DavidJPotter

I just opened a recent plan of mine in X7. When I uncheck "Patterns, 3D views" in Display Options. The key here is "3D views" not 2D views. This has been the case since Version 9.5 or 8, nothing has changed during that time. The whole point of "patterns" is having them in 2D views so there is no reason to turn them off in such views, it is an option in 3D views and always has been. DJP

Every object in Chief has a dialog box and a Material Tab, my advise is to use that first and leave off using the Material eyedropper and painter until you have carefully studied the Reference Manual on how and when to use those tools. DJP

A layout file is useless without the associated plan files, all you end up with without the plan files is blank layout pages. From looking at the PDF you posted my main observation is that the cabinet elevations would be easier to read at 1/2" scale using a vector camera instead of what you did apparently use. On a D sized sheet for such a small project, upsizing everything is indicated. Clarity is or should be the intended target. DJP

Get out your reference Manual and read the section that covers "Custom ceiling planes" {Build - Roof - Ceiling planes). Also read these Knowledge Base Help articles: https://www.chiefarchitect.com/search/?q=coffered+ceilings DJP

It is a spot of bother and I haven't needed to do it since version 9.5 but you merely have to unlock the Truss envelope layer in Display options and then you can, with patience reshape a truss envelope and edit the chords anyway you wish. You might want to carefully read the section of the Reference Manual regarding truss editing first. DJP

That is most likely, an auto-generated attic wall, select it , set to invisible and then move on. This is not an X8 thing, rather it is a Chief Architect-Home Designer thing. You just handle it and move on. DJP

Here in this open forum you will get lots of opinions (everyone considers that the way they do things is THE ONLY WAY to go). That is one of the strengths of this software in that in many cases there is more than one way to achieve a particular result. I once had a client in Dallas who created different versions of the same plan on different floors in the same plan file. I considered that crazy but it serves his needs, such as they are. You get advice here and you can read the Reference Manual or watch videos but in the end it is only you who is responsible for the outcome. DJP

Commonly Floor zero is for the basement or just foundation. Floor one is the first living space commonly and so forth. There are exceptions to that rule when you have a split landing or multiple floor levels on floor one. This You Tube video by Dan Baumann may be of some help: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWibFFtn9Ik DJP

Aside from Lew's negative comments, his advice is good, call Tech Support for a cogent answer and help. DJP

The software is smartly built but it is not intelligent, sometimes you just have to add missing elements manually as "HomesByDesign" said. DJP

1 - Create linear LED effects i.e. LED tape lighting say for 5 meters of uplighting along a soffit (very common in UK)? This is something you make, there have been a couple of threads about how to do that here in the past. It is not hard to do, once you learn the software and its tools. Basically you create a path and then set a material to emulate the light you want it to emit and make the material emmisive. 2 - Can we build UK power sockets and AV outlets symbols which work in the same manner as the 110 defaults? There are UK type outlets that can be downloaded from the Chief Architect website - Library Catalog section 3 - Similar to 3, how simple is it to build a 3d symbol for say an in-wall control system touchscreen with a custom image or in-wall speakers I think that you can find those items or something similar in your Library Browser, Library Catalog section or at Sketch Up 3D Warehouse Nothing really "happens" until you master the software and its tools, a person uses it to create whatever they want, once you learn how. Many things can be made in Chief Architect or the free version of Sketch Up and then imported into Chief Architect, again, it depends on the complexity of your custom object and how much effort you are willing to expend creating it. DJP

Here is my contact data (see my "signature" below) and use this link: http://djpdesigns.com/tutoring.html DJP

Have you downloaded the latest update (that problem should have been addressed as part of that update). Otherwise, please be a little more specific as to what your complaint is. DJP

reboot Chief (clear your RAM), if necessary reboot your PC and then try again. DJP

I have about a Gb of Library files in .alb format for V10. I can make them available for download via my Dropbox account for a small exchange for my time-trouble. Let me know. I will do this for you in exchange for $30.00 if you like. DJP

I share AutoCAD versions of my drawings with Engineers and Architects, the FIRST thing I ask is "what version of AutoCAD they use" because if I export in the wrong version they will NOT be able to import and view-edit my exports. The same is true with Chief Premier: "Older versions cannot open plans by newer versions of Chief or Home Designer software" ever has it been so. That is why I have ten Versions of Chief Architect Premier on my PC. DJP

There is no workable way to lock walls. What you do is to learn to control objects as you work using dimensions being careful not to undo what you have done by improperly using moving objects by dimension. It takes some practice and hand-eye coordination but can and is being done. I have seen this complaint for years by newer users and some older users and the solution is to just control what you are doing while you do it. DJP

Any object, including visible dimension points, have dialogs where their size can be edited as well as their color to make them "disappear" at need. DJP

I do not know of any Architects that use Chief in Fort Worth, there are some in Dallas but they do not freelance but you can check. The clients I have in Dallas and Fort Worth are individual builders and remodelers so far. I can help you via the internet and or Go to Meeting if you like. (I grew up in Fort Worth) DJP

I suggest that you concentrate on the areas in the Reference Manual and help files that interest you, the areas that you are sure you are having trouble with. I have never met or know of anyone who first read the Reference Manual before starting their first project. Few are those with that sort of self discipline. I suggest learning the program bit by bit, handling the areas you know are giving your trouble in present time. Be sure when you come across words or symbols that you are unfamiliar with and get then defined, it makes all the difference if you fully understand what you hear or read. DJP

Highwayman, I was pressed for time earlier today and in retrospect I may have been to harsh in my dismissal of your plan file. All the corners where dissimilar walls come together can be fixed with persistence and care. There are some improper settings like Glenn pointed out as well as others ( I found that the default settings did not match floor heights when checked in elevation cameras but on the other hand they were not too far off). Such anomalies as you pointed out and posted are neither here or there in terms of construction documentation (those are certainly unwanted but not vitally important), I mean such unwanted lines can easily be removed on layout using the "Edit Layout" tool and so are less significant. My apologies. DJP

If you confront what it is that we do (Chief Users and Chief Architect Inc) it will be found that both groups are creative ones who directly contribute to the character and nature of our civilization. Together we are Artists, creating an important part of the future. It is basically the tendency to help others that tends to bind us together as a group. I am thankful of that fact and I agree with the original poster as to his sentiments. DJP

I was going to make a video of me fixing this plan but it has so many wrong settings and bad guesses in it that it would take some time (which I do not have) to straighten it out. My advice to you is to start over after having thoroughly studied the Reference Manual on how to create with this software. I observed that the Room Specification Dialog - Structure Tab settings do not match what one can observe using camera tools. An example is the Garage says it has a floor height of -75 1/2 inches but in fact it is actually, when measured in a cross section camera at -18 inches relative to your lower split landing. There are several instances where the displayed values are found to be radically different from those displayed in dialog boxes when checked in elevation cameras and dimension tools. DJP

Your attached images are so small as to communicate nothing useful. Whatever changes are possible (other than manually) will be possible only in "Edit - Default Settings - Dimensions - Locate Objects". DJP

Your second floor has a "Floor" which you have not programmed to be removed, so in a camera view it looks like a ceiling from the first floor. DJP