All Activity

Sorry balut, I do not have notifications turned on for HomeTalk. I did not receive anything from you on the 5th can you let me know your email, it may be stuck in spam but I don't know what to look for. Thank you

That's all my answers! Thank you so much. It's so frustrating when something doesn't work the way I am used to it working. It slows me down so much just trying to improvise or do it another way.

Hello @Janetcrouch, I think you're referring to the Temporary Dimensions, which will show when you select an object or a wall. These can be toggled on/off by going to View> Temporary Dimensions. Additionally, the Start and End Indicators can be enabled/disabled in your Preferences. Go to Edit> Preferences (Home Designer> Preferences if on a Mac), click on the Edit panel along the left side, uncheck Show Start and End Indicators. I hope this helps!

I recently purchased HD 2026. I am noticing that when I click on an interior wall, the dimensions from other walls used to show up (maybe just in my 2024 version), but now they do not. I'm sure there is something that needs to be turned on that I am missing. I've looked in the default dimension settings and the Tool display options and don't see anything that doesn't look right. Of course, I could be missing something. Also, when I click on a wall I get an "S" and "E" on that wall. Start and End? Seems unnecessary to me, but I'm sure it's there for a reason. I liked the automatic dimensions because it was so easy to click on the dimension and move the wall to the correct position. Can anyone help with this? I don't want to have to manually draw interior dimension lines everywhere.

Yes, as mentioned above, unless you continue to pay the rental fee for the software, you will no longer be able to access any of the plans that you create in HD 2026 once the rental period ends. The currently quoted 1 year rental cost is $495, with no guarantees that Chief Architect won't raise it by the time you have to make that decision. And if you design and save anything in HD 2026, you will no longer be able to open it in an older version, since they do not allow backward compatibility. But if it works out better for you, then great. Also, your signature says you have HD Pro 2025, so make sure you take advantage of their current rental upgrade cost through Jan 5th.

We added more 3D Plants perfect for you exterior scenes. Download the new 3D Plants Cacti and Tropical selections directly from the 3D Library, or use the online search tools in the Library Browser.

You will loose access to all of your designs should you decide you no longer want CA. That was the deal breaker for me.

The upgrade cost for my old Home Designer is ~$200. Given I expect it will save me with the design and 3D, seems reasonable to me.

@TheMadCadder, In then end we will all use what we need and what we know to get all of our drafting work done. And yes those Autodesk fees are very high. Personally I am much faster without AutoCAD becuase I wasn’t patient enough to learn it. However with AutoCAD Architecture that makes it 3D, I would have taken the time to learn it. I think Autodesk had a product called Architectural Desktop a couple of decades ago that made AutoCAD 3D as well. I chose Chief Architect V6 because it did what I wanted at the time including 2D work. I couldn’t afford AutoCAD 2D and all the add ons that were needed to make it 3D and to render with it. When we have work to do and we need to get it done efficiently and accurately we will use what works for us. I used drawing boards and drafting machines before CA and that is what got the work done for me then. I still have those older tools available just in case I need them again.

Time marches on and we either adapt or go extinct... I'm one who (now) uses HD professionally, on an almost daily basis in my work. However, I am one guy working at home...and I have AutoCAD as well. I work remotely, entirely online and I never meet clients. The latter was not always this way. I rarely use 3d modeling for preliminary designs & quoting, preferring to create quotable 2d floor plans in AutoCAD rather than model an entire house simply to quote a job. In general, AutoCAD...at least my 2d AutoCAD platform...will always be faster than my 3d modeling platform. (Full CA may likely be different, but basic HD 3d modeling is not where it's at for me as far as construction docs are concerned) From a construction documents standpoint I only use 3d modeling software to generate the four 2d elevation views I need for the rest of my AutoCAD-created permit plans. What value do I assign to this, which I can readily accomplish in AutoCAD, albeit considerably slower? (I am not alone in operating this way...supplementing CA with ACAD) Where 3d modeling excels and truly delivers in a solo operation such as mine is the unparalleled ability to convey design aspects remotely. What value do I assign to this? I'm not so old I no longer remember all those sit-downs with clients, before the age of 3d modeling when 2d was all there was. My drafting buddy and I use to dream about being able to design in what would some day become 3d modeling and literally 'walk through' our designs with clients remotely. It is truly impressive how far the tech has come in this industry. In the grand scheme of things $500/yr is a nominal fee for what I get in return. It is unfortunate that CA sees this and wants to capitalize on it but I get it...it's just business. No doubt the DIY'ers and the post-2d'ers will not see it this way. I will eventually migrate into full CA some day, finally leaving AutoCAD behind because I realize that a $3000/yr fee to do what I do really amounts to less than half of one job I do each year. It comes down to that age old question, "Is the juice worth the squeeze?" If that is the price of adaptation in this environment I'll pay it...and unfortunately CA knows it. The alternative is extinction.

are they maybe part of an architectural block?

If a DIYer has funds set aside for a renovation project, CA inc want them to factor a software cost into that project. For a one off project the timed subscription cost might be justifiable for many ? Time will tell. For those who want their software to keep working indefinitely, then other options and time investment might be more appropriate. So why spend time learning how to use something that might only ever be used once ? We all like our buildings to last for a long time so why not our software ?

@Renerabbitt Those numbers are interesting. You have to account for the differences between a DIY customer base and a professional customer base, however. 50K Chief customers x $2000 = 100 million bucks in revenue every year for Chief to be funded and to secure more robust development. On the flip side, there's many more of us (at least there were LOL), but we're fickle because we don't use HD to make money for the most part. Even the folks I've encountered online who do use HD as part of their paying job (pretty much all contractors now that I'm thinking about it), don't use the program with sufficient regularity to justify a whopping yearly subscription cost. You said yourself most of us nonprofessionals skip releases. I haven't upgraded since 2021, because why should I? I originally bought HD, despite the fact that it was already priced at an eye-watering premium compared with similar programs, to remodel our house. I wanted the ability to account for structure, framing, etc. and to be able to print plans for the local building department (which Chief Inc. throttles in HD in the most absurdly antagonistic way possible). It was $500 upfront for 2020 and 100-something to upgrade to 2021. Ray-tracing would be cool but if I'm being honest not only would I have to cough up for Chief Inc.'s new rentware, I'd have to buy a whole new rig to run ray-tracing, as my current PC coughs and moans when HD's running as is. But practically speaking, why would I pay full MSRP every year? I only own one house. In spite of my wife's best efforts I can only remodel the kitchen so many times. Even if I was a landlord the use cases for this software would dwindle. A rentware model for a program like this only makes sense if you are using it regularly to generate revenue regularly as part of your business. In other words, if you're a Chief user. Really? You know more than I do but I would expect those numbers to reverse, for Chief Inc. to keep that many HD users. Because: see above. I assume this move is, as you said, intended to firm up predictable revenue estimates so they can plan -- which will likely mean the vast majority of the HD user base will be zapped but any who remain will produce reliable revenue numbers. I mean, look. You made solid arguments for why Chief Inc. might legitimately want this aside from it being a mere cash-grab, but at the end of the day the HD suite was always a weird unicorn-type product: considerably more powerful than anything else in the DIY home design space (though some apps might be catching up), but not really usable for architects, drafters cranking out x-number of as-builts every year, owners of design-build firms, etc. -- because of how thoroughly Chief Inc. has throttled HD for professional use. Chief Inc. may legitimately want to keep HD viable as a DIY tool and they may legitimately believe this move will not impact that. I have my doubts as it's always seemed to me that Chief Inc. views HD users with indifference bordering on benign contempt, as the colonial revenue generation model you outlined in your comment illustrates. Regardless, the market will have the final word, and I honestly don't see how this move is anything but a prelude to HD going the way of the shag rug. A lot of software is viable for SaaS, even if we deplore SaaS in principle. Home Designer is not one of those programs.

Using Home Designer 2026. I've searched everywhere and tried everything I'm aware of and still unable to select a couple of interior furniture items in plan view or any camera view. I have several items in a primary bedroom (an area rug and a user defined wall hangings) that I am not able to select however I also have several other items in the same room that I am able to select and modify without a problem. In both plan view and any camera view I can turn the interior furniture layer on and off and the items I am unable to select appear and disappear as the should. But in no instance have I been able to select those particular items while others in the same views I am. What am I missing? thanks!

Save 50% on upgrades to Home Designer 2026, December 23, 2025 through January 5, 2026! Visit our website for details.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from Chief Architect Software! The Holidays are a magical time of year to cherish time with family and friends. It’s a time to reflect on what’s important in life, be thankful, and treat others with kindness. We are very thankful for you, our customers, who help to make our products so successful. On behalf of Chief Architect, I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a wonderful Holiday Season.As we look forward to 2026, we are excited to announce several new software features to assist with your home design efficiency. We will begin with the February International Builder and Kitchen & Bath Show/Training in Orlando. At this show, we will be previewing our new version of Chief Architect. In August, we will host our annual Chief Academy Training event in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. This event is always a lot of fun where you can network with other users, attend training, meet our staff, and get an inside preview of upcoming products and features – I hope you can find time to join us!We truly appreciate your business and the time you take to help improve our products and services - thank you.Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!Greg WellsPresident and CEOChief Architect Software

maybe you are getting too detailed? Maybe make from cabinet door in library and change material & dimensions? or find something else in library close to what you want and then change the materials and dimensions for it. heck might be a material in library that you could change partitions to that will give you the look?

how would I make part of the partition wire material?

fake them into an open full height cabinet by using cabinet PARTITIONS.

Thanks. My plans say 1" air gap but I guess that means at least 1" because that's the only part of the wall that isn't pre-specified by the material being used. I'll be using 3 5/8" deep brick but of course it all still works out if I adjust the air gap so the total becomes 5 1/2 inches.

Is there a way to put a Dryaway rack in the laundry rack using Home Designer Pro?

when they make the forms they use a 2x6 and lay flat to create the brick ledge which is 5.5" wide.. Much cheaper then ripping them to make it thin But wall layers should be brick = 3.5" Air Gap= Min 1.5" Sheathing = ~1/2" (15/32" plywood or 7/16" OSB) ----- Brick Ledge Edge ------ Stud = 3.5" Sheet Rock = 1/2" So stuff on brick ledge side = 3.5+1.5+.5 = 5.5" Just adjust your air gap to create wall thickness to match so your plans match. Around here, some builders putting up 1/2" foam board to sheathing and taping joints so air gap goes back to 1" - $$$ but helps with Thermal break and insulation

I am using Home Designer Pro 2021. I designed my home in the software and then had a professional draw up my plans. Now I want to take the small changes they made and update my plans I built as they made rooms slightly larger or smaller. My problem is that I cannot get their dimensions to match my dimensions. I make all the interior rooms match but then the exterior dimesions don't match. I call them and asked what depth they use for a brick wall thickness. My focus is a 2x4 stud wall with brick. They said their brick ledge is 5 1/2" and the total wall thickness is 9 1/2". They didn't seem too eager to help me understand any more detail than that. I've looked up typical brick depths and see 3 1/2" and 3 5/8 brick depths are normal. Even with a 3 5/8" brick depth, my total wall thickness in the software is only 9 1/16" inch (3 5/8" brick, 1" air gap, 7/16" OSB, 3 1/2" stud, and 1/2" drywall). Question 1 - Why does the software say this wall thickness is 9 1/16" but if you add those figures together, it comes out to 9 1/8" (see attachment). Question 2 - How is a brick ledge considered 5 1/2" (including 7/16" OSB, 1" air gap, and brick)? Assuming 3 5/8" brick, isn't that only 5 5/16"? Where is the other 3/16" coming from? Question 3 - When you look at exterior dimensions of a professional drawing (attached). Are those exterior dimensions actually from the outside of the brick or the outside of slab? Maybe they should be the same but didn't know if some bricklayers use an overhang or something that might be the dimension difference?

yeah subscriptions sux I am just gonna use the 2025 HDPRO I have and live with it for my hobby fun and home upgrades. Plenty of threads on no one liking the new business model.

Hi Folks, Thanks for taking the time. I just looked at the software - to purchase the upgrade - as there were a couple of other things I needed "Pro" for - like custom deck posts. IIRC it was about $500.00 for the "Pro" version. HOLY SMOKES - now a subscription @ $500.00 a year - what a CASH GRAB. That leaves me and probably many more "hobbyists" out. This is the reason I still use "Paint Shop Pro" instead of "Photoshop" - - - no subs - - - I don't do subs that perpetually drain your bank account. Years down the road - when this is all done - and I just want to look at my old model - I couldn't even open the model without buying another sub - no thanks. I'll just build the new ceiling in Blender and import it - or - perhaps it's time to move this entire model into Blender - which has a far better ray traced render engine. Thanks again - I do appreciate the response. I guess I'm out... Regards, Scott