DavidJPotter

For best results with a round texture, you need to use a .png image file that supports a transparent background. As a PNG it will work like a charm provided you eliminate the white background and make that white part transparent. DJP

Stretch to fit does precisely that and nothing more. it is the resolution and size of the texture and how well its edges are trimmed that determines how it looks on an object. No other advise or comments are possible since you have not shared an image of your texture or how it looks in Chief. DJP

Yes, your are missing opening the dialog box's of the offending dormers and changing their "Wall" Settings, I suppose it could be something else but without a copy of your plan to look at, who knows??? DJP

Dennis means that we are not psychic and need something to examine in order to help, so posting a copy of your problem plan file will help us, help you. DJP

You will probably have to reinstall your core, manufacturer and user catalogs from scratch. The core and manufacturer files can still be had via the Chief Architect Inc Website. DJP

Here is a You Tube video of me fixing your file in Home Designer Pro 2016 (file is attached below). https://youtu.be/5H10ONEvpyY DJP RUPCICH 2nd FLOOR LAYOUT.zip

X8 was designed to run in Windows 10. Notice in my signature that in my Windows 10 I have running apps all the way back to X1 and many versions of Home Designer as well. DJP

No one here uses Home Designer software (we use Chief Premier, similar but more sophisticated). There is a software forum just for Home Designer Users called Home Talk so it is there you should post your questions for answers. DJP

X1 still works as it was designed to but so much as been added to the program since then (it could fill a thick book). Whatever you do, dedicate yourself to really mastering it, the world does not need more slightly trained and incompetent people, what we need is more dedicated, competent professionals, be one. DJP

Johnny is correct in that a copy of a layout merely copies it along with its innate associations so you must "reassociate" the views to the new plan file when it is ready to be so associated and the tool of choice is the "Re-Link" tool while the layout is open. DJP

The most common cause for this is that many brick and tile materials have "white lines" set as their default, I have to change the white lines to black lines, if I want them to print. You click on the material with the "Adjust Material" (tri-color) tool and on the general tab make the white lines black, it is that simple. White on white does not print. DJP

X3 and Home Designer Pro 10 can share .plan files. The X3 layout file is not compatible, the reason for that is that pro has a single page .layout and Chief's layout is a multi-page file that will not open in HD Pro due to Pro's innate limitations. Otherwise you should be all set. DJP

Yes, but you will probably have to loose the old laptop for something newer and better (Chief Premier is more demanding software then Home Designer Pro). Their plan files are identical but you also have to learn how to use Premier's finer rendering tools which take time, it is not just clicking on a button to achieve professional results. DJP

I am a little mystified as to why you say "...it is taking dimension points from seemingly random locations". What I mean is it is or should be YOU who is setting dimensions points, are you having trouble placing dimensions? What exactly is the problem please? DJP

Please send me a copy of your 3D Home Architect (I assume it is a .plan file?) and I will see what can be done. What version of 3D Home Architect was used, do you know? DJP

The thing about terrain is to keep it as simple as possible. When you import terrain data from an outside source often times the resulting terrain plane is so complex that most PC's or Mac's cannot parse it per second in camera views (too complex and two many 3D Faces). What I commonly do is to import a terrain as an image or .dwg and then selectively hand draw-create terrain splines over the indicated contour lines. Where the exactitude of the terrain is not critical I often use elevation planes for large areas. You add a terrain elevation object and then check that change in some camera views, checking each time a change is made so errors can be corrected before several are made causing a real problem to straighten out afterwards (when you goof it sticks out like a sore thumb). DJP

I see this type of message from time to time, since I started using this stuff. the way to minimize your risk is to manually save often. Never depend on auto save. Be methodical while working, leaving no loose ends or settings and if a plan file gives evidence that it is unstable, save it as every thirty minutes until you are done and then throw the save-as files away when you are completely finished. DJP

I doubt that Vince would be personally interested but he may know someone who would be willing to help you: http://www.vincekunasekdesign.com/home DJP

Sounds like a "suggestion" to me or perhaps a feature request or bug fix, the lights should follow end user adjustments of the fixture. DJP

I think Graham nailed it, a red sky would produce reddish windows. DJP

I have heard that you MIGHT be able to find updated hardware lock drivers for Windows 10 or 7 but until you do you will be farting in the wind trying to get 9.5 running in Windows 10. The hardware lock people do have a searchable website. Go there, find what you need. Install it or stop your whining. DJP

Temporary dimensions seem to be detached from "Edit - Default Settings - Dimensions" where you can change the size of all other dimensions but for Temporary dimensions you can only control certain dimension point settings. You should make this a suggestion for future function. We should be able to control this but as it is, we cannot. DJP

Basically what you see is a building cross section. So in Chief you would create your 3D model carefully setting Defaults to emulate exactly how you intend to actually build in the field. Then using a back-clipped cross section camera to bracket exactly the slice of the building that shows what you want to communicate graphically. When your settings per room dialog are correct you can then use the "Auto Detail" tool which adds certain 2D overlays onto the live cross section view at which time you can then do: (Auto Detail picks up prior settings per room specification dialogs to decide what is and is not added as 2D overlays) 1. then manually add your text annotations and dimensions to the view and perhaps manually edit what the Auto Detail tool did and then send to layout for printing at a scale or 2. use the View to CAD tool to further edit and clean up the line entities before sending to layout for printing at a scale. (AutoCAD users often prefer this method since they are more familiar with 2D CAD tools and procedures. DJP

It is more important that you pursue your own interests, I mean if you want to do this for your own reasons then that is a good intention. Never live your life only for others, the main affinity and interest should be your own. Personally, I love doing this creative "work", actually to me it is FUN! But it is my chosen field to create in. The world already has too many unhappy persons earning pay checks, when what the world actually needs is enthusiastic Artists! DJP

Glad you figured this out, it is called "drafting", it is a necessary pain. DJP