DavidJPotter

You can download the free version of Sketch Up and use it to make such items for importation into Pro. It is true that Chief Premier does a lot of this by default but you can also learn how to create intricate custom things in Sketch Up. All you need is the intention to succeed. DJP

The box bay window tool is limited in terms of editability. To do what you want, instead of using that tool, manually draw three walls and then manually place windows, this way you can more easily edit the windows to what you need. DJP

What you do is to take an existing siding wall type and pare it down, layer-wise until the wall is only one layer thick (the siding layer) and then you draw your walls next to your posts. That will emulate siding directly connected to your poles, such a wall type, properly set up will then reveal siding on both of its sides. DJP

Dimensions drawn on a Layout would not be at the same scale as the view sent to layout. What you do, is draw or create dimensions in a plan or elevation view and then send that, with dimensions to layout. The layout dimensions are for laying out views on the layout page only. There is no where to point you other than that is the intended purpose of dimensions in a layout. DJP

I cannot speak for "everyone" but would point out that Home Designer 2014 will only do what it was designed to do in terms of Sketch Up imports, whereas, Sketch Up, like Home Designer, has moved on to more modern versions. This is the way of our society and business. If you want to stay with legacy software, then you will have to download earlier versions of Sketch Up files that will import into 2014 (Sketch UP- 3D Warehouse usually offers several file versions for download so you should select the one that works with 2014 and skip the more modern versions by default). Personally, I often have to download several symbols to find one that is actually well made and useful to my purposes. Because something is "free" does not mean that the quality is also present. DJP

Kat, is right in that "Truss Base" does not exist in any Home Designer titles (I took my own advice and did a search in Pro 2015 where I found no mention of "Truss Base" which is a Premier feature only). My apologies for speaking out of turn. DJP

The data you want is in the Reference Manual under the section "Truss Base" where how to create, adjust and use that tool is described. The Reference Manual can be found, read and searched under the "Help" menu. You can also open searchable "Help" and do a search for "Truss base" and find helpful data. DJP

Post a copy of your plan or at least some screen captures to illustrate and communicate better what you currently have. DJP

Here is a You Tube tutorial video about modulating terrain: https://youtu.be/PQQdKKNxk8k DJP

My usual advice, when working with terrain is to make a single change in an elevation value and then check that single change using multiple camera views to evaluate the change. You should want to use as few elevation objects as you can to obtain a particular result. You do this carefully, methodically, one change at a time, checking each change in multiple camera views. This gives you greater control but requires patience. DJP

3D warehouse items are free, that does not insure quality, just price and often times actual usefulness. Since Chief Architect Inc cannot control how 3d Warehouse stuff is made, I doubt much support will be forthcoming from something they cannot control. My experience with 3D Warehouse is generally good but I download several symbols to find one that I can actually use, is my experience. DJP

3D Warehouse DJP

What is available for download can be found here: http://3dlibrary.chiefarchitect.com/index.php?r=site/library&search=&x=0&y=0&x=true&soft_family_2=2&hid_soft_family_2=2&utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign= DJP

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hncV8yl-ND0 This You Tube video may help your understanding. DJP

Here is a You Tube video of me working on your file and what I found: https://youtu.be/OvQNKERyF50 DJP

You can and you should, the whole point of having Pro is so you can manually edit roof planes. It takes some study and practice but is worth the effort. DJP

If you have Home Designer Pro and If the library files are in .alb format (Library files were in that format when I first used 3D Home Architect in 1994), they can be imported/converted using the "Convert Legacy (.alb) Library files" command found under the main toolbar under "Library". I am not sure this command exists in all 2016 titles but it does exist in Home Designer Pro (I looked). DJP

It appears that you merely need to reshape the edges if the full return so that those edges do not poke through the roof edges, just fix it manually. No one promised you a rose garden. DJP

The main limitation built into Home Designer titles is print paper size. The largest Architectural will print to is 18" x 24" which should be fine for most smaller remodeling projects. Home Designer Pro offers even more functionality in terms of roof design and laying out printed plan pages. From what I have read of you, you will quickly outgrow Architectural or Suite and want Pro. DJP

It sounds like it might be something called "z" fighting. This can be varified by your posting a screen shot (screen capture), there are existing articles about this in the Knowledge Base of Help Articles. DJP

First, take the time to really learn how to use the software, get any unfamiliar terms defined whenever you encounter them. There is a lot to learn so approach the knowledge gradiently ( a little at a time). Read a paragraph or two and then practice doing what you studied until you feel more confident that you really have learned and increased in competence.. Use your Reference Manual (Help - View the Reference Manual), it is searchable by topic, DJP

I do that sort of job with Home Designer Pro or Chief Premier, it requires patience but I do it all the time in my work. In this You Tube video I do that job using Architectural: DJP

I agree with LawB10, generally speaking. Using a skylight symbol from 3D Warehouse would be a lot of unnecessary trouble. DJP

In Pro 2016 the parallel-perpendicular tool will appear when you select any object (left-click-select) or when you right-click select an object. the tool icon then appears along with others in the "Edit Toolbar". When you deselect any object the "Edit Toolbar" then vanishes until another object is selected. The icon looks like two parallel lines drawn perpendicularly to a third line. DJP

Objects downloaded from 3D Warehouse have to be manually located in Home Designer and for a skylight symbol you would also have to manually cut a skylight hole for the skylight symbol to look right. DJP