DavidJPotter

You select an existing plan or other linked view. Specifically you left-click to select the view. Then in that selected object's "Edit Toolbar" you will see an icon that looks like two chain links. You then click that icon which will open a "Browse" dialog where you can then see what plan file us currently linked or browse to another plan file and change what is then showing on your layout. You would be well advised to keep all linked plan and image of PDF file copies in the SAME folder as the associated layout. The layout needs to also be in the same folder as those objects associated with it. DJP

For my presentations, mainly for custom homes, I use "Go to Meeting" as a via to work with the client so they help me develop the design. I also print to PDF a letter sized, color layout for renderings-exterior and interior views in full color and a second layout, usually Arch D or E sized PDF file showing mainly 2D plans. This way the client is kept in the loop and is an active participant in the design creative cycle. DJP

The first time to do something is the "bear" time for us all, I think it looks nice, well done! You had a problem to solve and you solved it!. Others might offer other "proper" methods, I think you did peachy. DJP

There is no "Proper way really, only other users opinions as to "proper". I have used railings and then added a slab to extend the floor platform and I have done as you have done. I use the method that just gets the job done. Perhaps others have their proper methods, the vital product is getting it done. DJP

There is no direct connection between how the shutters appear and the sill and lintel. You can set a window to attach to framing or not, for windows in masonry I use the inset setting. The Lintel and sill can be custom drawn molding profiles. You can draw them at different depths until you get just the right reveal. I usually draw custom molding profiles in a back clip cross section camera so I can visually control its depth, same thing for lintels until I get the right look. Trouble with shutters you two options, settings in the window specification dialog - shutters tab or manually placing them. DJP

Here is a You Tube video about custom wall types and custom layering: https://youtu.be/3JkTnur78qA DJP

I charge $75.00 per hour which pays my bills but does not make me rich but I love what I do. I know others that charge more and some that charge less. You have to make what you charge your own decision based upon your needs. You then are responsible for promoting yourself, making yourself and your products known. You might also survey local designers and drafters in your immediate area. I think you will find that there is no standard, people tend to charge what they feel they are worth. Get a website, get a facebook page, a houz page etc to "Make yourself known", do not wait for the phone to ring. When I first started my own business, I actually went to various building and remodeling company offices with samples of my work, introduced myself, said what I charge and left a business card. That worked for me, you have to find and keep doing what does work for you. DJP

Yes, look in your Library Browser "Roofing - Metal", if you mean additional choices, please check here: https://3dlibrary.chiefarchitect.com/index.php?r=site/library&search=&x=0&y=0&x=true&soft_family_2=2&hid_soft_family_2=2&utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign= DJP

Just draw the decks, period. Use the deck railing tool, easy! Try it and see what happens DJP

I could not find any settings to completely solve your problem in that the cabinets are programmed to meld together. I think Scott Hall's solution for question one would be a Poly Line solid or just a custom slab to emulate the inner style extension. The crown mold I believe would require two steps: 1. a custom molding profile applied to the top of the cabinet and 2. Poly Line solids to emulate the triangular objects manually place in intervals to the applied custom crown molding profile. I am sorry you are rather new and these procedures may seem foreign to you but you need to learn how to create these kinds of objects. DJP

What you describe is weird (I have never seen this myself, ever) so my advice is to contact Tech Support for help finding out what you are doing wrong or ineffectively. Rather than merely calling Tech Support you might submit a copy of your plan along with your complaint report so they have all the data. DJP

Look in "Edit - Preferences and or Edit - Default Settings" for settings that control "Library Browser". DJP

Appliances are not programmed to show in a cabinet schedule, only cabinets show in cabinet schedules. DJP

Chief doesn't "mess up terrain", end users do that. When you have a problem to solve, it is your problem, not "Chief's" DJP

I did not notice this in X1-X8, sorry. DJP

Harry, the way I have always created screen windows and doors is to customize the material "Glass Block" by making the glass blocks much smaller, adjust the customized materials "Translucence" found under that material's "Properties" and then apply that customized material to the "Glass" of windows and doors that I want to look like screens. DJP

As stated in the Reference Manual when you resize a CAD block or symbol block using the edge handles you afterwards cannot unblock the CAD block or Symbol block. However if you use the corner handles to resize the blocks then you can block and unblock them after relationally resizing them. DJP

You should try doing a search at 3D Warehouse for such appliques , I think custom appliques is the direction to look. DJP

What CAD detail? Where? Please be more specific. DJP

Delete it and use something else. DJP

The key point about exporting layout pages is scale. If you export a layout view from the layout, it is exported at the scale of the layout page (paper size) which then makes the recipient have to guess what the scale is. What I always do is to open the layout, double-click on the views I want to share, when opened in plan view I then export the view at a scale of 1' = 1' where the recipient then does not have to guess the scale. I also send the recipient a copy of the layout printed to PDF for reference, works for me. DJP

The layout file is useless without the associated plan files you sent to it, download another PDF printer and try again on your PC or Mac. DJP

Please contact me, I have all Home Designer versions and titles. DJP

I think the key datum is "Engineered Trusses" Chief Premier is not an "Engineer" so unless you are a licensed Structural Engineer qualified to design trusses, what does it matter at all to anyone other than Structural Engineers? DJP

I would recommend switching to the "All On Set" and open its "Display Options" to make sure ALL layers are checked "on", once the text reappears you can then find out what layer that text is on. There can be no other answer. DJP