Kbird1

if the budget allows it Fred , it is far better to do all at the same time , while all the Subs are already onsite ...and the mess made.... Typically you would do an As-Built or Existing Drawings , then Do a Drawing of the Proposed New Work ie what you have on plan now., that may not be required in your area though. M.

so does Suite, HDA and Pro according to the Product Matrix PDF below. HDS Product comparison-matrix.pdf

Yes its much easier when you have the program to try as you watch videos , also if you have got it on the Help Menu , there is a link to a User Guide PDF , that helps you get started and has some tutorials to walk you through different aspects of the program. If you just want to wander around in your plan ,you can do that in any 3D view , you don't need to do a Walkthrough Spline or record it , just open the 3D perspective Overview or Full Camera ( you place the start point) and mouse or arrow key your way around With Pro you could of imported your AutoCAD DXF file and had a flying start but depending on the design the extra cost is likely not worth it.

The drain on 3d warehouse linked above is version 6 Jo so we can both use it as can anyone since version 9 forward I think

If you don't have it FW , get the Reference Manual via the Help Menu Item and do a search on Walkthrough for details instructions. however on the 3D menu Item you should see Walkthroughs>Record WT from my manual: A 3D Walkthrough is a series of picture files saved in a movie format that can be played like a movie by other applications such as Windows Media Player. There are two ways to record a walkthrough: • Draw a path in floor plan view using the CAD tools, then direct the program to record a walkthrough along that path. • Create a 3D view, then begin recording and use the Move Camera tools to navigate through the view. Have a look for the post about XVID Movie Codec as the Other Codecs in Windows sometimes don't work well too. M.

Hi Jo , you have been busy ...nice Work as usual , looks like you got the issues I noticed too (above) and your new kitchen layout I like too, I could not figure out why there are two entrances under the Stairs myself, though if doing a Reno with a new kitchen and addition I'd be considering bumping that back wall out parallel with the Laundry , making the Laundry Room inside, and the Kitchen bigger. guess you have been keeping the fact you are a Trekkie secret all these years Mick.

I did but I use HD Pro 10 which is 5 yrs old, which doesn't have it , but I thought it maybe in the Newer Versions if you saw it in the Video. I made one out of a "shape" last time I needed one and applied a Stainless Steel material too it ( search SS here on forum for my Library) , you don't get the holes in the drain with a Shape but a Circle or square works for most views if set at the floor elevation. found this one on 3d warehouse but didn't try it yet https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model.html?id=5eab52b80eed9c1a70ec2e4e77b1f739

Did you search the Library for "Drain" after installing all the Libraries ? I assume you have installed the Core Content Library as well ? you did install/import all the libraries right? (not just downloaded them off the Site) M.

Eric is correct different Versions have different Tools/features ,so it makes giving the correct answer easier. For this you could try a Cabinet soffit made thin, 1/2" ? and as wide and long as needed and set it's height at 0" above the floor which will cause it to sink into the other flooring. Then copy paste the other 3 sides. M.

Good to see you got it sorted FW you might want to add your Version/Year etc to you Profile's signature so you don't have issues like at ChiefTalk in the future , Suite has limited features but there are many workarounds , so anyone answering future questions will be able to guide you to those knowing you have Suite from the start. M.

For your sig ,go up to the top right hand corner click on your User name ,click on My Settings and them in new window click on Signature on the left hand side which should open up the Edit window. you are allowed upto 10 lines in your Sig. You can place you Notes with the Standard Text Tool, (CAD menu or icon) once done once, you just double click it to open the box again and add more and change some attributes if wanted eg add a Border, font type size etc. Note you must select any and all text before changing anything like size or color or it wont update ,same as a normal Word document. You can also copy and paste from other sources such as Word docs or PDF etc if desired. M.

I think all 2015 versions now save to PDF , and if you only want to show your "Vision" to Builders the HDA will get the job done , you could probably also print a scale drawing of your current elevations from HDA 2014 and then scan them to PDF on almost any MFP , which you might already own perhaps? or simply "print" the current scale elevation view to a PDF Print Driver such as PDF995 that comes with HDA and get the same result. So no need to Upgrade at all unless you want to play with the Plan more and change Roof lines etc ( need Pro). check out the KB articles on Printing here http://www.homedesignersoftware.com/support/category/181/0/10/Home-Designer/Printing/ and this KB on Print to PDF in earlier Versions http://www.homedesignersoftware.com/support/article/KB-00484/181/Home-Designer/Printing/Generating-a-PDF-File.html

yes all HD Software uses a "Room" or "Floor" default , if you open a Rooms' DBX you will also see the information David pointed you too under the Room's defaults. You may also want to look at the Tutorial in the Knowledgebase on doing lofts or Mezzanine Floors , this is another method I have use for tall warehouse type structures . Essentially for you, you would have a 10' 1st level and a 5' 2nd storey with "open to below areas". http://www.homedesignersoftware.com/support/article/KB-00210/

Double check that you are using the correct Mirror Material , ( and enhanced lighting is enabled) I think I read somewhere this can happen if the wrong material is assigned to the Mirror. A 2nd guess would be a Video Driver issue. M.

Warren , I guess I may not have been clear ? you would need to import each of the textures (pics) from inside the model folder separately into HD , not the Folder itself, and make them a new material , then assign/apply them to the model as needed. So still a bit of work. These KB Articles should help with that........... http://www.homedesignersoftware.com/support/article/KB-00138/49/Home-Designer/Materials/Adding-a-Custom-Material.html http://www.homedesignersoftware.com/support/article/KB-01084/49/Home-Designer/Materials/Creating-a-Custom-Library-Material.html http://www.homedesignersoftware.com/support/article/KB-00924/49/Home-Designer/Materials/Customizing-a-Material.html

Not sure what style you are looking for but I found a number of examples on 3D Warehouse for a Project 3D Ware Pizza Ovens https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/search.html?q=Pizza+Oven&backendClass=entity Forno Pizza Oven https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/search.html?q=Forno+pizza+Oven&backendClass=entity this is one I modified a bit from the SU file though the material still need a bit of work probably. Forno Pompeii Pizza Oven1.calibz

It does , I usually have them turned off myself , you have to turn them off while in the 2D view though, if you are not aware EVERY view has its own display Options DBX (dialog box) M.

You can turn the Hinge (Opening ) Indicators off if desired, though it turns them all off , in the Display Options if desired. From the manual: To show/ not show opening indicator arrows in 3D views, turn on/off the “Opening Indicators” layer in the Layer Display Options dialog.

You are right both ways work ,just wanted to make sure you were aware of different methods, which maybe easier in different circumstances , the two building way is similar to the way you do Clerestory Windows with a double internal wall which you later delete. you can see an Article on that in the KB area here http://www.homedesignersoftware.com/support/article/KB-00492/52/Home-Designer/Roofs/How-to-Build-a-Clerestory-Roof.html

you can also check the Bonus Library Archive online and see if one of the Manufacturers has a Door with sidelights that may suit your needs. eg http://3dlibrary.chiefarchitect.com/index.php?r=site/detail/693 orhttp://3dlibrary.chiefarchitect.com/index.php?r=site/detail/946

I guess you didn't look at the Thread I linked you to on Chieftalk ? here it is again, it's from a few months ago about exactly the same issue. https://hometalk.chiefarchitect.com/index.php?/topic/124-different-pitch-on-two-areas-of-same-rectangular-building/?hl=roof#entry628

Eric's post above is pretty much how I do it too , around here, once I have an agreement with the Owners and a deposit, I then do the ConDocs ( that Roll of Paper) and the Owner then takes them to the City/County for Permitting (this keeps their Costs down). Here we don't need a plumbing plan as the floor plan indicates locations of fixtures , and it is up to the Plumber onsite to meet all the Code and permitting requirements. I do electrical if needed, as Owners often want more lighting and outlets in certain places other than those required by code , but once again the Electrician ,does most of it Onsite in a custom Reno like this ,usually with a budget allowance to start , then giving the Final price after a walk thru with the Owner near the end of the Framing stage. Depending on current requirements and the Panel that is there you may need an upgrade to a larger panel with more circuit, which would be an additional cost. Allow a fund for contingencies , as it is pretty normal to find unusual circumstances and things like Rot/Mold/Bad previous Structural work etc. You may find Builders/General contractors who will do there own drawings as suggested so you probably don't really need to upgrade unless you want too , or want to be your Own Contractor and hire Subs in which case you will need to do your Own ConDocs ,so Pro would be needed ,but perhaps the $300 upgrade is worth it to you anyway ? though like Eric said I think you have the "Vision" ok already and are at a point you could probably hand it over.

Pro is pretty good no doubt , and as a Builder/Remodeler did most of what I needed , though it would be pretty slow way to be doing Construction Docs full time, if I was producing Drawings for a living Chief Premier would be a no Brainer... for me it was a "want" not really a need to get X6 , though of course the hope now is that I can make it pay for itself at some point , of course I maybe on X7 ( free upgrade) for the rest of my life M.

I agree and do have Draftsight for file conversions etc ( never used AutoCAD) but do/did almost everything in Pro ,even my CAD cross sections etc but also just got X6 for Xmas. M.

Neither the terrain or trees are necessary , but the terrain controls the height of your stairs , and yes the Builder will figure it out onsite, but a 6 step stair costs twice what a 3 step stairs costs , so hopefully you see my point. the 45° wall is on the front deck , the wall to it's left with the window needs rebuilding/align too. You also have a number of wall alignment issues , the wall alignment tool should show you those when you select an exterior wall , start on the 2nd floor and go around and "align with wall below" then move to level 1 and do the same , then check the basement level , and "align with wall above" if needed, this will clean up some of your other anomalies. if you use Vector view instead of Standard view you can usually see the misalignment easier in 3D too. eg above the laundry door. Roofs are one of the things that make Pro worthwhile , it is also able to do proper Elevations and Cross Sections etc , so you can show them to your Builder. So it maybe worth you getting Pro , depending on your time frame you may want to wait as Chief X7 is out next week , which means (usually) that 2016 HD Titles will be out around the End of May. Mick.