solver

Never seen a 128MB plan file -- nothing even close. Try drawing a new plan that exhibits the behavior and post it. Make a video of yourself working on the plan. Try stripping out everything unnecessary in the plan -- cars, furniture etc and getting it down to a manageable size.

None of the Chief Architect/Home Designer products handle that situation. You need a workaround, and yours is one of several that can be used. You mentioned using a shape for the upper part, and I would recommend a soffit as David suggested. Soffits come in with the default drywall (wall) color, and will accept moldings. Here are 2 threads I posted on over at ChiefTalk. Both contain info you might find helpful. https://chieftalk.chiefarchitect.com/topic/16879-stairs-with-drywall-handrails-with-cutouts-in-the-walls/ https://chieftalk.chiefarchitect.com/topic/16668-doorway-flooring-issue/

Glad you found the video helpful. I did not pay much attention to your plan when doing the video, but took a closer look this morning. I'm guessing this is something you are planning to build, so I'll suggest reviewing it with a designer. Here is one suggestion that you might find improves the stairs. You have room for an L shaped stair, and could make use of the area under it for storage. Moving the front door to the left gives you a bit of an entry space, and space for 2 windows to the right. I also noticed that much of the plan has been drawn wrong, so I suggest redrawing. All your 1st floor, floor heights are -8", when they are typically 0", for example. If you are building slab on grade, the out of box defaults should work. Start by setting all your defaults. Ceiling heights and other structural dimensions. Also materials -- when I drew new roof planes they came in with shingles instead of metal, for example. When looking at the Structure panel, for most rooms, you should be using default values.

Plan has many issues, but none that effect the dormer. This should get you started on it.

What type of roof do you want on the dormer? Shed, gable ...?

What's the issue?

Auto dormers must fit completely within a single roof plane. Since you have Pro, you can build the dormer manually.

Post your plan file (close Suite first) and a couple more pictures of the house and someone will work on it, if you still are having trouble.

You will need to plug in your pitch and other dimensions, but this should get you started.

You must have a wall where the floor covering changes, and should be able to delete it. Post the plan file if that does not fix it.

If you have Chief Architect and not Home Designer, the you have found the wrong forum. Chief is discussed at ChiefTalk: https://chieftalk.chiefarchitect.com/ Also, if you are looking at current articles and tutorials, much has changed since 2005. Maybe you are thinking about Snap Properties?

Check Help for Place Point -- just guessing as I'm not sure what snap X is.

Set the pitch in the Build Roof Dialog at 4. Then open the walls where you want the higher pitch and set it in the Roof panel. Not the gable walls but the walls under the baseline. Build the roof and you will get both pitches.

When you auto build the roof, because of the different pitches, you need these settings. Normally you would leave Same Roof Height At Exterior Walls checked.

Thanks for filling out your signature and attaching the plan. I'll suggest you always start with an auto generated roof. It's usually possible to get close, or even correct quickly, and then if needed switch to manual. I generated this at 6/12. And then this at 8/12, which I'm guessing is what you wanted. You get the hip on the back automatically. Here is a video -- no sound, about doing the gable on the rear. Roof planes are polylines, and are shaped like a slab, for example. Select a roof plane and mouse over the icons in the Edit Toolbar. You will need the Break and Join tools, which are 3 and 2 on the keyboard. You will see I worked in 3D, then switched to plan for cleanup.

Read about Edit Area. For moving things, Point to Point Move. For rotating things, Transform/Replicate. I find Rotate About Current Point works well for many things. You will need to first place a point. You want to end up with your buildings square with the screen, not at some odd angle. Good articles in the Knowledge Base too.

I cheated and used Chief. Just wanted to show a visual so everyone understood. This should get you started in Suite. Build a 2nd floor, setting the ceiling height to 1-1/2". Delete the walls so it looks like I have shown. Change the settings in the Build Roof dialog as shown. Build the roof. It will not be perfect. Post back with other questions.

Is this what you are looking for? How do you want to handle the left side of the shed roof? Here are a couple of ideas.

Why isn't the Architect fixing the stair? Trusses should be sized to carry a load, not just made big for the HVAC installer. Ideally you would work with them on ductwork layout and sizing, then work that into the structure. I imagine a better understanding of framing would also help.

I'll suggest you find another way, but if it's what you want, check code requirements for where they will be built. The winders shown in this image are landings, shaped and placed manually.

Review your Layer Display Options, and make sure line weights are on.

To fix your roof, make this setting. I'll suggest you use the same pitch on both sides of the center section. I raised it to 4-3/4. The gable roof over the porch is 6-3/4.

The simple answer is to draw manual roof planes that are correct. Is this a model of an existing house? I'll have a look if you will post the plan file. Make sure Pro is closed before attaching.