I’m really leaning into Sketchup as a back up and maybe replacement to Chief Architect. Your pluggins / extensions make things great for the accurate level of detail I want.
I think Chief still has me beat in a number of ways but when it comes down to the details, especially the “framing” details I think I am putting up a pretty good fight. In my mind Chief is too much of a “blackbox” and does not allow enough control to the users, both in the details and in just free form modeling. If Chief was smart they would open up their program with an API like SketchUp has done. However, I don’t think they will ever be able to compete when it comes to the sheer joy and ease of modeling in SketchUp.
Admittedly, the automation in the construction document creation arena is where Chief is quite powerful. SketchUp could compete better if Layout also had a real time API and was given a tune up (upgrade). When it comes to an architectural platform SketchUp just needs a slightly better Layout (more robust, more stable, more speed and a few more features) and it will then completely crush the competition.
In conjunction with the chord angle parameter for arched openings I’m also introducing an Excel based spreadsheet that allows one to quickly explore the different configurations an arched opening can take:
Normally I require that you purchase a Medeek Toolbox key to gain access to these calculators and spreadsheets however if you are license holder of the Medeek Wall plugin and would like this simple spreadsheet for arched openings, just shoot me a quick email and I will send it to you.