Sign up to save your podcasts
Or
Share Productivity Hacks Every Chief User Should Know - Designers Show #156
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Or
Productivity Hacks Every Chief User Should Know - Designers Show #156
Welcome to The "Designers Show" by Chief Experts, where design isn't just an art—it's a profit center!
In this episode of the Designer Show, Dan and John unpack a toolbox full of Chief Architect hacks and expert tips to help you work smarter—not harder. From using X, Y, Z coordinates and keyboard shortcuts to custom railings, screen capture materials, and the underrated “rainbow bacon tool,” this episode is packed with gems for Chief users of all levels.
🔑 What You’ll Learn:
How to truly think CAD-first with Chief Architect
The power of the Tab key, coordinate systems, and custom hotkeys
Tips for using screen captures to create new materials
Eyedropper tools, layer management, and note schedules
Custom railings, stairs, and post-to-beam setups
When to use (or avoid) the Material Painter
What not to overlook in your defaults
📍 Episode Chapters:
00:00 Welcome & Introductions
01:47 What is a “Hack” in Chief Architect?
05:32 Understanding X, Y, Z Coordinates
14:00 Favorite Hotkeys & Stream Deck Tips
21:40 Layer Tools & Eyedropper Tricks
31:40 Material Capture & Editing
50:30 Porch Railings & Railing Offsets
57:00 Notes Tool & Schedule Tricks
66:00 Material Painter vs Define Material
71:00 Upcoming Events & Farewell
🔗 Resources & Mentions:
ChiefExperts.com – Live training, templates & resources
TileBar.com – Tile textures for screen capture use
Chief Architect X17 – Latest features overview
Stream Deck – Programmable macro keys for design tools
📅 Upcoming Live Events:
👨🏫 Live Training in Bloomington, MN
Beginner–Intermediate: Oct 6–7, 2025
Intermediate–Advanced: Oct 8–9, 2025
✈️ 5 minutes from MSP Airport — Join us!
💬 Stay Connected:
Subscribe to the Designer Show and never miss an episode! Have questions or topic ideas? Reach out to Dan and John at ChiefExperts.com .
*********************************************
🖥 Dan's Website
💻 RSVP for The Designers Show
😊 Dan's Social Accounts
About the Co-Hosts:
John Schrader
Kevin Transue
Robin Rigby Fisher
Rene Rabbitt
View all episodes
By Chief Experts Dan Baumann, John Schrader, Rene Rabbitt, Robin Fisher & Kevin TransueWelcome to The "Designers Show" by Chief Experts, where design isn't just an art—it's a profit center!
In this episode of the Designer Show, Dan and John unpack a toolbox full of Chief Architect hacks and expert tips to help you work smarter—not harder. From using X, Y, Z coordinates and keyboard shortcuts to custom railings, screen capture materials, and the underrated “rainbow bacon tool,” this episode is packed with gems for Chief users of all levels.
🔑 What You’ll Learn:
How to truly think CAD-first with Chief Architect
The power of the Tab key, coordinate systems, and custom hotkeys
Tips for using screen captures to create new materials
Eyedropper tools, layer management, and note schedules
Custom railings, stairs, and post-to-beam setups
When to use (or avoid) the Material Painter
What not to overlook in your defaults
📍 Episode Chapters:
00:00 Welcome & Introductions
01:47 What is a “Hack” in Chief Architect?
05:32 Understanding X, Y, Z Coordinates
14:00 Favorite Hotkeys & Stream Deck Tips
21:40 Layer Tools & Eyedropper Tricks
31:40 Material Capture & Editing
50:30 Porch Railings & Railing Offsets
57:00 Notes Tool & Schedule Tricks
66:00 Material Painter vs Define Material
71:00 Upcoming Events & Farewell
🔗 Resources & Mentions:
ChiefExperts.com – Live training, templates & resources
TileBar.com – Tile textures for screen capture use
Chief Architect X17 – Latest features overview
Stream Deck – Programmable macro keys for design tools
📅 Upcoming Live Events:
👨🏫 Live Training in Bloomington, MN
Beginner–Intermediate: Oct 6–7, 2025
Intermediate–Advanced: Oct 8–9, 2025
✈️ 5 minutes from MSP Airport — Join us!
💬 Stay Connected:
Subscribe to the Designer Show and never miss an episode! Have questions or topic ideas? Reach out to Dan and John at ChiefExperts.com .
*********************************************
🖥 Dan's Website
💻 RSVP for The Designers Show
😊 Dan's Social Accounts
About the Co-Hosts:
John Schrader
Kevin Transue
Robin Rigby Fisher
Rene Rabbitt