Welcome to The "Designers Show" by Chief Experts, where design isn't just an art—it's a profit center!

In this lively and unscripted episode of The Designer Show, Renee Rabbit, Kevin Transue and Robin Rigby-Fisher take over while Dan Baumann and John Schrader are away for a Live Chief Training in Rockville—and the result is an insightful, tip-packed session all about designing stairs in Chief Architect X17. From clever uses of winders and tread settings to advanced railing customization and molding hacks, you'll walk away with real-world solutions to real-world stair problems.

They also break down powerful new X17 features, including:

Plan Display controls for multi-story stair visibility

Stair library tricks for fast placement

Custom stringers, planter-style stairs, and more

Whether you're an architect, home designer, or Chief power user, this episode is loaded with smart workflows and time-saving gems.

🔑 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

How to create wildly custom stairs using winders and shape tools

The difference between railings on stairs vs. manual railings—and why it matters

How to build realistic nosings and moldings using cabinets and symbols

Using stair components as modeling tools beyond just stair design

New X17 features that simplify stair visibility across floor levels

Tips on using library-saved stair setups and custom railing components

📌 Resources & Links Mentioned:

Renee Rabbit’s VIP Membership (70+ hours of advanced tutorials):
https://rabbitdesign.net

Pro Tools for Chief Architect Users:
https://rabbitdesign.net/tools

YouTube Channel (Free Tutorials & Shorts):
https://youtube.com/@rabbitdesign

📆 Upcoming Events:

Next Live Show – June 6, 2025:
A full breakdown of X17’s project management tools and more in-depth features.

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🖥 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

In this episode of The Designer Show, Dan Baumann is joined by Robin Rigby Fisher, John Schrader, and René Rabbitt to explore practical productivity tips and time-saving techniques in Chief Architect. Whether you’re new to the software or a seasoned pro, this episode is packed with golden nuggets to help you speed up your workflow and improve accuracy.

What You’ll Learn:

Dan’s go-to custom keystrokes and how to optimize hotkeys for common commands like reflect about (RA), transform replicate (TR), and snap points (S).

How to use hold position paste (HH) for multi-story design accuracy.

Why Robin starts kitchen layouts with custom countertops (not cabinets!)—and how to build detailed countertop schedules with custom fields.

How René’s kitchen toolbar system and layout templates can streamline elevations, dimensions, and cabinet reflections.

How to clean up auto-dimensions for precise layouts by adjusting camera placement.

Using right-clicks and tool cycling for faster object selections and moves.

Bonus: John demonstrates how to build non-centered sloped ceilings using simple CAD tools and ridge calculations.

Plus:

Why using Chief Architect for space planning first (even with countertops) can save time on client presentations.

A sneak peek at features in X17 and how they're shaping workflows, especially for framers and fixture scheduling.

Details on the upcoming live training in Rockville, Maryland (May 13–16, 2025), hosted by Chief Experts Academy.

Resources Mentioned:

Live Training Info: https://www.chiefexperts.com

René Rabbitt’s Pro Plan Template: Includes smart elevation tools, fixture scheduling guides, and optimized toolbars for efficient kitchen and bath design.

🎧 Ready to streamline your design process and build better with Chief? Hit play and join the conversation.

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🖥 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

In this episode of the Designers Show, Dan Baumann is joined by John, Robin, and Renee to walk you through the essential first steps for getting started with Chief Architect. Whether you're brand new or looking to sharpen your workflow, this episode is packed with practical advice, common mistakes to avoid, and time-saving tips to help you master this powerful design software.

From setting up your first plan to dimensioning accurately and using templates wisely, you'll learn the must-knows for creating clean, build-ready drawings in less time. Plus, Renee introduces his “One-Minute Shower System” for supercharged bathroom design.

What makes Chief Architect different from other CAD tools

The difference between plan and layout files (and how to use them)

How to simplify the interface and customize toolbars

Best practices for using templates and setting defaults

Step-by-step guidance on wall layout and dimensioning

How to troubleshoot common issues like snapping to OSB instead of framing

Fast, pro-level bathroom design using the One-Minute Shower System

Real-world tips to avoid fractional errors and misaligned walls

0:00 – Welcome & training announcements

4:00 – What is Chief Architect and who is it for?

10:00 – Subscription pricing & version breakdown

14:00 – Navigating the interface & tool settings

21:00 – Templates vs. preferences explained

30:00 – Using layers, defaults, and plan views

39:00 – Deep dive: Auto-dimensioning and snapping issues

51:00 – Interior wall dimensioning made easy

57:00 – Shower design demo: One-Minute Shower System

59:00 – Q&A + Feature request wrap-up

📍 Upcoming Training:
Join us in Rockville, Maryland this May for two 2-day Chief Architect training sessions (Beginner–Intermediate & Intermediate–Advanced). 🎟 Spots are limited—register now! 

💬 Connect with Us: Visit ChiefExperts.com for training, resources, and expert support.

*********************************************

🖥 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

Welcome to The "Designers Show" by Chief Experts, where design isn't just an art—it's a profit center!

In this special episode of the Designers Show, Dan Baumann and the Chief Experts coaching team broadcast live from the 2025 Chief Experts Total Immersion Summit in the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

They’re joined by co-hosts John Schrader, Rene Rabbitt, Kenny and Kevin & JudyTransue to unpack their favorite workflows, time-saving tips, and business breakthroughs shared during the retreat.

💡 Inside this episode:

How to turn your design work into a standalone profit center

The magic of the Plan Elevation Tool (PET) for creating color-coded, client-friendly drawings

How to use macros to automate room labels and save hours of editing

Creating dual-purpose layer sets that serve both production and marketing

The power of community learning—and how relationships built over coffee can turn into referrals

📍 Free PDF: How to Make More Money Selling Your Design Services

📍 Chief Architect PRO ACADEMY – Join the waitlist

📍Live Chief Architect Training – Rockville, MD • May 13‑16, 2025

📍Submit your plans for a future show

📍“All‑New PRO ACADEMY” online platform coming soon. Join the wait‑list 

Whether you missed the Summit or just want to relive the highlights, this conversation is packed with immediately usable insights that can transform how you work, present, and profit.

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🖥 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

In this episode, we explore advanced features in Chief Architect that help you create cleaner, more client-friendly floor plans. Learn how to use the Plan Elevation Tool (PET), custom macros, and conditional room labels to simplify your presentation views and improve your workflow. Whether you're building marketing visuals or working on construction sets, these tips will elevate your design process.

Episode Notes:

🔑 Topics Covered:

How the Plan Elevation Tool (PET) improves plan readability

Creating simplified plan views for client presentations

Using rich text macros for flexible room labeling

Conditional formatting based on room types

Tips for working efficiently in 3D views

File recovery and backup best practices in Chief Architect

🛠 Tools & Features Mentioned:

PET (Plan Elevation Tool)

Rich Text Macros

Plan Views & Layer Sets

Room Types & Conditional Macros

3D Movement & Editing Tools

Chief Architect File Storage & Recovery Tips

📍 Upcoming Training:
Join us in Rockville, Maryland this May for two 2-day Chief Architect training sessions (Beginner–Intermediate & Intermediate–Advanced). 🎟 Spots are limited—register now! 

💬 Connect with Us: Visit ChiefExperts.com for training, resources, and expert support.

Welcome to another episode of the Designer Show! In this episode, we dive into the latest updates from the International Builders’ Show (IBS) and Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS), where thousands of professionals gathered to explore innovations in design, technology, and materials. From award-winning designers to game-changing products, we cover it all!

🔑 Key Takeaways:

📌 Chapters:

📌 Upcoming Events
→ Chief Experts Summit 2025 – March 18-24, 2024 | Outer Banks, NC 
→ Next Designer Show Episode – Live from the Summit! 
→ IBS/KBIS 2025 – Coming to Orlando, FL

💬 Have questions or want to connect? Drop a comment or reach out at ChiefExperts.com!

Welcome to The "Designers Show" by Chief Experts, where design isn't just an art—it's a profit center!

In this episode, we’re diving into key topics that matter most to designers, builders, and Chief Architect users.

We’ll cover:
→ Chief Experts Summit 2025 – What to expect and why you should attend
→ Imposter Syndrome – How to overcome self-doubt in the design industry
→ Rising construction costs & labor shortages – Strategies for managing challenges
→ Chief Architect tips & tricks – Learn to think in CAD and optimize your workflow
→ The power of networking – Why connecting with other professionals is so valuable

Whether you're a designer, builder, remodeler, or contractor, this episode is packed with insights to help you grow, improve, and succeed!

0:00 – Introduction & Welcome
2:15 – The Chief Experts Summit: What to Expect
8:40 – Imposter Syndrome: Why Designers & Builders Struggle
15:30 – Construction Costs & Subcontractor Issues
23:10 – Chief Architect Tips & Learning CAD the Right Way
30:45 – Networking & Community – Why It’s So Valuable
40:20 – Upcoming Events & How to Get Involved
45:00 – Final Thoughts & Call to Action

📍 Chief Architect Summit
📍 Chief Architect PRO ACADEMY – Join the waitlist
📍 Chief Architect Free IBS Tickets – Claim Yours Here

What challenges are YOU facing in design or construction? Drop a comment below!
Like, Subscribe & Share!

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🖥 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

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 Designers Show, the team dives deep into Chief Architect plan reviews, troubleshooting, and workflow optimizations. If you've ever struggled with transferring old plans, terrain issues, or rendering settings, this episode is packed with expert insights to help you streamline your process.

We also discuss the upcoming Chief Architect Summit, why it’s a must-attend event for designers and architects, and how you can level up your business, design skills, and network. Plus, we explore AI-enhanced rendering, layer visibility issues, and how to align layout views for a professional presentation.

🔹 How to transfer old plans into new Chief Architect versions without errors
🔹 Fixing common layer and display issues in Chief Architect
🔹 Terrain modeling tips & how to rebuild terrain after copying plans
🔹 Best practices for rendering in Chief Architect & post-processing with AI
🔹 Using “Paste Hold Position” to maintain accuracy in plan transfers
🔹 Aligning layout views properly for clean and professional presentations
🔹 The importance of keeping project files centered at (0,0)
🔹 Pro Academy updates – upcoming training & keyboard shortcuts for efficiency

[0:00] - Introduction & welcome to The Designers Show #144
[1:52] - Plan review & live Q&A session begins
[3:00] - Chief Architect Summit details & why you should attend
[6:25] - Transferring old plans to newer Chief Architect versions
[10:26] - Best practices for copying & pasting plans while maintaining accuracy
[17:55] - Fixing missing layers & visibility issues in Chief Architect
[20:08] - Terrain challenges & rebuilding terrain after plan transfer
[28:42] - Optimizing Chief Architect renderings for better performance
[36:53] - Aligning layout views for a professional presentation
[48:28] - Robin’s framing plan issue & troubleshooting layer visibility
[54:12] - Chief Architect Pro Academy updates – training, shortcuts & live Q&A
[56:39] - Community questions & best practices for backing up Chief Architect data
[65:00] - Closing remarks & Robin’s KBIS award nomination

📍 Chief Architect Summit
📍 Alternative to Photoshop (Photopea)
📍 Chief Architect Pro Academy – Coming Soon
📍 Renee’s Rendering Tutorials on Youtube

*********************************************

🖥 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

Welcome to The "Designers Show" by Chief Experts, where design isn't just an art—it's a profit center!

Unlock the full potential of Chief Architect in this episode of the Designer Show! Discover the 5 essential techniques that will elevate your design workflow and save you time. From mastering the Edit Area tool to advanced area calculations with CAD boxes, this episode is packed with actionable tips and expert insights. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a newcomer, you’ll learn how to work smarter, not harder.

What You’ll Learn:

Highlights from the Episode:

Welcome to The "Designers Show" by Chief Experts, where design isn't just an art—it's a profit center!

In the first episode of the Designers Show for 2025, Chief Experts Dan Baumann, John Schrader and Robin Rigby Fisher welcomes marketing expert Joleen Emery from Big Raven Media to discuss actionable strategies for designers, contractors, and remodelers. Learn how to build stronger client relationships, simplify your marketing efforts, and use AI tools like ChatGPT to save time and grow your business. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you thrive in the new year.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

[0:00] – Introduction and New Year Reflections
[5:20] – Importance of Planning for 2025
[8:30] – Guest Joleen Discusses Marketing Trends
[12:45] – Using AI for Content Creation and Time Management
[20:10] – Questions to Drive Marketing Success
[30:45] – Building Online Presence Effectively
[40:20] – Engaging Your Target Market on Social Media
[50:00] – Q&A and Final Thoughts

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🖥 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