DavidJPotter

I use Carbonite as a back up service. One Drive is basically a cloud based web storage which I use mainly to transfer files too large to send by email (above 20 Mb). I also use One Drive as a redundant back up service (I would not trust it as my primary back up service based upon my experience with it. I have also used Dropbox and no longer use it due, again to my experiences using their services. There are others but of them, I only recommend Carbonite. DJP

Here are some Home Designer videos about "Dimensions" for you please: https://www.homedesignersoftware.com/search/?default_tab=video&q=editing+dimensions&page=1 DJP

What software are you using (version and title)? What are the settings in your room specification dialog for the garage? What are the "Default Settings" for the Foundation? First Floor? Please post a copy of your ".plan" file so others can look and inspect your settings. DJP

My opinion is that especially if the terrain is complicated using a computer generated topographic Map can create a terrain object so complicated (containing so many "3D Faces" that the average PC or Mac cannot easily create a visual of such an object (I know this from experience and from other users). However IF the terrain in question is rather mild, without too much modulation in height, then perhaps using GPS might work alright. I prefer using a PDF topo-map imported that I then scale and trace over using Elevation Lines and splines, making sure as I place them to check in camera views each change as a QC check as one goes along. Creating terrain gradiently and being methodical has always worked for me. I have never been able to get a useful product by importing GPS data in to Chief Architect or Home Designer, NEVER. DJP

Place the object in plan view and then line it up in an elevation camera. You might have to use "left-click-control key-drag" to overcome that mirror "bumping" into other local objects. DJP

Copula's are commonly on a home layer called "Fixtures, Exterior" and that layer for some reason is NOT turned on by default in "Elevation Camera" Layer Display Options Dialog, take a look. DJP

Please watch some of these Help Videos at the Home Designer Website about working with "Dimensions" DJP

In your program, found IN the "Build Roof Dialog" on the "Roof Styles" tab are short HELP articles on how to set up Home Designer Architectural to then "Automatically" create all basic roof types. Read the articles for the types you need and want, then practice in simple "Test Plans" (you simply draw a rectangular box with walls and then do the set up instructions you learned from the Help articles until you get it right each time. Only then do you then apply it to your intended House.plan file) DJP

The sizes of each room are annotated so you can check the "scale" of the image using those dimensions, you should be able to import that image into Architectural. Like this: DJP

You import the PDF or image into your software in plan view. Then check it dimensions using Home Designer dimension tools to verify it is as close as possible to its annotated dimensions it came in with. You can, if necessary enlarge the image or PDF by left-click-draging one of its corners out to enlarge or inward to make it smaller until its annotated dimensions match as closely as is possible (you can use dimension tools to make the 3D walls more exact with Home Designer dimension tools. Then trace over the exterior walls and interior walls, doors and windows using Home Designer wall, window and door tools to a point where you can then discard the imported image or PDF. This is a Chief Architect video but may help you get going (Chief Premier has tools that Home Designer does not): The process in Home Designer is similar but not exactly the same DJP

If you mean a "Picture" of a floor plan, then yes. You import the image or PDF file into a blank plan file and then check the dimensions of known objects like, for instance, most front doors are found to be 36" wide and interior doors and doorways to be 30 or 32 inches wide. It is even better if the image contains dimensions that can be measured in Home Designer with its dimension tools. You measure and then adjust the image size up or down based upon your measurements by grabbing a corner handle of the image or PDF pulling that selected corner out to enlarge or inward to make it smaller. You then check the dimensions in Home Designer again and again as you make changes until it measures out properly. Then you can just trace over the image using the wall, door and window tools to start the 3D model in Home Designer. Precision can then be created using known or annotated dimensions in Home Designer. DJP

https://youtu.be/LvvF7kcCnxI Take a look please DJP

Chris, I was only able to download the "Front View with Dem.pdf" nothing else downloaded after multiple tries. It would be more useful for you to upload a photo or sketch of the intended roof system and your plan for others to actually help you. DJP

https://youtu.be/qy8AauY7rIM HTH DJP

Symbols like shades or mailboxes are all slightly adjustable but an angle like you want would require a symbol instance for each altered angle. Symbols are merely "placeholders" for what the client actually buys and gets, so either be willing to custom make your own symbols in Sketch Up or make do like the rest of us DJP

Existing Help articles on Walk Th roughs can be read here. Read the articles, then open and practice with a simple test plan to really learn how it is programmed to work and not work, then apply that gained competence to your project DJP

Yes, square footage displays are "per floor" only DJP

Report this to Chief Architect Inc please. DJP

Automatically-NO. Since they are done manually, you can also control, manually their spacing Not sure what you mean by "showing the top cord" since the "top cord" is part of an truss once created There are default settings for Trusses found in "Edit - Default Settings - Framing - Trusses", where you can make default changes to resulting, manually created trusses Not really, the way the truss tool is pre-programmed to function is to fill (with a created truss object) the void between the ceiling surface and the underside of the roof surface, so that would preclude manually raising or lowering a truss object NOTE: as stated in your Reference Manual is a disclaimer by Chief Architect Inc. that Home Designer and Chief Architect software applications are NOT State Licensed Structural Engineers and are thus completely conceptual in nature. Software is not licensed as a valid Structural Engineering source. Thus any and all trusses you may create are purely conceptual in nature (just for show). If you want a visual truss that you can control completely, then you would create one from soffits and sloped soffits to emulate the look of a decorative truss. This, compared to using the truss tool is rather laborious but can be done in Architectural and HD Pro (the key is the ability to create sloped soffits for the top cords and webbing) DJP

DJP

Create a "Blank Second floor", then turn on the "Reference Floor Toggle" (so you can see the outline of the first floor), and then manually draw your second floor walls where you want them. DJP

Yes, read the these posts carefully please and do the study indicated. When ceiling is set to "Zero" that means visually "no ceiling" and or if the "Ceiling structure is set to "zero" again, that means visually "no ceiling". Download here shared plan and LOOK for yourself for proof. DJP

I did this for a Pro 2019 user in Chief Premier X10 using PBR (Physical Based Render) camera view of his Pro model dressed up in X10, it is a boat house on a lake/ DJP

Software, any software is pre-programmed in terms of the visual results possible. I have observed that Chief does a reasonable job in terms of a single mirrored object's reflections but angled or opposing mirrors usually reflect only a dull dark grey appearance. I am not a software engineer or Architect but this is what I have observed to be true. You might call or write Chief Architect Tech Support for a more detailed answer. DJP

If you need further help, please post a copy of your problem plan. DJP