DavidJPotter

The correct procedure is to open "Chief Architect X8 Data - Templates - profile.plan (for imperial units) or profilem.plan (metric units)" and make your font changes via Default Settings and the various categories extant in the annotation sets. Once you get it exactly the way you want then you save-as over the existing profile.plan with your customized one and when you then order "New Plan" a copy of your customized profile.plan will then present itself. The same is true for the layout templates in that you can customize those templates to fit your needs and then select the size you need and it will be there if you create it and then select it. DJP

You have several choices to solution: 1. Make the exterior wall into a "pony Wall" which splits the outer wall into two wall types that each have adjustable wall poly-lines. 2. for an accent strip you can use the "Wall Covering" tool found in the Wall Specification Dialog to place interior or exterior materials strips 3. You can use a shaped soffit to emulate material appliques inside or out 4. You can use molding profiles to create custom Architectural appliques as well. 5. You can use the relatively new "Materials Region" tool to create applicaques. What EXACTLY do you want to do where? DJP

This is certainly unwanted and unacceptable, were I you I would get on the phone to Chief Architect Tech Support and see if they can be of help to you. Generally X8 is a little slower than earlier versions but not by much at least in my experience having used it on my desktop and laptop for almost a year. But in exchange for the slowness you get a fine array of new tools and function I find irreplacable. DJP

Here is a You Tube video of me working on your plan file and the edited plan file is attached as well: https://youtu.be/H_LBFhxjjrY DJP 1st draft.plan

Read Glenn's post again but this time carefully. Do what he suggests and all will be well, convert or reprogram the walls do not try to delete them DJP

This video should directly address your question: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwjE7qu22yo DJP

No plan attached = no answers or help forthcoming. DJP

Here us my take on what you can do with the steep hip roof: https://youtu.be/18lHY93UUCE DJP

You can do as Ray suggests but I would advise to make a save-as plan and call the copies: "Version 1, 2 3 etc" these can be placed side by side on a layout. A plan with three copies of the same plan I have found a little cumbersome. But you should do was you wish and find out for yourself. DJP

I, like you was not able to adjust the piers you used. So I would abandon that approach and use "shapes-cylinder" that I can manually adjust. That is manual but also has the attribute of being able to edit-locate the piers. DJP

Sorry about the Oklahoma vs VCU game, I forgot I had it on while making the video. Basically I realigned the roof baselines and manually edited and moved the existing roof planes relative to the shared photos as best I could. I replaced the original video with one without the basketball chatter. DJP

Here is a You Tube video of me fumbling around with your file and the edited file is attached. I agree with others in that more data would have helped create a better more accurate answer. https://youtu.be/uV_V1YMtHdI DJP casa.plan

Mouses like hairdos are completely personal. I have used a track ball for years and the last year or two I switched to logitech wired and wireless mice, others here swear by digital 3D mice and controllers. What I did is to buy the device, use it and if I do not like it, take it back until you are happy and satisfied. DJP

Reset Foundation Defaults to what you need and want. Then order "Rebuild Foundation". Simple, easy and not dangerous. DJP

You can customize and organize your "User Catalogs" adding custom folders as you wish. The other categories in Bonus and Core catalogs are fixed as to their organization. You might make your query into a "Suggestion" or "Feature Request" for future versions. DJP

Chief Architect and Home Designer software always can be counted to ONLY follow default settings. In Suite 2016 you go to "Edit - Default Settings- Materials - Exterior Walls" to set that default setting. Also under "Edit - Default Settings - Wall - Exterior Wall" those two settings need to be set into agreement. The next thing many new users do is to use the Materials Eye Dropper and Panter tools without first carefully studying the four modes of their use before making a mess of their plan files. It seems intuitive to use the eye dropper and painter but you can cause no end of trouble by using these two tools without study. BTW this forum is for Chief Architect Premier users only, Home Designer users have their own forum called "Home Talk" https://hometalk.chiefarchitect.com/ . Many users here have never seen Home Designer Suite. DJP

You cannot do it via the stair dialog, the way I do it is to draw a cable railing wall, marked "follow stairs" and turn off the railing of the stair object on the rail side of the stairs. It is not "easy" to do but can be done with patience and exactness. DJP

You can use a doorway with the casing and sill turned off. DJP

Open "Display Options" for that plan view and check the line weights, then adjust as necessary. DJP

Here is the edited file (in X8) and a You Tube video of me fixing it: https://youtu.be/5U5kZ9PPWkk DJP 235 St Francis Final 02012016 2 Dormers.zip

My website is up and running now DJP

I initially altered the wall poly-lines but a better solution is to make the offending walls pony walls without altering their poly lines except to align their split layers after converting them to pony-walls. You can replace the wall I made invisible and then place a doorway for the stairs to pass through. Off set wall poly-lines come into play when you have a split entry, multi-level floors it just comes with that turf. DJP

I was able to open in Version 7 and then 9.5, X1 and then X7, the plan file is attached. You did not say what version you are using now so I guessed. Being created in 1998 would make it a Chief Architect Version 5 file or a similar version of 3D Home Architect. I keep version 7 mainly for such older file version upgrades. I haven't needed anything older so far. DJP Old Home.plan

Sorry but I could not figure out what you are complaining of but I did download your plan and made a video of me fumbling around with it: https://youtu.be/l8AWuJphLXU DJP

Call Tech Support or HP Tech Support for help. DJP