barthmv

catalogs used to be available to several versions of the home designer series.  For example a catalog for 2025 also had downloads for 2024 or 2023 etc.  No longer is this happening.  All the catalogs are now just available for the subscription versions and all the previous versions are cut out.  I find this very wrong for all the customers who have supported your software and are now pretty much forgotten.  Why can't catalogs still be available to previous versions as they had always been in the past.

Also just so people know what you are buying into, The upgrade price for the 2026 version from 2025 Pro is 245 dollars for the first year.  The next year will cost 495 dollars.  Just something to think about if you are planning on upgrading to the 2026 version.  You also have to remember that the plan files are not backwards compatible.  I agree with Robborito that a "somewhat" prettier picture in 2026 with ray-tracing might not be worth the cost and the renderings from 2024 and even 2025 might be all that you need.  Just something to think about before upgrading. 

I'm not snapping at anyone, just stating my opinion, and my opinion isn't always correct, just my opinion.  I've worked with design software my whole 46 years of manufacturing experience so I base my opinion on my working knowledge.  Their "definitive" answer isn't necessarily the correct answer.  It's just their answer.  I've said all I can about this subject and know that there are those that agree and those that disagree.  It is what it is. I've been a long time user of the home designer software and I just feel that the software could be more for the manufactured and also for the user.

Even Home designer uses have clients and it doesn't make sense that manufactures would limit this exposure to a select few.  I don't agree with your statement that the manufactures offer only to the expensive software.  I think this is something Chief architect does.  If I am wrong then I apologize for my comment but still don't understand how a manufacturer would limit it's sales potential to a select group of consumers.

I also have noticed that the price increase of the home designer software has increased and yet the library downloads have decreased.  You would think that Chief Architect would want to include all of the library files so that their software would shine above the rest.  But a buck is a buck and that is what it's all about to them.  Pay the thousands and you will get what you should be getting even with the cheaper software.  It doesn't cost anymore to include the library files throughout all of the platforms.  Some of the advanced features we do not need.  Library files should be included with the software and not because we spent the extra couple of thousand for features we don't need.  Software manufactures have always done this and justify it by saying that they had to develop it and this is the cost of the development.  That's bull.  If it's already developed into one platform it cost pretty much nothing to insert it into another.  Like I said a buck is a buck.  I continue to update to the current version hoping for some dramatic upgrades and have been disappointed with each version.  I upgrade because not to do so cost me more and more.  I am currently waiting for the 3D to include Photo Ray Trace in home designer pro but stopped holding my breath.  I might stop ungrading.  

you are correct.  There isn't anything earth shaking in the 2025 version.  I have been asking for Photo Ray Trace rendering to be included with the Pro version for the last few years and again has not happened.  The 3d graphics need to be improved for better presentations.  

if you grab the diamond in plan view the track moves to the other wall just like solver said.  Just grab it and slid it over.

select your stairs then choose custom and under middle/count enter 2    This will add the additional stringer.

in preferences / appearance / color / background       See if this does it

you need to look at the slab dimensions.   It is 4 " thick in your plan and you have it at minus 3" on its' bottom and 1" at the top.  Move the slab up by 3 inches and you will be golden.

I guess I missed the 2022 update.  Looks like it came out in July of 2021.  I usually update every year.  Must be getting old.  Thanks for the info Rookie65

When did version 2023 become available and didn't 2022 just come out sometime around March   Also noticed a steep price increase for Pro.  I was just going to upgrade to pro 2022 from 2021 (normally $95.00) and noticed that the upgrade to 2023 (don't see 2022 available) would be $295.00.  Getting a little pricey to keep current with the upgrades.

my previous post on this stated that I didn't think it was doable but after checking out exactly what Solver was saying I found out it works perfectly.  You can change both the trim and door to be different on the exterior and the interior just like Solver was saying.  Sorry about my previous post being inaccurate.

I have fooled around with this a little bit because it should be something doable.  Often the outside of a door trim is different than the inside. The materials give you the option to modify the exterior and interior but they both change when changing either one.   It does't seem to be able to be done in this program.  It does let you change the inside and outside of the door to different colors but not the trim.  Should be something that support can address and fix.  

except for the seams in the dome roof you can simulate a dome roof by using a shape from the library and placing a material on it

Thank you for your response Derek.  I have been updating HD Pro every year since I purchased it in 2007.  I love the program and look forward to every years' new version.  I will be upgrading  to the 2022 version soon.  As a side note It would be great in the future to expand the number of layout pages in the HD series.  Thanks again for your quick and informative reply

Mark Bartholomew 

Physically Based Rendering was added 2 versions ago in the 2020 version.  So unless the 2022 version has gone to Photo Realistic  Ray Tracing I also don't know what is being offered in the new version.  It would be nice to get more precise information of the improvements since the web site doesn't make the upgrade sound to desirable.

I just tried it and it works exactly as DJP stated.  Select the window you want to delete, select next and press delete and it removes the window.  Worked perfectly

Try the space bar

I have often found info on how to do something on the chief architect site that I wasn't able to easily find on the home designer site.  Since Pro is a lot like the chief software I see no harm in going there and I will continue to do so when needed.  You should be able to get information, tips, and techniques from what ever source available.  I understand you and David Potter are quite busy and have your hands full trying to answer all the questions that come into the site, and with that in mind I use what ever source I can to get an answer with out having to add one more question to your list. I thank you for what you do.

go chiefarchitect.com  and in the search type brick ledge.  

you could use a pass-through, place a soffit into it and then for the visual of partial opening pull down the top of the soffit for appearance.  Not great but it works.

Custom backsplash can only be done in camera and elevation views.  I don't know if you are trying to do it in plan view but you can't, only in camera and elevation views.

select the hinge in the library and move it anywhere into your plan. Open the hinge and modify as needed.  Move it into position on the door.hinge placed into plan from the library.  Open and modify

looks like if you view it in plan view you can rotate the cube around the Z axis and in 3D view you can rotate it around the X axis.  Between the two you should be able to rotate it to where you want it.