DavidJPotter

I use 2D CAD dashed lines to do that sort of thing, laying them out using the "Reference Display" DJP

Most permit authorities have websites where they post their requirements for plan submitting, take a look. I can help you with the 3D modeling but that does not make me a State licensed Structural Engineer, you will probably need one who is licensed in Illinois as well. DJP

I use several different versions of Chief and of Home Designer software (made by Chief Inc) and if I did not keep my files straight I would be in immediate difficulty (see attached image like Alan's) DJP

My successful experience is to merely fiddle with the "Hole in the roof, poly-line" until the unwanted artifact disappears, it is a matter of proper adjustment (proper is determined by the absence of the unwanted artifact). Your careful persistence is the key element. DJP

Import, explode and then repair the details. This sometimes happens to AutoCAD imports, sometimes it does not. I do not know what causes the variations but I just do what I must when it is important to use an AutoCAD created drawing. DJP

No DJP

Inspect what Shane did and fix what you have. We are not talking about "Rocket Science", just fix it and learn from how you fixed it. Sometimes there are tips and tricks but mostly it is just your personal intention for success that is most important, use it. DJP

I taught seminar classes from 2001-2005, all levels and the hardest thing about seminars is they are geared to the slowest attendees, so bright ones get board and the slow ones got too much attention. It is a hard job to keep everyone happy. You follow an outline over two days. Advanced classes were my favorite because they are basically class originated Q and A, so there is more individual interest. DJP

Here is a You Tube video of me looking over your posted plan and my thoughts on what you can do: https://youtu.be/I7Km1lgiyvc DJP

It has to be done manually because the dormers front and back cross two differing roof plan pitches. It is not rocket science by manual roof plane editing is a skill learned by study and practice, it is not a setting or dialog box type thing. Read the manual, watch the videos and then practice what you studied until you can also do it. DJP

Chief Symbols.com has a library for sale with some gable pediments in it but now days, when I need stuff like that, I just make it from poly-line solids. DJP

It runs on my PC in Windows 10 Pro. DJP

Lew, version 8 can print to any paper size, it has a multi-page layout file. HD Pro you have to format one layout file for each printed page and your largest paper size is 18" x 24". Those two limiting factors make Chief Architect Version 8 superior especially for this person's uses (Layout only) DJP

What has to happen is your old files must be opened and saved in a version of Chief Architect Premier and while opened in Chief the file can also be "Programmed to be edited in Home Designer Software Titles". There is no way to shortcut this process, the old files must go through a more current version of Chief first before being enabled for Home Designer. What you could consider doing is to rent Chief (current version) for a month ($199.00) , use it to open-save and program for use in HD Pro 2017 ($495.00) and there after scale views for 1/8" scale and format the layout page for 11" x 17", print to PDF and then have your print service upsize 200% to print to Architectural "D" sized paper (24" x 36") you would just have to remember to annotate with the upsizing in mind. DJP

Make a round window and then create custom muntins to divide the round window, an exacting job but quite doable. DJP

Athenian is correct in that Chief Premier (any version) can be opened in the latest version of Chief Premier (version 18) and then reprogrammed to be edited in current Home Designer titles. The main drawback is that the largest layout sheet that Home Designer Pro can do is 18" x 24" and you must create a different layout file for each printed page. Home Designer Pro costs only $495.00 but it is not as able as even Chief Architect Version 8, especially in terms of its layout file and paper size. Chief Architect X8 can be rented by the month for $199.00 if you do not want to drop $2,800.00 for the full thing. DJP

Chop, I use Google Chrome most of the time and I too have noticed that I sometimes have problems posting. I usually copy my post to the Windows Clipboard as a back up in case of any problems. I must say that I do a lot of posts so I do not consider this "unusual" due to the frequency of my posts. It seems to me to happen most often when I take over long to answer a post (too much time elapsed between opening the post client and actually then posting an answer or question). It is annoying but I do not otherwise have a tip or trick other than taking steps to be careful. DJP

This article is for Windows 7 but is similar to how you control this in Windows 10: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Change-folder-options Here is a short You Tube video on how to do what you want done: https://youtu.be/I2mcLaBPyNg DJP PS: I believe Michael (Alaskan Son) has the rest of the answer

The thing to do is to really learn the software and its tools (You haven't done that yet and that IS the "template" you need as opposed to some wrote format). Read the entire Reference Manual section on Framing and Decks and then practice building decks until your certainty rises to full competence. Once you have done that and are completely confident of your skill and understanding then look at creating template plans. True competence is a skill and attitude that comes from diligent study and practice. DJP

I recommend that you get a wider lot. The first place to ask would be the permit authority where you own the property to see how the land is zoned and what restrictions exist for building there. Whatever you do must then meet building codes for that area. Do that before wasting time designing something that they will not allow to be built. DJP

As you know Version 8 is rather old. I have Version 7, 9.5, 10 and other later versions that run on a hard drive that i have installed Windows XP. Part of my business is to help those who still use older versions. My other hard drive has Windows 10 and all the more later versions starting with X1-X8. Version 8 was one of the worst earlier versions IMHO, so I was glad to see it go. If you still have your installation media you should be able to install it on a PC that runs XP, that is your best bet. It will NOT run in Windows 10, 7 or Vista. If somehow you do get to run, it will not be reliable in those Operating systems, only Xp will work with any kind of realiability. DJP

No, but I keep my video card software drivers up to date at all times so I do not have your kind of trouble. Corrupt or out of date software drivers for video cards and mice are sources of trouble always. DJP

Ray tracing is not a science but rather an Art, which depends upon many changing variables per ray trace. It requires patience, study and practice and an intention on your part to get the look and product you find acceptable. It is never a "push button" type thing due to geometry and interplay of materials with light sources. It can be done but end user judgement comes from one's knowledge-responsibility and control of the tools. DJP

Just as in AutoCAD, and ArchiCAD you use the software's tools to model and emulate all situations. Software doesn't "do" anything, rather you use it to draw and model things. DJP

The height of Decks or any enclosed space is controlled by its "Room Specification Dialog - Floor Height Setting", if that is wrong it is all wrong until you set it properly. DJP