Learn more about using Home Designer with this collection of help and how-to articles. Browse Knowledge Base articles by content category or by searching for a specific topic. See our glossary for common home design and construction terms. Be sure to explore the getting started resources for a variety of other support tools.
Create a backsplash by using the Backsplash setting in cabinets, or by using the Custom Backsplash tool in Home Designer Architectural and Home Designer Pro.
Using the Import Drawing Assistant, you can import 2D CAD or terrain/elevation information from a DWG or DXF file.
Switch between a camera view and a floor plan view using tabs or by accessing the Window menu. You can also choose to have views tiled beside each other by using the Tile Horizontally and Tile Vertically options.
3D Viewer Models can be viewed directly in a web browser or shared on a social media profile such as Facebook or Twitter, or your own personal website.
Ceiling and Floor heights can be changed and controlled on a room-by-room basis. This is useful if you have a split level or multi-level plan.
The Soffit tool is ideal for creating a wide variety of coffered ceiling patterns and styles.
Creating a sloped ceiling above a staircase can be accomplished using a custom ceiling plane and modifying the height and pitch.
Follow these instructions to resolve most Chief Architect software crashes on a Microsoft Windows operating system.
The shader model can be identified using a Microsoft utility called DirectX Capabilities Viewer. If the shader model is older than version 6, but the graphics card or chip is fairly new, the display driver may need to be updated.
Home Designer provides several ways to change the materials in your room. Let's look at walls.
A variety of electrical objects, such as fans and light fixtures, are available in the Library Browser.
GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) outlets can be added to your plans using the dedicated GFCI Outlet tool in Home Designer 2022 and newer versions, or by locating and placing the GFCI library symbol in Home Designer 2021 and prior versions.
Use the instructions in this article to backup Chief Architect content in the event a computer malfunction occurs. Additionally, it's helpful to have this same content backed up so that it can be transferred to another computer.
Learn how to restore your Chief Architect program, and all of your User Content by following the instructions in this resource.
Your Home Designer software's Product Key is a unique identifier for your software license. You can locate yours in your Digital Locker, Physical Media, or a third party online account.
Follow these steps to create a new Data folder to circumvent unexpected behavior caused by having the Documents folder stored on iCloud Drive.
To learn more about the activation process and how many computers Home Designer can be installed on, please visit this article.
Core, Bonus, and Manufacturer Libraries, along with your User Library can all be moved to a custom location in Chief Architect Premier, Chief Architect Interiors, and Home Designer Pro.
Home Designer is a robust 3D editing and design program. To get the best possible performance from your software, make sure your system has the resources.
Learn what your computer specifications are by accessing the DirectX Diagnostic tool on Windows or the 'About This Mac' section on macOS.
Specify which graphics card (GPU) is utilized by a Chief Architect program by accessing the Display settings on your Windows 10 computer.
The Reference Manual, User's Guide, HomeTalk, Training Videos, Webinars, Knowledge Base, and Personal Training are great resources for creating a complex roof plan.
Learn to build Hip, Shed, Gable, Gambrel, Gull Wing, Half-hip, and Mansard style roofs automatically by following the instructions in this resource.
When you need to create a loft area or a grand entry, you can use an Open Below room type on the floor above to remove the floor platform from that area.
Access the Toolbar Customization dialog to customize toolbars and toolbar configurations to your liking to make working in the software more efficient.
If you are having trouble installing your Chief Architect or Home Designer software program, or are receiving an error message or program crash working in the program, submit your technical issue to Technical Support using the Technical Support Center. If you have a question on how to accomplish a particular task in the software, check out these other resources for Training help.