DavidJPotter

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

For best results with a round texture, you need to use a .png image file that supports a transparent background. As a PNG it will work like a charm provided you eliminate the white background and make that white part transparent. DJP

Stretch to fit does precisely that and nothing more. it is the resolution and size of the texture and how well its edges are trimmed that determines how it looks on an object. No other advise or comments are possible since you have not shared an image of your texture or how it looks in Chief. DJP

Yes, your are missing opening the dialog box's of the offending dormers and changing their "Wall" Settings, I suppose it could be something else but without a copy of your plan to look at, who knows??? DJP

Dennis means that we are not psychic and need something to examine in order to help, so posting a copy of your problem plan file will help us, help you. DJP

You will probably have to reinstall your core, manufacturer and user catalogs from scratch. The core and manufacturer files can still be had via the Chief Architect Inc Website. DJP

Here is a You Tube video of me fixing your file in Home Designer Pro 2016 (file is attached below). https://youtu.be/5H10ONEvpyY DJP RUPCICH 2nd FLOOR LAYOUT.zip

X8 was designed to run in Windows 10. Notice in my signature that in my Windows 10 I have running apps all the way back to X1 and many versions of Home Designer as well. DJP

No one here uses Home Designer software (we use Chief Premier, similar but more sophisticated). There is a software forum just for Home Designer Users called Home Talk so it is there you should post your questions for answers. DJP

X1 still works as it was designed to but so much as been added to the program since then (it could fill a thick book). Whatever you do, dedicate yourself to really mastering it, the world does not need more slightly trained and incompetent people, what we need is more dedicated, competent professionals, be one. DJP

Johnny is correct in that a copy of a layout merely copies it along with its innate associations so you must "reassociate" the views to the new plan file when it is ready to be so associated and the tool of choice is the "Re-Link" tool while the layout is open. DJP

The most common cause for this is that many brick and tile materials have "white lines" set as their default, I have to change the white lines to black lines, if I want them to print. You click on the material with the "Adjust Material" (tri-color) tool and on the general tab make the white lines black, it is that simple. White on white does not print. DJP

X3 and Home Designer Pro 10 can share .plan files. The X3 layout file is not compatible, the reason for that is that pro has a single page .layout and Chief's layout is a multi-page file that will not open in HD Pro due to Pro's innate limitations. Otherwise you should be all set. DJP

Yes, but you will probably have to loose the old laptop for something newer and better (Chief Premier is more demanding software then Home Designer Pro). Their plan files are identical but you also have to learn how to use Premier's finer rendering tools which take time, it is not just clicking on a button to achieve professional results. DJP

I am a little mystified as to why you say "...it is taking dimension points from seemingly random locations". What I mean is it is or should be YOU who is setting dimensions points, are you having trouble placing dimensions? What exactly is the problem please? DJP

Please send me a copy of your 3D Home Architect (I assume it is a .plan file?) and I will see what can be done. What version of 3D Home Architect was used, do you know? DJP

The thing about terrain is to keep it as simple as possible. When you import terrain data from an outside source often times the resulting terrain plane is so complex that most PC's or Mac's cannot parse it per second in camera views (too complex and two many 3D Faces). What I commonly do is to import a terrain as an image or .dwg and then selectively hand draw-create terrain splines over the indicated contour lines. Where the exactitude of the terrain is not critical I often use elevation planes for large areas. You add a terrain elevation object and then check that change in some camera views, checking each time a change is made so errors can be corrected before several are made causing a real problem to straighten out afterwards (when you goof it sticks out like a sore thumb). DJP

I see this type of message from time to time, since I started using this stuff. the way to minimize your risk is to manually save often. Never depend on auto save. Be methodical while working, leaving no loose ends or settings and if a plan file gives evidence that it is unstable, save it as every thirty minutes until you are done and then throw the save-as files away when you are completely finished. DJP

I doubt that Vince would be personally interested but he may know someone who would be willing to help you: http://www.vincekunasekdesign.com/home DJP