DavidJPotter

I have been helping Home Designer and Chief Premier users learn their software since 1999. Please visit my website page on Tutoring for details. DJP

A "Closed polyline is, by default not visual in 3D unless you convert it to a 3D type object or if you create it as a terrain feature, sidewalk or road. Is your missing "closed polyline" one you created yourself using the "2D Box Tools" and then made it 3D by using the "Convert Tool" or was it from the "Terrain Menu" directly? Such objects once created are on "Named Layers" in a "Display Options" dialog and thus can be "ON" only in plan view display options but NOT on in any camera type you might select. Figure out what is what and then repost back please. DJP

DJP

Complaining is an indication of personal displeasure but none of it has communicated what, in particular, you wish to do but can't. Any software is pre-programmed to function in a particular way. I have been using and teaching this software for over twenty years, to Engineers, Architects, Developers, Builders and remodelers and none of them had such undefined complaints as you. Eric and I would be happy to help you if you could only take the time, using language as your communication tool and convey what, exactly you wish to have happen but you cannot. You can edit dimension points manually but in most cases, you can only dimension to a dimension point on 2D-3D surfaces. Thre is a particular dimension tool that creates its own dimension points which can be placed where you wish. The main point of dimensions is to graphically show distances from indicated points (dimension points). Merely saying that something "Sucks" does not lend itself to any possible solution, try something else is my advice. \ DJP

If you do not wish to see lighting effects and shadow lines then stop using PBR or Standard render cameras where those things are Standard and is what you are complaining of (realism). When you use a Vector View camera you only see lines and colors though shadows can be turned on or off even in that camera type. This is fully explained in your embedded "Reference Manual" under the subject of "Camera Types" and "Rendering Techniques".. In the "Real World" not all surfaces appear exactly the same hue due to lighting effects and shadowing effects. DJP

Like Eric said it is on or off depending upon your choice via "View - Scroll Bars". You want them on, turn them on, you want them off, you turn them off. DJP

There is no template for steel buildings even in Chief Premier but I have done several "steel buildings". What you do is to set your "Default Settings" which includes "Walls" set to steel as the "Main Layer" for exterior walls, you set roof planes - Structural to Steel for the "rafters", this includes layers like the exterior layers of exterior walls showing steel siding, etc and the roof surface material to something appropriate looking. The thing to remember in drafting is that the virtual model, in terms of plans is representative graphically, it does not need to be absolutely "PERFECT" in every way. No one will EVER live or depend upon the veracity of this virtual construct but it must Look right on its surfaces for printed plans. If you require realistic-looking cross-sections showing trusses then draw such views using 2D CAD tools to represent such objects (Commonly actual trusses, whether for residential or commercial purposes, by LAW can only be designed by State Licensed Structural Engineers anyhow). DJP

In WHAT WAY, or what is the reason you need to edit dimensions? Do you wish to edit the dimension points of a dimension string? do you wish to edit the size of the display? Do you wish to change the "arrow" type of dimension strings? Do you wish to display dimensions values in Imperial or Metric or both? Please be specific with your questions so those that wish to help, then can. DJP

YouTube video #2 this time making things like your elevations: DJP HOUSE DESIGN 2.plan

In your elevations, I do NOT see the side decks on the second floor, are those roofs and if so are they hip or shed roofs? What pitch are they please? (You defaults set in the Build Roof dialog are set to 12/12) And I see now that the third-floor deck is to be covered. DJP

Here is a YouTube tutorial video of what I "think" you wanted using your shared plan file. (edited file attached below) DJP HOUSE DESIGN 1.plan

A photo of the home you are trying to model would be "golden" in terms of communicating your exact wishes. Just from reading your posts, I am not sure, now that I can view your model exactly where roof planes should go. Can you do that please? DJP

AutoCAD .dwg files are strictly and only 2D. When imported into Chief or Home Designer they are also "2D" only. I use .dwg files to trace over with our 3D tools, walls, windows, doors and roofs etc. or in Chief Premier you can directly convert 2D lines in to 3D walls but I believe Home Designer does not have this capability. DJP

AutoCAD files do not change from one version to the next, as long as you have the AutoCAD file, you should be able to import it into any version of Home Designer or Chief Architect Premier provided that application allows it (HD 2020 and X7-X12 will work, I am not sure when they allowed HD titles to import .dwg files but I do know that 2020 and 2021 titles can). DJP

What version (year) of Home Designer Pro do you have, please? I was able to open the plan you uploaded in Chief Architect Version 18 or X8 and all layers were visible. I am not familiar with a roof type called "Gazebo", commonly Gazebos have multiple "Hip Roofs" over them corresponding with how many facets the gazebo has (4 facets = four hip roofs, six facets Hexigon = 6 hip roofs etc). DJP

What version of Home Designer software do you have? What is the Name (Architectural, Pro, Suite, Essentials...) of your software? What is your idea of a "Typical Roof"? What do you mean by " fix the bay window upper right", what exactly is "wrong"? You Wrote: " also on front porch I have a dormer with a platform over the entry second-floor level." I do not see any dormer in your plan. Very confusing, especially in terms of any "Help" anyone might guess at. Sorry. DJP

Try posting your plea at Chief Talk and also take a look on E Bay but beware of pirated software there. A license of Chief Architect Premier includes all versions, it is a permission to use the software. I have, on my PC, Versions 7 (Circa 2000AD) and also Versions 9, 10, X1, X2, X7, X8, X9, X10, X11 and X12 but they are all under my single license agreement with Chief Architect Inc. So I cannot share my copy with you without giving up the right to use the other versions, FYI. BTW the first Mac Version of Chief was version X6 (version 16) DJP

Eric showed you an example of what I suggested: "Creating the dormer walls manually...") by "Manual" in this case you just manually draw the dormers, properly pre-set the walls as per each roof type (Explained in detail in the "Build Roof Dialog - Roof Styles Tab) and then when finished with set up you then order roofs built. The result is evidence of your competent work or evidence of your mistakes. Once studied and practiced with all your roofs for this design can be done completely manually using only roof creation and editing tools available in Pro but like I said, it requires Study and then lots of "fail and succeed" practice to get the feel of how to use those tools to accomplish what you wish, it is a learned skill and not "Automatic". DJP

He manually laid out the walls of the dormer and then set its walls on the roof tab as stated in the "Shed Roof Tab of the Build roof Dialog - Roof Styles Tab", preprogrammed all the other walls as necessary to obtain gables, sheds and hip roofs and then "Auto Built" roofs. It is NOT really in any way "automatic" but rather the outcome is based upon how you prepared to cause the eventual outcome. DJP

I tried but could not download your shared plan. I do not think this roof design is possible in Architectural, except "Manually" like Eric said. I say this because I believe the dormer must cross two roof planes (the dormer tool is NOT programmed to do this by itself), so I believe that you need to upgrade to Home designer Pro to accomplish this roof design, because some manual roof editing will be needed to get this done. DJP

DJP

If you set roof defaults to 4:12, that is what you will get when you uncheck "Flat ceiling under this roof" on its "Structure Tab" which then makes the underside of the roof planes the "vaulted ceiling". If you wish an 8:12 common rafter vaulted ceiling, the roof planes above that room must also be set to 8:12 by setting the walls that hold up those roof planes to 8:12 on their "Roof Tab" in their "Wall Specification Dailots - Roof Tab - pitch input box" per wall. You set global roof defaults in the "Build Roof Dialog - Pitch" input box and where you wish exceptions in roof pitch, in the wall specification dialog - Roof Tab - Pitch dialog. All of this is explained in your Reference Manual and Help files and also the "Roof Styles Tab" of the "Build Roof Dialog" DJP

Also other than running "Plan Check" the "Living Area" display can be turned off and on via "Edit - Default Settings - General Defaults - Living Area" or by double-clicking on the "Select Objects" icon. DJP

Pro version 9 would be VERY old, what year does your Pro display? Check to see in "Display Options - Ceilings" is turned off or if your ceiling is set to "Zero thickness". DJP

DJP Plan_1_-_New_Master_Suite__2.plan