DavidJPotter

Read the offered tutorial first, that contains the information you are missing. DJP Here is a You Tube video of me messing around with your file: http://youtu.be/mQ2OIt-xNmQ BTW: I did not address placing dormers, the main thing to do first is to think through your Default Settings for Dormers (such default settings are important to supporting whether or not you get a dormer created or not, the proper settings help and improper settings defeat attempts to success, read the Reference Manual, watch some Dormer Tutorials and then practice and you will then arrive)

Take a look at Dimension Default settings to control dimension tendencies but you can manually place dimension points anywhere you need them along a dimension string ( a learned ability but there none the less). You are learning how to use the software so please balance your experience by reading pertinent sections of the Reference Manual and watching basic user videos that explain how to use the tools and their settings. There are a LOT of settings and tools to learn, so take it slow and be methodical balancing study with practice sessions. DJP

You would get a more certain answer by calling Chief Architect Inc Sales. My opinion is that their software is currently ported to Mac and Windows, I do not think it will install or run in Linux. DJP

Confront (squarely look at and study) the "Window Specification Dialog" please. Once you have studied the Reference Manual section that describes its use and practice altering window sizes, Arch and other tabs of the dialog then you will see what is what. Eric answered your initial question, I answered the "how" and "with what" part. Chief Premier does have a few additional tweaks and choices but most of them are also there in Pro. DJP

Eric is right in that different software titles have different abilities and procedures, so what you have and what you precisely what to do are important in terms of a useful answer. DJP

Thank you, that probably means that the "Walls, Main Layer Only" layer is checked "on" which overrides other wall layer settings ( I never use that layer for that reason, turn it off , uncheck it and see what then happens in plan view please). DJP

Chris, you have not stated what software you use, you have not posted any imagery to explain or show you problem, you have not shared a copy of your plan that others could then inspect. Then you attack a person who is trying to help you. I dislike childish, rude people in general, try not to act like one if at all possible. Get a refund and use someone else's software is my advice or display some social graces and respect for others. DJP

All visible objects are grouped in to alphabetically arranged "layers" found in "Display Options" (or Tools - Display Options via the main toolbar). Probably some wall layer is on or off and that is what you are seeing or not seeing. A big part of learning the software is learning its parts and settings, where they are and what they are for. DJP

This video on You Tube was made for Chief Premier users but should be useful to Home Designer Users as well, especially HD Pro: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWibFFtn9Ik DJP

Welcome Ethan, Default settings are always important in terms of general use of the software. The software is a mechanical device and as such it cannot tell the difference between an addition and new construction (that is one of your jobs). The software is a tool so the better you understand how it works (and fails to work) the better and more efficient you can then become useing it. I make a relationally correct plan file of the existing house or structure, in detail and then "save as" a copy of that file to start the addition with. It is a good idea to sketch out to scale one's intentions (either on paper or as you get better, within Pro) using 2D lines in elevation and cross section views to see how much space you want to add, ceiling heights and possible roof lines. When you are fairly sure about you preplanning then set the defaults settings that will support those moves and then start drawing. If something looks wrong, you can be sure that there are settings that you either set wrong or forgot to predict or change. DJP

DO NOT ROTATE THE HOUSE, RATHER ROTATE ONLY THE TERRAIN PLANE OR PROPERTY LINES (IF YOU HAVE PLACED A "NORTH POINTER" ROTATE IT AS WELL. NEVER AND I MEAN NEVER ROTATE THE HOUSE MODEL. DJP

I just checked and the latest version (2015) of Pro still does not allow re-scaling a sent view (as in Premier). What you do as Mick suggested is to delete the failed (too large) view and resend at a lower scale in a new unit of time. DJP

The thing is, on the one hand learning to 3D model exactly like one builds makes you a better 3D modeler but like Mick said, it takes a lot more time to do. I have been working for others for over twenty years using this software and I have only had two clients that were willing to pay for that extra time to then get an accurate Materials List. For the purpose of Construction Documentation, a "perfect" 3D Model is not required, such perfection is not necessary for a good walk-through or high resolution renders (the emphasis is on appearance and not substance). It takes about twice as long to 3D model a plan file for the purpose of an accurate ML, its up to you and your own purposes. DJP

Materials show up in the Materials List, colors are not materials. You would get better results setting "Default Settings" to reflect the majority situation for a floor or project, then using the Materials Tab of the Wall Specification Dialog assign a "material" to the "Drywall" layer of the effected interior walls. The materials list will then list drywall and the paint material you apply per wall. Default Settings for majorities and local room and or Wall Dialogs for exceptions. The Materials list merely tells you after the fact how well you created the 3D model, it measures what you did properly as well as what was not done properly. To get useful results, you have to utterly learn the software and how to assign materials, the materials list just measures how good a job you did and nothing more. DJP

I did this You Tube tutorial in Chief Premier X5 but the tools and procedures are identical in Pro: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVRz7_C6jEQ DJP

Post a copy of your plan please. I looks like you have the ceiling height set too low in the Loft area (the railing looks flat as a pancake), but without the plan file I can only guess. DJP

Pro does not come with that ability (poly-line solids that shaped in an elevation camera). You do have a Geometric shapes library that includes various "wedge" shapes that can serve your purpose once you resize and locate them. Then set the material to "Drywall" and then you are all set. DJP

This You Tube video by Dan Baumann is designed for Chief Premier but I am sure you might find it useful: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWibFFtn9Ik DJP

Here is a link to several Help articles at the Knowledge Base, located on the Home Designer website: http://www.homedesignersoftware.com/search/?q=split+level&submit.x=4&submit.y=8&default_tab=support&site=chief_architect&client=chief_architect&restrict=ChiefArchitect&proxystylesheet=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.chiefarchitect.com%2Fsearch%2Fchiefsearch_stylesheet.xslt&output=xml_no_dtd They should be helpful to you. DJP

In certain Suite plan templates you get that kind of trim on doors and windows. Use a different template or live with the attributes of the template you choose. You would have to have Home Designer Pro or Chief Premier to do better. DJP

That is "Tools" (main menu) - Reference FLoors - then select Reference Floor Display (or hit the "F9" key on your keyboard). DJP

Here is a You Tube video of a couple of ways to create a custom shower in HD Pro 2015 http://youtu.be/ldVdJZWjQz4 DJP

Cabinet labels are explained on page #515 of your reference manual (found under "Help - Reference Manual"). These labels are preset but symbols have a "Label Tab" where labels can be customized for your custom display. "Labels" for Electric, cabinets, and other objects can be displayed by layer name (see "Display Options" dialog). Default designations are explained in your reference manual by object type. Take a look! DJP

In terms of what you might be able to do with them, I need to know which title and version you are speaking of (that you are using to see what you are talking about). And specifically which symbols or objects you are speaking of. What software you have often determines what you can do with those things, what do you have please? DJP

Here is a short video tutorial on You Tube of me working with a plan and layout file using Home Designer Pro: DJP