Dashboard and Preferences

The Dashboard is the opening screen when you first pull up Chief Architect. Depending on your settings in the Preferences, this screen may include your recent files. I actually recommend having this setting turned on (watch the video for where this is located), it can be very helpful when working on the same projects continuously.

The Preferences menu is located by going to: FILE>Edit>Preferences

You’ll want to head over to preference if you’re having issues with other menus, snapping, archiving, folder management and saving, interface colors, etc.

User Interface and Toolbars Quick Overview

As with any software, there are some elements that are available that I, honestly, just don’t use. While I’ll show you where they are located, we may never use them in this course. That being said, if there IS something in your workflow that you’re looking for or use in CA, just reach out. I’m always happy to update my videos and/or figure out a more efficient way of doing something if its available.

The User Interface and Toolbars are customizable based on what you need as a designer.

Custom Toolbar Settings

You may be wondering what the significance is of customizing toolbars, well, it really depends on how you work. I, personally, don’t go crazy with the customizations. This segment is purely to show you where to access, how to update the toolbars, and where you can find them again if you sign in one day and they are missing from your screen (yes, this has happened to me).

Hotkeys

Hotkeys are keyboard commands assigned to different actions available in the software. If you have experience with AutoCAD and you were a ‘keyboarder’, the hotkey feature will provide you the ability to customize the commands to match what you are used to using in AutoCAD.

If you are new to this ability, then consider using the hotkeys as your model (even if that means just using the features you use regularly), you can write them down and post them somewhere on your desk until you get used to seeing them. Utilizing this feature can save you lots of time.