solver

When you start a new plan, you choose from a set of templates. Those templates contain all your defaults, so you need to create a new template with your defaults, then when it's opened, things like custom walls are already there. You can add a new template to the list, or modify an existing one. The base template is profile.plan. Search the forum for template as I think this has been detailed in the past. Briefly, you would draw a default wall, rename it, then modify it as required. Then set it as your default. Then you can delete the wall. Save the plan as a template and the new wall type will be available. Note that none of the above is supported or documented, so you are on your own and need to be comfortable with working with files in the file system, saving, renaming, editing etc. You can also just draw a series of walls in the plan of the type you want to use. Opening that plan the wall types will be available. The walls may be short and drawn off to the side and may be deleted once they are in use. And no, there is no way to add new wall types directly to the default list. A new type needs to appear in the plan to show on the list.

Place a CAD line where you want the center to be. Use Edit Area (All Floors) to select then Copy/Reflect about the CAD line. If you do not have Edit Area (All Floors), do one floor at a time.

You are asking on the wrong forum. The Chief Architect products are discussed at ChiefTalk. It would be best to contact Chief directly.

I'm unsure, but believe you can do this in Pro. This is a CAD Block -- 3 lines, one with arrows, and a text box centered on the line. You can manually place this as needed.

Correct And what is EQ?

I don't believe you can manually add, but you should be able to export the list, then make changes to it. Open in a spreadsheet and add/change as required.

Not sure what you are asking. The software only does fixtures, not things like ducting or piping. What are you wanting to account for?

The YouTube channel linked above has some good 1 hour long getting started videos that are worth watching. Just know theye are using Pro not Suite, so you will not have all the features they show, but it's the concepts that are important. Also, you can import SketchUp symbols from the 3D Warehouse (google it), and there are bonus catalogs available on the Home Designer site with all types of interior things.

Use exterior walls for exterior and either one for walls common with other apartments. Read the docs on dimensions. Suite may be limited, but you may be able to set your defaults to measure to the surface. Use a soffit. There is a niche tool in some versions. Check the docs. If not, use a pass through and a soffit to close it up. No way to lock dimensions, but you should not need to. Turn off auto dimensions and use Temporary Dimensions. To delete and turn off auto dimensions, go to Edit>Delete Objects and choose interior and exterior dimensions.

Use 2 cabinets.

I'm not trying to take a sale away from Chief Architect, but consider engaging an Architect from the start. Put together a list of your wants and needs, and allow them to do their job. You don't need a plan, that's what the Architect does. They will create one that responds to your site, and your requirements. That said, I'll recommend you start with Suite.

I don't know how to do the roof in Suite. Looks like you are skilled in SketchUp, so consider making a symbol of the glass and side walls, then importing into Suite.

Build>Foundation

Slabs, soffits, cabinets, walls with a doorway or pass through. Lots of tools, just need to use them sometimes not how they are intended. There may be some in the library and bonus catalogs too.

There are many areas where this is not required. I've been building for 30+ years in 3 states and have not once needed or been required to have a foundation engineered.

Are you using Chief, or Home Designer?

Have you tried drawing a slab, or turning off foundation for the room? Post pictures, your plan file etc for more than guesses.

It may be as simple as a copy/paste operation. Research Edit Area. Also Paste/Hold Position.

You could create a terrain only in a plan, make copies of the plan and add different houses to each.

Suite is rather limited in many areas. The simple method is to choose the material from the library and paint it on. You can do 1 wall, all walls on a floor, or the entire plan.

Like any other wall. Select it in plan or in 3D. You might post pictures (screen captures) and or your plan file (close Pro first). If you cannot simply select it, then there is something else happening.

The gable portion is a separate wall and will need to be changed.

Change the material.

No, at least there is no one click way.

The Drawing Group tool is in the Edit Toolbar when an object is selected. See Architectural Blocks.