DavidJPotter

A lot of symbols available at 3D warehouse are merely simple boxes with a photoshop, custom texture painted across its 3D faces, these do not translate well to Chief Architect and Home Designer titles because the texture which communicates the detail, is lost in the import. High quality symbols are modeled with the detail built into the symbol and can have any material applied to their surfaces thereafter, the one you picked is problematic for that same reason (a short-cut to a result and in this case a poor result). Were I you, I would just skip it and try another symbol and once you find a good one, just make or apply your own material to its surfaces, it is a good skill to develop. DJP

Yes but you must think ahead and plan considering the way the software is programmed to work. It is a mechanical device that you must guide to a result (It will not do your thinking or planning for you). Each separate structure will probably have differing floor heights unless your lot is totally flat like a piece of paper, so you have to allow for that and in the second building you must manually calculate its relative floor and ceiling heights in relation to the other structure. Work it out on paper first and then apply what you calculate to each structure. DJP

In each version there are various "software titles" (ie: Pro, Architectural, Suite, Interiors, Essentials, or Deck and Lawn Designer), Which one do you, in fact have? Symbols at 3D Warehouse are free (no cost in terms of money) but the quality of these symbols is a wild variable (3D warehouse has no "Quality Control" like the symbols you can get from Chief Architect and Home Designer". I often just have to discard a symbol because it is poorly made. Your only alternative is to download and learn Sketch Up so symbols you like can then be edited or repaired, you can even make your own but it takes time to really learn Sketch Up, My advice is to try a symbol and if you get lousy results, try another one, until you find one that serves your purpose. You can really learn Sketch Up or just discard "flat-tires" as you find them. Most users here have version 2015 and 2014, version 10 is "old", I have those version 10 titles but I need to know which one you have so when I import the sketch up symbols you mention above, I will then be able to duplicate your results DJP

Another option is to move the image to the right or left temporarily, if you place the images in the "Attic" level and then build a new upper floor the images will be deleted, if you leave the attic level alone, it should be fine, I'm just saying... DJP

Mick is correct in that three walls does not a room make (no room specification dialog = no control over ceiling height) But Robyn is also correct in that when you post questions you need to state what software you are using and ideally a copy of your plan or at least an image capture or sketch so we know, exactly what you are talking about. DJP

Custom materials exist only in the plan file in which they are created unless you also add such a material to the Library Browser, only then is it available for other plans without making it anew in that plan. DJP

A garden bed does not effect terrain modulation, only terrain splines, lines, regions and other such objects. A garden bed merely follows existing terrain but if you are getting unwanted terrain modulation look for unwanted terrain objects that effect modulation. It is probably only apparent that the bed is the unwanted cause. DJP

Kristine, Please look under your "File - Import" menu to see for yourself what symbol file formats are supported by Home Designer, that will then tell you what you can and cannot import and use. Once you know what your limitations are as to file type, you can then narrow your search by those types. DJP

This You Tube Tutorial may help you, it is done in Chief Architect Premier but the procedure is the same in Home Designer titles: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwjE7qu22yo DJP

Call Chief Architect Sales to answer that question and also to find out about upgrade discounts please. Nothing here but opinions of individuals. DJP

The client viewer is a free download from the Chief Premier Website, I do not know how compatible it is with Home Designer products (I never used it for that purpose) but it is free to all after a sign up. DJP

I own all recent titles and versions of Home Designer and Chief Premier and a Chief Premier user can program a plan file to be edited in any Home Designer title of the same version number (newer version plan files cannot be opened or edited by older version titles). The limitation is set by the limitation of what a Home Designer title can edit (some objects can be created in Chief Premier and viewed by Home Designer titles but not edited or selected). Walls are fully editable as well as windows, doors, cabinets, furniture, fixtures and appliances. The important make-break is that the Chief Premier version matches, time-wise with the Home Designer title for the file sharing to work. DJP

Ideally post a copy of your plan or at least a screen capture so we have a better idea of what you are trying to do and say what program and version you are using. DJP

You can, using existing tools, make any color under the Sun, by hex color value using the "Color Chooser", by eyedropper from other objects in your plan and even from images in your web browser. You can also download paint colors from Sherwin Williams, Behr, Benjamin Moore and other paint manufacturers directly from the Home Designer website. Lots of choices and ways. DJP

Here is a quick You Tube Tutorial Video on some different ways to do round or custom countertops: http://youtu.be/HcUm4uy3xj0 DJP

Were I you, I would download a free version of Sketch Up, it is easy to use and you can use it to make a barrel ceiling object to then import into whatever you have (provided it accepts .skp=Sketch Up files for import). Check and see what your software offers for symbol file imports first to make sure you are not merely wasting time. DJP

In addition to what Mick (above) posted: on the "Options Tab" of the "Door specification dialog" you also check "show door open" DJP

Tech Support, Monday through Friday DJP

Welcome! DJP

What "old version" do you have? The spline tools and spline sidewalk have not been changed since they were first introduced many years ago. I realize it is not easy to shape but can be done with patience. Temporarily turning off "angle snaps" often helps when working with arc's and splines. For controlling arcs's I often use a poly-line side walk, then using the "Break Line" tool and "Straight Line to ARC" tool I can usually get the shape I need and want whereas the spine tool and spline sidewalk tool are VERY difficult to work with when you need exact paths and shapes. DJP

The most common feature of a "BARN" is it's "Gambrel" roof type. How to set up for such a roof is fully explained within the :"Build Roof Dialob - Roof Styles" tab. The rest is relatively straight forward. How to create a loft is covered in articles that can be searched for at the Home Designer website - knowledge Base of Help Articles. It is easy and fun, start! DJP

Here is a short clarifying You Tube tutorial video on this subject: http://youtu.be/xeKRlhMTa3E DJP

Eric is correct in that what you are seeing is because you used three walls of differing thickness. The dashed line seen in plan view is on a layer called "Ceiling break lines" and indicates where the flat ceiling called for in the Room Specification Dialog - Structure Tab - Ceiling Height intrudes into the geometry of the roof (coffered ceiling condition). The remedy is to raise the ceiling height enough so that the ceiling is not coffering at an edge. Or you can lower the ceiling height (which will lower the roof planes) and then turn off "Auto Rebuild Roofs" and then raise the ceiling height back to your original target value that will then symmetrically coffer all three or four sides of the ceiling. It is a design choice that you can control as you like. DJP

This is actually a very useful new feature that shows exactly where faulty wall connections are so they can easily be found and fixed. In older versions one had to just methodically check all wall connections until you found the one that needed repairing. Fix the wall connection and the circle will then go away from your plan view and cursor. DJP

If you will look under "File - Import-GPS Data" if you have such a data file you can use that feature. You can scan a topological map and then import the resulting image, then make sure the image is properly scaled and then trace over its topo lines using provided topo elevation splines or lines. Another method under the "File - Import" area is to import "Terrain Data" in the form of "X, Y, Z coordinate" etc formats of which there are many to choose from (take a look for yourself). This is all explained, in detail in your Reference Manual under "Terrain". DJP