DavidJPotter

I searched for a Knowledge Base Help article and found nothing pertinent. I searched my own videos with the same result. You can try these simple procedures: slightly move the dormer up and down using your arrow keys set to a one inch increment. Slightly change the roof pitch of the dormer and or main roof. What I mainly do myself is to once I have the dormer located where I want it I "explode" the Dormer from its initial condition as basically a symbol to individual pieces (three visible walls, one invisible wall, two roof planes and "Hole in the roof poly line") so I can then edit the offending walls manually using an elevation camera. That way you can reshape the wall's shape. This takes patience but is a potential solution. Sometimes the Hole in the Roof Poly Line needs a slight adjustment (the purpose of such a poly line is to cut through the roof making a hole in the roof for the dormer to rest upon, often times certain walls come in marked "roof cuts wall at bottom" in which case the poly line hole will be located to the inner edge of walls so marked. I such a case you might need to adjust the poly line to reveal more side walls. DLP

There are two things you need to check: 1. Edit-Preferences-Toolbars and 2. Tools- customize Toolbars- configurations-switch to (probably default configuration Then reboot your HD software. Helpful Knowledge Base articles: https://www.homedesignersoftware.com/support/article/KB-00113/restoring-toolbars.html https://www.homedesignersoftware.com/support/article/KB-00467/troubleshooting-missing-toolbars.html DJP

Set Framing-rafters FIRST before building your roofs. Generally speaking setting all pertinent defaults is the ONLY way to go, saving you hours of grief. DJP

You have two choices: 1. You can make the driveway object a little thicker via is dialog or 2. and this is what I usually do, I raise or lower the terrain plane so the driveway object aligns with the terrain plane. I usually do that as soon as I create the terrain plane. Adjusting the terrain elevations is then done. DJP

I would (if I wanted a gradual slope) add several elevation lines progressively lower, one to another to smooth the driveway out, Placing them one at a time and checking each change with an overview camera to evaluate each change to an acceptable change. DJP

https://www.homedesignersoftware.com/support/article/KB-01095/home-designer-minimum-system-requirements.html But do keep in mind that minimum requirements only deliver minimum performance, that is why I spend a little more when I buy a new laptop to get the best performance I can afford. I require a separate video card that does not share RAM with the Laptop, it has its own dedicated video RAM. DJP

There is no plan attached. DJP

There is a "Display Options" for plan view and camera views. They are NOT the same Display Options Dialog. Had you read your Users Guide and Reference Manual about "Display Options" you would have known ahead of time. DJP

Be sure that you export to AutoCAD version that is compatible with your AutoCAD version. You can select what version of AutoCad to export to. DJP

No I have been extremely ill of late, now recovering, was in hospital for a month. Been home now for about a week. DJP

I assume you have Home Designer Pro, if not such a job will be extremely difficult. What do you have? DJP

Not simple! First Home Designer Pro is the only application of the Home Designer line that can do, easily that particular job, what do you have? DJP

For some projects I often have the client take several digital photos of their land for use as custom backdrops. Each custom backdrop is usually only good for one render view. Ideally you want to create your camera view as close to the images original viewpoint (the exact location where the photographer was standing, you try in Pro to place the camera viewpoint to obtain a realistic end product). DJP

Do what Eric suggests and your "image" did not post so we are in the dark, you have to help us help you. DJP

If you have Pro it has a "Framing Defaults" dialog where you can preset framing defaults. It can be found under the main "Edit" menu "Default Settings" and then all pertinent defaults are displayed for editing. Check it out. DJP

I do not know where you live nor do I know any Architects at unknown locations. I recommended local so you can directly communicate with them. DJP

If you need help with software (which is used to create the design) I can help you. I have over 25 years designing structures using software. If you just want someone to design something you might just consider hiring an Architect locally. It is up to you based on your intentions. DJP

Software creates a virtual 3D model. Details like showing beam pockets and or a cross section of a stem wall that might show a beam pocket, j-bolts, bottom and top plates, wall studs are created in a cross section camera (usually a back-clip cross section camera view) then 2D CAD objects are added to that view to represent beams, beam pockets, j-bolts, framing is added to such a view by building framing and turning on the "framing" layer in display options. You cannot actually cut a beam pocket but you can make it look like you have in plan and cross section views and is commonly done as I have described above. A set if plans is a graphic communication, not a virtual actuality, it is intended to communicate the actual but again, no one is going to live in a virtual home. DJP

Different software titles have different and more easy to use methods and tool for accurate moving of objects. Once Eric and I know what software you have we can then answer your question. DJP

You turn off the "Default Sun" to obtain a night view, you may also want to adjust the light intensity of light sources until you get the look you want. DJP

Use a back-clip elevation camera to isolate just the single wall you want in the view, then turn off all visible layers in Display Options for that camera view so only framing shows. Then send that view to layout for printing. DJP

Camera views view from a specific location or viewpoint. This view point is established by the action of you left-clicking in your plan view to create a camera view. Zooming is not intended to move the viewpoint's location in plan view. You can manually move the camera's viewpoint using arrow keys on your keyboard which does not zoom the view but actually moves its plan view location. You really should read the Users Guide and then start reading-studying through the entire Reference Manual, to do so makes everything less confusing. DJP

You may be confused by the fact that in fact there is not just one Display Options dialog. Each camera view type and plan view each have their own Display Options dialogs. That means that "ceiling joists" could be off in Plan view but still "on" in each camera type views. This is not unusual to 2017 but has been programmed the same for over ten years. DJP

Read the Reference Manual sections about "Line Weights" to solve your short fall of success. DJP

HD Pro is Home Designer Pro distinct from Chief Architect Premier. The multi building projects I have done, I did in Premier. I made a single file for each building for the purpose of that building's own construction documentation. Then to portray the entire project (all buildings together) I symbolized each building (made it into a symbol) placing each building symbol into the site plan plan. I do not think this would be easily done in Home Designer Pro due to the limited choices of symbolizing plan file structures into single symbols. I think if I had to do this in Home Designer Pro alone, I would just make a plan file of each building for each buildings construction documentation and then create a site plan where all buildings can be shown just in plan view (no 3D). The most difficult project would be to create all buildings, terrain and landscaping all in 3D in one plan file. I have done this and I can say from experience one has to really be intent to succeed. DJP