Evolution

You do a back up of everything, first before you migrate to the newer software, including X8 installer. Check out KB-01342 on the CA website, please.

Larry, one thing I would recommend (speaking from experience only) Save a back up copy of the current plan just in case. When I attempted something similar, it screwed my entire plan up (I know I'm the user and it is likely USER ERROR) matters not, but just to be safe I REALLY did have to start over. After all that, the client changed his mind again and went back then (except for a little work I had done to the new plan) I just went back to my back up.

I'd like to be included if it works with my schedule, Scott. About to send you my email.

You may be right about X9Beta, not sure. I rented CA to own, including the SSA and with each update received a notice in my digital locker I had the next update waiting. I never contacted CA sales or tech via phone or email that they "gave me the cold shoulder" so I don't know what is going on with your situation. I was told as long as I kept paying (auto renewal each month) my monthly rental I had full access like everyone that had purchased CA out right. Mine is paid off now, and nothing has changed and I will be renewing my SSA again this year when it is due.

I have backed up my installer from X8 and all my libraries and textures including my user libraries, but still haven't downloaded X9B. Just to be sure, if we do opt to download X9B before the final version of X9 is out, and then upgrade to X9 we don't have to do migration of libraries, files etc again, correct? Thanks,

I DO hope you get a better answer than what I think.....I'm in no ways a CA expert, but after searching the Default settings for a way to edit the Roof, dialogue for this exact purpose I personally didn't find a clear answer.....The only way I've done it in the past is setting defaults when building my roof, once built opening the roof plane DBX, then selecting a particular point to pivot from. Hopefully the experts will chime in really quick and offer the correct way to do it? See the attached. David J Potter in my opinion is one of the ROOF guru's, then there is Glenn Woodward, Joe, DSH, on and on and on. Boy if I had their brain..... Roof Pivot.pdf

Well,(correction) I don't know why X9beta hadn't shown up when I went to my DL the first time this AM, but I just went back and bam.......there it is.

So, X9(beta) is out? Those of US with SSA paid up should be receiving notification? I went to my digital locker and didn't see it available there. Before I load it though I need to go back and study the help file on the proper way to migrate my libraries and other information from X8. Apparently I haven't done it correctly from previous upgrades and lost everything, so this time I want to do it right.

I am not sure (since I'm not a expert with CA) and not sure I understand your question, but more detail of what you're asking would help. IF I just take a stab at it, layer sets come to mind, but if you're speaking of finish schedules that should just be a simple matter of notes/comments per room per floor?

You can actually search the library for "sidelite", but I didn't see anything prarie style? You can open the DBX and change the bottom width from default up to 38" (at least that's what I was able to do) but it doesn't match the bottom panel height on the door. You can probably model it with cad tools, but I'm not too good at that yet. I checked 3D warehouse and although they have a number of door and sidelite combo's didn't see the prarie stile. I bet David Michael can knock one out with a blink of the eye?

You may also have another issue (if you haven't already fixed it?), but when I opened your plan to take a look, warning message appeared that you have a wall or walls from one floor to the next slightly offset. You may have intended this?

Give sales a call. I got this from CA this morning " Dear Robert , Your Chief Architect Support & Software Assurance (SSA) will expire on 2/24/2017 . Renew today to retain all of the benefits of SSA or call our sales department to discuss discounted multi-year renewal rates. See what you find out.

Personally, placing schedules in CAD detail. But I'm not the Expert. I did like you once upon a time, and wound up with multiple labels, because I had placed a schedule on the plan and in a cad detail. I like the CAD detail myself.

I just create a folder (in my user catalogue) For anything special, such as "electrical" in which I would keep anything to do with electrical. I use sub folders when / if I have symbols of a unique nature and sometimes preface the file name with the project I used it in.

I'm probably wrong (since I'm not a CA guru) but I'd probably model it like a 2nd floor deck/balcony/or porch. You'd have to modify it in either case I'm pretty sure to get the roofing and what ever finish for the roof (you can do that in the structure tab for the floor) and of course then you just add the rail/balustrade as you see fit. Give it a try (maybe save a copy of your plan to experiment/work on with this idea). I sure hope I'm not way off, regardless this will give you some practice until the REAL CA experts provide the correct (best) answer.

I've been using my Surface 4pro I7 with X8 - for almost a year now, and of course, I use wireless - digi mouse and the keyboard. Most of all the times I've used it in the field, I have had a flat surface so that hasn't been an issue. I do have a sketch program that I can use the stylus with making as built sketches and writing in dimension plus the benefit of taking photos etc for use when I'm back in the office. In the office I connect via an HDMI to a 27" screen and use the dual screen (the smaller surface screen) for incidental plan work, and the bigger screen for the main drawing work, and often tile the screen there, as needed. Over-all I love it.

Not sure exactly what you're after (roof lines to look correct in plan view)? You can set up layer sets, to display just the roof plane lines etc., set the line type/size/color to display THE WAY you want it. David Michael (subscribe to his you tube vids) has several good videos on setting up anno sets / layer sets If the roof is built correctly, it will display correctly, I'm thinking? If you're having a particular issue with a particular roof not displaying correctly, you might post that plan and get a lot better answers from the REAL chiefers on the forum.

Depending on if little details like tiling of the image will be of concern, DO like I did, I took a good photo of the brick on the existing home I was doing the as built on (for the HOA) then save it, opened it, cropped it went to my user library created a new material and added it to my library and it actually turned out looking very close.https://www.homedesignersoftware.com/support/article/KB-01202/importing-custom-materials.html https://www.homedesignersoftware.com/support/article/KB-01084/creating-a-custom-library-material.html

Sorry, but the zipped file doesn't appear to include the plan.plan file? Or at least when I try to open it there is not a plan file available.

Go to your preferences I believe and check build to exterior of layer on the offending walls. I believe that's it.

Randy, I wish I could tell you exactly what to do, but it does appear the problem is the way you drew the dormer walls to get log look on the exterior above the roof, and regular wall below the roof line, they appear to be two different walls which when I opened the plan and did a cross section elevation the lower part is offset from the upper and when I went to close the plan an error message popped up stating the dormer couldn't be built in that location because existing walls were in the way. Hopefully one of the guru's on here will jump in and help you. I'm sure Alaskan_Son could fix it with no problem!

Greg, I know you don't normally do it that way, however the client didn't want the deeper cabinet, she saw the design in a friends home, and the crown mold actually turns back on the abutting cabinet front at 221/2 degrees and really looks nice.we HAVE a setting in CA to change the stiles of the cabinets and make them wider which is what I did. Since these are built custom not stock off the shelf it won't be a problem. Thanks

Molding polyline worked great. They loved the look. 807 Bayou Vista Dr Molding PL for Crown Mld Rtrn.pdf

This client would like for me to model their kitchen details having the crown mold return on to the wall cabinet fronts where they but to the raised wall cabinets . I am assuming this has to be done using a molding poly line (which I have yet learned to accomplish). I guess I just need the practice. I would need to do the molding poly line in 2D in order to get it to turn back on the cabinet fronts? 807 Bayou Vista Dr Crown Mld Rtrn.pdf

Rich, I know it doesn't look good at all, but it wasn't intended to (no doors, or windows just basic plan layout). I did it quick just to see if the XvID codec would work, since I hadn't done one in a year, and since upgrading from X7 to 8, I was back in unfamiliar territory. I am still "experimenting" with the various settings (too slow makes it look like I have the nervous jitters), and in the walk through I did of my lake house project last year (for that client) I used Final view renderings adjusted the FPS to get a really smooth walk through, which really looked great and the client was super impressed, they said "Wow it looks so real". The walkthrough with the new XvID codec did play fine once I checked the play back default and changed it to the Windows player. Thanks for the input!