Storyline

I am not sure whether this post should go here or in the tips and suggestions sub-forum but it is quite short so maybe here is OK. Mods, please feel free to move if you wish. I had quite a few queries after I entered the dimensions of a stable block conversion with elements being created when I was not expecting them etc and I ended up posting a question here. As a result I worked through quite a lot of tutorials but found that the latest version of the program did not always match the tutorial. So the purpose of this post is to suggest to new users that instead of first turning to the tutorials I think it is much, much better to watch this Youtube video of a webinar. A simply huge amount of learning in a short time, especially if you have the program open and stop/start the video and use the techniques on your build.

For the benefit of anyone else having this issue and finding this thread I have found out what has been happening. The extra section of wall that I did not specify turned out to be a foundation and was created because the 'Automatically Rebuild Foundation' option was checked in the Foundation defaults. I have two issues with this. Firstly I think it would be better if this was not checked by default on new program installs. I had the same issue when a roof was automatically created when I was following the wall tutorial. It did not mention it in the tutorial and just creates unnecessary confusion for new users imo. The second issue is the description of the option. I maybe wrong on this as I have not had enough experience of the program but at the moment I feel it would be better not to call it Rebuild but just Build. Another tip that might help newbies like me is when trying to find out what mystery elements are it is simple just to select the object and then open it from the 3D Perspective Full Overview. I do not know why but this did not occur to me at first and I guess there will be others that have the same experience - you create the 3D view, see the mystery element you did not mean to create and not realise you can actually edit in the 3D view - ie it is not just a dumb image. Of course this becomes obvious with use. Edit: I have just had another look at the Walls tutorial and had forgotten that it was not just that there was no mention of a roof being created when you followed the tutorial but the image of the sample building that you built differed to the end result as shown in the tutorial - ie the tutorial showed a simple 3D box with no roof but what I had on my screen had a roof on it. Again, to emphasise this, it is very confusing to new users - you think something is wrong with your installation and makes you lose confidence in the program. Something should be changed imo - either no roof created by default or the tutorial itself amended to match the default installation of the program.

Thanks Solver I cant see anything in your signature for some reason (and no option for my signature - just About Me in my profile. I am using Home Designer Pro Version 20.3.0.54x64 I have looked at quite a lot of the tutorials. The problems I have is that a) I have no experience of architectural design like this although I have done a lot of hands on DIY work on our Victorian house so I don't understand a lot of the terminology and b ) I am in the UK so we have different names for quite a lot of the terminology anyway ! It is always a dilemma with new software - whether to invest considerable time in learning how it works in depth or dive in and have a go ! From what I have read this seems to be definitely the best program of its type and I have a real project to complete - conversion of old stables into a self contained living unit. It is only 30 square metres (350 sq') but traditionally this would have still needed an architect or a contractor that could do all the design but I would like to see if it is feasible for me to design the space and do the project management and just employ specialist builders trade by trade. This approach should save money and be more fun but I am not sure if I am biting off more than I can chew . To get back to my question, I still cant see why I am getting this sub-floor at the bottom - it is although the program is putting in space for an underfloor cavity (it looks like it is only a metre or so deep) whereas I just want a solid floor and walls that build up from ground level. Here is a view from underneath showing what I mean. In actual fact I appear to have several other elements under the Straight Exterior Thin Brick wall Edit: Maybe I should have said that I am using the Trial Version although it says it is identical to the full prog but I cant save. I am almost certain I will be buying the full version but want to make sure it will do what I want it to. The design is so simple that I can do that on paper but I think the program can help me to specify how much materials I will need to order. Also I will need building regs approval and the plans will look more professional if done with this program

Hi After struggling for quite a while I have had to admit defeat and ask for help - please ! I am creating a straight exterior wall but instead of a plain wall (as shown in the sample illustration when I edit the wall type defaults) the program creates a wall with two surfaces. I have asked for brick thin wall but the brick is shown only at the bottom and above it looks like wooden strips. In addition it also seems to make an internal floor (shown as wooden in the attached image). All I want is a plain brick wall from the ground to the roof. Can anyone show me what simple stupid mistakes I am making please ?