DavidJPotter

Download the libraries in the catalog section of the website, especially Bonus Building finishes. DJP

The only controls available to you for that are resident in the Railing Specification Box for each railing wall, take a careful look, please. DJP

DJP

DJP

Interior ceilings and roof base line heights are controlled in mainly two places : Edit - Default Settings - Floors and Rooms - by floor - 1 - 2 - ect and more locally by way of the Room Specification Dialog box - Ceiling Height input box on the "Structure" tab. What you have to get used to is learning when to and what to set, and where they are the various settings that, once set becoming "automatic" . They are only "automatic" correct only IF you make sure those settings are correct for the outcomes. A great source of beginning help can be found on he "Build Roof" tab "roof styles tab". There you will see articles that communicate how to properly set for each Roof type geometry. Especially with Home Designer Suite the settings are all you have reach to solve all roof probably

The dimension tools have not changed or added to in HD or Chief since at least the year 2,000 AD. You do have to make them work from time to time. There several measurement tools to use so when one works or another automatic tool fails you just use one you can make work. DJP

The software does not do anything on its own, rather it is programmed to follow programmed orders-commands or settings that exist or changed and set or not by its end user per session. So if the settings are wrong that is what you then get. Mastering this datum is key to mastering this software: find the improper settings, correct them and have success. I have also observed that it takes longer to straighten out a missed up plan compared to one that was done properly and insequence. Learn all of the settings for roofs that are to be found in the "Build Roof Dialog - Roof Styles" tab for most common settings for auto-building roofs. Ceiling heights and also an important settings so they match your roof plate heights and your room ceiling heights. DJP

The only Home Designer app that would come close to what you want to do is HD Pro. is that what you have? DJP

I deliver this sort of help to people like you. I charge $75.00 per hour. Once I see your .plan file I can offer an estimate. DJP

Your deck room is probably following "Edit - Defaults - Floors and Rooms - Second Floor - Floor Height". The probable reason that caused its floor to be higher than the house's floor is you did not change the ceiling height of the first floor in "Edit - Defaults - Floors and Rooms - Second Floor - Floor Height" but just changed the first floor's ceiling height in your Room Specification Dialog Box - Structure - Ceiling height of the rooms of the first floor. The software can be counted upon to robotacilly follow its settings, right or wrong. When wrong you get results like yours. Carefully find and set the intended defaults for each floor and only then will all be well. DJP

Your edited plan file is attached below. DJP DJP.zip

Materials are assigned via the wall's Specification dialog box - Materials Tab, past that there are lots of other tools to make changes with. DJP

Importing a symbol (.skp) file requires you to give the symbol a name and it is then locatable via that name in the "User Catalog" section of the Library Browser. I can be assigned in "Edit - Default Settings - Cabinet - Door/Drawer tab" if you have Pro, not so sure about Architectural or Suite, take a look. DJP

Turn off "Auto Build Roofs", then make your Room Specification Dialog changes per room-Ceiling height. For more detailed advice, post your plan file and more information as to your finished look. DJP

Those tools already exist in Chief Architect Premier X15 and they are COOL! DJP