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Automated Building Tools: Roofs, Stairs, Floors, Foundations, Framing and Cost Estimating

Landscaping, Terrain, and Decking Tools

3D Viewer - Export Models to Mobile Devices

80+ Training Videos, 500+ How-To Articles

Custom Backsplash and Countertops

Advanced Deck Tools: Curved Decks, Roofs and Ceilings, Deck Planking Controls

Import / Export DXF and DWG File Formats

Manual Roof, Ceiling, and Framing Tools

Fully Editable Dimensions

Master List Material Pricing Management

2D and 3D Design. Objects you place in 2D plan view are automatically created in 3D, real-time. Generate 3D views and select, modify, move, and delete objects directly in the view.

Plan Check™ reviews your design against basic building principles.

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

Customize Room Names. Customize the available rooms list to suit your most common needs and regional naming conventions.

Fill Screen to Selected Objects. Use this zoom tool to quickly set the screen view’s extent to only those objects that are currently selected.

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

Rotate and Reverse Plan. Quickly change the orientation of your design for alternate versions or to better fit the lot.

Draw Order Controls. Use the Draw Order Edit Tools to fully control the display of items in plan view in relation to each other. Move object forward and backward in a group, or move to different drawing groups altogether.

Custom Watermarks. Create watermarks and display them on your work. Control location, size, angle, transparency, and include images in your watermark design.

Delete Objects for Layouts. Use the delete objects tool to clear unnecessary elements like CAD, Images, Text, and Layout Boxes from your layout documents. These controls make it easier to transition between projects when copying layout files and in developing templates.

Store Callouts and Markers in Library.

Export 360° Spherical Views. Rendered cameras can be shared and embedded in websites for interactive navigation. Export these Render Views and store them to the Chief Architect Cloud to share and embed in websites.

Navigation ALT Mode. While navigating 3D Views, use the right mouse button to swap to the Mouse-Tilt modes, making it quick and dynamic to traverse your scenes.

Cross Section Slider with Multiple Cutting Planes. Choose up to six cutting planes in the Cross-Section Slider view and adjust the cutting distance for each plane to create unique and detailed views.

Rendering Controls. Set up camera angles and locations to create realistic 3D renderings with shadows, reflections, lighting, and material effects in interior and exterior scenes. Navigate scenes in real-time.

Blend Color Tool. Change the Color of any material while retaining its texture, similar to applying stain to wood.

Edit Parametric Patterns. Modify the sizing and offset for the Herringbone and Grid pattern types to accurately match your final installation pattern.

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

Saved Cameras. Save, edit, and re-open 3D and Render Views to quickly see your favorite camera images. Duplicate perspective and overview cameras in the same plan, or between existing plans, to easily replicate angle, direction, and other camera attributes.

Custom Lighting. Define shadows, intensity, and more. Locate lights by label name or room location with the Adjust Lighting Dialog.

Walkthrough Editing. Use key frame editing controls to quickly adjust and modify individual keyframes directly from the preview dialog and the edit toolbar. Join multiple walkthrough segments as one path and retain the keyframe details from the original pieces. Use the Complete Break tool to break an existing walkthrough into individual parts or use existing, longer walkthroughs to record sub-sections as smaller animations without generating a new path.

360 Exterior Walkthrough. Create an automatic walkthrough path that orbits the exterior of your design.

Physically Based Rendering. Improve the quality of your scenes where lighting, shadows, metal, and surface reflections are concerned with the Physically Based Rendering Technique (also known as PBR).

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

Leverage 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.

Group Select and Edit Cameras. Select multiple cameras at one time and edit their properties, like height off floor or the Rendering Technique used.

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

Specify when a room is calculated in the Living Area. For example, specify the garage or attic to be included or excluded in the living area calculation.

Export Materials Lists to spreadsheet programs including Microsoft® Excel.

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.

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 Unit Display Threshold. Set a threshold where dimensions display in inches when the value is less than the specified amount; for example, show dimension as 18” instead of 1’ 6”.

Advanced Dimensioning Tools. Includes angular, point-to-point, and interior dimensions.

Locate Defaults per Dimension Tool. For each dimension tool, set up location snapping; for example, set the Center Line dimension tool to pick up only walls and fixture centers for kitchen and bath dimension defaults or only pier and post centers for deck or framing defaults.

Angled Dimensions. Set up behaviors for Angled Dimensions within Dimension Default.

Create Elevation, Wall Elevation, and Cross Section Views for the interior and exterior of your design.

Convert Wall Elevations to Section Views. Regardless of the camera tool used to create a Section View, Elevation, or Wall Elevation, it can be edited to behave as the other view types. Expand Wall Elevations to included parts of the scenes beyond a room (like vaulted ceilings or multi-room suites), or crop larger Sections to show smaller spaces.

Center CAD in Elevation Views. Use the Center Objects tool in Elevation Views to control the location of CAD objects.

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.

Text Style Tools. Create Text Styles and assign them per layer, per default, or per object to control the appearance of labels, dimensions and other text in your design.

Control Over Arrowhead Style. Specify the arrowhead type used for Joist Directions, Sun Angles, Roof Labels, and Stairs and Ramps.

Advanced CAD tools to detail cross-section views with insulation, cross-boxes, blocking box, and more.

Advanced CAD editing tools such as replicate, line weights, point-to-point move, custom patterns, and stretch CAD.

Visual CAD Snaps™ feature with setup dialog and snap options to control.

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.

Cabinet Tools. Place base, wall and full height cabinets, partitions and shelves, and soffits and edit them to suit your design.

Dynamic Cabinet Face Defaults. Configure the default cabinet front to automatically update cabinets in the design that are set as “Use Default".

Clipped Cabinet Overhang. Automatically clip cabinet counter overhang when it butts against appliances and partitions.

Custom Backsplash Tool. Click to generate a Custom Backsplash that automatically fits around cabinets, openings, and appliances.

Control Cabinet Hardware. Use the Center option to adjust cabinet drawer hardware location, also specify cases where two knobs will be used.

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

Insert Items inside Cabinets. Attach custom shelves, storage, and hardware items into cabinet boxes and specify their behavior per face item.

Evenly Space Doors and Drawers on Cabinet Fronts. Use the Equalize Layout button on Horizontal and Vertical Layouts to space their components equally.

Rounded Countertop Corners for Automatic Countertops.

Cabinet Closed Toe Always Present. Set cabinet toekick to closed on a per-cabinet basis, regardless of the cabinet being connected or adjacent to other cabinets.

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.

Customize Door Glass. Independently set the top, bottom, left, and right frame size for panel and glass panel doors. Create garage and entry doors with asymmetric windows. Choose to set all garage door panels to use glass.

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

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

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.

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

Lintel and Sill Control. Separately display Lintels or Sills for windows.

Comments and Notes per Object. Use the Object Information panel to easily add and manipulate Code, Comment, Description, and Manufacturer fields through items' specification dialog.

Brand Specific Library Items. Downloadable catalogs can be added to your library browser to expand the selection of Brand Name objects for enhancing your designs and scenes. New catalogs offered regularly.

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.

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

Refined Search in Library Browser. Use terms “AND”, “OR”, and “NOT”, and create search groups using parentheses ‘()’ in library searches to refine results.

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

Import 3D Library objects in .3DS, .OBJ, .SKP, & .DAE formats.

Store and Edit Text in Library Browser. Add individual, unblocked pieces of text to the Library Browser for easy preservation and reuse in future projects.

Library Browser filtered views. Choose to show or hide entire library catalogs in the Library Browser tree.

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.

Refined Stair Controls. Use the Break Line edit tool and Disconnect Selected Section tool to edit and add break points to an existing stair. Use the key to select, disconnect, edit, or move an individual stair section or landing; the default move handle allows the entire group to be moved together.

Auto L-Shaped and U-Shaped Stairs. Use the L and U stair tools to automatically drop stairs with landings into plans; stairs will orient and snap to adjacent walls. Split landings into multiple segments using dialog box controls for U-shape and L-shape stairs.

Connect Stairs of Different Widths. Easily create staircases with different tread widths. Perfect for creating a stair that has exposed railing on the bottom, and is encased in walls at the top.

Railing Tools. Assign symbol Railing Balusters, Newels, and Panels. Specify railings, balusters, and newels from the Library Browser for railing walls. Control Railing beam and top and bottom rail configurations.

Advanced stair tools allow control of shape, starter treads, flaring, tread width, and more. Full control over curved staircases.

Define Stair Starting Elevation. Specify whether stairs and ramps are located at the sub-floor or the finished floor elevation.

Building tools to customize floors and ceilings. Control over ceiling height and vault.

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

Ridge Caps automatically generate on roofs.

Manual Roof Tools. Create and edit any custom roof planes. Start with an automatic roof and then add custom details, or create the entire roof manually. Control framing and pivot point for individual roof planes.

Unblock and manually edit Automatic Dormers.

Ceiling Plane Tool. Create custom ceilings of any slope and shape; vaulted, cathedral, and more.

Glass Wall Tool. Use the glass wall tool to quickly draw a new glass wall via the wall parent toolbar.

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

Glass Ponywall Tool. Wall tool to quickly draw a glass wall over a solid wall, perfect for showers.

Pony Wall Height Controls. Adjust the height of individual Pony Walls by typing the lower wall’s height into the dialog.

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

Wall Labels. Specify wall labels to identify individual walls.

Control Moldings per Wall. Specify whether a wall has moldings attached separately from the other walls in an associated room.

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

Slab Volume listed in the slab specification dialog for easy reference.

Customize construction methods for walls, floors, ceilings, and foundations. Specify wall layers, floor structure, platform height, mudsills, framing methods, and more.

Manual framing tools for fully editable framing, including joists, rafters, trusses, beams, posts, and more. Create any framing system for your design.

Multiple Framing Types. Choose from a wide selection of framing types when designing your structure; from lumber, to steel, to engineered materials like LVL, PSL, and VSL. Framing labels reflect the type of material specified.

Landscaping Plants.

Pre-Arranged Garden Beds.

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.

Railing Tools. Custom Railing Panels, Control of Height & Railing Styles, great for custom decks.

Auto Re-Build Deck Framing. Deck Framing updates as the deck design changes.

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

Landscaping Terrain Tools. Define custom Terrain, including sloped lots and input elevation points. Shape the terrain with Hill and Valley tools. Cut holes in terrain for pools, window wells and other customizations.

Primary and Secondary Terrain contour labels. Control the highlight for negative value contour labels.

Calculate Materials for Roads. Include the volume of Roads, Driveways, Sidewalks, and Terrain Walls and Curbs in materials lists.

Water Feature Tools. Create various shaped ponds, streams, creaks, and water features, or design a lake front home.

Display angles as Azimuth Bearings.

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

Unicode Special Character Support. User accounts and files using accented Western letters can be leveraged for most interactions in the software.

Auto-Save Untitled Projects. Projects that have not been named or manually saved for the first time are archived through the Auto-Save rules set up in user Preferences.

Save Prints in PDF Format. Save to a PDF file for outsourcing a print job.

Custom Stylized Themes. Set up Chief’s User Interface with color and style themes of your choosing. Set preferences for the look of dialogs, menus, buttons and other interface elements; import, export, and share saved themes.

Compatible with Chief Architect® (Version X1-X13). Edit plans created using Chief Architect.

Online Training Tutorials with "How-To" videos.

Windows® 10. Mac Catalina / Big Sur.

Rental Option. Pay for monthly access to software for $59/month with terms to own the license after 12 consecutive months.