DavidJPotter

If you actually created a custom layer it is not possible for it not to be listed, selectively in any Display Options, that is not happening, look again please. DJP

I agree with Glenn, say what your software title and version is, tell us a little about your PC-OS as well, then state sustinctly what you specific problem is, then also post some screen capture images to help illustrate your problem or a copy of your problem plan. To do otherwise is merely a waste of time for one and all. DJP

There is, for Cabinets material settings in "Edit - Default Settings - Cabinets - Cabinet types (3)", just to be thorough there are also settings in "Edit - Default Settings - Materials" for cabinets though the senior area is "Edit Default Settings - Cabinets - Cabinet types - Materials", you miss one Default setting, it comes back to haunt you later. DJP

Sounds like a remodeling project and as such I usually have an "as-built" plan and then a copy of that saved-as and then edited to represent the proposed project. Things like headers and beams can most easily be represented using 2D CAD items on custom layers to show such Engineering details whether in plan or detail views. You can even draw the CAD objects in your "AS Built" plan and then copy-paste-hold position them into the remodeling plan if you like, There is usually more than one way to get portrayed what you need and want. DJP

Commonly I use mainly floor plan views with different layer sets on and off to organize that material. Cross Sections I usuallly do using a crosss section camera that again potentially is dynamic in nature and allows for easier future changes. Where I use fixed CAD details is for those views that are repetitive or "bloiler plate"in nature, those I customize and save to my library for reuse as my Engineer dictates. CAD detalls usually are merely 2D snapshots of parts of the plan file with text and 2D lines, and overlays that communicate the detail. DJP

What you would need to do is to make a 3D molding poly-line as a path along which your molding profile then extrudes along. I am not saying this is necessarily "easy" but does let you define, exactly the path and appearence of the resulting custom hand rail. 3D molding poly lines can be edited in both camera and plan views to adjust the custom object to exactly what you might need and want. DJP

You can always use ""Control-Tab" to switch between the render view, ray trace window and plan view but to make 3D changes in the plan file you would have to start the render or ray trace over again to include new changes. That is merely the way things are programmed to work. I often start, view-evauate the ray trace, stop the ray trace, make adjustments several times until I then am satisfied with the look of the ray trace allowing it to finish, it is a process of adjustments and then retry until you get the appearance you desire. DJP

That term gets bandied around from time to time. I thought I would try to define it in terms of Chief Architect Software. A power user is someone who uses Chief Architect after thoroughly studying how to use the software. A person who when they incounter a problem, reads the Reference Manual Section or sections about the tool with which he or she is having trouble with. When they increase their theory understanding of the tool or action they then implement that new knowledge using the software to validate that they understood what they just studied. (Demonstrated competence) This places them in the viable position of just creating what they wish to create, using the software and it arms them with the certainty that no matter what they are presented as a problem, they already have a workable solution. A good deffinition of "Power" is merely the ability to efficiently solve Life's problems. It is a condition that one earns through ardent application and effective study. This condition can be created or achieved with speed or over time, the deciding factor is an intention to know. DJP

a lanai is a large outdoor area encased in screening. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lanai_(architecture) popular in Florida (at least that is where I have designed and 3D modeled them in the past). The ones I did I did completely with poly-line solids and 3D molding poly-lines. Here is a rendering of the last one I did: DJP

When I reinstall or install a version of Chief, I customize my Preference settings and then open my "profile.plan" and customize it. Then I open and customize the layout templates I commonly use. I ahve never done otherwise than the above, nor felt the need to add to that routine. DJP

The ability to place a niche in one click with its own dialog box so you could define its depth and shape as well as width and height. DJP

I have been annoyed by that as well but when you confront the purpose of "Anno Sets" it makes sense that someone might want different arrows for different purposes in a set of plans. The current set up allows for that eventuality. I usually use the same arrow type for all dimensions and a different arrow type for text annotations. DJP

I do not experience this in my plans, I wonder if there is an existing situation within your PC-MAC that is the source of this as opposed to Chief? DJP

The ability to define a wall's vertical angle. DJP

You are under no duress to pay the SSA fee unless you consider it a positive exchange and that decision is completely yours to make. If the current version serves you then perhaps the upgrade is not for you. Older versions continue to function within the hardware and software environments they were designed to function ( I still have version 7 running when I require its services). My business is about serving those who use Chief Architect and Home Designer software so I have lots of it in many versions available to run on my PC. Part of my business is to stay current so the SSA is a vital fundimental for me. Not everyone is the same. DJP

I just finished some ray traces for a remodeling project here in Austin, I allowed each exterior render to run about 20 passes each (about five minutes with all light sources turned off except for the Sun). My PC also works harder during Ray Traces (makes more noise) but do not worry about the hardware, you bought it to serve you and it will until it wares out or is replaced. Your comfort and speed while working is more important than the comfort of your hardware. DJP

Troll again, that setting is in Preferences-Edit - Show Start and End Indicators. DJP

Do a Search for threads-posts by Scott Hall, Architect in San Diego. He switched to Mac as soon as the software was available for that OS and makes a lot of posts and videos to share here. DJP

Here is my humble attempt to plum the mysteries of this window: http://youtu.be/iBS2uqo-3ZM DJP

Are you needing this for a 2D detail (if so just draw it in 2D using existing 2D tools) If you require this to be fully 3D (why you would need it fully 3D, I cannot imagine) then it is a bit more work to do, manually adjusting the stem walls and framing. I do that in 2D on orders from an Engineer all the time. I have never been required to do such a detail in 3D or isometrically but that would just be a few more steps to do. DJP

What you would want to do is to learn how to draw custom Molding Profiles and then learn how to assign them to window sills and lintels along with custom material assignments. That is how that is best done but it is based upon learning a process to lead to a wanted effect. DJP

I would say "yes" but only for creating Custom Muntins. That is completely manual but at least you can then exactly control, shape and location of them. DJP

Home Designer .plan files can be edited back and forth between X5 and 2014 titles only if when opened in X5, the file is inabled to do so in "Plan Defaults- Allow Editing in Home Designer Titles" by placing a check-mark by that atttribute. Once that is done then yes but until it is done in X5 such plans can only be viewed but not edited. After so marking the file in X5 you can thereafter share the plan file back and forth between X5 and 2014 Home Designer titles. X6 and HD 2015 tiltes, X5 and 2014 titles, X4 and 2012 titles and etc on back is what works DJP

Yes, same file format (.plan) BUT! Once opened and saved in Chief Architect X5, it cannot be opened in any Home Designer or Chief Architect Premier title after X5 HD 2014. Older files can be upgraded to newer ones but NOT backwards. DJP

While ON the layout, only the "Edit Layout" tool allows for editing (removing, adding and editing) CAD lines autogenerated by 3D (Architectural) objects in the view. 2D CAD Lines and text you may have added to the elevation or cross section view using 2D CAD tools would have to be edited or changed with the view open in the plan file from the layout and then allowed to be closed so those changes could then be "updated" to the layout. I hope this makes the way it is programmed to function more clear, it is often easier to show another than to explain just using language. DJP