DavidJPotter

I would not personally put up with such performance (so I understand your complaint), especially since you have rather good hardware specs. I am sure that Tech Support will be able to assist you, the poor performance you are getting from such nice hardware is unacceptably slow. Let us know how it turns out. DJP

Peter, I would need to know where you want part of the roof removed and why in order to help you. Generally speaking, Home Designer Pro would made such a job easier, where as in Architectural, you have fewer choices. In Architectural you can create a "skylight" which cuts a hole in the roof and then by using its dialog, change it into a "hole" only (every object in the software will have a dialog where some alteration is possible.) DJP

In the application you wish to share a Library with you open the LIbrary Browser-navigate to the intended library or symbol you wish to share - right-click on it in the Library Browser and select "export library", save the intended item or items to a new name and location for later importing into your target application. I cannot vouch for being able to export from one application of a different age and then importation into another application. I do know that applications that are the same version can share files, I am not sure about dissimilar versions being able to do this (you can try and see). DJP

This You Tube video I made might help you: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLwbxc5_z7U DJP

SSA is a yearly service package one can opt to buy to support one's Chief Architect Premier license (it delivers premium Tech Support, access to special video material and access to special symbol and library content used only by Chief Architect Premier). Home Designer has their own website which includes free Library additional content, video tutorials and other valuable support data ( https://www.homedesignersoftware.com/ ) . Check it out DJP

The methods used to create a carport vary a little depending upon what software you are using as Eric pointed out. A solution that works within what you have will depend on knowing what you are using. What are you using please? DJP

Here is a You Tube video of me setting up Pro 2016 for decimal dimensions: https://youtu.be/l6FJFdGCcjQ DJP

http://www.copyright.gov/ DJP

Here is a You Tube video of me going over the steps necessary to create a shed dormer in Pro 2016: https://youtu.be/3fH634qkKeo DJP

Here is a You Tube video of me fixing your plan manually and automatically: https://youtu.be/ftXcWzTONvg DJP

Here is a You Tube video of me doing what you want done using Essentials (this method will work in any Home Designer Title or Version): https://youtu.be/gEegSQWn61M DJP

Here is a You Tube video of me fumbling around in Suite 2016 creating two sheds as you sketched out: https://youtu.be/gu5DrxU_jiU DJP PS: Keep in mind that I rarely use Suite, I use Chief Architect Premier every day and am more familiar with how it works and HD Pro, than Suite etc.

This can be set in Foundation Defaults but also for finer adjustments,one can directly adjust such heights manually in the Foundation wall poly-line per foundation wall. I rarely invade the province of the Structural Engineer, adjusting from specifics given by the Engineer and not in the absence of one ($5,000.00 fine in Texas for acting like an Engineer without having one on a retainer). DJP

Edit-Default Settings is the most "senior" area for such settings, those are more important than Room Specification Dialog Settings locally in terms of weight. Starting a plan out of sequence (setting default settings after well starting a plan) is symptomatic of new users. To have the least amount of trouble with a plan, the ideal scene is to think through all Default Settings and to then make them where they should be made before drawing walls and roofs. To correct settings after creating (drawing) lots of stuff, merely confuses and confounds the software's mechanics, making the solution apparently harder to come by. It is a lot to learn and all long time users eventually learn the proper sequences and procedures. No one I know of was "perfect" from the get-go, it is a process of discovery, study. practice and hard work as well as lots of failures along the way. DJP

That setting is in the Terrain Specification Dialog after creating a terrain plane (building pad setting). Set in Foundation Defaults dialog Set in Foundation Defaults, Terrain Specifications Dialog and by you. Respectfully, a mechanical device (the software) does not - is not capable of "insisting" on anything, it does only what it is "told" by end user settings only. Your job is to learn how it was programmed to work and to then control its results by study and practice of what you learned by study. DJP

Yes: DJP

A foundation plan in the USA in most States Must be designed by a State Licensed Structural Engineer for it to be used as part of a plan permit package. If you live in the country (county) then only county regulations then apply, check and find out what is and is not acceptable where you live. In Austin (where I live, some projects require an Architect's stamp and a Structural Engineer's stamp) where as out in the county in general these are not required by the county except for septic system designs. You are better served to obtain Home Designer Pro and then learn how to use its tools, Suite is just for conceptualizing and hobbyists. If you have to work with an Engineer or Architect then do so, there is no GOOD reason to cut corners on something as involved and important as a custom home or remodeling project. DJP

The Knowledge Base of Help Articles should help, check them out. DJP

There is an "Archive File" automatically created, usually to be found in "C://My Documents-Home Designer title- Archive", you might find a useful back up file there, take a look and see. If the archive file is also corrupted you have no other choices other than to start over. The only real insurance against such things happening is to thoroughly learn the software and use it as it was designed to be used. Too many guesses instead of personal studied certainty is the only long term solution to plan file corruption. DJP

Such custom libraries are available for Chief Architect Premier only. Never the less, as Mick indicated, what I do and most end users do is to alter windows and doors to emulate any manufacturer's products (the specifications for them are freely available from the WWW) using just the specification dialog. Specialized doors can be searched for, downloaded from 3D Warehouse and then imported into most HD titles. DJP

Such a custom object cannot be made only in Home Designer (any version - any title), you might be able to find such a symbol at 3D Warehouse for free download-import into Home Designer, I would suggest you search there and read up on how to import third-party symbols. This sort of custom-made object can be produced using Chief Architect Premier but that is a different story. DJP

Carefully study this article, if you follow its steps successfully, you will get what you want: http://www.homedesignersoftware.com/support/article/KB-00048/ DJP

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