one click with the new Frameless and Full Overlay options for cabinets.
Blind Corner Cabinet Controls Turn On or Off Automatic Blind Corner Cabinet behavior.
Architectural Blocks, save customized Cabinets to the Library Save any Cabinet, group of Cabinets, or an entire room of Cabinets as an Architectural Block and store in the Library for future use. Unblock the cabinet grouping and modify as needed. For example, store kitchen islands or an entire kitchen in your library for future designs.
Regular & Sloped Soffits Generate sloped soffits that automatically match roof or ceiling pitch, or manually adjust slope. Control the initial behavior by specifying default values.
Define Cabinets to sub-floor or finish floor height Define elevation for cabinets, furniture, fixtures and stairs relative to finished floor or sub-floor.
Cabinet Designer™ tools Create any style of Cabinet using the Smart Parametric tools including Framed, Frameless, Curved, Angled and Bow. Adjust drawers, face frames, doors, styles, shapes, shelves, moldings, backsplashes, appliances, countertops and several other items. Manufacturer Catalogs & Smart Parametric Cabinets
Manufacturer Catalogs - doors, windows, cabinets and several others Manufacturer's cabinet catalogs include door and drawer styles, cabinet boxes, colors, and wood species.
Define Cabinet defaults Control the initial behavior by specifying default values - define, colors, sizes, doors and drawer styles, moldings, materials, countertops, hardware, and several other attributes for the cabinets as you begin a new design.
Cabinet Specification dialog Use a specification dialog to define and customize your Cabinets. Place Cabinet Doors, Drawers, and End Panels on Cabinets or as stand-alone objects
Improved Corner Cabinet Hardware Single knob hardware for pie-cut corner cabinets.
NKBA standardized Cabinet display options conform to NKBA standards including countertops, line styles, labels and more. NKBA approved software for professional certification testing Display Countertop lines in Plan View and control the display with a Layer
Custom Countertop tool creates countertops of any shape or size Draw and edit countertops manually. Add countertop holes, edge profiles, adjust the thickness and height off the floor.
Doors & Windows
Door Defaults by Door Type
3D Door Display options
Adjustable Louver Sizes Improved representation of doors recessed into masonry walls
Doors & Windows
Custom Door & Window tools Create any style of Door, Doorway, and Window including Arched, Shaped and Mulled. Use the Smart Parametric tools. Doors styles include interior, exterior, sliding, pocket, bi-fold, atrium, double-swing, and garage. Hardware Library - Hinges, Handles and Locks. Windows styles include interior, exterior, single/double hung, sliding, casement, corner, recessed, bay, and box
Manufacturer Catalogs and Smart Parametric Doors & Windows Catalog Doors have interior and exterior material settings. Define colors and wood species.
Door Defaults by Door Type Set unique door defaults for different types of doors: hinged, pocket, bifold, sliding, and garage.
Pass-Thru tool Create an opening between two rooms.
Visual Door Placement feedback Visualize door placement prior to actually placing the door with intuitive control of the hinge and swing.
3D Door Display options New edit tools “Show Door Open in 3D” and “Show Door Closed in 3D” make it fast and easy to control the state of doors in 3D views.
Atrium Door options Create Center Swing Double-Doors, also known as atrium patio doors. Define a variety of other ways to open the doors
Adjustable Louver Sizes New louver attribute allows you to control their size in windows and doors. Improved representation of doors recessed into masonry walls
Mulled Units, save customized Doors & Windows to the Library Create custom Mulled door and window blocks. Move, dimension, and label them as single units and add them to the Library. Mulled Units that contain Doors are automatically recognized as Door objects for Schedules and Schedule Labels. Double Walls/Window/Door Control for marriage walls and multi-family units
Unlimited Divided Lites for glass Create Windows and Glass Doors with an unlimited number of lites.
Custom Muntins Design your own muntins using the CAD tools and attach them to windows.
Window Treatments & Shutters Adjust curtains by the height off floor and height above casing. Specify shutters on either side of a window. Blinds fit inside casing when attached to Windows.
Door & Window Capitals Place capitals above Window or Door casing and set the height and width.
Sills & Lintels Specify sills for windows and set the height and width. Lintels - control window and door trim sizes.
Bay or Bow Windows Multiple Select Select then edit a group of bay, box or bow windows.
Roofs & Ceilings
Build Automatic Roofs - gable, hip, shed, gambrel, mansard, and several others Generate the roof for any design automatically. Use the Auto-Rebuild Roofs feature to automatically update the roof as your design changes.
Draw and edit roofs in 2D and 3D Design the roof in a split screen with both the 2D and 3D views up at the same time to visualize the design.
Custom Roof & Ceiling tools Draw Roof and Ceiling planes and shape and edit them to produce any custom style - including curved.
Build Roof options - pitch, overhang, raise of plate for energy heels, curved roof information, framing details, fascias, gutters, exposed rafters and roof returns and many other options Specify pitch, overhang, raise of plate for energy heels, curved roof information, framing details, fascias, gutters, exposed rafters and roof returns and many other options Includes roof and ceiling framing and trusses. See the Framing section for details.
Gable & Hip Roof Toggle tool Toggle the roof between these two styles using the Gable / Hip tool in 3D and 2D.
Auto Roof Returns™ for Gable Walls Gable, Hip, Full, Sloping and Flat.
Roof Gable Line tool Draw a line over a door or window and the program will automatically generate Gable roof.
Auto Dormer™ tool Generate floating (false) and structural dormers automatically. Set the dormer size, roof pitch, and accurately place them on a roof. Dormers types – eyebrow, gable, hip, shed, gambrel, mansard, barrel, and hip curved
Automatic Ceilings & Ceiling tools - create custom styles including cathedral, trey, coffered, and barrel Automatic ceilings are created once a roof is generated. Roof Layer controls - specify the thickness of roof components
Skylights Automatically cut the roof with correct structural framing. Define Square or Plum sides and frame width and height. Define Roof attributes per wall including multiple Roof Pitches & Overhangs
Fascia & Sub Fascia control Control the size and display of fascia boards.
Gutters & Frieze Moldings Create custom profiles for gutters and friezes. Attach them to roofs so that they update and resize as the roof design changes.
Stairs & Ramps
Stair tool Specify tread width, length, tread number, overhang, and thickness. Set riser height, top and bottom height. Specify details about stringers, open underneath, runners, railing details, baluster and newel styles and shapes, brackets, handrails on walls next to stairs, around corners, and hand rail profile.
One-Click™ Stairs & Ramps Auto place stairs from platform to platform. Platform to terrain Stairs and Ramps automatically connect to the terrain when drawn from the ground to the structure.
Advanced Stair tools Customize curved sections, flared treads, starter treads, winders, definable walk line, maintainable tread width, and landings. Wrap Around Stairs, connect treads around corners
Auto Stairwell™ Creates stairwell and the platform to match the staircase. Stair Defaults for interior & exterior Stairs
Enhanced interface for Stair Specification dialog Dialog diagram and access to change more attributes about stairs.
Enhanced Stairs editing options Options for riser heights, tread width, start height, and bottom height.
Define Stair starting elevation Specify whether stairs and ramps are located at the sub-floor or the finished floor elevation.
Ramp tool Default Ramp is ADA compliant. Specify length, slope rise and run. Specify overhangs, railings, tread surface, open underneath, baluster and newel styles, shapes, and hand rail profile.
Ramp Defaults Set up default attributes for ramps
Landing tool Create Custom Landings to auto-connect Stair sections or Ramp sections together. Choose auto adjust features for the height and thickness based on stair or ramp connection. Turn railings on or off per Landing edge.
Custom Newels & Balusters Choose from newels and balusters in the Library Catalog or import your own.
Automatic Handrail width on Wall width Define the Handrail width based on the width of the Wall.
Independent Railings Create custom railing styles such as glass, cable, or panels.
Railing Opening & Wall surface offset Control whether an automatic opening is created when attaching a Stair or Ramp to a wall or railing. Control the offset of the automatic wall surface under a Stair.
Multiple Stair Select Group edit the Stair attributes.
Enhanced materials controls for Landings & Stairs Individually control the material assignments for stair and landing components.
Foundations
Foundation Defaults
Auto Rebuild Foundations
Monolithic Slab technology
Monolithic Slab Inset Ledges
Monolithic Slab Curbing
Enhanced Garage Slabs with monolithic foundations Display cutout indicators for Garage Doors in foundation stem walls and curbing
Bearing Wall attribute
Slab footing specification Improved foundations with Slab at top of Stem Wall Slab Volume listed in the slab specification dialog for easy reference
Foundations
Foundation tools for Slab, Pier, Crawlspace, Full Basement, Stem Walls, Footings, Post & Beam, Grade Beam Set up a default foundation type, controlling stem-wall height, footing size, slab or pier information. Edit the foundations settings after it has been built.
Foundation Defaults More detailed control over the foundation automatically generated for Garage rooms.
Auto Rebuild Foundations Automatically update the foundation plan to align with the 1st floor as the design progresses.
Monolithic Slab technology Designing slab foundations is now faster, easier, and more accurate.
Monolithic Slab Inset Ledges Create monolithic slab foundations with inset ledges for masonry wall construction.
Monolithic Slab Curbing Specify curbing for monolithic slab foundations.
Enhanced Garage Slabs with monolithic foundations Select components of the slab and adjust garage specific settings to suit your design Display cutout indicators for Garage Doors in foundation stem walls and curbing
Bearing Wall attribute Generate a footing, or foundation wall + footing below, when automatic foundations are created by setting a wall as a Bearing Wall.
Slab footing specification Control footings for slabs on a per edge basis; resize, dimension, or exclude the footing.
Vertical Footing Control Define stepped foundations with vertical footing control. Choose to show or hide vertical footings for stepped foundations. Improved foundations with Slab at top of Stem Wall Specify Foundation Piers as Round or Square
Rebar calculations for Posts & Beams Specify the amount of rebar required for foundations so that it is calculation on the Materials List. Specify Slabs for crawl spaces Slab Volume listed in the slab specification dialog for easy reference
Wall Footing Offset Choose to center footings on Wall's main layer or specify an offset value.
Framing
Control Roof Lookout framing
Framing
Automatic Framing - floors, walls, ceilings, roofs, openings, headers, trusses Turn on / off automatic framing – move a window and the framing updates. Define Trimmers and Headers based on opening sizes.
Manual Framing tools Draw individual framing members or select and edit automatically generated members.
Trusses, Automatic & Manual Floor, ceiling, and roof trusses. Automatically create trusses that conform and fit between platforms; edit and customize them. Truss options include scissor, attic, step down, girder, sub-girder, drop hip, jacks, kingpost, gable end, reduced gable, energy heel.
Truss Schedules Automatically generated truss schedule for floors and roof. Each truss is labeled for easy identification.
Roof Framing options Hand Stack or Truss Frame. Define rafters, ridges, lookouts, sub-fascia, blocking, bridging. Valley fill roof trusses. Exposed Rafter Tails and custom rafter tail cuts - choose a molding profile or draw your own profile.
Control Roof Lookout framing Turn on or off the automatic generation of lookout framing in the Framing dialog.
Enhanced control of Birdsmouth cuts for Rafters Turn off auto calculation of birdsmouth and manually specify the birdsmouth seat.
Wall Framing options Define number of plates, stud thickness, spacing, bridging, miter ends, framing for short walls and knee walls. Balloon Wall Framing platforms extend through walls or walls through platforms. Steel Framing for walls, headers, joists, and rafters - automatically creates C-Channel and U-Channel shaped framing members for typical steel framing. Define the number of Rim Joists generated on a per wall basis.
Wall Framing details on a per Wall basis For each wall, view and edit wall framing, add dimensions or callouts. Use to produce framing schedules or wall details.
Post & Beam framing tools - specify Round or Square posts Set the Default Material for Posts in the framing defaults.
Automatically produce platform holes, foundation holes Use polyline tools to generate holes for the floor or ceiling and automatically generate framing around them.
Deck Framing options Define Plank overhang, width, gap, direction, border planks, beams and joists. Define widths, spacing, direction and type of planks. Automatically re-build framing as the design changes. Include or exclude beams, posts, and footings.
Deck Planking - change the materials applied to all planks Paint one deck plank in 3D and all planks will update.
CAD Tools
CAD tools Comprehensive CAD objects and editing tools: Points, Lines, Polylines, Splines, Arcs, Circles, Ovals, Boxes, Arrows, Solids, Primitives, Fence, Trim Extend, Parallel, Perpendicular, Reflect, Replicate, Transform, Fillet, Chamfer, and several others.
3D Primitive, Advanced Polyline & Face tools Create custom solids with a variety of shapes. Edit polylines using Polyline Subtract, Polyline Union, and Polyline Intersection. Create solid faces, extrude and revolve them to create custom objects.
Polyline Solid tools Create 3D shapes using the Polyline Solid tool. Create custom countertop shapes, backsplashes, tub platforms, etc.
Polygon CAD tool Creates regularly-shaped polylines of pre-specified dimensions. Specify the number of sides and specify the polygon size by length of sides or overall radius.
Convert 2D CAD lines and polylines to other Chief objects Quickly convert CAD to Polyline Solids, Molding Polylines, Countertops, Slabs, Landings, Holes in Roofs and Platforms. Convert Arcs and Circles to Polylines. Convert polylines to Revision Clouds and Material List Areas. Convert to Elevation and Terrain data, Sprinklers, Roads, Road Markings, and Sidewalks.
CAD Detail From View tool Generate a CAD Detail from any view. Add or remove lines, add dimensions, fill patterns, text, and callouts. Use CAD details in your Layout and save to the Library for future use.
CAD-to-Walls™ Import CAD files, such as AutoCAD®, and convert CAD lines to fully configured 3D walls, windows, and doors.
Over 500 Architectural CAD Details Details for residential structural elements. Detailed assemblies for floors, roofs, decks, walls and foundations.
Align / Distribute Objects tool Define distribution and automatic alignment of CAD objects.
Create and manage CAD Details & Blocks Draw customized details and diagrams, print them to scale, and save for reuse in the Library.
Auto Purge CAD Blocks option Unused CAD Blocks can be automatically purged from plans when the program is closed.
Specify Insertion Points for CAD Blocks Define an exact location for inserting and placing CAD Blocks.
Custom Line Style Editor tool Design your own lines styles are reuse them throughout your projects.
Close Polyline tool, Filleted Polylines radius Select any polyline and choose Close Polyline to automatically connect the start and end points. Editing of filleted polylines retains fillet radius.
Arc Creation Modes Choose from a number of methods to precisely draw arcs.
Current CAD Layer & CAD Points saved with plans and layouts When a plan is closed and re-opened, the CAD Layer used in the previous session is active.
Preference control for Roof Intersection CAD Points Control the display of the auto-generated CAD points.
Select Same, Load Same & Make Same tools Match properties between items of the same type. Edit similar items, including Electrical and Images.
Visual CAD Snaps™ Snap indicators – center, end point, tangent, and several others. Snap to objects or a grid. Snap to Reference Floor layer (a floor above or below the current floor). Angle Snap preview while drawing
Multiple Copy tool Replicate objects at pre-defined increments. Set default increments for different types of framing objects, as well as general objects.
Paste Hold Position tool Copy an item between layers, plans or floors while maintaining orientation and exact position.
Point-to-Point Move tool Accurately move or copy objects.
Layers
Layer Hider tool
Object Layer Properties edit tool Assign Cameras to Layers
Layer Set Defaults for Camera Types
Stair and Ramp Up/Down Arrow layer control
New “Footings, Step Markers” layer
Layers
Layer Sets Set up unique layer groupings for display and printing. Create separate Layer sets for Electrical Plans, Framing Views, or Space Planning. Use the Layer Set toolbar to quickly swap active Layer Sets. Swap Layer Sets using Annotation Sets.
User-Defined Layers In addition to the default Layers, add, change and delete new Layers.
Assign objects to Layers for Display & Materials List Choose which objects display in 2D and 3D and if they are to be used in Material List. Change the default layer used for individual objects and assign them as necessary.
Layer Eyedropper & Layer Painter tool Select a layer assigned to an object using the Layer Eyedropper tool, then apply that layer to a different object with Layer Painter.
Layer Hider tool Click on an object in plan view to turn off its layer display
Control display attributes by Layer Set color, weight, and line style on a per layer basis. Lock layers as necessary to prevent editing.
Object Layer Properties edit tool Quickly and easily modify the layer properties for any object
Layer Set Defaults dialog & Management dialog Assign 2D and 3D views to Layer Sets. For example, assign the Cross Section camera to a “Wall Cabinets” only view. Manage Layer Sets - import, export, copy, edit, delete, and create new layer sets from one dialog. Set the currently active set and the reference set. Assign Cameras to Layers
Layer Set Defaults for Camera Types Specify unique layer sets for each camera type; Full Camera, Floor Camera, Full Overview, Floor Overview, Cross Section, Back-Clipped Cross Section, and Wall Elevation. Control the layers displayed for any of these cameras when they are initially created by assigning layer sets in the Layer Set Defaults dialog.
Stair and Ramp Up/Down Arrow layer control New layer for stair and ramp arrow allows you to control the display separately.
New “Footings, Step Markers” layer Control the step markers display, line style, color, line weight, and text style. Layer and Line Style Information are stored with cabinets, CAD blocks, and other objects stored in the Library
Reference Layer Sets Reference Layer Sets are retained for each view sent to Layout pages.
Dimensions
Dimension Label Fill option
Append text to dimensions
Enhanced Wall Editing with Dimensions
Box and Bumpout Extension Snaps
Auto Exterior Dimensions for Slab Foundations
Dimensions Snap to Foundation Footings
Dimensions
Dimensioning tools Baseline, Centerline, Angular, End-to-End, Interior, Point-to-Point, and Temporary dimensions. Use One-Click Auto Dimensions™ for exteriors.
Display Secondary Dimensions Define the display of secondary dimensions.
Specify Dimension Units, Accuracy, & Display Use Imperial and Metric systems. Control the units displayed for dimensions, number height and font, arrow size and style, accuracy in decimals or fractions to 1/128" or 0.0078125.
Dimension Label Fill option Specify solid or transparent fill for dimensions' text.
Append text to dimensions Insert additional text before or after the dimension value for any dimension string. Choose the dimension number to which text is added
Define where Dimensions locate Locate to centers, rough openings, casing, interior layer, main framing layer, sides, and several other locations.
Multiple Dimension Defaults Define multiple dimension styles and attributes for your specific needs, such as defaults for floor plans, cabinet elevations and site plans. For each Default, define the attributes for number height, unit of measure, arrow, fonts and more.
Precisely position objects by entering a dimension Select any object, and enter a corresponding dimension number to move the object a set distance.
Enhanced Wall Editing with Dimensions Adjust wall lengths by selecting dimensions or temporary dimensions that run parallel to the wall. Display Wall length as you draw – press TAB to input an exact dimension
Tape Measure tool Use the Tape Measure Tool to find the measurements of any item.
Dimensions snap to objects Snap to the Center of Cabinets, sides of Appliances and Fixtures, Framing, and Callouts and Markers.
Box and Bumpout Extension Snaps Snap to projected 90° intersections
Dimension locations for wall tops, bottoms and cross sections Wall Elevation Views include dimension locations and extension for wall tops and bottoms. Cross Section Views include dimension locations and extension lines for finished floor and ceilings.
Enhanced Auto Exterior Dimensions Define the default behavior of Automatic Exterior Dimensions.
Auto Exterior Dimensions for Slab Foundations Automatically dimension monolithic slab foundations with a single click.
Dimensions Snap to Foundation Footings Accurately dimension foundation footings with manually drawn dimensions.
Define or convert any dimension extension to a Centerline Extension Open the specification for any dimension and select an extension number to change its values or change it to a centerline. Enhanced feedback while drawing dimensions Show or hide firebox dimensions for free standing fireplaces
Lighting / Electrical / HVAC
Improved Lighting Units
Easily control lighting
Enhanced Adjust Lighting Dialog
Automatic GFCI outlets in Kitchens
Continuous draw mode for Electrical Connections
Lighting / Electrical / HVAC
Electrical & HVAC tools Create Electrical, Plumbing and Heating / Ventilation plans. Electrical – place lights, switches, outlets, low voltage, and structured wiring. Circuit Connection tools draw the connections and circuits for your electrical layout. Connect electrical components together to create circuits. Adjust the lines and arcs of the circuit design. Connections will automatically change switches for 3-way and 4-way. Specify Electrical, Fixture, and Furniture items to attach to ceilings and roofs and auto-rotate to match the pitch of roofs or vaulted ceilings.
Electrical Defaults Control the initial behavior by specifying default values. Set up default objects to be placed when adding lights and outlets to a room, set the height for outlets and switches off the floor or countertops.
Auto Place Outlets tool Places outlets at regular intervals based on room type.
Electrical Lighting & Lighting Sources Use Light Sources in addition to light fixture symbols to enhance the lighting in a scene. Light Fixtures have light sources for Render and Ray Trace Views.
Define custom lighting with shadows, attenuation and intensity Turn lighting on or off per object. Control whether a light is used for a 3D scene.
Improved Lighting Units Choose from common wattage/lumens values for lights or specify custom values. Edit Lighting properties of electrical objects directly from the Library
Easily control lighting New edit controls for lighting allow you to turn lights on or off with a single click.
Enhanced Adjust Lighting Dialog Added information in dialog makes it easy to locate lights by label name or room location
Automatic GFCI outlets in Kitchens Use the Auto Place Outlet tool to add GFCI outlets to your kitchen rooms.
Continuous draw mode for Electrical Connections Quickly generate electrical connections for each circuit in your design.
Photo-realistic lighting effects with the Ray trace rendering See the Rendering section for additional detail.
Terrain & Landscape
Terrain tools Generate a 3D terrain model with elevation data you enter or import.
Create Plot Plans, Site plans, & Subdivisions Input accurate length, bearing and setback information.
Automatic Plan Footprint tool Use the Plan Footprint tool to automatically generate a CAD Detail for a Site Plan. Turn on only the layers you need visible for the site plan such as roof planes, overhang and exterior walls Import Terrain Wizard, import GPS, text file, DWG/DXF
Terrain Elevation Splines, Polylines, Regions & Points Input elevations data for Terrain by drawing splines, lines, and points. Attach elevation value to each object, then automatically generate the terrain contours. A Clear Terrain tool is available to remove contouring and adjust elevation data. Terrain Modifier tools - Hills, Valleys, Elevated Regions, Flat Regions
Azimuth Bearings Display angles as Azimuth Bearings.
Advanced Terrain dialog Use the dialog controls for terrain smoothness, triangle generation, terrain's skirt, clipping around structures, and full control over terrain contours.
Retaining Walls, Terrain Break tools Generate retaining walls with built-in terrain breaks to automatically create steps in the terrain with the wall. Use the Terrain Break tool for steps without the wall structure.
Terrain Accessory tools Stepping Stones, Streams, Garden Curbing, Pre-defined Garden Beds, Blocked garden beds.
Road & Sidewalk tools Tools to create a Road, Road Median, Road Striping/Marking, Curb, Gutter, Driveway, Sidewalk and Cul-de-sac. Automatically attach a sidewalk to the road or driveway objects you are generating and specify custom curb profiles. Spline & Polyline driveway tools
Road & Driveway Defaults Preset sizes, types, and materials for these tools to fit your standard development process.
North Pointer & Sun Angles for shadows Define a North Pointer and Sun Angle. Specify latitude, longitude, date and time. Generate shadows in 2D and 3D.
Deck Designer™ tool Design Straight and Curved Decks. Define roof and ceiling attributes for a covered deck. Control the orientation and size of deck planking, gap, width, overhang, direction, border planks, beams and joists. Full Deck framing – see framing section for more details. Polygon Deck tool, specify the number of sides and the size of a deck.
Fence tool Create picket, privacy, iron, and panel fences. Choose gate styles from the Library Catalog. Fences follow the terrain.
Sprinkler Designer™ tool Place sprinkler heads and connect them to create irrigations runs and zones.
Over 4,000 Landscaping Plants Plants Images - Trees, Shrubs, and Flowers can be placed in 2D and 3D views.
Create & Import Plants Import photos of plants and add them to the Library Browser to use in your designs. Add plant growth information and adjust transparency attributes.
3D Plant symbols Use 3D Plant Symbols for added detail. Generate realistic 3D views where plants cast shadows. - 700+ 3D Plants
Plant Chooser™ with Hardiness Zone Maps Plant Hardiness Zone maps show plant data by region.
Plant Encyclopedia™ Detailed plant information – common and scientific name, type, sub-type, characteristics, height range, zones, sun and water needs, bloom time, and leaf and flower color.
Create Landscaping Plans Assign fill colors to plants in Plan view and display plant labels, garden beds, and contours. Place text and CAD details. Create Plant Schedules.
Grow Plants tool Use sliding scale and grow the plants up to 20 years from the current maturity.
3D Design & Materials
3D & 2D Editing of Architectural Objects - Walls, Windows, Cabinets, Roofs, Stairs, … Place and edit objects directly in 3D and 2D Plan View or Elevation View. Design simultaneously in 2D and 3D for any of the views.
Center Objects tool – center objects in 2D & 3D Center cabinets under windows, windows in walls, dormers on a roof, and several other items 3D and 2D.
Material Painter™ & Default Painter Apply colors, materials and textures to objects or components of the object. Apply colors as solid or stain. Use the Default Painter tool restore items to their default material.
Material Eyedropper™ & Color Chooser™ Material Eyedropper: copy a material from one object and apply to another. Color Chooser capture colors and materials from a photo or website, such as tile for a custom backsplash or a wood stain color for a floor.
Material Properties Settings Make rendered and ray traced views more photo realistic with Pre-Defined Metals. Specify attributes for these Pre-Defined Metals: Aluminum, Brass, Bronze, Chromium, Copper, Gold, Iron, Nickel, Sliver, Stainless Steel, Tin Titanium Tungsten, and Zinc.
Material Class Definitions Use class definitions to define your materials: General, Plastic, Brushed Metal, Shiny Metal, Pre-Defined Metal, Matte, Mirror, Polished, Transparent, and Translucent. Preview the Material classes for standard rendering or ray trace. Ray trace preview includes the option to choose a sphere, cube, or teapot shape to help visualize the attributes of materials.
Screen Capture tool - create custom materials Screen capture an image and apply in the design, such as a photo of tile for a custom backsplash. Toggle Patterns on or off in Vector View™ Assign Custom Patterns to Materials or Object Fill
Manage Plan Materials Manage all the materials used in the design. Replace materials used in a plan with a material from the Library Catalog. Select a group of materials to merge. Define the Rotation Angle for Custom Patterns
Create Symbol Wizard™ Create custom symbols or import from manufacturers.
Create Custom Moldings Draw your own molding profile. The software will extrude the molding in 3D.
Library / Catalog
Faster and more reliable catalog downloads
Enhanced feedback for Library Catalog downloads status
Library Browser filtered views
Library Tree Reorganization
Library Object Shortcuts Improved speed of deleting objects from the Library Browser
Library (Catalog) Browser Access thousands of Objects / Items, both Manufacturer and generic. Download, import and create new objects. Search for objects in the Library or use the advanced search features to filter the results. Number of Library Items is displayed in the status bar.
Library Search & Instant Search bar integrated into the Library Search for Library items by keyword, object type or style. Instant Search bar is integrated into the Library, just start typing in the search bar to find objects in the Library. Customize Library Search Attributes, view or modify key words for searching on Library objects.
Faster and more reliable catalog downloads Downloaded content automatically installs (no pre-subscription required).
Enhanced feedback for Library Catalog downloads status Options to Continue or Cancel downloads when Chief Architect closes. Catalog Downloads automatically restart if Chief Architect is closed then re-launched.
Replace From Library tool Select objects in the plan and replace with an object in the Library. Replace single items or all identical items in a plan.
Library Browser filtered views Choose to show or hide entire library catalogs in the Library Browser tree. Improved library load times as hidden items are not loaded into the Library Browser.
Library Tree Reorganization Manufacturer, User, Chief Architect Core, and Chief Architect Bonus catalogs are now grouped into separate categories for easier navigation.
Library Object Shortcuts Create shortcut items to any object in the Library Browser to customize your organization.
Multiple Select Library Items Use the Shift or Ctrl keys to copy, move, and edit groups of objects. Improved speed of deleting objects from the Library Browser
Preview Objects / Items in the Library before they are placed in a design Visual feedback for the size and orientation of objects being placed from the library and edited in plan and 3D views. Rotate, Spin and Zoom the Library preview.
Convert Plan Materials to Library Materials Materials that are in use in the plan can automatically be added to the Library.
Materials List & Cost Estimating
Automatically generate Materials Lists Automatic Materials List with columns for equipment, unit costs, percent markup, and labor costs. Change order of the columns. Generate a list for the entire plan, single room, or defined area using a polyline.
Master Materials List The Master Materials List stores master data, such as price. When a new project is started, the Master List data is applied. Save and load multiple Master Materials Lists.
Specify Layers when calculating a Materials List Use Layers to control what is included in the Materials List.
Materials List Components Add detailed information to objects– such as glazing to a cabinet finish. Components information is then posted to the materials list. Choose which details to show or hide on the final Materials List using Components.
Material Schedules Create Schedules for Doors, Windows, Cabinets, Fixtures, Appliances, Furniture, Electrical HVAC, Plumbing, Plants and Room Finish. Exclude specific items from Schedules such as cabinet hardware. Automatically Customize the information contained in the Schedule and label controls for Schedules.
Cut & Buy Lists The Structural Lumber Table can be used to calculate lumber materials for a Cut List and a Buy List. This calculation is in addition to square feet and lineal feet calculations and can be especially helpful for your framing and decking board calculations. Materials List include soffits under roof eaves
Text / Annotation / Scripting
Text Style tools
Specify Line Style and Fill Style for Schedules
Improved control over multiple schedules Create Leader Lines using Rich Text or Plain Text types
More control over arrowhead style
Layer for Camera Labels
Automatic Roof Labels
Labels for Layout Boxes
Specify labels for Light Source or “added light” objects
Soffit, Shelf, and Partition Labels
Labels for Bay, Box, and Bow Windows
Primary and Secondary Terrain contour labels
Room Label background fill
Control the location of Labels
Window Macros Label macros for Electrical Lights, Stairs & Ramps, Roof Pitch / Slope, and Layout Boxes
Create Dynamic Label Macros
Text Macro Management dialog
Annotation Sets Annotation Sets control a subset of defaults including Dimensions, Text, Arrows, Markers, Callouts, and Layers. Annotation Sets can be used to quickly change your defaults and streamline the annotation process - similar to Layer Sets.
Fully editable Text tools Control font, size, weight, color, position, justification, and more.
Advanced Rich Text tools Format text with varying colors, font, and more. Convert plain text to rich text.
Text Style tools Create unlimited Text Styles and assign them per layer, per default, or per object to control the appearance of labels, dimensions and other text in your design.
Specify Line Style and Fill Style for Schedules Change schedule grid color and overall background color on a per schedule basis.
Improved control over multiple schedules Manage multiple schedules of the same type and independently control their display of labels. Improved schedule updating when items in the plan are added to or removed from the schedule display. Text Leader Line tool quickly creates callouts and notes Create Leader Lines using Rich Text or Plain Text types
Architectural fonts: City Blueprint, Country Blueprint, Chief Blueprint Use any built-in font included with your operating system.
Spell Checker Uses a built-in or custom dictionary.
Enhanced Text control Font control, font defaults, and text macros for page number, date, and others. Customizable Text Arrows
More control over arrowhead style Specify the arrowhead type used for Joist Directions, Sun Angles, Roof Labels, and Stairs and Ramps.
Custom Door, Window, & Cabinet Labels Type your own customized labels for any Door, Window, or Cabinet object. Control cabinet label size and orientation.
Callouts & Markers Place Callouts and Markers in Plan, Elevation, Layout, and Detail views. Adjust fill color, line style, line weight, and double-headed Callouts. Callouts and Markers have unique layers. Use multiple default styles for Arrows, Markers, and Callouts.
Layer for Camera Labels Label display for cameras is now independent from the camera display.
Automatic Roof Labels Display labels for roofs, skylights and holes. Label includes pitch direction arrow and the roof angle in pitch or degrees. Modify the arrow style and text style of the roof labels
Labels for Layout Boxes Automatic labels for layout views will display the camera name for elevation and section views or the floor plan name for plan views. Create custom labels that will move with the views and you set up you layout .
Specify labels for Light Source or “added light” objects Uniquely name light sources in your scenes for easy recognition.
Soffit, Shelf, and Partition Labels Assign custom labels through the new Label Tab for soffits, shelves, and partitions
Labels for Bay, Box, and Bow Windows Customize labels through the Label Tab of the Bay, Box, and Bow Window dialogs.
Primary and Secondary Terrain contour labels The primary and secondary labels are now independent of each other. Control the highlight for negative value contour labels.
Room Label background fill Specify background fill color or solid or transparent fill for room labels
Control the location of Labels New X and Y offsets for labels allow you to control the orientation of labels in relationship to the object.
Embed Hyperlinks in Text Add links to website or other files using the te
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