y-g-m-n

thanks, that helps one more question. how can I make my own Template file which has all my own defaults? I have a few generic plans right now with nothing in it but everything pre-set how I like it. Including preferences and Defaults. So I open one and SAVE AS for new Plans. Question 1: how can I add my own custom templates to the DASHBOARD start up menu and make them an option? Question 2: Any way to bring in a new template into existing plan that will change everything to this new template? There are so many options in the Defaults one can spend hours setting it up. So show plan in 3d with one template. Then click button or something and change the template and show again in 3D but will all new cabinet doors, hardware, colors etc. without having to do it individually or changing defaults. Then you do that and you want to go back. ARGGGG Work around now is a bunch of plans for same project but each has different colors, flooring etc. I want this as it is easier to have 2-4 different generic starting plans for decision maker to look at for a starting point to where we can customize.

I have some small structures or what not (house, car garage, garage, pool house etc etc) each drawn in their own plan to keep things from getting messed up while working on one. Now I want to combine them all so I can put them on the lot and have an overall drawing to show what it will look like. I do not see a command in HD2023 IMPORT menu. Import has every other file type on earth it seems but its own. yeah I can see why it may be Pain due to default settings different etc. but let me handle that just force what ever is imported as element that looks back on its own file. So to make changes I change the original file and then update the big one. OR not but I do not want to have to have 1 plan with 4 buildings on it as doing roofs and foundations can be dangerous as can mess up the other out buildings. HELP or make add to next update please

Lots of states want the foundation stamped by an engineer so they would check soil and footings be it slab on grade or foundation walls dug down under frost line. States have very different permit requirements and inspection etc. Best bet might be to start talking to a contractor first as they will know people who can help and they may have a ood idea of what is possible or not. I mean just because you drew that roof and open concept does not mean it is practical to build as it could add costs you do not want to pay. Some lumber yards will help you with sizing framing members or LVL or PSL etc. My suggestion is to first find a GC and start talking and working out a deal on what he would require to build your house.

seems like a geometry problem as I cannot see how you can get a gable roof with horizontal ridge since the rafters on the side that have the weird angles walls would end up being at different roof pitches to have ridge parallel to the other wall and horizontal. only way I could see this working is to have the 2 angle walls height gently increase so the roof pitch could be fixed and hence parallel and horizontal ridge beam. Gables have left & right symmetrical roof planes So one way I would do it is draw barn with SQUARE walls Have software make roof and ensure roof AUTO rebuild is off. Then move or redraw the funky angled walls and edit them to extend up to the roof plane. Ceiling joists would need to tie into wall and not sit on plate so BALLOON frame where walls extend past joists. IF this is real Project the framing crew cringe.

More of comment/suggestion to HOME DESIGNER then a question: I hate how HD requires you to have some base cabinet first to put in dishwashers. In real world dish washer normal is between2 cabinets or 1 cabinet and an end panel of some sort. Having this not normal base cabinet messes up the look as it lifts DW to sit inside on bottom. toe kick of DW canbe hidden or messed up from cabinet Toe kick. Just not right! DW just slide in and under cab. For countertop you can extend ones from side or drop in a custom one which is way easier. IF you try and stick it in without cabinet then it will but it shoves it back in 3d mode due to some variable only CA people have access to. We with HD are have to pull it out in 2d to see it right in 3d... and then shove it back in 2d for proper drawings and cabinet elevations. Real PIA!!! and WHY WHY WHY? Somone tell me WHY? You can insert fridge and range between cabs without this issue. OK VENT OFF...

THanks and I downloaded already. ANy more SSA that can come over to the designer side?

Simpson door ibrary shows up for Home Designer products yet when yuo try and download it is set up for SSA only meaning Chief Architect only. If you rear fine print on simpson door it clearly says good for Home designer. See screen shot. Lots of librbaries that are SSA only I would like to have in Home DEsigner. Seems easy enough to make hem available to us DYI architects - so why not? Small fee for ear or free is always good. So how does one get it with home designer?