DavidJPotter

The plan you are working on was created in an earlier, legacy version of Chief. Over the years and versions, how they organize-create symbols have changed, thus the error message. The remedy on such legacy plans is to find and replace such electrical or other such symbols from your current Library Browser which will solve the error messages. I specialize with working with older, legacy plans, I have seen this countless times. DJP

I am in Austin, but I tutor and teach other Chief Users across the USA and elsewhere. DJP

My first call would NOT be here but rather to Tech Support. That said you will get some useful and not so useful opinions and experiences here. Generally, make sure all software drivers are up to date for mouse and video card. DJP

the "Standard" render camera tool has been limited to 8 active light sources since that feature was added in Version 7 (2000 AD). But Ray Trace views have no such limitation and will show light sources no matter how many there are. DJP

For now, just delete the old versions you no longer use or need BUT you also need to be looking at a long-term solution for the size of your drive "C" (it is way too small as it is). My drive "C" is 500 Gb and is totally full already (I keep really old versions of Home Designer and Chief on a separate hard drive that runs Windows XP). I do have Versions X1-X9 on my "C" drive. DJP

When I imported the symbol it came in with the name "Strapped Hood" (No Stanisci) so at first I could not find it. DJP

My advice is to contact Tech Support as this is not a widespread problem it is probably a problem, hardware or software wise on only your computer. The first place I would look and handle is your video card's software drivers. Make sure they are the most up to date ones offered by your video card manufacturer. Secondly, I would look at my mouse software drivers; same thing make sure they are the latest version. How long has it been since you thoroughly cleaned out your computer case interior? Accumulated dirt and dust can wreak havoc on a PC's performance and stability. You have a computer problem, not a Chief problem. DJP

I suppose you could export such symbol3 to a 3D dwg, .3ds or .dae file and then import into Sketch Up as a .skp file, do your customizing and then reimport into Chief as a .skp. That is the ONLY solution I can think of. If you want what you want, then extra steps must then be taken. DJP

Most likely where the roof is missing that dialog box or boxes has "No Roof Over this Room" checked on the "Structure tab". The software follows settings and nothing else, it is just a mechanical device for you to control. DJP

Without a shared copy of your plan file, it is anyone's guess as to what settings are correct or incorrect. Post a copy please along with any additional pertinent data to help explain what is wrong. Shed roofs are not complicated but from your posted images you have some supporting settings wrongly set. DJP

Framing does NOT automatically update after being built. Each time you change anything that affects framing, you have to manually order the framing to rebuild to include your ordered changes. DJP

Please read this article: https://www.chiefarchitect.com/support/article/KB-02761/chief-architect-minimum-system-requirements.html DJP

Home Designer Pro 2018 libraries are not compatible with X6 generally, also any plans you started in HD Pro 2018 will not be able to opened and edited in X6. X8 is a better match to HD Pro 2018. DJP

Several versions of improvements, bug fixes, additional features, tools and productivity (once learned) not to mention the additional Libraries that have been created that are NOT compatible with X6. Download a Free Trial Version of X9 and see for yourself. DJP

This forum is focused on the use of Chief Architect Premier only. Most of us here are designers, Interior Designers, Architects and Engineers who already know how to space plan and design. I have seen plans posted here for the purpose of critique from time to time but it is not essentially a good place for mere verbal advice and basic education in our fields. For general advice and education, there are much better sites than this forum. You are welcome to post/share a plan file here and I am sure you will then garner some comments DJP

Attic walls are what they are: automatically generated by the software. They cannot be deleted unless as Eric pointed out you stop the automaticity of the software's pre-programming. If you do this, you WILL be sorry. Automatic generated attic walls fill in gable rake ends and interior vaults (they are also sometimes a pain but mostly save you TIME. Why would you want to manually draw interior and exterior rake walls? Why? I learned how to work with them and it saves me a lot of time doing so. That is the way Chief Inc. programmed them to work and they do work quite well. once you think about it. DJP

They are also called "current points" for use in general 2D CAD, it merely demarks a selected "current point" from which you can do other 2D CAD actions. This is not "arcane" or mysterious knowledge, that and all other things are explained and defined in your "Reference Manual" and "Users Guide" found under "Help". DJP

I have Windows 10 Pro and I have installed upon it versions X1-x9, they all run just fine for me.I keep old versions on my PC so I can service users, like you who have not updated. DJP

You can take any material texture an alter its basic coloring by way of the Material's Dialog box. You get a texture that is close an then apply a color to alter the texture, darker, brighter and change its tent. Works very well. DJP

https://www.chiefarchitect.com/support/article/KB-00697/creating-a-stepped-retaining-wall.html https://www.chiefarchitect.com/support/article/KB-00652/changing-the-height-of-a-retaining-wall.html Read the above articles please DJP

The roof edges need to completely separate, you may need to add "Line Breaks" to separate them properly, so they do not interfere with the fascia as is currently the case. Zoom in and really carefully see how those two roof plane lines are crossing each other and then using line breaks, make sure they cleanly cross each other. For a more detailed explaination, you will need to share a copy of your plan. DJP

I use Chief and Sketch Up, each has its strengths and they complement each other. DJP

Your example shows that you did not use railing walls which have a materials tab for "Exterior Wall". Using invisible walls or room divider walls does not offer this additional, useful material setting. DJP

Your new person can get one of the older, perfectly usable machines and the new one can be given to your best producer as a validation of their production and service. In terms of what is available, the sky or your wallet is the limit. My three-year-old 6 core machine is still quite good (I built it myself). What you need and want is something within your current budget that is slightly better than your current machines. Alien ware has a good reputation and should be a good investment. DJP

Shadow boards are automatic, preset molding poly-lines. When they fail to produce what is needed and wanted, I usually just draw manual molding poly-lines instead. Not everything set to be "automatic" works reliably, all the time, so you just have to step in and fix these instances. DJP