solver

Surely you can do that. The easy answer is to upgrade to Chief as these things are built in to the program. Pro gives you the tools, but they are manually placed. I fiddled around and did this.

@jmyers Here is the default template from Pro 2020. It should contain the correct wall. Follow the link above to a thread discussing this. I believe there are various ways you could make use of this. I would create a new template (instructions in the other thread) that would use the 2021 template as a base, but with the wall from the 2020 template. I don't have these installed on my system to test. Ask questions in a new thread if you need ideas. Profile.plan

What's the height of that wall -- floor to ceiling? What's the pitch of the ceiling/roof? With those 2 measurements, you can build an accurate model.

That's probably an Attic wall, and you can place the windows while on the Attic level. I'd do so in plan, then switch to a camera view and use the center tool to position them over the windows below. Home Designer has layers, but you cannot do much with them except change display attributes.

@GaryAtAllonsy What "stumbling around" are you doing? What are you having a problem doing? Are there windows or doors below? An image or two is often helpful, and saying what software (Suite 2020 etc) you are using is always helpful.

Do you want to dimension, or simply label, like with a text box?

Not all foundations need engineering. If a foundation does need engineering, then an appropriate person must do the engineering. Anyone, anywhere, is free to specify/design a foundation, although it may not pass if reviewed by an appropriate authority. There are places where there are no inspections or code requirements, there are places that allow a prescriptive design. What is a prescriptive design? A prescriptive design is defined as "specific detailing requirements and similar pre-defined design options and rules used to create a code-compliant design." For example, my county publishes tables and details for various common foundation types. I use this information to design a code compliant foundation -- no need for engineering.

Don't overthink things like this -- keep it simple. https://youtu.be/3MxCDvz-RTQ To fill in the arch, take a cross section from within the alcove looking out into the room. Click the wall to place a Custom Backsplash. Open it and change its material, and set the thickness to fill the space.

Search Help for pitch. Your answer will be near the top of the results. And please update your Signature. Notice it says Pro 2023.

I'll suggest, respectively, that you seek professional help with your design. I'm not referring to the use of Home Designer, but rather the overall design -- layout, flow, function and looks. If you would like a free, unbiased review of what you have now, post the plan and elevations/renderings on houzz.com. https://www.houzz.com/discussions/building-a-home

@LynetteArnold The answer is the same as it was 8 years ago. You can build a cabinet from parts yourself, but there is no automated way.

It's probably an Attic wall. Have you tried to delete it?

https://youtu.be/R-gakp3X2wM

Probably. I imagine you will need to place your own columns. Architectural is limited in many areas. Is this similar to what you are modeling? Done in Chief Premier (all automatic), could be done in HD Pro too.

Don't do that. Instead, use a normal (default) room height on the first floor, and create a same size room on the 2nd floor with the Open Below room type.

Many common questions have been answered, and starting your search on the Home Designer website is a good way to find answers. And please read this thread for more info about getting help.

Search Help (F1). Pro 2023. It does work.

Search Help for follow stairs.

The easy way is to use a railing wall (post to beam). It's a layer display issue. Each view type (plan, camera, section, framing) has its own set of layer display settings. In the orthographic view, open Display Options and set the layer the beam is on to display.

Try a search for dormer. This exact question was asked a few days ago. Thanks for completing your signature, but you omitted the most important bit of info -- what software are you using (title and year, like Pro 2024).

Architectural lacks that feature, and it does not have Layout like Pro. There is no real need for an elevation to be scaled -- no one should be measuring it.

@msmith964 It seems you have found your way to the Home Designer forum. Notice the banner at the top and the color difference. And it's Premier, not Pro, and with X15, all you need to say is X15 as it is now unambiguous.

Looks like a bug that needs to be reported https://www.homedesignersoftware.com/support/#contact I did not read the docs for 2024, so something may have changed.

@joshhunter Have you reviewed the documentation (Help) on Materials List?