rlackore

What's a cascade? A higher res photo would help.

Where did you select "show arrows" and "show dimensions"? In a dialog box? In the layer display options? I'm confused, because I've never run across that specific language in Chief. Show us a screen shot of where these settings are, and it will help us give you an answer.

Agree. I can't find any method to disconnect a section of stairs joined in this manner.

Default Settings>Window Defaults>Framing>Header... check the Calculate from Width box, rebuild the framing, then you're good to go.

I don't believe so. However, I've used this technique successfully. When importing the dwg into Chief, make sure you use Convert Selected Layer(s) to: Elevation Data. Some manual cleanup is usually necessary.

Ah, there's our misunderstanding. Absolutely the sink should be placed in the upper cabinet. When I posted that I had to set the symbol's z-origin to -7-3/4", what I meant was I changed it by 1/2" from -8-1/4" to -7-3/4", not from 0" to -7-3/4".

I disagree. Here is the sink inserted into the upper cabinet with the lower one deleted: You can see that the sink is inserted 1/2" lower than the bottom of the 1" countertop. The fix is to either use a OOTB 1-1/2" countertop, or adjust the symbol Z-origin by 1/2".

No, I think it's because the OP's plan default is set to use 1" countertops, and the OOTB default is for 1-1/2" countertops, which is the thickness that the Kohler symbols are set up for. The symbol only needs to be adjusted by 1/2" to sit beneath the 1" countertop correctly.

You could also delete the custom countertop and use custom left/right overhangs on the upper base cabinet: After re-inserting the sink into the upper base cabinet, I did have to adjust the sink symbol's Z offset to 7-3/4" for whatever reason. EDIT: I just realized you're on X8. I can't remember if X8 allowed custom overhangs. My apologies.

I don't seem to have that problem.

There are several ways, and each to their own, but one way is: 1. Insert the lower unit. 2. Insert the upper unit just to one side of the lower unit. 3. Select the upper unit and center it on the lower unit (drag, or align, or whatever command you like to use). Obviously you have to properly define the dimensions, heights of floor, etc. for each unit. You can do this through the dialog boxes, or in elevation by selecting and dragging. You can go a step further by selecting the upper unit and defining it's level (1, for instance, if the lower unit is 0). When you're all done you can mull the units if you wish. Chapter 11 of the Reference Manual is very useful.

Google Sketchup models can be imported into Chief. I suggest you review the Reference Manual (if you're using X9, the 3D Data Import Requirements are on page 1188).

Very easy to do: I suggest reading the Reference Manual section that discusses wall definitions.

You have to define a layer for the plank structure:

That is very interesting behavior. AFAIK it's undocumented. How did you discover it?

Defaults:

To be clear, I wasn't providing an example of how to frame the structure - I was simply providing a method to achieve the desired 12' exterior wall plate height and 8' & 10' interior ceiling heights. That said, attic trusses would be quick and economical. Scissors are not an option at the 8' ceilings, since the client wants attic storage. Otherwise, as you mentioned, a ridge beam would also work.

Just raise the Baseline height of the roof planes to give you the exterior plate height that you want.

From the X9 Reference Manual:

I defined the 8' and 10' ceiling heights, then got rid of the huge insulation air gap within your ceiling definition, then auto-framed, and it seems fine:

Electrical symbols do not have the option to assign a fill to their 2D CAD Block, regardless of whether or not the original block had a fill..

Well, I couldn't make that happen, no matter what I tried. Maybe your Macintosh has the magic mojo. As the OP mentioned, maybe the shelf ceiling has something to do with it. Using the original plan, with an open below room for the stair, I lose the ceiling finish, but it returns after I remove the shelf ceiling.

Yes, the floor railings are no-roomdef railing walls. The stair railings are stair railings. The point of the floor hole is that, for some reason, creating a room around the stair opening removes the first floor ceiling finish, and I'm not smart enough to figure out why or how to prevent it. Oxford_St modified.plan

Seems fine to me:

Just draw a cad box and convert it to a Hole in Floor Platform. This avoids any problems associated with creating an Open Below room.