The Designers Show by Chief Experts

Chief Experts Dan Baumann, John Schrader, Rene Rabbitt, Robin Fisher & Kevin Transue

Hey, everyone! Welcome to the Designers Show by Chief Experts, where design isn't just an art — it's a profit center! Join us each week as Dan Baumann, John Schrader, Rene Rabbitt, Robin Rigby Fisher and Kevin Transue share their experiences and interview top industry experts. You'll get actionable tips and strategies for the real world of design in construction to help you take your design and contracting business to the next level.

  1. Oct 17

    Chief Architect Plan Review - Designers Show #182

    Welcome to the "Designers Show" by Chief Experts, where design isn't just an art—it's a profit center! Are you spending too much time creating construction drawings, managing layouts, or updating project specifications in Chief Architect? In Episode 182 of The Designers Show, Dan Baumann, John Schrader, and René Rabbitt explore practical Chief Architect X18 workflows that can help designers, remodelers, and builders work smarter, produce more consistent construction documents, and save valuable production time. From automated construction drawing templates and remodeling layer controls to AI-assisted specifications and powerful 3D cladding tools, this episode is packed with real-world demonstrations and techniques you can put to work in your next project. 🔑 Key Takeaways Smarter Construction Drawing Sets: Learn what belongs in a professional plan set and how to organize drawings for different project requirements. Faster Documentation with Templates: Discover how preconfigured layouts, schedules, and details can reduce repetitive work. Better Remodeling Workflows: Use layers, the Layer Painter, and as-built plans to clearly distinguish existing, new, and demolition work. Automated Specifications and Title Blocks: Explore ways to manage project information, code references, and specifications more efficiently. AI-Assisted Documentation: See how AI can help customize specification content for different regional requirements, with professional verification. Chief Architect X18 3D Cladding: Explore realistic lattice, stone, brick, log walls, and roofing materials using custom profiles. Practical Tips from the Live Q&A: Get helpful techniques for bearing wall displays, back-clipped cross sections, reusable details, section sliders, and roof valley flashing. 📌 Resources Mentioned Chief Experts: https://www.chiefexperts.com Chief Experts Pro Academy: Ongoing Chief Architect training, plan reviews, masterclasses, and expert support. The Designers Show: Live software demonstrations, workflow tips, and Q&A with the Chief Experts team. Construction Drawing Standards: Previous Designers Show discussion featuring Steve Mickley of the American Institute of Building Design (AIBD). 📌 Upcoming Events Chief Architect Live Training – Bloomington, MN October 26–29, 2026 Join the Chief Experts team for four days of hands-on Chief Architect training. Bring your laptop, projects, and questions, and learn practical techniques to improve your design workflow. Visit https://www.chiefexperts.com for registration and details. 📌 Subscribe & Stay Connected Want to spend less time troubleshooting Chief Architect and more time designing profitable projects? Subscribe to The Designers Show for practical software tips, expert demonstrations, real-world plan reviews, and answers to the questions design professionals face every day. Watch the full episode and explore more Chief Architect resources at https://www.chiefexperts.com. ********************************************* 🖥 Dan's Website 💻 RSVP for The Designers Show 😊 Dan's Social Accounts → Facebook Page → Facebook Group → Instagram → Youtube → LinkedIn → Google Page    About the Co-Hosts: John Schrader  Robin Rigby Fisher Rene Rabbit

    Chief Architect Plan Review - Designers Show #182

  2. Oct 3

    Episode 181 - Chief Architect X18: Practical Fixes for Everyday Design Work - Designers Show #181

    Welcome to The Designers Show by Chief Experts, where design isn't just an art—it's a profit center. Chief Architect X18 has plenty of useful tools, but the small workflow details can still leave users scratching their heads. In Designers Show 181, Dan, John, and Rene spin the wheel and work through practical tips for organizing projects, copying layouts with linked plans, tracking time, adjusting labels, reusing stair settings, and preserving manual framing changes. Through live demonstrations, they explore what works, where an extra step matters, and which questions still need answers. Tune in for ideas that can reduce repeated clicks and make everyday design work easier. Bring your Chief Architect questions to the next live show. RSVP at www.designersshow.com.   📌 Episode Chapters 00:00 – Welcome & Introductions 01:43 – Using Picker Wheel in Your Design Business 03:42 – Upcoming In-Person Classes (Denver & Bloomington) & Pro Academy 06:00 – Community Spotlight: Rabbit Design (René) & Coaching (John) 07:18 – OneDrive & User Catalog Issues Explained 08:28 – Setting Preferences: Unmanaged Data Drive & Offline Sync 10:16 – Project Management Database vs. Unmanaged Cloud Folders 11:42 – Exporting & Importing Projects Between Machines 14:48 – Managing Revisions: Making Copies with Links to Document Folders 19:07 – Keeping Track of Versions: Saving Plan & 3D View Thumbnails 21:26 – Project Details Panel: Notes & Adding Hyperlinks 24:38 – Hyperlinks in Rich Text vs. Plain Text in Chief Architect 26:38 – Adding Links to Window Schedules & Exporting to CSV 29:04 – Spin the Wheel #1: Object Painter for Stairs & Library Replacement 33:12 – Spin the Wheel #2: Sorting & Batch Editing Time Tracker Entries 38:57 – Spin the Wheel #3: Story Pole Dimension Defaults & Camera Clipping 46:27 – Spin the Wheel #4: Room Schedule Preview Symbols & Room Labels 50:30 – Spin the Wheel #5: Technical Illustration Camera Line Styles 52:38 – Room & Door Label Controls & Dialog Tab Memory Preferences 56:30 – Spin the Wheel #6: Retain Manual Framing Edits (Walls, Roofs & Rooms) 01:00:06 – Viewing Wall Framing Detail: Exterior vs. Interior & Rebuilding Framing 01:03:00 – Chief Architect X18 Update Release Notes 01:07:00 – Exporting/Importing Custom Toolbars & Managing Backups 01:11:43 – Wrap-Up & Closing Remarks   📌 Upcoming Events: 📍Bloomington, Minnesota: October 26–29, 2026 📍California: January 2027 These are small-group, hands-on Chief Architect training events for designers, remodelers, builders, architects, and serious Chief users who want to work faster and produce better plans. Event information and registration: https://www.chiefexperts.com Upcoming event details were confirmed on the official Chief Experts website.   ********************************************* 🖥 Dan's Website 💻 RSVP for The Designers Show 😊 Dan's Social Accounts → Facebook Page → Facebook Group → Instagram → Youtube → LinkedIn → Google Page    About the Co-Hosts: John Schrader Robin Rigby Fisher Rene Rabbit

    Episode 181 - Chief Architect X18: Practical Fixes for Everyday Design Work - Designers Show #181

  3. Sep 19

    Episode 180 - What We Learned from Chief Architect’s Training in Coeur d'Alene

    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 (#180), the Chief Experts team shares their experiences and key insights from the recent Chief Architect annual training event in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. They discuss the value of community, direct feedback to developers, and dive deep into practical software workflows. 🔑 Key Takeaways: Developer Feedback Loop: The team highlights how Chief Architect actively listens to user suggestions to improve the software, often implementing requested features shortly after events. Software Workflow Tips: Practical demonstrations on using the 'S' key for snapping, mastering the material builder, and using stretch planes for 3D symbols. System Optimization: Advice on keeping Nvidia drivers updated via the Help > System Information menu rather than traditional preference menus. Customization: New capabilities for managing room labels and text sizes for better plan readability. 📌 Chapters with timestamps: 0:00 – Welcome and Introduction 2:25 – Reflections on Chief Architect training in Coeur d'Alene 10:09 – Material Builder and Rendering insights 16:43 – Chief Experts resources and mouse hotkeys 17:20 – The 'S' key and snap overrides 23:28 – Managing Nvidia drivers and system info 26:22 – Working with 3D symbols and stretch planes 46:07 – New room label and text sizing defaults 51:53 – Training and learning resources 1:02:00 – Room label macros and community announcements 📌 Resources Mentioned: Chief Experts (chiefexperts.com): Training resources, Pro Academy, and support. Rabbit Design (rabbitdesign.net): Coaching and support. Nvidia Drivers: Recommended 'Game Ready' drivers for optimal performance. XR Real Pro Glasses: AR wearable for productivity. 📌 Upcoming Events: October 5–8, 2026: Training in Denver. October 26–29, 2026: Training in Bloomington, Minnesota. October 2, 2026: Next episode of The Designers Show.   ********************************************* 🖥 Dan's Website 💻 RSVP for The Designers Show 😊 Dan's Social Accounts → Facebook Page → Facebook Group → Instagram → Youtube → LinkedIn → Google Page    About the Co-Hosts: John Schrader  Robin Rigby Fisher Rene Rabbit

    Episode 180 - What We Learned from Chief Architect’s Training in Coeur d'Alene

  4. Aug 22

    Episode 179 - Turn Chief Architect Designs Into AI Renderings & Videos

    What if you could take a design you've already created in Chief Architect and turn it into a more polished rendering or even an animated video using AI? In this episode of The Designers Show, Dan Baumann of Chief Experts is joined by John Schrader and Rene Rabbitt, along with special guest Kacper Staniul, co-founder of MyArchitectAI. Kacper demonstrates how MyArchitectAI works with Chief Architect designs to create renderings, experiment with materials and finishes, enhance images, and turn still renderings into short videos. Dan, John, and Rene also dig into the practical side of the workflow: what AI does well, where you still need control, and how Chief Architect users can use these tools to create better presentations for their clients. 🔑 Key Takeaways: Start with an existing Chief Architect design and use AI to enhance the presentation rather than starting over. MyArchitectAI's basic workflow moves from Render → Edit → Enhance → Animate. You don't need to overcomplicate AI prompts. Start with the design, see what the AI produces, then refine from there. Preserve existing textures when you want the AI rendering to stay closer to the materials already established in Chief. Use reference images to experiment with specific roofing, siding, finishes, textures, and other materials. Target specific areas of a rendering when you need more control over material changes. Maintaining the original pixel-to-pixel perspective makes it much easier to mask, correct, and combine AI renderings with the original Chief Architect image. AI-enhanced images can be brought back into a Chief Architect layout for client presentations. Still renderings can be animated into short videos using camera movements and start/end frames. A few basic image-editing skills can make AI considerably more useful when it doesn't get every detail right.   📌 Resources Mentioned: MyArchitectAI – AI rendering, editing, enhancement, and animation tools demonstrated throughout the episode. Chief Architect – The design software used as the starting point for the workflows demonstrated on the show. Photopea / Photoshop – Discussed as options for masking, compositing, and making simple image edits when AI changes something you want to preserve. MyArchitectAI Tutorials – Short tutorials covering many of the tools and workflows demonstrated during the episode.   📌 Upcoming Events: Want to go deeper with Chief Architect? Chief Experts has upcoming Chief Architect Live Training events where Dan and the Chief Experts team work directly with users to improve their Chief Architect skills and workflows. 📍 Denver, CO – October 5–8, 2026📍 Bloomington, MN – October 26–29, 2026📍 California – January 2027 And don't miss the next Designers Show, where Dan and the team share practical Chief Architect tips, demonstrations, tools, and real-world workflows. RSVP for The Designers Show:www.designersshow.com ********************************************* 🖥 Dan's Website 💻 RSVP for The Designers Show 😊 Dan's Social Accounts → Facebook Page → Facebook Group → Instagram → Youtube → LinkedIn → Google Page    About the Co-Hosts: John Schrader Kevin Transue Robin Rigby Fisher Rene Rabbit

    Episode 179 - Turn Chief Architect Designs Into AI Renderings & Videos

  5. Jul 17

    Episode 178 - Chief Architect X18: Best New Features and Workflow Tips

    Welcome to The Designers Show by Chief Experts, where design isn't just an art—it's a profit center. Chief Architect X18 is here, but which updates will actually make a difference in your day-to-day work?  In Episode 178 of The Designers Show, Dan Baumann, John Schrader, Rene Rabbitt, Robin Fisher, and Kevin Transue test X18’s new tools in real time. The panel looks at plan performance, wall connections, terrain references, cross-section fills, framing controls, project organization, WebP support, and several smaller improvements that can eliminate repetitive work. This is not a walkthrough of release notes. It is an honest look at what works, what still needs refinement, and where X18 can help designers produce cleaner plans in less time. 🔑 Key Takeaways: Diagnose a slow plan before replacing your computer or graphics card. Test materials, patterns, fixtures, furnishings, floors, and individual plan areas to isolate performance problems. Use wall-end auto-connect controls to create short walls, wall extensions, and unusual intersections without fighting automatic snapping. Edit the upper and lower portions of pony-wall intersections independently. Use layer-based fills to create clearer cross-sections and distinguish new construction from existing conditions. Move the terrain surface reference point to coordinate grades, garage floors, driveways, and site elevations more accurately. Control joist direction, type, and size in specific areas while carefully verifying bearing conditions. Pin active files inside a project and save distributed paths to the library for faster reuse. Use borderless schedule callouts to produce cleaner, more professional construction documents. Build X18’s best features into your templates and office standards instead of setting them up again on every project. 📌 Resources Mentioned: • Chief Experts: https://www.chiefexperts.com • Chief Experts Pro Academy: https://www.chiefexperts.com/pro-academy-info • The Designers Show: https://www.designersshow.com • Rene Rabbitt: https://www.rabbittdesign.net • Imagine Drafting & Design: https://www.imagine-drafting.com • Convertio file converter: https://convertio.co • Prompt Cowboy: https://promptcowboy.ai • Chief Architect X18 📌 Upcoming Events: 📍Denver, Colorado: October 5–8, 2026 📍Bloomington, Minnesota: October 26–29, 2026 📍California: January 2027 These are small-group, hands-on Chief Architect training events for designers, remodelers, builders, architects, and serious Chief users who want to work faster and produce better plans. Event information and registration: https://www.chiefexperts.com Upcoming event details were confirmed on the official Chief Experts website.   ********************************************* 🖥 Dan's Website 💻 RSVP for The Designers Show 😊 Dan's Social Accounts → Facebook Page → Facebook Group → Instagram → Youtube → LinkedIn → Google Page    About the Co-Hosts: John Schrader Kevin Transue Robin Rigby Fisher Rene Rabbit

    Episode 178 - Chief Architect X18: Best New Features and Workflow Tips

  6. Jul 3

    Episode 177 - Chief Architect X18 Tips & Workflow Improvements

    Welcome to The Designers Show by Chief Experts, where design isn't just an art—it's a profit center. This episode is packed with first impressions of the newly released Chief Architect X18, practical workflow discussions, live audience Q&A, and another round of Spin the Wheel. Dan Baumann is joined by John Schrader, Rene Rabbitt, Robin Fisher, and Kevin Transue to break down the features they're most excited about, how they fit into real-world residential design workflows, and what designers should start using today. 🔑 Key Takeaways A first look at the biggest workflow improvements in Chief Architect X18 How Fill Styles by Layer make plans and presentation views far more dynamic A demonstration of the new room scanning workflow using LiDAR-supported devices Tips for improving rendering, materials, and presentation graphics Discussion of new 3D cladding capabilities and production workflows Real-world answers to viewer questions from experienced Chief Architect professionals Another round of Spin the Wheel featuring practical design and software discussions 📌 Chapters with Timestamps 0:02:26: Software Updates- The hosts discuss the solid performance of Chief Architect X18 and recommend that users proceed with the update. 0:12:12-0:15:46: Vector Rendering for 3D Reference Display- An exploration of the new capability to use vector rendering techniques within the reference display for improved plan visualization. 0:16:27-0:19:42: Fill by Layer - A detailed look at the new feature allowing users to drive fill styles based on an object's layer, enhancing the dynamic nature of plan documentation. 0:21:48-0:28:28: Multiple Ply Beams- An explanation of how to configure beams with multiple plies directly through their specification dialogs. 0:28:41-0:31:37: Edit Library Molding Polylines- Insights into the ability to edit molding profiles directly within the library, behaving similarly to CAD details. 0:31:45-0:32:50: Manual vs. Automatic Framing- How to utilize the "edited" status on framing members to preserve manual adjustments while still allowing the rest of the model to auto-frame. 0:44:02-0:50:58: 3D Dimensional Cladding- A discussion on using 3D objects for siding and roofing, adding significant visual depth to models in back-clipped cross-sections. 0:51:14-0:58:01: Chief As-Built App- A walkthrough of the new iPad/iPhone app that utilizes LiDAR scanning to capture room data for faster project starts. 0:58:15-0:59:57: 2D Schedule Previews- An overview of the new ability to display 2D symbols and elevations directly within schedule views. 📌 Upcoming Events Ready to take your Chief Architect skills even further? 🖥 Chief Experts Academyhttps://www.chiefexperts.com/pro-academy-info 📅 Upcoming Live Training Eventshttps://www.chiefexperts.com/calendar 🎙 RSVP for The Designers Showhttps://www.chiefexperts.com/designers-show-rsvp Learn directly from Dan Baumann and the Chief Experts team through live training, coaching, and twice-monthly Designers Show episodes filled with practical tips, workflow improvements, and answers to your toughest Chief Architect questions. ********************************************* 🖥 Dan's Website 💻 RSVP for The Designers Show 😊 Dan's Social Accounts → Facebook Page → Facebook Group → Instagram → Youtube → LinkedIn → Google Page    About the Co-Hosts: John Schrader Kevin Transue Robin Rigby Fisher Rene Rabbit

    Episode 177 - Chief Architect X18 Tips & Workflow Improvements

  7. Jun 19

    Episode 176 - Chief Architect Workflow Tips: Layouts, Cameras, AI Tools & Attic Walls

    Welcome to The "Designers Show" by Chief Experts, where design isn't just an art—it's a profit center! In Episode #176, Dan Baumann and Rene Rabbitt dive into practical Chief Architect workflows that can help you save time, work more efficiently, and solve common design challenges. From AI-powered design tools and custom Ruby macros to layout management, saved camera workflows, and attic wall troubleshooting, this episode is packed with actionable tips for residential designers, remodelers, architects, and builders.   🔑 Key Takeaways: Use AI tools to generate design inspiration and explore material options faster Leverage custom Ruby macros to automate repetitive layout tasks Save and organize camera views to speed up project revisions Manage layout boxes and viewports more effectively Use tags and folders strategically to keep your library organized Understand attic walls and invisible walls to solve room definition issues Build repeatable workflows that reduce rework and improve efficiency   📌 Upcoming Events: Chief Architect Live Training Denver, CO October 5–8, 2026 Chief Architect Live Training Bloomington, MN October 26–29, 2026 Chief Architect Live Training California January 2027 Priority Waitlist Now Open Learn more about upcoming training events     ********************************************* 🖥 Dan's Website 💻 RSVP for The Designers Show 😊 Dan's Social Accounts → Facebook Page → Facebook Group → Instagram → Youtube → LinkedIn → Google Page    About the Co-Hosts: John Schrader Kevin Transue Robin Rigby Fisher Rene Rabbit

    Episode 176 - Chief Architect Workflow Tips: Layouts, Cameras, AI Tools & Attic Walls

  8. Jun 5

    Episode 175 - Chief Architect Tips & Spin The Wheel

    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, Dan Baumann, John Schrader, and special guest Rabbitt Design answer live Chief Architect questions, spin the wheel for surprise topics, and share practical tips to help you work faster and more efficiently. Topics include temporary dimensions, material management, design alternatives, Pro Academy's new AI-powered search tool, and a look at upcoming Chief Architect improvements. Whether you're a designer, remodeler, or advanced Chief Architect user, you'll pick up valuable ideas you can apply right away. 🔑 Key Takeaways: Troubleshooting temporary dimensions and visibility settings Better ways to manage materials and material lists Creating design alternatives within a single plan file Using Pro Academy's new AI-powered search feature Discussion of upcoming Chief Architect enhancements ********************************************* 🖥 Dan's Website 💻 RSVP for The Designers Show 😊 Dan's Social Accounts → Facebook Page → Facebook Group → Instagram → Youtube → LinkedIn → Google Page    About the Co-Hosts: John Schrader Kevin Transue Robin Rigby Fisher Rene Rabbit

    Episode 175 - Chief Architect Tips & Spin The Wheel
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Hey, everyone! Welcome to the Designers Show by Chief Experts, where design isn't just an art — it's a profit center! Join us each week as Dan Baumann, John Schrader, Rene Rabbitt, Robin Rigby Fisher and Kevin Transue share their experiences and interview top industry experts. You'll get actionable tips and strategies for the real world of design in construction to help you take your design and contracting business to the next level.

Information

  • Creator
    Chief Experts Dan Baumann, John Schrader, Rene Rabbitt, Robin Fisher & Kevin Transue
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    99
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Chief Experts, Inc.
  • Show Website
    The Designers Show by Chief Experts