solver

I noticed the odd baselines too, but redrawing the roof still leaves a gap where the roof plane is extended.

I believe you are correct. I tried this in Chief and it fails in a different way. The box fills in correctly, but then the other side is incorrect.

You should probably post the plan.

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I'm confused about what you are trying to do. Your plan shows 2 structures, one has a roof over the alcove, one does not. Is this what you want? Does Pro 10 have manual roofs?

I cheated. I think this will not be easy in Suite. Try deleting the dormer, removing the walls for the staircase, extend the knee wall all the way across, then place the dormer. Now draw in the walls for the stair.

Are you wanting something like this?

Try this. On the second floor, drag the two outside gable walls out several feet. Now expand the dormer to its correct size, then move the gable walls back into place. Turn on Reference Display (F9) and use the Align With Wall Below tool in the Edit Toolbar when you get close.

How wide does the shed dormer need to be?

What, specifically, are you asking about?

Open a layout, send something to it, close it. Repeat as needed.

We need a picture or three of what you are trying to model.

That works, but now the walls are thicker. You could reduce the thickness of another layer, like the drywall.

I assumed this was a feature in the newest version of Home Designer, but tested in the latest version of Chief Premier. I could not make a single window work, so I'm betting this is something the developers never anticipated.

Consider removing the paint layers you added to the walls. Define the wall via Defaults, adding color via the Materials panel. You might also rebuild the stairs so the 2 flights and landing are all one.Draw the bottom flight, the top flight, then click where the landing goes to create it.

That's a common problem, and is often caused by what's at the top of the wall. Posting your plan file -- make sure it is not open in Home Designer, will help us do more than guess.

Lock the layer it's on.

Suite is very limited in what it can do with the building structure, but it is documented in the comparison linked in post #5. I do not understand selling a product with this type of limitation -- what good is the software if you cannot build an accurate model, but then it's also a $100 product that is not intended to use for creating build or remodel plans. You could set your rooms to be a Porch, or other type that uses a default 4" concrete slab, then make up the difference with finish floor thickness as you describe. Not ideal, but it should get you closer.

Chief has many more features than Pro, but the basic functions are the same. If you are wanting to learn, I'd recommend watching every Home Designer video available on YouTube. I've noticed people sometimes want a step by step tutorial on a specific operation. My thought is to try and understand the basics -- the tools available, then apply that knowledge to the problem. Manual roofs are a good example. If you understand the basic functions -- placing a break, joining etc, then watch a few roof videos showing others using the tools, you should be able to apply that knowledge to your project. Practice is also key. If you want to understand roofs, draw a bunch of them.

I'd call sales and ask, or buy a printer and print it yourself. You can buy a laser with duplex printing for $100.00.

There are multiple ways. You can paint the siding, you can adjust the color of existing, create a new wall definition with a new color. Paint color libraries are available for download from Home Designer, or choose from the default colors. Click the icon that looks like a rainbow and research its functions.

I don't see how that will work with a full width porch -- do you? Not trying to be difficult, just trying to find the best solution. I'm not sure the program will do this. It's been tried in the past and the software is always confused when a shed roof butts a gable.

That configuration produces a rather awkward connection at the outside. What are your expectations there? Not related to your question, but I've never see a so perfect, so wrong roof.

Your picture shows 2 decks, you did not say which one you were wanting a roof over. Posting the plan file will help us make good suggestions, and pictures of your attempt would help too.

I'd contact tech support.