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See that your question is three years old...I will need to do the same thing and curious if you found a solution. I have not used the Home Designer Architectural 2025 much, yet.

I hate subscriptions even though I tend to upgrade every year but it was always my choice... Subscriptions force one to upgrade basically every year - I find the updates come more often but tend to be rushed and most updates are fixing issues from last updates. I understand why software companies like subscriptions as they feel they get a more consistent revenue stream but I would have to guess it is less then before since some just say NOPE. but if the subscription is cheaper per year then the upgrades from years past then OK. But when I stop the subscription I feel the software should stay on computer and work but never get updated again. Remember the only reason Software companies do updates/upgrades etc is to get you to send in more $$$$. Sad day when 2026 comes out.

I have Architectural 2021 - I used to upgrade about every other year, but I haven't upgraded since I switched over to Ubuntu in 2021. I've tried a number of times to get HD to run via Wine. The program will open, update, and show the UI normally, but as soon as I try to draw a wall or place any object, the program locks up and I get the following error: C:\p4sync\dev\Releases\22\chief\CACommon\Error\ArtException.cpp(146): Error #272000009 "A serious error occurred (SEH). Please contact Chief Architect Technical Support with steps to reproduce." Has anyone found a workaround? Alternatively, is anyone successfully running a newer version through Wine? I'd be happy to upgrade if I knew it would work. Thanks!

Well, I guess it was inevitable, but I’m still not happy that the 2026 and beyond Home Designer line will no longer be offered as a one time purchase. Especially since the upgraded features will likely still be extremely minimal and severely limited from the Chief Architect Premium version. Here is the the text from today’s sales email: Update: From the products page, looks like their 10% off sale for the 2025 versions ends August 4th, so that os probably right before the release date for the 2026 version. We are excited to announce the new version of Home Designer 2026 will be available later this summer. Our 2025 product line (Suite, Architectural, Professional) will consolidate into a single product that will be subscription based either monthly or annually. This is your last chance to purchase Home Designer 2025 Suite, Architectural, or Professional

you could try to play with roof pitches over certain ext walls. Maybe make second storey that fits inside roof and play with ceiling heights. I would have to play with it to make auto roof work and I just find that a PIA. If it was me, just too easy to make manual roof planes for that roof and then some attic knee walls for those walls in roof with windows. Whatever method you choose play with it and figure it out you will learn while playing and eventually get what you want. And for the next roof you have more knowledge

I have a rectangle floor plan with a non symmetrical layout. My stock roof design was a simple gable and trying to make this look a bit more dramatic and modern. I have a Google Street view of a commercial building (post office lol) that has the rough idea I am looking for. I am looking for a straight vault on the red / blue roof panels. Windows on the green and purple vertical walls. Any pointers where to start here? Can I even do this with automatic roof panes or is this a 100% manual job? I started playing with the roof panes and pitches - got close but the interior ceiling panes are all messed up also.

Our next contest is Remodel/Addition! Share one of your designs for a chance to win Chief Gear. Use any Chief Architect software product to create your original design. You have the chance to win 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place in this contest. Discover how to enter and more through our blog: https://www.chiefarchitect.com/blog/design-contest/ The entry deadline is August 14.

I was able to get close to the image you posted with these steps: 3D > Rendering Techniques > Physically Based 3D > Lighting > Toggle Sunlight - Off 3D > Edit Active Camera > Backdrop Panel Remove Backdrop Change Background Color to something dark. Alternatively, you could probably use a specific dark backdrop instead of using the solid Background Color. You can also lower the brightness in the PBR settings if you want it to look darker. As Rookie65 mentioned, you are using an older version of Home Designer, and the support article is for the newest version.

The results are in! Congratulations to our 3 winners in the Residential Design Contest. 1st Place – Rodrigo Duque Brito of Dubinett Architects 2nd Place – Jimmy Parker of Elaine Roberts Drafters and Designers 3rd Place – Hailee Kohler of Tracys Custom Homes View all of the great submissions: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1120335673463915&type=3 We enjoyed viewing everyone’s design and want to thank you all for sharing with us and our community! Varying prize packages will be awarded.

It may not be something that is done by a lot of people, so a solution isn't readily available without asking support. Maybe someone else will chime in that has a better solution for your particular desire or has done it before, If your "sad" comment is directed at me.

Wow, I used to get answers here. Sad.

I have searched the content and can't find solutions to these three problems. I would like exposed rafter tails in this model and have been able to accomplish that thanks to some reference guides. One image shows the model the way the program frames the eaves. The problems I cannot find solutions to are: A) I want the rafter with a birdsmouth cut that sits down over the top plate. B} I would like to have a shingle strip at the top of the rafter tail. C) I would like for the siding to extend to the roof decking. Can anyone offer some help?

Maybe because the version you have is 3-4 years old, and newer versions may have changed it. Can always email support and ask them for an explanation. Anything else is just guesswork.

Why the discrepancy in the Support Instructions and my program? I did it years ago with the same program and now it doesn't seem to work.

I think that's the best you'll get unless you dig into it deeper.

I have done that and it only gives the appearance of "dusk." I am looking for a dark night sky.

Look at your top toolbar at the light bulb. Click that and select "toggle sunlight"

I am trying to create a night scene to see my drawing in 3D at night. I went to the Home Designer Pro Support page and it gave me information on editing the active camera. It says to "uncheck sunlight." When I go to my edit active camera, on my program, I do not have the option to "uncheck sunlight." I am including two screen shots below showing the support page, and my screen. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Erich Kaiser Home Designer Pro 2022 Build 23.4.1.80 SX MAC OS Monterey 12.7.6 4GHZ Quad Core Memory 32GB 1867 MHz DDR3 Graphics AMD Radeon M395X 4 GB

RoyJames - looking closer at your response it is not what I have been referring too. My discussion is a mouse function, yours is a function of a software tool. However, still no logical reason for its exclusion that has modified the conventional mouse use. Rather frustrating.

Choice they made years ago.... Does not bother me as much as I take it bother you... What bothers me is the lack of the ability to edit the library... i have some folders with nothing in them and It will not let me delete it.... drives me batty. but i guess OCD comes in many forms.... LOL

I did it in my homes model.. Cannot remember exactly but think I just went and found cab door in library and drag and drop into floor plan. Opened edit panel for it. Set W x H and thickness. Set elevation from Floor. Then moved to side of cabinet on island. Then I used a temp dim to locate left to right. As I say you have to play with program to figure out ways to create things and learn more of what it can and cannot do.

Are there any ways to attach door to exposed ends on cabinets from the standard cabinet catalogs or in an upgraded one? Thanks, Keith

Exactly - and that is the point as you say. For me - the conventional CAD-Like mouse button function is not available in HDPro. Why?

when I draw in HD I do it differently than autocad and others. in AC & SW you can click start point hold mouse for orthogonal lines and enter length - Accuracy. With HD I draw a wall and then make say a box - then I click on wall and move then or change lengths etc by changing temp dims to ensure accuracy. Same thing with using HD lines and circles. etc the way I like to do it is draw something close and then click on it and adjust temp dims... I guess that is why I never noticed the click and hold method of drawing things... Now I will be thinking of it.... ARGGGGGG should have never read this thread LOL.

RoyJames - yes exactly. Its a turn-around from conventional CAD drawing and is the same as standard by Autodesk etc. Why are we penalised from the same function? It's awkward and a new method to learn and master. In my use of HDPro I regularly get bound up with this un-conventional mouse use. CAD drafting this way is problematic and unproductive for me. Takes forever with undo's and re-do's. Its the Left mouse button I'm referring too - you mention the right button. Why has the conventional left button use been changed by CA in HDPro? Thanks for your response. And Y_G_M_N - yes I think you'll see it is different when you use other software next. Thanks.