Lesson Plan

Drawing a Simple Ranch-Style House in Chief Architect

Course Overview:

This course consists of 10 lessons designed to guide students through the process of creating a simple ranch-style house using Chief Architect. Each lesson covers a specific aspect of the design process, from setting up the workspace to exporting the final plans.

Lesson 1: Introduction to Chief Architect

  • Overview of the software
  • Setting up your workspace
  • Basic navigation and tools

Exercise:

  • Familiarize with the interface
  • Draw a basic floor plan
  • Switch to 3D view and navigate

Lesson 2: Creating the Floor Plan

  • Drawing exterior walls
  • Adding interior walls
  • Adjusting wall dimensions

Exercise:

  • Draw exterior and interior walls
  • Create basic rooms
  • Adjust wall dimensions

Lesson 3: Defining Rooms and Spaces

  • Creating rooms
  • Naming rooms
  • Adjusting ceiling heights and floor materials

Exercise:

  • Define and label main rooms
  • Adjust ceiling heights
  • Select floor materials

Lesson 4: Placing Doors and Windows

  • Adding doors
  • Adding windows
  • Adjusting door and window dimensions

Exercise:

  • Place doors in appropriate locations
  • Place windows in suitable positions
  • Adjust dimensions and placements

Lesson 5: Designing the Kitchen

  • Placing kitchen cabinets
  • Adding kitchen fixtures
  • Designing countertops and backsplash

Exercise:

  • Place base and wall cabinets
  • Add kitchen fixtures
  • Design countertops and backsplash

Lesson 6: Designing the Bathroom

  • Placing bathroom fixtures
  • Adding bathroom cabinets and storage
  • Designing tile and flooring

Exercise:

  • Place essential bathroom fixtures
  • Add cabinets and storage
  • Design tile and flooring

Lesson 7: Adding Furniture and Fixtures

  • Placing furniture
  • Adding lighting fixtures
  • Designing built-in furniture

Exercise:

  • Place essential furniture pieces
  • Add lighting fixtures
  • Design and place built-in furniture

Lesson 8: Creating the Exterior

  • Designing the roof
  • Adding exterior materials
  • Designing landscaping and outdoor spaces

Exercise:

  • Design the roof
  • Apply exterior materials
  • Add landscaping elements and design outdoor spaces

Lesson 9: Rendering and Visualization

  • Creating 3D views
  • Adding textures and materials
  • Rendering the final design

Exercise:

  • Navigate in 3D view
  • Apply textures and materials
  • Set up and create a final render

Lesson 10: Finalizing and Exporting

  • Reviewing the design
  • Making final adjustments
  • Exporting plans and elevations

Exercise:

  • Review and adjust the design
  • Save the project
  • Export plans and elevations