Editing Feedback. Preview the placement and orientation of objects while moving your cursor makes adding and moving items easy and fast.

Create Billboard Image. Import a photo of your home as a background scene then design landscaping like plants and pathways.

Custom Room Label Controls. Name individual rooms from a defined list of types or create new custom room labels. Display the Dimensional Size and the Square Footage labels for a room in its label.

Multiple-Select Editing. For example, select all your cabinets and change them all with one command.

Object Painter™ / Eyedropper. Use eyedropper functionality to match properties from one object and apply them to another object. Use Scoping controls to apply changes to groups of objects at once.

Center Objects Tool. Center cabinets under windows, windows in walls, dormers on a roof, and several other items 3D and 2D.

Edit Area Tool. Use Edit Area to select, move, edit, and copy entire regions of your design.

Printable Layout Sheets. Create blueprint layouts with 3D, CAD, Cross-Section / Elevation, and Plan Views. Define any scale for the drawing.

Send Colorized Elevations to Layout. Generate fully detailed Section and Elevation views and send them to layout in color mode; views will retain scale, can reflect Render Techniques, and can be automatically updated in real-time.

Plot Line Layout Views with Shadows. Send views to layout as Plot Line views with controls over line weights; choose to include shadows and color fill in the view.

Backup Entire Plan. Export a bundle of all the files referenced in your plan, good for sharing with other users who do not have your custom materials and images.

Improved Missing Graphic File Handling. Interface to aid in updating, replacing, deleting, and ignoring missing graphics files.

Model Maker™ Tool. Using the Print Model feature allows you to print paper models that are tabbed for assembly.

Plan Check™ reviews your design against basic building principles.

Import Adobe® PDF Files. Retain print resolution and quality when printing final documents with embedded PDF files.

STL Import and Export. Use the .STL format to use with 3D Printers.

Reflections and Fast Shadows in Render Views. Quickly generate views where mirrors show reflections, sunlight streams through windows, and objects cast shadows. Navigate these scenes in real-time.

Export image files of your designs to share. (.JPG, .PNG, .BMP).

Crop Picture Images Added to Plan. Crop handles allow picture boundaries to be reduced or enlarged.

Create accurate day or night-time views of your lighting plan.

Sun and Shadow Controls per Camera. Optionally specify that the sun is anchored to the active camera and illuminates the scene from the same angle as the view or choose to save the orientation of the sunlight for each camera in your design; preserve the sun angle in views sent to layout. Control whether shadows are generated through defaults for perspective and orthographic cameras, or toggle them ON or OFF and save the state with a particular view.

Lighting Units. Choose from common wattage/lumens values for lights or specify custom values.

Opaque Glass in Camera Views. Set glass to appear as solid fill (non-transparent) in camera views. Choose to show glass as opaque or transparent by default per Render Technique, or adjust individual views.

Save Cross-Section Slider with Camera. Adjustments to views using the Cross-Section Slider are saved with the view when the camera is saved. Control the cut distance of the Cross-Section Slider with an input value in the dialog.

Full control of render settings allows you to customize your photo-realistic rendering for speed or visual quality.

Define the North Pointer for Sun Angles. Create Sun Angles with accurate longitude, latitude, date, and time; use North Pointer as bearing for sun angle. Easily identify Sun Angles to be used for saved cameras or to be adjusted by their date and time naming.

Aerial View. Secondary view window gives overview for fast navigation of plan while editing close up.

Apply Plan Materials using Material Painter. Choose from a list of materials from the Library Browser or Plan Materials to quickly select new materials or reuse those that are used in your design.

3D Mouse Support. Use a 3Dconnexion Mouse as your input device to efficiently navigate camera views.

Record Walkthroughs Along a Specified Path. Add key frames at any point on the spline to control view direction and speed; walk up or down stairs and to span walkthrough between floors.

Record Walkthroughs with the stylized views of Rendering Techniques.

Advanced Project Cost Estimator. Automatically generate a materials list for budget planning, by room, by floor, or by entire project.

Deck and Framing Cut & Buy Lists. A Structural Lumber Table can be used to calculate lumber materials for a Cut & Buy List. This calculation is in addition to square feet and lineal feet calculations and can be especially helpful for your framing and decking board calculations.

Save snapshot Materials Lists for different stages of the project. Allows you to evaluate different ideas, compare cost differences, and plan stages of construction.

Master List allows you to store and manage commonly-used material prices.

Auto Refresh Exterior Dimensions. Keep Auto Exterior Dimensions up-to-date as you move walls and openings in your design.

Automatic Interior Dimensions. Automatically dimension interior rooms. Set defaults for locating objects.

Temporary Dynamic Wall Dimension. Display temporary dimensions as walls are drawn.

Fully Editable Dimensions. Change where dimensions locate walls, windows, doors, and other objects, both when generating dimensions automatically or manually.

Adjust Position using Dimensions. Use dimensions to quickly position objects with precision. Use simple arithmetic formulas while editing dimensions to easily move objects in a design.

Dimension Location Snaps for Furniture Items. Set dimensions to snap to the centers and/or sides of furniture objects for Manual and Automatic Dimensions.

End-to-End Dimension Tool. Drag dimension from start to finish creating a single dimension string.

Default Dimension Format & Arrows. Control the unit formatting, arrows for the default dimensions. Quickly change the look of the dimensions in your design through a single dialog.

Create back-clipped Cross Section/Elevation Views to limit your view to relevant details for precise plan editing.

Create Rendered Elevation and Cross-Section Views with photo-realistic textures.

Standard CAD tools to detail your designs.

Polyline Editing. Select any polyline and choose Close Polyline to automatically connect the start and end points. Editing of filleted polylines retains fillet radius.

Edit CAD using Same Line Type Control. Quickly create new line, spline, or arc segments at the end of existing objects using the Same Line Type handle.

Box and Bumpout Extension Snaps. Snap to projected 90° intersections.

Layers can be used to separate key building components such as electrical or framing. Display or hide features of your design, set colors, lock layers, and use reference layers for precise editing. Use layers to control the display of labels in plan views like: Architectural Blocks, Cabinets, Electrical, Fixtures, Furniture, Shapes, Hardware, Millwork, Plants, and Sprinklers.

Automatic Roof Labels. Display labels for roofs, skylights and holes. Label includes pitch direction arrow and the roof angle in pitch or degrees. Modify the arrow style and text style of the roof labels.

Labels for Layout Boxes. Automatic labels for layout views will display the camera name for elevation and section views or the floor plan name for plan views. Create custom labels that will move with the views as you set up your layout.

Primary and Secondary Terrain contour labels. The primary and secondary labels are now independent of each other. Control the highlight for negative value contour labels.

Text Tools and Customization. Add custom text as notes and modify text in plan with attributes and treatments like font, bold, underline, caps, size, and color.

Show or Hide Electrical Connections, Architectural Blocks, Hardware, Plant Schedules, and Light Sources using layer controls.

Automatic GFCI Outlets in Kitchens. Use the Auto Place Outlet tool to add GFCI outlets to your kitchen rooms.

Advanced Cabinet Tools. Attach moldings & hardware, angled front cabinets, and more.

Multiple Door and Drawer Styles per Cabinet. Assign different door or drawer styles to a single cabinet; wall cabinets with glass doors on top; base drawer bases with slab and panel drawers.

Multiple Faced Cabinets. Use the Split Items button to add horizontal and vertical layout of doors and drawers on any cabinet. Create Entertainment Centers and Vanity cabinets with doors on one side and drawers on the other.

Edit Multiple Cabinets’ Configuration at Once. Group select cabinets and modify their face items at one time to create similar cabinets easily.

Top and Bottom Hinged Cabinet Doors. Design cabinets with awning and hopper style doors.

Specify Cabinet Top Height. Quickly adjust wall cabinet heights to the same level using the floor to top control in the Cabinet Specification Dialog.

Control Soffit Molding. Specify whether soffits interact with room molding from within the Soffit Specification dialog.

Dimension to Cabinet Toe Kicks, Moldings, Backsplashes and Countertops. Set up locate configuration for dimensions; use the automatic dimension tools in elevation views to automatically include these dimensions.

Frameless Cabinet Settings. Change the cabinet style in one click with the Frameless and Full Overlay options for cabinets.

Design and edit Custom Countertop shapes and styles.

Atrium Door Options. Create Center Swing Double Doors, also known as atrium patio doors.

Window and Door Casings Display in Plan View. Display or hide interior and exterior casings using the “Casings, Interior” and “Casings, Exterior” layers.

Automatic Frame Depth. Set window frame depth to automatically fit into wall.

Control Trim for Interior Doors and Windows. Separately specify the materials and trim assigned to each side of an opening.

3D Door Display Options. Edit tools “Show Door Open in 3D” and “Show Door Closed in 3D” make it fast and easy to control the state of doors in 3D views.

Adjust the Hinge/Swing Amount for Bi-fold doors.

Bay, Box, Bow Window Tools. Click and drop bay, box, and bow windows in a wall. Resize and customize the unit as a whole.

Adjustable Louver Sizes. Louver attribute allows you to control their size in windows and doors.

Angled Top Window Controls. Adjust the angle of window tops. Apply changes to the left, right, or center of the window.

Window Treatments & Interior Shutters. Adjust curtains by the height off floor and height above casing. Specify shutters on the interior of a window. Blinds fit inside casing when attached to windows.

Catalog Migration. Core, Bonus, Manufacturer and User Catalogs from previous installs automatically migrate and update to latest version at install time. Use the catalog migration dialog to specify which catalogs to bring forward.

Advanced library items - Cabinet/Door Hardware, and molding profiles.

Ability to Export Custom Libraries. Share your libraries with other Home Designer Users.

Library Search Bar. Quickly search for Library items by keyword, object type, or style. Search results instantly display and update as you type. Customize search attributes for User Catalog content.

Library Tree Categories. Manufacturer, User, Home Designer Core, and Bonus catalogs are grouped into separate categories for easier navigation.

Library Object Shortcuts. Create shortcut items to any object in the Library Browser to customize your organization.

Multiple Select Library Items. Use the Shift or Ctrl keys to copy, move, and edit groups of objects.

3D Preview of Lights in Library Browser. Library objects defined as Lights display 3D preview in Library Browser instead of 2D, allowing for easier identification of individual objects.

Stairs and Ramps. Draw stairs or ramps in designs and modify length, raisers, treads, and style of stairs. See stair preview in dialog to preview your modifications

One-Click™ Stairs & Ramps. Auto place stairs from platform to platform. Place full length stairs with a single click. Stairs and Ramps automatically connect to the terrain when drawn from the ground to the structure.

Wrap Around Stairs. Join stairs on outside or inside corners.

Shoe Control for Railings. Control the height off of floor for the bottom rail (shoe) for Railings and Ramp Railings.

Assign symbol Railing Balusters, Newels, and Panels. Specify railings, balusters, and newels from the Library Browser for railing walls.

Automatic building tools for roof generation, stairs, dimensioning, foundations, and more.

Ceiling Plane tool - create custom ceilings of any slope and shape; vaulted, cathedral, and more.

Automatic Roofs. Gable, hip, shed, gambrel, and more. Access roof defaults for each project.

One-Click Auto Dormer™. Build dormer on roof automatically while cutting a hole for the ceiling.

Dormer Overhang Controls. Separately control the eave and gable overhang distance for automatic dormers.

Auto Place and Delete Corner Boards and Quoins. Automatically add or remove trim details to wall corners.

Ridge Caps automatically generate on roofs.

Control Rafter Spacing per Roof Plane. Specify rafter spacing values for individual roof planes in a design.

Design Multiple-Story Buildings. Create structures with up to 5 floor levels in addition to an attic and basement foundation.

Custom Wall Types. Create, copy, and delete wall types with layers to match your projects.

Multiple Framing Layers in Wall. Create wall types with multiple framing layers and automatically generate framing for both layers; ideal for furred basement walls.

Wall Labels. Specify wall labels to identify individual walls.

Create pony walls and edit wall shape in cross-section view. Add beadboard to a kitchen, add stone to the outside of your design, or create a stepped foundation for a hillside lot.

Pony Wall Framing. Automatically generate framing of different sizes for upper and lower pony walls by specifying different wall types.

Treated Bottom Plates. Any wall over concrete foundation or flooring automatically generates a treated bottom plate.

Vertical Footing Control. Define stepped foundations with vertical footing control. Choose to show or hide vertical footings for stepped foundations.

Garage Slabs with Monolithic Foundations. Select components of the slab and adjust garage specific settings to suit your design

Display cutout indicators for Garage Doors in foundation stem walls and curbing. Choose to show or hide foundation cutouts in Plan view through the window or door’s dialog.

Monolithic Slab technology. Designing slab foundations is fast, easy, and accurate.

Control Roof Lookout Framing. Turn on or off the automatic generation of lookout framing in the Framing dialog.

Automatic Framing Control. Set the program to update your framing as the design changes.

Steel Framing. Steel framing with C-Channel and U-Channel studs frames straight and curved wall scenarios.

Advanced architectural object editing including replication, rotation, and reflection.

Plant Encyclopedia & Plant Chooser™. Looks for special characteristic specific to available plants in the catalog, including common name, zone, water and light needs, and 2D or 3D available objects.

Plant Schedules. Generate a list of all the plants used in your design; use different schedule callout shapes as reference labels to plants in designs.

Distribute Objects in Garden Beds. Auto-populate your garden beds automatically.

2D plant symbol types allow you to customize the look and feel of your landscape and plants.

Landscaping Style Templates.

Deck Designer™ Tool. Design Straight and Curved Decks. Define roof and ceiling attributes for a covered deck. Control the orientation and size of deck planking, gap, width, overhang, direction, border planks.

Treated Deck Framing. Specify Deck Framing Members as “treated” to reflect the lumber type in your materials list.

Polygon Deck tool creates deck shapes automatically.

Deck Support Controls. Specify size and type of deck posts and height, width, shape of deck footings for individual deck rooms or as project defaults.

Deck Post and Beam Defaults. Control defaults for fill, size, line style, and other attributes for deck structures.

Standard Landscaping Terrain Tools.

Terrain Hole Tool. Cut holes in terrain for pools, spas, and advanced terrain features.

Import Terrain Assistant.

Straight & Curved Terrain Walls, Curbs, & Retaining Wall tools.

Stepping Stone Tools. Click and drop stepping stone shapes onto terrain to quickly create paths and hardscaping interest.

Stream Tools. Add streams, creeks, and water features to your design.

Define Terrain Elevation Splines, Elevation Regions, and Terrain Breaks.

Display angles as Azimuth Bearings.

Mac & PC compatible. Chief Architect can be installed and run natively either on Mac or Windows operating systems with a single license.

Support for Multiple Monitors. Tabbed view windows can be torn or undocked from main user interface and moved between monitors independently.

HD Interface Graphics and Icons. Toolbar buttons and high definition icons scale to fit screen resolutions and increased DPI (128px vs 20px).

Maximum Print Size

Loan/Mortgage Calculator.

Home Designer Pro compatibility with other Home Designer Products.

Compatible with Chief Architect® (Version 10.0 and prior).

Online Training Tutorials with "How-To" videos.

Windows® 10 / 8 / 7. Mac OS X