DavidJPotter

All bearings are relative to an established "North Pointer", have you created a "North Pointer" yet? If not then carefully establish one as this is the stable datum the software uses to create and communicate bearing points. If no "North Pointer" has been created then the software "assumes" that straight up is "North" on your plan view screen. If you require more precise advice on this matter please contact Chief Architect Tech Support and or your included Reference Manual for detailed information on how to use the input line tool. DJP

The bay window tool is VERY limited as to what you can do with it manually, so do as LawB1o suggests. I would also use a pony wall (brick on bottom and siding on top) for the bay walls. You may also have to manually remove or edit the width of the casing of the bay windows to get them to fit properly. It can be done, but just takes a little extra manual care to do. DJP

To duplicate existing stairs you would want to measure the depth of the treads, the number of treads and the exact height of the landings then, setting them exactly as the existing stairs. To do this you uncheck "Automatic Heights" and other "Automatic" stair settings and control the stairs manually. Takes a little more practice but gives you greater accuracy. DJP

Create two stair objects in plan view with the exact amount of space you require for your landing, then select the stair tool, left-click on each stair object and then left-click between the two stair objects. That action done as I indicate above will automatically create a landing between the two stair objects. This is true for any version and any title of Home Designer or Chief Premier software. DJP

Secondary contours are automatically produced when terrain is built and modulated. Once done they can then only be displayed or not via Layer display Options but they have to exist to be seen. (you have to build them first) DJP

The only workaround available is to raise the floor height and ceiling heights to create more space between the first floor ceiling and the second floor, floor height. I have never tried this because I use Home Designer Pro and Chief Premier where I do not have to come up with unusual solutions but I suppose you could try this or just upgrade to Home Designer Pro. DJP

You close your software application whatever it is. Then find the.plan file that you are working on where it is located on your hard drive. You can, if you have a Windows PC right-click on that plan file and select "Send to compressed archive". This command makes a compressed (.zip) file of your plan file, reducing its size in megabytes and makes it then easy to attach to your forum posts so others can then see exactly what you did to cause the problems you have. DJP

No one can help you with any certainty until we know what version and title of the software you are using. In terms of terrain the tools are all similar but differences do exist from application to application. What do you have please? DJP

No one can help you with any certainty until we know what version and title of the software you are using. In terms of terrain the tools are all similar but differences do exist from application to application. What do you have please? DJP

I answered that in my original post. You are welcome to do as you like. DJP

I rarely use "Temporary Dimensions" for something I actually care about. When I need exactitude, I use manual dimensions and these dimension points can be manually edited and or you can preset such tendencies by way of "Edit - Default Settings - Dimensions - Locate Objects". When it matters I use manual dimension strings and points, zooming in the make sure the dimension points are exactly where I need them to be. That is my advice. DJP

To expand on what Eric said, the Materials List is an inventory of how you built the 3D model and nothing more. If you want an accurate materials list then your 3D model must emulate perfectly in detail the actual structure as it will be built in the field in the real world. This is usually beyond the skill level of most casual users. I have created such models for clients and I tell them up front that such a model will require ten times the effort as a model merely developed for graphic plans. In my many decades of using Chief Premier I have only had two such clients willing to exchange with me for the extra care required for such a product. Simple calculations like how much flooring etc are easy, a fully relationally correct buy list takes a lot of head and elbow space to create. Most end users use the model for raw data and just do a take off the old fashion way, with pen, pencil and calculator. DJP

Me thinks you are the one with the "attitude" and chip on your shoulder. Eric is all about "Help" as are most of us here. If by "attitude" you mean one should be personally responsible for their successes or failures, then I agree. DJP

Leslie, anyone who would like to help needs to know what software application you are using and ideally you should post a copy of your plan. Anything else is merely a guessing game with uncertain results. DJP

The program does not "think" rather it is programmed to work automatically along certain lines, get over that I just use it please. DJP

Nope, sorry. DJP

This series is specifically for Premier but is also useful for Home Designer Pro users

Sorry you are asking Home Designer Pro to do things it is not designed to deliver. Either upgrade to Chief Premier where you can do as you wish or you can become more competent with Sketch Up where you can create custom objects to import into Pro to "solve" custom problems not solvable in Home Designer Pro alone, your choice at his point. DJP