Robborito

Wow, this is a deal breaker for me...I cannot believe that a parametric window tool does not handle conventional sill and head details.....regardless of wether again its to be used by DIY'ers or Professionals.

I watched the video by DJP with amazement.....well demonstrated as it was, but a loose end as far as building information goes.

We don't need 'dumb' objects - objects that float in the BIM world.

A work-around for sure - but I am learning slowly of the missing essentials in HDPro.

Thanks for the intro.

Disappointed again am I that I can't work with this.

I was keen to know what the current version of HDPro does with stl files?

Has the issue been fixed in the current version of HDPro.

Was it solved and/or improved following your problems?

As for providing clients with models - I have historically built simple models at small scale (in balsa or cardboard) to demonstrate massing concepts to client or local governing and planning departments. ( Now mandatory on some projects in Aust.) So .stl files have always interested me with the affordability of 3D printers currently.

The other feature in HDPro I  notice is the Print Model - But as I only have a trial version of the software - Do you know if this process is as good as it holds promise too?

There are conflicting references to wether it is part of HDPro or not included in HDPro - so again I cannot check the feature.

All very positive strategies to providing clear and user-friendly operations.

Most of my clients relish a small scale model.

If I can find if this is resolved - it would help.

Thanks.

found this article on "Custom Lites" today but not sure it is doable in HD Pro 2016, as I'm not sure it has the "load Muntins" button?

 

http://www.chiefarchitect.com/support/article/KB-00930/

M.

You see there had to have been a way - and this is it , but not in HDPro it seems - as far as I can see.

No Make CAD block - nor muntins.....

Seems I would need to get into Chief for this.

Thanks Mick. Well found.

If it meant more money for the extra few sheets of output - within reason - I'd gladly pay for it.

As for the comparison between HDPro and Chief Premier - yes I know all of that I've seen that also - I think you're missing the point?

I've been considering taking the plunge for Chief Premier for a long time, and multi-page layouts, with no print size limitations, is one of the biggest reasons to upgrade IMHO, so I completely understand why they wouldn't let that feature trickle down to the less advanced versions.

You mention you're not "in a position to go there atm" so maybe the monthly rental option for Premier would be an good for you or consider calling the company's sales people directly, they might have a special deal on upgrades from Pro not listed on the website.

http://www.chiefarchitect.com/software-rental/

 

Monthly rental.....Thanks I'll look into it.

OK - I looked into it.

Bad idea.

Cheers.

Well thanks for all of that - but, really - imo the limitation is just poor marketing.

Sure they are a company....not sure I understand the rigging of the world comment, but...

what has that got to do with the output from HDPro?

If I was to go to Chief premier for that issue alone - better printing output of docs.,  I would need my head read.

Chief has an awful lot more to offer than just the construction contract drawings output surely?

Doesn't it? 

For HDPro - A set of 4-5 A3 sized ( Sorry I'm metric) sheets would be clever marketing., for a multitude of reasons.

I would buy it and suspect many other professionals would also.

It's a clever, well focused, intuitive suite of software - that high end BIM ( ArchiCAD, Revit ) software does not have. Full-stop.

HDPro - It's a cursory step towards the eventual and obvious conclusion........Chief Premier!

Thanks for the feedback  - Hometalk people.

Maybe someone has inside information perhaps - but after reviewing HDPro for quite a while - when you get to actually outputting drawings, images aetc as you need to do, suddenly we hit a limitation on output size, sheet numbers etc etc.

Why is it like this? (apart from the obvious)

Like OK - HDPro is a great program at a great price - but it seems dumb to stop the bells and whistles when you get to the most important phase (as far as impressing clients anyway) - only to find restrictions.

Sure - you can make as many single layout pdf's an images as you like - plans/blueprints, whatever you guys call them, are important communication media between and Architect/HomeDesigner/ whatever you be,  and your client..Why not sets of drawings/layouts?

In my opinion HDPro would do much better if this output limitation was removed.

I would have bought it months back.

Instead - I am procrastinating my purchase over this output limitation, and how best to work around it.

OK - I see that it sorta directs me to getting Chief Premier - but, I am not in a position to go there atm.

Maybe there is room for another version - Home Designer - "Blueprint Artist" - "Professional Plan-Maker"

Or something similar?

Increase the HDPro layout output to a set of say 5 sheets - to enable a decent output.

Are there ways around what I see is an issue?

No problem , don't bother on my account , just haven't played enough myself beyond triangular windows to get the bottom off horizontal too like you  show.

 

I am seeing a few more reports of crashes on the MAC but haven't seen any causes yet.

All good - I need the practice - the more you do it - the better you get at it. ( Excl. golf of course! )

Here are a couple of screen shots - its the "botom-corners" settings that raise and lower the sill to be raked (or sloped) depending on your vernacular.

I'm still searching to see if I can add internal sash/lites patterns - automatically i.e.,, but no big deal.

The 'Lites' button - is not accessible on the menu it seems.

Maybe it won't handle raking sills and heads on windows, but I'm guessing?

There are allot of radio buttons in this program - easier just go round turning them on and off again, to see the effects.

Thanks for your advice.

Yep the knowledgebase is always a good place to start if you have a question ,lots of good info and "how-to's" there.

 

Since you are on the Trial I know you can't post the plan here, so I wonder if you can show the settings as I'd like to see the settings you are using in the Window - Shape tab if you don't mind taking a screen shot with the Windows Snipping tool (in Accessories) .

 

I was thinking you'd have to make 2 windows each side of centre (at least) to get the divided look you want as I don't think "lites" are compatible with Shaped windows.

 

Not sure if it is easier done in Chief or not ,though I think you are Trial-ing it too?

 

M.

I simply followed the leads provided by you guys...Thank you.

And only have the overall shape I created in the screen shot attached earlier - HDPro won't insert colonial or other sashes. No prob. though - that is 2D stuff I can add in the relevant elevation.

Its a couple of lines. (Like we used to do.)

I think sometimes I see users getting too precious about having every little detail correct - everywhere.

And as I only have a demo - I'll have o rebuild the scenario for you.

I am exploring more obscure structure shapes, curvilinear wall, overlapping storeys and more. with the software - non conventional roof etc.

Allot of crashes it seems atm.

But fun getting it there.

Regards.

I thought this forum was for functions and use of the software?

This is more a consumer-come-operator matter....

Hey that was easy........

I knew it, if everything else fails - read the manual! ( or equivalent's )

Keep forgetting about these 'specification' - the editable parametric functions.

My mistake; ( this time)

I was searching for a window to suit my needs as an object at the start;

The Answer;

Insert a window - then modify it in situ to suit. 

Smart.

Thank you gentlemen for your input. It's very easy when the method is known

I'm getting closer.

I have been trialing HD Pro - and have come up against a need to insert an angular clerestorey gable window.

My freehand sketch is attached showing my concept drawing - and also an image of my partly developed model created in HD Pro;

is it possible to cut in the angular format window I show in my gable end - using the software HD Pro?

I have investigated the libraries etc - I'm not that 'cluey' on the whereabouts of somethings I can modify for such a use.

Can others please advise?

I want this to work - so badly in HDPro,

but this may be the stabling block for me on the HD Pro.....side of things.

The standard window formats do nothing for my design.

Regards, and many thanks in anticipation.

Thank you for your input.

Walls are good on both levels. The intersections are generated automatically - and tight.

Is see it as the pony wall being treated as two skins.

The little satellite roof - is for the lower brick outer wall of the pony wall.

The cavity in the wall at the acute point is much larger thru its truncation in plan. ( Are you with me )

It appears in two locations in my screen shot - exactly the same result. Acute wall intersection angles.

Large cavity's - maybe read as a void or hole...I don't know.

I have tried it several times - same result.

Maybe not that simple?

I've worked around it - just deleting them, no big deal - but......why does it occur.

Experimenting with the auto roof tool - When wall intersections on plan are of an acute angle - these small satellite wedge style hip roof appear on the basement plan?

See my attached image.

They are easily deleted - however strange they should appear?

Is there a radio button on the basement plan that prevent this?

I can't seem to find one.

I know all of this is simply done using the manual roof tool - however the auto tool is a handy thing - although has some limitations.

Are there some rules I need to know - that are not that obvious?

Thank you HD Pro world.

Who is Mick - and the consistent request to add version and title to your Signature?

Is not what I show adequate?

Or am I missing something here? (Again..)

Anyway - Thanks Kbird1 - that is what I had resolved myself - to do, to achieve that result.

And DJP - I had concluded, in the meantime, exactly what you have said - Thanks for your input.

I'll go without what I am used to doing - just for the other joys offered me with HD Pro.( And Chief.)

Many Thanks.

My background is 16 years with ArchiCAD - the learning curve here is nowhere near as steep with HD Pro....Its is much more intuitive imo.

So many intelligent and automatic parametric functions - its excellent. (and enjoyable to use)

Have had it on trial it for a while (as well as Chief) - I think I'm going to buy HD Pro.

I also like it.

Good luck.

I am a newbie to this very cool -  HD Pro world;

I notice I can show my roof design on the 1st floor or the floor above;

How does one show a roof design on the floor plan - and also on a floor above - to be used a plot or site plan?

Do you just turn off layers till all you wish to show is relevant of floor level 1? ( First Floor)

Or is it possible to have the roof showing on both?

I have messed with this for a while - no solution other than layer display adjustments.

Many Thanks to all of you with input to date.

Chief Inc. had at one time (back when the company name was ART) an employee whose major purpose was to write the manuals. She left the employ around version 9 or 10 and the manual has suffered ever since. This person was an extremely gifted individual who had a way with words that was eloquent and very clear, not leaving the reader scratching their head in confusion like so many who are very wordy using 25 cent words but never really say anything. Sounds impressive but is worthless.

The company would do well to find a similar person. It is easy enough for those of us here who have used the program for years but we cannot be completely objective in our explanations since we have gradually grown with the program and it's complexity. At one time modeling a house was easy if you understood construction. Very intuitive. Now days, not so much. Sometimes simple is best!

I must say that the female demonstrating the videos - is as you say - very clear, precise and is methodical in here demonstration. I guess this is the person you speak of perhaps.? I do come from a Cad and BIM background - and I have found on Youtube and elsewhere very good instructional info that has helped me assess HD Pro....its a really great program.

A pity I missed it earlier in my days having pains many 10 times its cost to date - over 16 years or so. (and beyond..)

Thanks for your input to my question. I am still experimenting with the trial version. there is allot to compare.

I am experiencing very 'jerky' model rotation in my 3D window...not sure why - I have the minimum video memory...Cannot find anything in the default or preferences that might make this less of a problem Have also looked in the memory base without much success. is it likely that the iMac I use - is too slow for Home Designer Pro? I doubt it....

Any suggestions to remedy this would be a mighty help.

Home Designer pro only has a few basic window sizes - Is this a limitation to HDP - Does Chief Architect have a larger variety of standard sizes available in its library's?

Are there any manufacturers offering .calib libraries of their product suitable for Home designer Pro? Anyone…?

I'm a newbie to this world - and I seek guidance please if possible…..

I sorted that out - you have to obviously build the 1st floor - to enable subsequent floor to be added. thanks Robborito. You Genius.

How many floor level is possible in HDPro - 3 floor plans plus attic, and plus basement - or is it less. I can only seem to create one floor level plus attic and plus  basement…. Is there a tutorial on this. Is there a short answer please?