ChiefArchitect

I will log a request for a more realistic screen material for screened in porch rooms with our content team. Thank you for the feedback on the other features as well, @Rookie65. Kind regards, Derek Chief Architect Software

@Robborito Below is the list of deprecated features and new features in Home Designer 2026. Hopefully this will provide a quick summary of what has changed for the Home Designer 2026 release. Please feel free to reach out to sales with any questions at 208-292-3400. Kind regards , Derek Chief Architect Software Deprecated in Home Designer 2026 Sun Shadows in 2D Plan View Terrain Modifiers – Note: This set of terrain modifiers was limited in function. The terrain Elevation Data tools are better and more accurate. We are working on a user-friendly set of terrain modification tools for a future version. Material Properties Panel - There is a Define Material dialog, but the material properties panel has been removed because most of the functionality was not applicable to Home Designer. Master List Material Pricing Management Watermarks Depth Cue Store Custom Fill Style, Text, Callouts, and Markers in the Library Browser New Features in Home Designer 2026 Plans & Layouts Pin Recent Files in Dashboard List: Use the Pin feature to keep your favorite files at the top of the Recent File List. Managed Projects: Avoid file management with Chief Architect Project Management. Work is automatically organized and stored as projects you can navigate in the Project Browser. Project Browser Details Panel: View information for selected projects or files, like date created, date modified, file size, and other data. Search Project Browser: A search bar in the Project Browser makes it easy to filter and find what you are looking for. Drag Views to Layout: Drag and drop saved views directly from the project browser to your layout page. Layout View Resolution: Specify the image resolution when sending 3D views to layout pages. 3D Design & Materials Physically Based Real Time Ray Tracing: Use the Real Time Ray Tracing rendering technique to create scenes with realistic lighting, shadows, reflections, and metallic effects. Animated Water Materials: Choose predefined Animated Water Materials from the Library Browser and see the rippling movement in your Ray Traced Views. Modeless Cross-Section Slider: Interact with the Cross Section Slider in real time to efficiently update 3D views. Walkthrough Editing: Pause keyframes and use multi-select to edit many at once. Auto-hide Items in Small Spaces: Use the Hide Exterior-Facing Walls feature to remove items attached to exterior walls from views. Library Catalog Library Catalog Downloads: Included with subscription, access hundreds of Bonus and Manufacturer Catalogs at no additional charge. Sort Library Browser Search Results: When viewing library search results in Tile Mode, right-click to access the 'Sort By' options to view the objects in the most relevant way. Smart Under Counter Appliances: When placing under-counter appliances between two cabinets, like dishwashers, automatic countertops are generated. Doors & Windows Display Windows Open: Show windows ajar in 2D and 3D Views. Stairs & Ramps Ramp Tool: Input slope and lock ramp top or bottom to automatically create ramps that fit the space. Framing Defaults: Control fill style and labels for various framing members in a centralized location. Shoe Plate: Control whether to include a shoe plate for roof framing overbuilds. Horizontal Wall Framing: Set up girt spacing within the wall’s properties, including distance from the ground, and sizing and spacing for top and bottom girts.

Our next contest is Residential! Share one of your designs for a chance to win Chief Gear. Use any Chief Architect software product to create your original design. You have the chance to win 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place in this contest. Discover how to enter and more through our blog: https://www.chiefarchitect.com/blog/design-contest/ The entry deadline is November 13.

The results are in! Congratulations to our 3 winners in the Remodel/Addition Design Contest. 1st Place – Dylan McGill of McGill & Co. Designs 2nd Place – Brian Friehe of VirtuActive 3D Drafting & Design 3rd Place – Efi Vogiatzi of Extension Factory View all of the great submissions: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1142653187898830&type=3 We enjoyed viewing everyone’s design and want to thank you all for sharing with us and our community! Varying prize packages will be awarded.

Home Designer 2026 is officially available! Learn about the new features and software options here: https://www.homedesignersoftware.com/whats-new/#whats-new-summary

We're excited to announce Home Designer 2026! This new version brings some powerful updates our community has been asking for—including: Real-Time Ray Trace Rendering – Instantly see stunning, photorealistic visuals as you design. Free Catalog Downloads – Access 3D Library content at no extra cost, straight from the software. Home Designer 2026 will be available through a flexible subscription plan—choose monthly or annual billing, whichever works best for you. Stay tuned—we’ll post a full list of new features after the official release. We can’t wait to hear what you think!

Our next contest is Remodel/Addition! Share one of your designs for a chance to win Chief Gear. Use any Chief Architect software product to create your original design. You have the chance to win 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place in this contest. Discover how to enter and more through our blog: https://www.chiefarchitect.com/blog/design-contest/ The entry deadline is August 14.

The results are in! Congratulations to our 3 winners in the Residential Design Contest. 1st Place – Rodrigo Duque Brito of Dubinett Architects 2nd Place – Jimmy Parker of Elaine Roberts Drafters and Designers 3rd Place – Hailee Kohler of Tracys Custom Homes View all of the great submissions: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1120335673463915&type=3 We enjoyed viewing everyone’s design and want to thank you all for sharing with us and our community! Varying prize packages will be awarded.

Our next contest is Residential! Share one of your designs for a chance to win Chief Gear. Use any Chief Architect software product to create your original design. You have the chance to win 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place in this contest. Discover how to enter and more through our blog: https://www.chiefarchitect.com/blog/design-contest/ The entry deadline is July 10.

The results are in! Congratulations to our 3 winners in the Kitchen, Bath and Interiors Design Contest. 1st Place – Caneisha Edwards of Master Edge Homes 2nd Place – Tiffany Chandler of Steller Construction 3rd Place – Karene Morgan of Soaring Phoenix Creative View all of the great submissions: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1094307769400039&type=3 We enjoyed viewing everyone’s design and want to thank you all for sharing with us and our community!

Our next contest is Kitchen/Bath and Interiors! Share one of your designs for a chance to win Chief Gear. Use any Chief Architect software product to create your original design. You have the chance to win 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place in this contest. Discover how to enter and more through our blog: https://www.chiefarchitect.com/blog/design-contest/ The entry deadline is June 12.

The results are in! Congratulations to our 3 winners in the Remodel/Addition Design Contest. 1st Place – Rebecca Langman of Revision Custom Home Design 2nd Place – Jorge Arreola of Greymark Construction 3rd Place – Doug Forbes of D. Forbes Design View all of the great submissions: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=ChiefArchitect&set=a.1072711848226298 We enjoyed viewing everyone’s design and want to thank you all for sharing with us and our community! Varying prize packages will be awarded.

Our next contest is Remodel/Addition! Share one of your designs for a chance to win Chief Gear. Use any Chief Architect software product to create your original design. You have the chance to win 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place in this contest. Discover how to enter and more through our blog: https://www.chiefarchitect.com/blog/design-contest/ The entry deadline is May 8.

The results are in! Congratulations to our 3 winners in the Residential Design Contest. 1st Place – Zachary Karimipour 2nd Place – Paul Mandrish 3rd Place – John M. Bzdel View all of the great submissions: https://www.facebook.com/media/set?vanity=ChiefArchitect&set=a.1050785200418963 We enjoyed viewing everyone’s design and want to thank you all for sharing with us and our community! Varying prize packages will be awarded.

Our next contest is Residential! Share one of your designs for a chance to win Chief Gear. Use any Chief Architect software product to create your original design. You have the chance to win 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place in this contest. Discover how to enter and more through our blog: https://www.chiefarchitect.com/blog/design-contest/ The entry deadline is April 10.