DavidJPotter

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 Corrupt or out of date software drivers for video cards and mice are sources of trouble always.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

The very basic instructions on how to create an automatic shed roof can be found in the "Build Roof" Dialog on the "Roof Styles" tab. How to create a manual shed roof is also simple and can be done simply by practicing with the manual roof tools. After a quick glance at your plan, it appears that you already know how to do a shed roof (your rear porch already has a shed roof), so what is your question exactly please? DJP

The steps are: 1. Go to "File - Print - Set up Drawing Sheet. 2. Format the virtual layout sheet "printable area" (Blue outline on most printers - a visual when the layout is opened) to the intended paper size 3. Set Drawing Sheet to either portrait or landscape 4.Set up your title block on page zero (things on page zero appear on all pages thereafter) 5.This is thoroughly covered in your Reference Manual and Users Guide (found under Help Menu) Here are some additional Help Articles on this subject: https://www.chiefarchitect.com/search/?q=Layout+print+set+up DJP

Here is a You Tube video of me roughing in the buttress fireplace: https://youtu.be/T62CuHH90DE DJP

You have to forgive us veteran users, to a new user what you have to do might seem daunting. But it is merely a straight forward thing to design. What it looks like when finished is more important than how it is modeled (there are usually more than just one way to model (portray) something. Your "buttress" could be just three or four walls, except of the presence of the fireplace so I think I would use a combination of custom poly-line solids for the fireplace in combination with masonry walls. The part of the buttress that extends above the roof would probably end up being slabs or poly-line solids. The exact steps cannot be described in a few sentences rather it is a combination of techniques and objects to emulate this outcome. DJP

I have a folder (Directory) that I named "Plans" on my storage drive. In that folder I have sub folders, one for each client or project, the file names include the date I created or modified the plan and layout files. Each corresponding plan file has its layout files that go with that project, all image files, PDF and other documents are filed with the plan and layout files per project. I usually create as a sub folder for each project a folder named "Archive", this folder contains earlier versions and related data that is not the latest but might be needed for reference later) See screen capture below DJP

If that were true no one could draw a square, circle or rectangle because its all been done before, rediculous. There is a specific definition for copy and it means a precise duplicate in every way. not similar but the same in all respects, look it up. DJP

Johnny is right, here is a video displaying the suggestion: https://youtu.be/xVemucQWP6o DJP

Chief Architect Inc does not sell older versions of its software (ask them, do not take my word for it). You can upgrade your video card for as little as $150.00 unless of course you have a laptop computer. You must do what you see fit to do but if you want to use Chief Architect or Home Designer software you must at least meet minimum specification requirements to do so. DJP

Of course, you would place those new wall types in your Profile plan making them available thereafter in each new plan. DJP

Here is one I did earlier this year: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uW1Fb8qckJQ DJP

I abandoned poly-line solids to act as window sills and lentils many versions ago. For that purpose I use molding profiles that I draw myself and add to my Library Browser. They are easy and quick to make and apply and do not tend to move around like poly-line solids sometimes do interacting to a terrain plane. Molding profiles attach themselves to the window or door symbol and stay there. DJP PS: this video may be of help to you: https://video.chiefarchitect.com/?search=lintel You also might want to look at these as well: https://video.chiefarchitect.com/?playlist=98

I do not say this in a mean spirited way but there is nothing wrong with your PC, the specs look great. I occasionally get a crash mainly because I use X8 many hours per day. I have never experienced what you describe. What Perry and Joe have advised is valid and you should make sure that your main video card is the one being used by Chief and not some integrated support build into the mother board. I suppose some kind of malware could be a factor and you should check for that. What I have observed from my experience helping new users through learning the software is that many problems are generated by the new user. It is a humbling realization but I have observed that a majority of problems experienced by newer users is caused by never learning the software properly in the first place, guessing as to what is right procedure instead of learning such from the Reference Manual and User's Guide. Those publications usually gather dust and are only referred to as a last resort. I am not saying you are in this category but I am suggesting you be honest with yourself. Most of the problems we all experience in Life are self-generated. DJP

I did a You Tube video of my fix here: https://youtu.be/ZHHSsD_z4eg DJP

Here is a You Tube video of me working on your plan: https://youtu.be/FZ9fJc2khSI DJP

I looked at your plan file and what happens is when you attach the shed roof, it destroys the dormer, so like Javatom said, the solution is to explode the dormer and then manually attach the shed roof around the edges of the dormer. A default dormer object is not programmed to cross two roof planes, you have to manually shape the roof plane edges to allow the dormer to stay. DJP

That is totally dependant upon the quality of the furniture symbol and its Materials Tab. Who ever made the symbol assigned the layers to it that can accept and display individual materials or not. If the symbol allows several materials then you can, if it does not, you cannot easily do so. Symbols offered by Chief Architect Inc are usually pretty good for that, symbols from 3D Warehouse are a complete gamble relative to quality (you get what you pay for...) DJP

Chop, I repeat that I did not have that problem in my test run through. I understand that you did not. Did you really submit a ticket to Tech Support and did they respond that "they were stumped"? Anyway, I took the time to look and reported what I saw. Sorry you are having a difficulty. DJP

I ran the video walkthrough you posted and it ran perfectly on my PC. The model was not perfect (z fighting, coffered ceilings and other 3D modeling errors) but ran smoothly from first floor to the second floor. So 1. I doubt that "Chief Developers are stumped..." other than perhaps them, like me do not know what you are talking about. or 2. It may be that the weakness is in your own hardware rather than in Chief software. DJP