DavidJPotter

Mick has the solution, the reason default materials of metal look bad is the lack of corresponding textures (the default metal "materials" are merely colors). An image file can show greater depth and a sense of reality that drab colors cannot. Download and install Mick's custom textures and get more realistic results. You can locate, download and then import as custom materials anything you can find and edit from the WWW. I do it from time to time when I require an exact material. It requires a little more work and steps but enhances the outcome. DJP

Being frank and forthright is being positive. Jo Anne meant-means well, always. DJP

This You Tube tutorial should be of help: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWibFFtn9Ik DJP

Here is your edited file (edited in Pro 2015), I could not get it right in Architectural but easily succeeded using Pro 2015 https://youtu.be/R_FwmlA33hs DJP pbc.plan

Welcome to the Forum! Important posts/threads you should read: Welcome New Users How to get good answers How to attach pictures https://hometalk.chiefarchitect.com/index.php?app=core&module=help DJP

Mick is right, you have to mark the two prow walls-roof tab "High Shed Gable" and it then works like a charme! DJP

If your structure is two-story AND the upper walls are out of alignment, one floor to another, IF this is the case then that could be the cause of covering up windows that show in plan view but not in camera views. Check for that and see if it helps. DJP

Solver, he did post an image (see above). I did try to create a prow roof myself in Home Designer Suite 2015 and was not able to. It may be possible to do but I could not do it. It is easily done in Home Designer Pro or Chief Architect Premier. Perhaps someone else might find a workable answer but I could not. You can only mark those walls Full gable or High Shed Gable at a time but the latter gets the effect you want. DJP

Scissor truss, specifically "no", you can do that with Home Designer Pro. In terms of emulating the effect of a scissor truss (secondary vaulted ceiling) then the answer is "Yes" using sloped, shaped soffits to do the emulation. For a simple common rafter vault (where the underside of the roof planes form the ceiling) -all you have to do is to uncheck "Ceiling over this room" check box on the "Structure Tab" of the "Room Specification Dialog" for the space you want to vault. That command removes the default flat ceiling; you would use that command to create a common rafter ceiling or scissor-truss type vaulted ceiling. DJP

I have checked my archives and I do have Manufacturer's libraries for that version. Please contact me privately and I will then help you. DJP

Currently the Home Designer Website still supports legacy versions back to 2010, so your version is no longer supported from that venue. I suppose you are speaking of Library Browser content, if so I may be able to be of some help (I have old versions of Home Designer and Chief Premier going back many years. I make no promises but I will look and see if I can share some of my old library browser content with you. What exactly are you missing? DJP

Take a careful, close look at the "Roof Styles Tab" of the "Build Roof" dialog. It explains how to set up (program) your wall commands to do what you want to do. It must be carefully, patiently, methodically done in Suite 2016. I am sure that after some study followed by some trial and error practice you can then get it done. DJP

I have never tired to do so (as you suggest), one can open them one at a time by using the keyboard command: "CTRL-Tab" (Control Key then Tab Key), this works in any Windows Program, I believe there is a similar command within Mac's but I do not know what it is. Why would you want to open all open camera views at once? What would that ability solve for you? DJP

Dormers are your only realistic option, Figuring out the exact default settings for such a dormer will be the trial and error hard part. Once you get one configured that works you can then copy-paste additional ones to the steep sides, then "explode" them, one at a time so you can better control editing the window sizes in them. Do NOT explode any dormers until you have them perfectly placed. exploding them ( which releases them from a unified object to their parts), which can then be finely edited at need. Such a job is not easy even for an advanced user, so apply patience and a methodical approach. DJP

Here is a You Tube video of me editing your plan (I looks like you read the article on Gambrel roofs successfully, well done!); http://youtu.be/PHdiJfPXE40 DJP

How to auto-generate a gambrel roof is explained in the "Build Roof Dialog - Roof Styles tab - Gambrel Roof". DJP

That "1/2" is controlled in the window dialog box under "Frame", set that value to zero inches should then do it. Everything in this software is controlled via dialog boxes and default settings. DJP

This is usually caused by one or more poor wall connections. The remedy is to carefully check them all and fix the ones that are weak. In the mean time, you can still access room dialog boxes by left-clicking on a room and then press the tab key or "Next" button to then select the room and then the room dialog box. DJP

The wall sticking through the roof planes can be edited as in the video to whatever shape you desire, its material can be changed by changing the wall type or by changing the material of the wall, via its wall specification dialog - materials tab, your choice. DJP

This video might help you see what you might do to solve it yourself: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WcKIEhZc-4 DJP

Attach the plan again please. DJP

I really was hoping that someone else would respond. The reason for that is a simple fact: New users ask the question you have asked, I mean we all have had that thought, until we really learn the software and then when that occurs, things that bugged us when we were new no longer bugged us, we just use the software and move on. People have been asking for this "feature" here on "Home Talk" and at "Chief Talk" for many years. This consideration goes away once a person gets comfortable with his certainty of how to use the software. Telling someone that their ideas and concerns are nothing to worry about is an unpleasant thing to say to anyone, anywhere but is in fact, the truth. Once you learn how to control and guide the software you just then do so. It takes time to develop that skill. I assure you if the makers of the software really thought that being able to lock objects in place was a good idea, they would have done it long ago. BTW welcome to our user forum. DJP

It depends upon what software title and its version in terms of offering some useful advice? DJP

3D Warehouse, then download to your HD, then import into your plan file. DJP

I believe there is a "picture frame" symbol in the Library Browser. Depending upon the precise application you can use re-sized cabinets for such things as well. DJP