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Bob: I'm not an expert but that just doesn't sound right you should be able to install/run X5 64 bit to run on Win 10 I'm thinking you had a mix of 32 and 64 for X5 and it was confused a good clean flush of everything X5 related and a reboot then a fresh install of X5 64 bit but, if its working - probably best not to mess with it Lew

Only incompetent users complain about missing tools and features David: seriously? then every one making a suggestion is incompetent ? I have seen some very heavy power users making suggestions ... CA welcomes suggestions I think your statement is WAY out of line Lew

retired1: Hi: welcome first, this forum is generally for users of Chief Premier yet, users of HD PRO can benefit from following it since PRO has many of the same manual tools as Premier just be aware of the differences and always state you have HD PRO in your queries there is the Hometalk forum which is dedicated to HD users - so you should follow that also not sure what you mean by can't get a simple floor plan done ? you will need to post your plan so more than quesses can be made close the plan first then attach it to a posting in this thread and maybe one on Hometalk also you may want to contact David Potter as he has ALL of the HD and Premier versions - almost back to the beginning he offers one-on-one guidance for a fee - but you can use his guidance only as needed the best way to learn the software is to try to model a house you have access to - yours/family/friend that way you can verify you are getting dimensions and other features correct no idea why camera won't work - which camera ? give details as to what you are trying etc some icons are unavailable due to the mode you are in again give details of what you are trying to do Lew

Michael: you might as well tell me that Chief doesn't need a stair tool I have my opinion(s) and will stand by them its up to CA to decide if a chimney tool is needed so far they have decided not ... whenever the subject arises I will state my opinion and you can state yours Lew

Betsy: go to CA's gallery and download samples of what can be done with the software talk your boss into paying for the rent to own option after X months you can stop if he is not convinced buy HD PRO for $495 but it has severe limitations in some areas such as no raytracing very limited layout tool yet it also has many of the same tools as Chief Premier and full cost is applied to upgrade to Chief Premier call CA's sales to discuss options Lew

Craz: HD PRO has about 25% of the features that Chief Premier has but it only cost $495 and Premier costs $2695 depending on your project and your skill level at climbing the learning curve spending $2695 could be worth the savings in design fees Premier can be resold (if current) for about 80% of a new license CA also has a rent to own option yes,. best to follow both forums if you can Just make it clear in your postings that you are using HD Pro and be aware of the differences - there is a comparison chart on CA's website Lew

Craz: users of HD PRO can benefit from following the Chieftalk forum as it has many of the same manual tools as Chief Premier just be aware of HD PRO's limitations when applying tips/tricks but you should also follow the Hometalk forum which covers all of the HD products Lew

Michael: sorry but you are being absurd 90% or more chimneys follow a defined form and with dbx settings that "standard" form could be easily chosen and framed etc just like stairs just my opinion Lew

I think they have many chimney tools. Scott: none that I can think of .... of course, I'm talking about a dedicated chimney tool - not "work-arounds" Lew

it has always amazed me that Chief doesn't have a chimney tool simply amazing Lew

a clean re-install should not hurt anything not sure I understand why .dll's would keep "disappearing" like that ??? you could also try contacting MS tech support - if you Win 10 PC is still under warranty I purchased a support plan from MS for $149/yr and they solve issues for non MS software also probably some limits ??? beware if you do a google search for windows tech support most of the vendors are scammers - just looking to get access to your PC etc Lew

Daphne: use the Hometalk forum but you may also benefit from following the Chieftalk forum as HD PRO has many manual tools like Chief Premier does and those tips/tricks may be helpful to you Lew

what if I lock certain layers, can someone with another same build open these? What if I turn off material list for layers, can this be turned on? David: yes, they can Lew

back with ver 9.5 and ver 10 I used a removal HD like I have done with all my other software since 1988 anytime I contacted tech support they pointed to that as the issue I reinstalled ver 10 and have never since changed where Chief wants things I didn't need the grief from tech support maybe things have changed but I've had no interest in finding out Lew

So a later version can open and earlier version but cannot save "to" and earlier version. that is correct Lew

If the client has Chief or an HD product and they pay upfront I will share the files with them also depends on who owns the "copyright" if you do - then becareful sharing - unless you have a good contract if they do, sharing doesn't matter Lew

Isn't that a different file? Glenn: of course it is but, just pointing out that doing file locking on PC A doesn't affect PC B so if both plans are worked on separately, there is no way to prevent that and there is no way to "merge" the two plans together either just clarifying the point I made in my first post my partner and I had to do the "baton carry" method of file sharing - since Chief has NO other method whoever had the "baton" could do the editing Lew

Glenn: unless they already had a copy on PC B Lew

yes, they can open the files in HD PRO if the Chiefer sets the flag to allow that My partner and I use to help clients that had HD products or Chief the best way to ensure payment is to collect a retainer up front - just like lawyers do then you can share as often as needed without worry about not getting paid as for liability issues - have a very strong disclaimer in your contract that the plan/layout is NOT valid without your final signature and that you own the copyright etc Lew

Doesn't "Use File Locking" do that? Glenn: probably does on your PC but if someone else is working on the same file on PC B especially if it is a copy of the plan I don't think it helps Lew

Chief has no auto process for sharing the same file My partner and I add our initials and date to the file name so we know who last worked on the file such as 123_Elm_MODEL_170825_1545_LB_X9.plan LB = my initials - his were JK MODEL = new build, REMOD = REMODEL MOD01 or REM01 were for versions clumsy but it worked we use "save as" and use it often we also save as 123_Elm.plan and 123_ELM.layout each time to keep plan in layout in sync there is 3rd party software for checking software in/out - but cost ??? Lew

Betsy: it looks like this message says it all your video card is probably not up to par contact CA's tech support to discuss but it is likely to be difficult, if not impossible to change the video card and/or expensive to do so you will probably need to consider getting a newer laptop with an appropriate video card Lew

Chief X8 can open 9.5 plans then save as X8 file Lew

Nick: this is highly unusual best to contact CA's tech support hours are 6 AM - 5 PM Pacific (US) - mon-fri Lew

FYI: if Chief can't do it - then neither can HD products the HD product lines are various subsets of Chief less money = less power Lew