DavidJPotter

https://3dlibrary.chiefarchitect.com/index.php?r=site/library&reset=true here or https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/ Here DJP

Chief Architect is a program controlled by settings. If you want the window to be attached to sheathing you set it that way on the "Options" tab and if you want it attached to framing you set it so. If you do not control it it does however it is set or not set to do. DJP

If you send from a live view using a Standard Render camera, then plants show. What may or may not change at your command is how you now send to layout that makes the quality of the send to layout and determines what is sent to layout. This was not as true in X7 as it is now in X8. Choice is the difference. DJP

Bit map images are composed of pixels and cannot be used in vector view sends to layout. If you want plants to show in vector views sent to layout as plot lines you use 2D plants from the 2D CAD library only. If you sent an image to layout then your 2D bit map images of trees and other plants will then show as part of that image. That is the way it has always been. DJP

In Chief Architect as stated in your Reference Manual and Users Guide (which you should read) it says to start on the first floor. If you have multiple floors then you proceed from the first floor up, then the foundation if all upper floors are done. For remodeling projects I create a relationally correct "as built" plan file and then "save as" a copy of it for versions of additions and renovations. The rest is merely drafting and its traditional procedures altered by your local building permit authority and its arbitraries. There is no "one way" to do hardly anything that we do, there is only your skill and intentions to get a product. DJP

If I had to duplicate the railings shown in your pictures, I would use a 3D molding poly line to emulate that particular railing type. DJP

One possible work round oulbe to be to compose one's response in Microsoft Word, or Note Pad first saving the original there until posted, a matter of taking responsibility for something before it happenes. DJP

Right DJP

Here is a You Tube video of me addressing your wall poly line problems. When you see something near perfect in Chief Architect it is because some end user made it so, never depend upon just the software to get a result, rather you make them as they are presented to you as problems. https://youtu.be/rGP3gHF-v8c DJP

The materials eye dropper has five possible "Modes" which each can deliver a differing result. Look up the "Materials Eye dropper and Painter" in the Reference Manual to study and then practice with until you understand fully the differences between the different possible modes and their out comes. DJP

All objects are on "Named Layers" found alphabetically in "Display Options". A "Display Options" dialog exists differently in: Plan view, and each Camera Type you use so that means " Framing, Roof Rafters" can show or not show depending upon how it is set in the Several "Display Options" dialogs. DJP

A $500.00 laptop or desktop is a waste of money completely. The desktop I currently have I built my self for for about $1,500.00 my current laptop I purchased for about $1,500.00 at Best Buy. I think having two computers is also a waste of time and money unless you also do drawing in the field. I have two for two different purposes: one for office use and one for field work (the laptop). If you do not do field work you can just get by with a good solid desktop that has a real video card separate from the Mother board to give adequate graphic support to any drafting 2D or 3D. Chief Architect software demands proper hardware support, your budget has nothing to do with what works and what does not work, get a proper budget or just forget it. DJP

I have had it since July last year on my laptop and desktop, no problems. DJP

I use a free AutoCAD application called "DWG TrueView" to view my exports before I send them. I am not sure what you are doing that is not working, carefully review what you are doing to see if you find any steps that are causing a failure. AutoCAD like Chief is "Version Sensitive" meaning if you send a current AutoCAD file to an AutoCAD user who is not using the current version, they will not be able to view the file properly. What are you doing that is causing your failure? DJP

Home Designer has its own forum called "Home Talk" there are Australian users there and here. There is not an easy way to find them by search presently. Contact Glenn and he may be able to refer you to others down under. You can send Glenn a private message using this link; https://chieftalk.chiefarchitect.com/index.php?/user/106-glennw/ DJP

Yes IF you draw the bay window manually, the box-bay window object is VERY limited in terms of customizations. DJP

The way I do it is to open my layout. Then on page one I double click on the plan view or elevations on that page to open them in a plan view edit window. This way when you export that view to DWG it exports at a true scale of 1' =1' and can easily then be opened in AutoCAD at that same scale. You go through the layout exporting each view from its plan view edit window. You can also print to PDF the entire layout as a reference to the dwg file exports for the intended AutoCAD person to use. If you export from a layout page directly the resultant AutoCAD file will be scaled to the paper size of your layout making it more difficult for the AutoCAD recipient to then scale for his or her use. Do not waste your time confusing other people, keep it simple and straight forward please. In short, convert the views and not just the layout, share the layout as a PDF file. DJP

I like to keep it simple, I use a Logitech four button, scroll wheel mouse, on my laptop I use a wireless version of the same mouse. DJP

As a Beta Tester I file reports and requests directly to the Beta Administrator. http://beta-reporting.chiefarchitect.com/. But I also have a user name and pass word. One can also e mail files and communications directly to Tech Support: https://www.chiefarchitect.com/support/ . A Google search is all that is necessary. DJP

I spent some time looking over your plan while videoing what I did and why. I hope this helps you because most of the design decisions need to be made by you and not me: https://youtu.be/0GlwnJVvGrE DJP

I have seen this phenomena as well, especially using pony walls, it is annoying but livable, a better solution would be apprecaited but after all, it is just a mechanical device being a mechanical device. DJP

Your attic walls are in place but did not fill, fully the gaps of the attic for some reason (unknown). You can click on the existing wall poly-lines of those attic walls and using their edit handles, reshape them to fit your needs in any camera view, probably the best camera to use is an elevation camera for exact editing. DJP

Auto rebuild walls and ceilings setting in 3D Preferences might be off. It may be that there is no corresponding structural wall beneath the missing attic walls in which case you will have to manually draw those missing walls in yourself. I have not looked at your plan, I will do so now. DJP

Some of the best users on Earth live and work in Australia: Glenn Woodward, Ed_Downunder and several others. Welcome to the forum! You can send Glenn Woodard a "private message: using this link: https://chieftalk.chiefarchitect.com/index.php?/user/106-glennw/ DJP

Your posted image is from a vector view camera which by default shows line edges where walls connect (default behavior for that camera type), I do not consider anything is "wrong" but Chief just being Chief. You should also manually draw footings under the bay when you get time, it will look better when you do. DJP