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Hello, I just upgraded to Home Designer Pro 2026 from HD Pro 2024. I'm confused about the Project Management/Project Browser tab. I don't know what the pros and cons are of that and it is currently turned on. I currently store my projects on One Drive to conserve space on my computer, but I don't seem to have the option to save a project there now. I often save a plan as a different name and then make some changes so I have 1-2 options for my clients when they aren't sure what they want. It seems like now I have to import a plan into the project browser and then can only save it on the project browser. Should I just turn it off? I've only opened 1 plan for myself, so far, but I have other plans I need to start or continue working on and this seems really unhandy. Or maybe I just don't understand it. Also, I tried changing a material and in the preview box with the teapot, everything is very grainy. I can't really see it all. What is the problem with that? I tried updating my computer. I have a Mac mini (Apple M2, 16 GB) macOS Tahoe Version 26.1 Please help! As of right now, I'm regretting the upgrade! In the past, I've been happy with the upgrades I've bought even with a few things being slightly different.

I get to keep X15.. The last non subscription version

Are you able to expand on what you mean by paying legacy subscription ? I was under the impression that the legacy SSA system remains valid for existing customers who keep paying for each year. Meaning that when they stop paying the yearly fee, they get to keep the very last version of the software perpetually. At least that is how I understood it.

This of course is accurate and typical of most JR suites. Last conversation I had about rough numbers was that the HD line was in the 2.5M total seat range and the Premiere line was in the 50K total seat range (though these numbers were given to me, I can't account for the accuracy). I already thought that there is a robbing-Peter-to-pay-Paul scenario for the development of the two products. The JR suite allows the Premiere line to be funded and secure more robust development, such as building the raytrace engine, and then they release some year-old features for the upper line. This is pretty standard. All educated guesses. An aside, the 3d view temp dimensions in HD2026 singlehandedly would make up for the cost of the software in efficiency for the seasoned technician... It's really that impactful of a feature and it's not listed in new features Honestly, I would guess they may lose 5–10%…just wild guessing, but the trade-off is that they have secured their core development funding at the start of the development cycle. For everyone here, I am not trying to sell something… BUT I develop products, and I can't tell you how difficult it is to GUESS at what amount of investment I can put into the development. The core code of Chief Architect is so old now and so complex to integrate into that they are currently developing for X19 while we still await X18 Beta. This subscription model has NOTHING to do with greed. The volatility of the upgrade cycle is what caused this. Many of the users here already mentioned they were skipping versions… THAT is why this change had to happen. I do think that the hobbyist is the one suffering here. There are no other perpetual-license software options on the market that I have found that come close to the efficiency of Chief, and certainly not with the same level of support. At the end of the day, I would say what is everyone's time worth? Again, I agree that the hobbyist loses out here. I mentioned it earlier, but I would like to mention it again to the group: to my recollection and knowledge, Chief Architect's current license price has not increased in line with inflation and the average salary rate of increase. This begs the question: What do people feel about the employees of Chief Architect? They are all in North America, their wages have clearly not improved over time relative to the rate of increase in the software price, so that means volume of sales has supplemented their wage increases. Is it so bad that we secure the futures of employees who have kept this software relevant for 30 years? I know people here are mad, but I would say step back from it, remove the emotion, and take a look at it. I would also encourage you to go meet this team in person—they are very accessible.

There is no legacy non-subscription model, we have all been paying subscription, legacy or not, for several years now. I don't personally think we are anywhere near this at the moment. I am deep into the AI ecosystem, and there are far too many big data sources that are a stockpile of designs grabbed from all edges of the world with no distinguished organizational system. AI is trained on data, and it's far too difficult to create a rule set of data to train a model to make educated choices—which brings us to the fact that currently AI does not make educated choices; it's just a very complex probability engine. It's still very difficult to produce a pixel-to-pixel accurate depiction of an original design in high fidelity with AI. Currently, any 8K spherical renderings are pretty bad, and it's nearly impossible to get a long-cut 4K rendering. I wouldn't count on this driving the market down. That's just my two cents. The analogy I often give when it comes to AI is that AI is trained on large data pools that are published with intent to limit liability. So if you ask AI how to change an outlet, it will often tell you that you may need a permit, and that you should consult an electrician, and that you may need to contact the power company or turn off a breaker, and that it requires specialized equipment… whereas a seasoned technician may just go in there with some wire strippers and a screwdriver and wire it up hot. I also give an analogy about a deck over living space—there is an entire section on that in a blog over here if it's interesting at all. https://www.rabbittdesign.net/rabbitt-blog/ai-resource-handbook-1

Quite frankly most of the other home design software on the market is garbage in comparison to CA & HDP. Very difficult to use and time consuming and no framing or material list tools. So if CA wants timed subscriptions they will get plenty of customers for the near future. Even the main competitor softplan is timed subscription too. They got us all hooked and locked in for now. New design clients with DIYHD software could force us to get a timed subscription just to see their work and communicate with them ? Smart business by these CAD software vendors for now. Only the best products will survive unless AI plagiarizes and copies the best code out there.

I think what a lot of users are disappointed in is the lack of "bang for the buck" that this new subscription model comes with. Most of the new "features" are really just things that (I would guess) were as easy as turning 0's into 1's in the software. Allowing access to certain features that I would guess were already built-in but not allowed to be accessed. Most of the thousands of library models are supplied by the manufacturers, so I'm not exactly sure why they didn't allow all users access to those in the first place. The ray-tracing is a nice feature for people who actually need it. I think a lot of users like to make those realistic images, but I don't think that was a deal breaker for the majority of HDP users. I'm guessing most of us don't have capable enough computers to fully utilize this feature anyway. I still think they could have kept the perpetual license aspect and just allowed access to these (and other) features as a subscription based add-on to the software. Allow users to "Ala Carte" the software features that they specifically need for their purposes. If they were looking for additional revenue sources, I would think building off of your existing customer base would've been a much safer bet. Regarding the subscription based license, I'm sure there will be a lot of hobbyist type people who try out the new subscription model for a few months, then just let it lapse. I'm also sure there will be some that pay for the full year at once. Those will be the true test for CA. Year 2 subscription numbers would be interesting to see compared with average yearly update numbers. I only found this software last year, so I'm not planning on switching to a subscription based license. I plan on using my license as long as my computer allows, then I'll be looking for a different software solution. It's easier to walk away when you don't have years of time invested, or thousands of dollars invested. There are still other software solutions that offer perpetual licenses, so I plan on investigating all available options when it's required. I just hope that this decision won't be the final straw for all of the non-professional/semi-professional users that have been using the software for years. That would truly be a loss. This was a relatively easy software to learn the basics of and be productive quickly. The user forum seems to be pretty active, and most users offer tips and tricks to get you out of a jamb.

Hey @Renerabbitt, Nice to hear you chime in over here. No disrespect but what you said above was easy to say when many of the CA users are still on the old system of perpetual yearly fee upgrading. I would like to hear what you would have to say if and when all are forced onto a yearly subscription model ? I would think you may consider your options more carefully if that ever happens in the future ? A yearly fee would be ok for the once off DIY home designer. Many of us are used to the old systems and do not want to change to timed subscriptions. I am definitely not a fan of slot machine CAD. I am glad CA allows many of us to remain on the old system as long as we keep paying the yearly fee. That way our licenses can remain perpetual. Somewhere down the line the potential exists for “AI” to steal or write its own CAD code “AICAD” and charge its own yearly fees. When there is a plethora of “AICAD” products out there, the price will go down just like it has for professional rendering. AI will try and steal the CAD and design market. Fully AI designed homes are not far off and many of us may be looking for other employment. That just is the real world. Let’s see what the future holds ?

See the video and let me know if you have any questions. video starts at 08:11, the first 8 minutes is discussing the state of the subscription model

I would call CA support on this, pretty sure you will be able to open your models using your previous HD versions. That's how it works with the premiere line, no reason you shouldnt be able to. That's precisely why people are talking about keeping their 2025 HDP plans I do not work for Chief Architect I'm not sure why you don't want to wish me well, generally a good natured fellow that tries to help the community There are over 2M seats in the HD line, I would venture that 80% are non-professionals, and though people may not like the subscription model, there are very few comparative and price competitive software's out there that aren't subscription. 2020, revit LT, cabinet vision, sketchup pro, they are all subscription. and it truly isn't a cash grab, this doesn't change their revenue, they are still seeing the similar numbers, +/- 5%, but this ensures they have dependable development capital. The premiere line has been on subscription for 2 years now...it didn't increase their revenue, only volume of sales increases their revenue. With more start up developers in the industry chief needs to account for volatility. This has been an all-internally developed company for 30 years where the avg employee has worked for 10 years. Not once in 10 years have they even increased the cost of the software at the rate of inflation over the course of the same time. You've all been paying nearly the same price while inflation is at 3% and net avg wages at 3-4%, and this years annual subscription currently is 20% less than last year pay-to-own? We've been fortunate for them..they aren't taking advantage of us. Also giving annual subscriptions access to 10's of thousands of 3d objects at no additional cost is unheard of. The subscription model is also a step toward there future cloud service for which they may have a patent pending. Go talk to them in person and find some of the most grounded and well-to-do people you might run into. Greg the CEO isnt driving around in a Lambo. You can actually call them up and might even get him on the phone if you like, you dont have to take my word for it.

While not a licensed architect, I do use HD Pro for my design business. Luckily, I still have HDP 2025, which I plan to still use for my plans. I bought the 2026 version thinking it would be a step up, as the other "updates" would usually be. Well, I was sorely mistaken once I realized how many features were deleted, messed up, or changed. It was a lesson that I don't plan on making next year, unless they can fix the issues that were created in this 2026 version. I guess time will tell

Sorry, you won't be convincing me or anyone else in this thread to subscribe to HD. As I've said previously, I have been using HDP since 2016, and have upgraded every year. If I had not wanted to upgrade for some reason, I could still use my existing copy of HDP, plus still have access to all the Models I have constructed in the last 9 years. If I upgrade to subscription, and decide at some point that I no longer want it, or can't afford it, I will loose access to any and all previous models. This is the deal breaker. I'm sure CA will survive nicely by selling the subscription service to professional Architects who require the software for their line of work. The enthusiasts, like me and everyone else in this thread, who use it non-professionally, do not need it. And I bet there are a lot more of us then you realize. You can spin it any way you want, in the end it's just another money grab. I won't close by wishing you (the company) well, because I don't. I have invested literally thousands of dollars, and thousands of hours in your software, only to be crapped on in the end. PS. I don't know If you are an employee of CA or not, either way the sentiment stands.

Hello Home Designer users — I’ve been reading through the concerns, and I wanted to share a few thoughts from the perspective of someone who develops products in this space. First, about subscriptions: When you’re building software in an industry being reshaped weekly by architectural AI tools, it becomes extremely difficult to plan development using the old “large update once a year” model. A subscription isn’t about squeezing more money out of users — it’s about stabilizing and predicting revenue so development hours can be budgeted accurately. Without that predictable baseline, the risk of under-delivering on annual features becomes very real. And whether we love it or not, most companies producing software worth improving will be moving to subscriptions simply because the AI-driven volatility in the market requires it. Chief isn’t an outlier here — they’re trying to ensure they can continue delivering steady updates instead of falling behind or shipping underbaked features. For those considering canceling services: You would be genuinely hard-pressed to find a software package comparable to the Home Designer line for anything near the annual cost. The value per dollar is still extremely strong. For those planning to use their final perpetual version forever: Just keep hardware and OS compatibility in mind. The relationship goes both ways — new graphics cards and new operating systems eventually drop support for older applications. We’ve literally seen this happen recently with Intel-based Macs losing compatibility with Chief Architect X17 because newer drivers no longer support the old architecture. It’s not about Chief “forcing” you to upgrade — it’s the cost of frozen software running on evolving hardware. About HD Pro 2026 specifically: The catalog downloads alone justify a big chunk of the cost. You now have access to tens of thousands of optimized, ray-trace-ready 3D assets — a huge advantage, especially considering the 3D Warehouse now limits users to three downloads per day. What used to be “free and easy” is no longer as accessible, and Chief’s curated, optimized library now carries even more value. The new Project Management feature should also significantly streamline workflows that previously required juggling multiple plan files, layer sets, and clunky workarounds. And don’t overlook ray tracing: with DLSS support on compatible NVIDIA cards, you can design in real-time ray-traced 3D — something that used to require multiple machines or heavy offline rendering. Hopefully this perspective helps. HD Pro 2026 genuinely looks like a solid upgrade, and the industry-wide shift to subscriptions has real reasons behind it — not just profit, but sustainability and continued development.

Of course it's all about money and not customer loyalty and a great product. Chief should be ashamed of themselves for becoming so greedy.

I am working on a semi-residential, semi-commercial space and the client wants a false front similar to an old general store. I am not sure the best way to do this. I create a secondary wall on the second floor but not sure how to do the cutouts to mimic the shape that they want. See idea below of what I am trying to do.

Do you have the automatic roof on; have you edited the wall top? Maybe post your plan so we can see what's going on.

Let's take a moment to feel grateful for the spaces that bring people together. The kitchens filled with laughter, the dining rooms glowing with warmth, and the homes built with love by our amazing Chief Architect community of designers, builders, and dreamers. You bring beautiful spaces to life every day. Thank you for inspiring us year-round! Chief Architect is closed Nov. 27 & 28. While we are celebrating the holiday with our families, you can find helpful resources on our website. We will be back to personally assist you on Monday.Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Chief Architect.

I guess those of us that have a perpetual license probably won’t change to a subscription model ? The new users can come in on a subscription and if they get hooked on using DIY HD they might just keep on using it ? The old school users will eventually retire and their operating systems may eventually become obsolete. I think that if Chief Architect Software can keep the revenue coming in, they will certainly find a way to keep doing that now and in the future.

Yep, got the "Upgrade" email yesterday, but won't be renting their software no matter what the discount. I'd caution anyone else from taking the "bait" in their bait-and-switch subscription tactic. Update: Well, I decided to take the "bait" after-all. Discounted upgrade was about what I was planning to spend on an upgrade to the 2026 version anyway, although now I only have a year to access any plans I create in 2026. I'll re-evaluate then, but may suck-up a monthly rental for the few times I want to make any changes.

Count me as another one that won't be upgrading. What a bummer. Had done a few upgrades. I went to upgrade as I'm going to make some changes to my house and wanted to plan it out in newest version. But, dumb me, I didn't upgrade to 2024 or 2025. I guess I'm stuck now at my 2023 version. I dumped Adobe years ago after they did this. Never looked back.

Save 20% on new or additional Home Designer annual subscriptions and 50% on upgrades. Follow the link for all the details! https://www.homedesignersoftware.com/discounts/Take advantage of these discounts while they last, through Dec. 1.

Been using since the Broderbund product. I have upgraded regularly at the 50% discount rate. See they are offering it again, Kind of expected it, but if they can discount it that much why not put a realistic price on it to start with? If you commit then they change their minds you are screwed and married to it. I tend to not have any respect and won't patronize companies that operate is this manner... Guess it really doesn't matter to me as I have no plans to go subscription route anyway.

delete all roof planes and see if it goes away.. if so then yes a roof plane that extends to give you eaves and not tie into whatever is over carport. got 3d view with roof?

The roof overhang is farther out than this, to the left, beyond the wall, but maybe it's something residual from an old roof or something like that. I'll play with it a little more, thank you for the response. On the room name - thank you, I missed the obvious, I will try not to do that again, and I really appreciate your help!!