Robborito

David - yes -I have found the Ambient Occlusion slider and the Bloom tick box in General Camera Default...Thanks for that tip.

And Eric, thanks for the suggestion -  I did a search in a number of places before posting - Nil results.

Ambient occlusion is a method to approximate how bright light should be shining on any specific part of a surface, based on the light and it's environment.

The strength of the bloom effect is largely determined by the range and the strength of the blur filter used. The resulting blurred texture is what we use to get the glow or light-bleeding effect.

Cheers

.

Hi - The 2018 software update suggests one new feature as follows  -

'Enhanced Render Features, Ambient Occlusion, Bloom, Normal Maps and Bump Maps are all elements that can be leveraged in Rendered Views'.

I have updated to the new 2018 HDPro - and I have spent a while trying to find these new features.

Has anyone else also done so - and if so, where are they located please?

I can't find them. ( EG., Define Material window - not there, Rendering Technique options - not there....Ref. Manual Chapter 31 - nothing?)

Thanks in advance.

I can agree that the reference manual is well written.

My only comment is that linking steps similar to those you offered to me to solve my situation is difficult to make work thru simple reference manual application. You need a starting point, and a good one in that.

If I had perceviered at the level i was at before I asked the question that I asked the forum, I would still be floundering about with possibly very little gain or advancement.

Thank goodness for the user forum as a venue for these shortcuts and explanations.

Regards.

Thank-you David - That instruction all worked perfectly for me. No problems at all.

Transform/Replicate Object appears only (from what I can find) as an icon - bottom left corner of screen.

Not under the edit dropdown menu. In my HDPro.

Your input is the 'HDPro/CA Logic' that can only come from years of using the software.

Not by reading the reference Manual. (Which btw,  I have open every time I edit.)

I was heading towards creating an ArchitecturalBlock of everything and rotating that - then exploding it back again.

So many Thanks for your time/ input.

OK Thanks David - I note you have made that exclaimation in other earlier posts that I have found - numerous times. 

I only found these after searching the forum history post my forum entry.

However, my building needs to be aligned with x-y grid which is apparently what the program needs to function correctly. This I was advised by the CA support to resolve some conflicting wall intersections in the 3D views.

Nothing too much of a drama, just trying to align things correctly, as it should be.

Rotating  the terrain is not an answer as it's not what is trying to be resolved here.

It's  the rotation relative to the x-y grid - see the plan.

If these odd angles of some walls are defined in the snap angles (other than the 7.5 and 15degree defaults.) and aligned accordingly with these  then I have been told that this is the correct procedure. (By CA)

Its the mechanics of rotation about a centre point of a selected group that I need explained.

I have no personal need to return with agonising replys.

Thankyou.

I have been struggling to get my model to rotate, about the centre of a selected group....I have ticked the preferences - behaviours- object centre, then selected my entire plan with the 'select objects' arrow - then I have picked -edit- edit behaviours - rotate/resize about  centre point - but then when I try to rotate the selection - 5 degrees to match the x-y grid - all that happens is the selection group de-selects.....So what am I doing wrong.

I have searched the 'user guide - reading page 192 and 193....on rotating objects.

Still cant get this model to align to the grid.

DO NOT WANT  -Tools -rotate plan view - as this rotates the grid with the plan.

Just want to align my model now with the terrain and all to the x-y grid.

Please, can anyone offer some experienced advice.

Thanks in advance.

Plan image attached.

Simple detailing is possible - for my use in any case.......These can be a screen grab for future detail insertions.

These are placed into the layout at 1;25 - or larger,  and then CAD-added.

I do it frequently this way.  ( See unfinished screen grab example )

Cheers.

PS - sorry I'm a metric user. 1:25 = 1/2":1'....I'm not sure....

1 hour ago, katalyst777 said:

This is a really old post, so the link was relevant when they originally replied but has since been updated because the new version just came out.

Oh - I see....Thanks for the explanation.

On 25/01/2017 at 7:59 AM, katalyst777 said:

KB-00140: Controlling Floor and Ceiling Heights

I have tried this instruction/video to no avail;

I cant get the 2nd floor to do as is suggested in the tutorial.

I can change ceiling heights on 1st floor - but when I make the 2nd floor - I cant get to happen as is suggested in this demo.?

Once I create the 2nd floor- all is lost on the 1st floor.

I must be missing the point?

On 29/09/2016 at 9:27 PM, rhadkins2002 said:

What are the differences between Home Designer Architectural 2016 and Home Designer Architectural 2017?  

Anything substantive?

 

Thanks,

Richard

 

Sorry - but are we talking HD17 - or HD18 here......the link provided is to HD18 'New Features'?

8 hours ago, Jo_Ann said:

Don't ever accidentally rebuild the roof.

Can I ask why?

Will this just undo all of the manually drawn bits?Hence, making it necessary to re-do/build them all?

Thanks.

I use Sierra on may mac with HDPro - I get the finger regularly. (so to speak)

Sierra straight out of the box..no changes.(that I am aware of?)

See my screenshot image...

I use this feature all the time - a good one. imo

On 1/26/2017 at 2:34 AM, midway22 said:

I haven't found that option in my version. Not exactly sure where you found it though. Odd part is that the floor plan works fine. Its only the exterior elevation views that has inconsistent/low line weights and that is only when you try to print it. Every screen before you print looks fine and isn't till you see the pdf or printed page its grey.

 

Have a ticket in for it at the moment. 

What about this little button - spoken of earlier by others?

5 hours ago, Fidellaty said:

It just looks closer.  Guess I will fiddle around with it and try to get closer.  Not sure about the entry...  Nothing solved.  I just appreciate the effort she (?)  put into trying to help.

What I have learnt, and still are learning with HDPro - is the shortcut user knowledge you get (in forum) only really comes from using the software and messing up a few times, or more - I certainly have. Happy fiddling....

4 hours ago, Jo_Ann said:

Build/Floor/Delete foundation

Build/Floor/Build Foundation      Select 'walls with footings'.

NEXT, on floor level 1:  Open each and EVERY room (including closets) and designate the room as a 'slab'.

                                     Open the structure tab of each room and reset the floor finish (K) to 7/8.

 

This should give you a 4" thick slab floor on top of stem walls with footings,  and a finished wood floor (on level 1).

 

P.S.  You need to insert a pass-thru window in the wall that is blocking your sight into the fireplace hearth.

Hi - could I ask what is the 7/8 floor finish for?Flooring? Thanks.

I have looked at the plan katalyst777 added - what has been done that is closer to the pics or images posted by Fidellaty.......am I missing something?Does it solve the questions by original post? Sorry, just trying to grasp what has been solved here....Thanks.

OK -got that - just opened the original plan post - there is an improvement on the remodelled house by kattalyst777......well done.

Why would you do that? Is that a USA thing? Style or method you do in your part of the world.

Wouldn't a slab or waterproof floor frame that caps the area below for the deck over be the answer? (And more cost effective)

Not a design comment as such but more a question of mine.

No offence meant -   just a question of learning. (for me)

Thanks.

In HD Pro - you can export a .stl file - a stereolithographic file - File\Export\Export 3D model(stl)  - and most of the 3D printers come with software that allows reading, manipulation and printing of these files.  You have HDA - I don't know if it has the same export ? It might... You need to think about the model part to enable the best 3D printing of the site, object , house or whatever it is you print. It can get time consuming as the 3D print inter install additional support for the parts it prints....it can't print into space without support. My experience is leave out windows, posts and any interior objects, light, beds, etc - otherwise the 3D printer will go into meltdown....

To print a site - make it a hollow shell - not exported as a solid - if you get me?

Good luck - it's great fun using these cheap 3D printers.

I enjoy it.

Hi,

 

Has anyone used any interior or outdoor design software packages for use in the home (Just researching at the moment) ?

If so, are they any good or would you need a phD in computer programming to use them?

 

Thanks in advance

 

David

Yes, I use H D Pro.....at home,.......in my office,..........professionally.

This software is excellent value for money.

It's a set of very clever tools that does what some much more expensive (BIM) software, cannot do. E.g., Print Model.

But sorry, nothing can be achieved without some prior knowledge of what it is the software does.

I'm a newbie and still re-read the reference manual and users guides.

That's a big ask, and a little unrealistic - in my opinion.

But if you find it - share it.

According to Technical Support to my request;- 

The next release of Home Designer will Support OSX Sierra for sure. 

However OSX Sierra is still being evaluated for this current release of Home Designer. We are still considering if we will update the current release of Home Designer for OSX Sierra.

The developers haven’t given any time frames as of yet to when/if an update for 2017 products will be available. 

The wall inconsistency issue seems to me to have been caused by the second part flight of the stairs.

(well as best as I can determine anyway. - move the stairs away and it heals the wall)

I will re-visit the 'split-level' advice in home designer data base.

The foundation wall thingy - I have fixed thru your suggestions.

Thank you.

Yes indeed - OK got that now.

Thankyou.

I still muddle with these 'structure' heights and relevance's....sometimes thinking I have it - but then again,  maybe not.

I tried the doorway past/thru the stairs suggestion you had - mmmmmmmmm.

I'll try that again. rebuild the wall etc......mmmmmmmmm.

Ok - will start it again. Still not liking it.Nor working right.

Thanks again Solver. I'll muddle on thru it.

Thanks Eric - All very simple when its pointed out.

I thought I had a walk thru over the stairs - I must have inadvertently deleted it?

As for the footing - I have no idea how I did that, but again thanks.

Any suggestions on the foundation wall missing? ( Under the entry room.)

I was wanting to match the other areas.

Jeff

Roche Lot 2.planI need some help please here with my model plan attached.

I have attached my plan file - which seems the best option allowing any of the more experienced HDPro users to open and toy with the areas I have marked on the floor plan in purple; I hope this happens.

Plan matters are;

1 - I have a wall above a roof that I cannot get to remain cladded;(externally panelled like the rest)

2 - cannot get a repeat of similar subfloor basement wall under entry pod;

3 - and I also have a footing in my attic plan over a closet - crazy idea, but I'm lost at trying to understand why it is there?

This software appears straightforward - yet so thorough, and whilst I think I can use it, it throws up challenges that are not always that straightforward to understand to the uninitiated. (me)

Also - I would like to get a better handle for these functions.(not always explained in the user guides etc)

Thank you all in advance.

Hope not to be a hassle.

JR.

Much thanks but I elected to go back to El Capitan by going through these ~ http://www.imore.com/how-downgrade-macos-sierra-back-os-x-el-capitan

Wow - what a drama. All that backward un-backup stuff.....too freaky.

Not necessary but necessary. How time-consuming for you.

I use other software as in conjunction with my HDPro2017 18.3.2.1OSX on an iMac with ElCapitan - luckily for me (if it can viewed as 'luck') I was notified by the software makers of this other software of up-comng issues with OSX Sierra; so, I did not update at the time.

But did however lodge an objection because this compromises the security offered thru the OS upgrade on the Mac.(leaving a vulnerability at hand)

Will be interesting to see if Chief Architect does an update for the OSX issue - prior to the next version of HDPro.

I'm not unhappy to stay with ElCapitan an current HDPro for a while.

Thanks for your post.