DavidJPotter

In a camera view (any camera view) has its own "Display Options" where what shows by layer can be controlled, use that tool to isolate just what you want the view to show using the tools at hand, simple and straight forward control. DJP

You can use "CAD Block Management" to "insert" existing 2D symbols, explode them for editing to your particular needs creating a new 2D symbol for your purposes that will go wherever you place it. Place it on the "Electric Layer" so it turns on and off with other grouped objects. You can also just make new 2D symbols from CAD and text and such items will go where you place them in plan view. You do not "get Chief to place" anything, you place them to suit your own purposes. DJP

Todd, I sold my first remodeling design the first day I used it but it took a lot longer, making a living to really "master" the program relative to a full set of CD's for permit submittal. The only person who can insure speed in terms of learning is you based upon how much time you put in relative to study followed by practice. The more self-disciplined you are is the only factor you can control in terms of speed of learning and competence. Anyone else's ideas are merely their opinions and not relevant to you. DJP

I never used AutoCAD or any 2D program. I have just used Chief since Version 4 to do whatever I required but I have observed that what one must have or should have is a purely a personal preference as opposed to anything actually "real" or significant. DJP

Engineering is for State Licensed Structural Engineers. Chief Architect and Home Designer software are tools and in the hands of competent end users allows such persons to design whatever they like once the tools and conventions are learned-practiced with. You learn how to draw and then draw, you learn how to create and then create whether you use a pencil and eraser or a computer, such skills are learned and mastered. You cannot buy competence, you earn it by study followed by practice and an intention to accomplish something. DJP

After wall framing is ordered built you can open that tool to view and edit per wall, wall framing. If you have not yet built wall framing, there is nothing to view per wall. Try it and see. DJP

Please show us what you have that is falling short please. DJP

Click on (select) the door tool icon. Then draw a marquee-select around all doors on a floor. Open the group dialog Make the changes. Click "OK" This works for cabinets by type and windows (select its tool icon, shift-marquee-select) DJP

If no local help, I can help you with one-on-one tutoring by way of the Internet and "Go to Meeting", I have been helping others this way since 1999. DJP

I would use a molding poly-line (a 3D molding poly line is not necessary for this type of look). You draw a molding profile than when extruded downward from a plan view poly-line and as Larry said asign it with the siding material, Where you might have windows the poly-line would need to be set, height-wise to not interfere with wall penetrations (doors and windows). DJP

I would import the dwg into a "CAD Detail Window" so it would be isolated there for editing and then send to layout from there (I do not like to clutter up my plan view with imports unless I import the AutoCAD layer names so I can lock or turn those on and off at will. DJP

After sending to layout you can edit out the unwanted lines using the"Edit Layout tool" or yo might try extending the chord and then use the "Trim" command to get closer to exactly what you want in terms of 2D and 3D. DJP

I do as you do. In earlier versions (before the advent of Poly-Line Solids, ie before version 9) I would shape the wall-poly-line (a tedious process), it was all we had then other than shapes (this was before Sketch Up too). DJP

No, you can order it rebuilt in a new unit of time and then it will match the first floor, if you don't it will stay out of alignment until you rebuild or manually align the walls, floor to floor. DJP

Sometimes I have to go to "Layer Display Options" for that camera view and like Kevin said, "turn that layer or layers "on". But also I often have to check "show in this view" check box on the dialog box of the object, door, window or roof plane as well

What exactly do you mean "add even the smallest radius..." It is smooth as glass on my PC. DJP

As stated in the Reference Manual, one measures from the sheet rock in and the other measures from the framing in. DJP

I have observed that each newer version (on the same PC) seems to be a little more demanding of the same hardware. I have versions 7-16 on the same PC (on XP and Windows 7) but I see no significant difference and would not prefer to work in X4 or X5 because of all the advantages X6 offers. If what you are experiencing is significant then you may have hardware or software driver issues to look into fixing. DJP

When sent to layout pattern lines that are while will then not show or print. To get brick or other patterns showing as you desire you need to make a "copy" of that material and then turn the pattern and texture file, 90d from the original, then the lines will follow that customization. DJP

No, I have not. DJP

Whether PC or Mac, core libraries, bonus and Manufacturer libraries must be manually downloaded and installed by the end user (Go to "Library" and in the drop down select "Install Core Libraries" ), Then if you like more content can be had from the Chief Architect Website - Content page. DJP

No Chief Architect or Home Designer title imports "Zip files" (compressed archives), you first decompress or un-zip the downloaded files and then IF those files are in a file format that the software does import you can then import and use those symbols (check the " File - Import Symbol" dialog for which files are acceptable. DJP PS: BTW this forum specializes in end users of Chief Architect Premier only, there is a specific user forum for Home Designer Users called "Home Talk", I suggest you use that forum in the future.

I commonly make an as-built model then make a copy (save as the as-built) for showing before and after views. You can use the hatch wall tool for demo walls or just create custom walls for existing and new plus annotations on each plan view (before and after) to communicate the intended changes. I would not try to do all that in a single plan as it is problematic to do so. Two plans clearly communicate both instances quite well. DJP

I have over 40 Chief Architect and Home Designer titles on my PC divided between two hard drives (one for XP x32 and one for Windows 7 x64). I save these files to another hard drive that does not contain either XP or W7. I have a software program that backs those plan files to yet another hard drive and that hard drive then backs up to Carbonite. Since 1994, I have never had any problem backing up, maintaining and organizing these files. It is not something anything or anyone does but me. One should increase their own PC and Chief knowledge, there is no short cut to being responsible for one's affairs and Life. DJP

I know several Chief users that like to have very personalized looks to their plans and like the person in your stated example, they make these things using Chief tools and then add them to their library browsers for future use. It is a personal preference per user. DJP