rlackore

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.

You could try using roof planes: drop the baseline, remove the finish, make the structure a single material (glass), and modify the structure tab to get what you want:

Your plan file is zero bytes. Be sure to close the plan before uploading, or use File>Backup Entire Plan.

You're going to have to close that area off somehow. It depends on how you're planning on framing the stair and supporting the landing. I would consider a knee wall beneath the stairs to a point where it makes sense to begin the landing railing: You could also just continue the railing, but I was unsuccessful in modeling that condition in Chief - I couldn't get the newels to behave.

If you're only concerned about making the EZE-Breeze system appear correct, then either make a custom window, or just fake it (what I do) with muntins. If you're going for a timber post & beam look, you can use a wall with a single main layer and windows with a sash/no frame to simulate a field-framed or Screen Tight style screened panel: The disadvantage is you can't show the timber joinery and wood grain accurately, but if the posts/beams will be painted it works fine. I've also used railings with panel infill successfully - there is no single method that is suitable for every situation.

My preferences are: 1. Polylines, not boxes. 2. Only referenced blocks, and no hatch entities (Chief doesn't always handle hatch entities well). 3. Map to CAD, Default. But this depends greatly on what you're trying to achieve, and how you prefer to work. Only select layers for import that you're sure you will need. 4. The unit of measurement depends on the units the dwg was created/exported in. If you don't know, then you'll have to experiment. 4. Import as Dimensions. You're best bet is to play around to learn and understand the power of each option. There's no single answer for all import situations.

My recommendation is to post the plan.

Wall Specification>Structure>Default Wall Heights>Default Wall Bottom Height

I suggest using a professional land surveyor - they have the equipment and the expertise. You can tell them exactly what you want, and they can supply the electronic data in a variety of formats. I think DIY isn't worth the liability.

It will cost anywhere from $0.00 to $Infinity.00 psf, depending on the finishes and options you select. Seriously, this is a software forum. For costing data I'd suggest contacting a commercial real estate firm, or hire a local architect and pick their brain (their initial consult fee will be worth the investment).