3D Home Design Software Features - Chief Architect Design Software

Perspective & Orthographic 3D Camera tools

Orthographic is ideal for cross section and elevation views. Perspective is ideal for Full Overview, Floor Overview (Doll House), Floor Camera, Full Camera , and Framing Views. Camera views can be named, edited, and saved. Use 3D Settings Controls to adjust the display options and settings.
Display Lower Levels with the Floor Overview camera

A 3D display option allows lower floors to be viewed under a current floor, such as open below rooms used for stairways or lofts
Isometric View Tools

View designs from any of the eight standard Isometric viewing angles
3D Navigation tools & Virtual Tours

Create 3D views and navigate, spin, rotate, pan, orbit, tilt, and move forward or backward. Use the View Direction Tools to quickly set the view to top down, left side, right side or bottom angles. Record virtual walk-through tours while navigating in 3D views. Pause the recording or save frames as desired. Draw a line or spline and record along that designated path. Define the frame rate for recording an .AVI file.
Improved Walkthrough Tools

Create detailed walkthrough recordings along paths. 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
Photo Realistic Rendering

Chief Architect Ray Trace Rendering Engine (replacing the previous POV-Ray ray trace engine). The Chief Ray Tracer offers significant performance improvement with its ability to use multiple core processors. Lighting and materials now have specific properties that can be set for very photo realistic rendering.
Reflective material type

Create material definitions to represent reflective surfaces for ray trace views.
Ray Trace Wizard

Ray Trace Wizard with predefined settings for indoor and outdoor scenes to jump start your photo realistic ray trace renderings. The wizard applies predefined settings which can then be edited to your specific rendering needs.
Progressive Ray Tracing

Preview ray trace renders as they refine and iterate image quality; export the image at any time or define the amount of time for the ray trace from 1 minute to 24 hours or an unlimited time
Specify Ray Trace Size in Inches or Millimeters

Set the number of pixels per inch to specify High or Low Resolution
Lighting through windows in Ray Trace views

Generate scenes with both natural and man made lighting.
3D Focal Blur & Enhanced control of ambient light

Use depth of field in Ray Traced views, just like a real camera. Create renderings that exhibit similar detail as real photography. Enhanced control of ambient light within Ray Tracing.
Generated Sky Model

Create a realistic sky that updates with time of day; control the level of haze
Rendered Views now more closely represent Ray Trace Views
Improved Camera Control

Cameras no longer ‘save’ automatically. Modify a 3D view angle or orientation and close the view without saving to retain the original settings
Enhanced Labels for Cameras

Label tab for cameras allow more control over the display of the labels
Artistic Rendering – Watercolor, Line Drawing….

Artistic Rendering techniques include, 3D Standard Render, Watercolor, Squiggle Line Drawing, Technical Illustration, Painting, Vector View, Glass House, and DuoTone.
Watercolor Rendering Line Color

Control the color of lines generated in Watercolor Renderings with Line Drawing on Top turned On
Advanced Render Technique Defaults

Use Pre-set attributes or customize your own for the different Render Technique styles. For example, set the squiggle amount for Line Drawing or the colors for Technical Illustration.
Cross Section Render Technique controls

Access the render techniques for Cross Section views through the camera specification dialog.
3D Views are optimized for multiple core processors and enhanced memory usage in 3D views

Significantly enhanced memory usage, faster 3D views, and Send To Layout with multi-core processors. Adjust render settings for optimal processing speed and quality results.
Cross Section Slider™

Show views being cut from the top, bottom, front, back, left or right side. Adjust the amount cut away from the model.
Save Cross-Section Slider with Camera

Adjustments to views using the Cross-Section Slider are saved with the view when the camera is saved
Cross Section Slider Control

Control the cut distance of the Cross-Section Slider with an input value in the dialog
Delete / Remove Surface tool

Temporarily remove surfaces in 3D views to expose and visualize the underlying model.
Panoramic or spherical backdrops

Cross Sections, Back-Clipped Cross Sections & Elevations

Use the orthographic camera to create an elevation or cross section view. Back-Clipped Cross Section views control the cut distance generated for a cross section.
Back-Clip Cross Section Distance Control

Control the cut distance of Back-Clipped Cross Sections with an input value in the dialog
Clip Cross-Section Views at Sides

Turn on clipping for sides of cross-sections views
Auto-generate Exterior & Interior Room Elevations
Dimension, Annotate and Detail Cross Sections & Elevation Views

Use the text, arrow, dimension, and CAD tools to add complete details to your Cross Section and Elevation views. Select and edit, delete, resize, or move objects. Add notes and dimensions or insert CAD details.
Automatic Labels in Elevations

Generate schedule callouts and labels for windows, doors, cabinets, and other items in Cross-Section and Elevation views.
Show Cameras as Callouts

Easily set up view callouts directly from the camera object. Show Elevation, Section, and Cross-Section cameras as Callouts in Plan Views. Add callout labels and descriptions; callout remain when sent to layout
CAD Details Catalog & Auto-Detailing tool

Toggle between displays for insulation and fill patterns. Choose from over 500 CAD Details in the premium SSA catalog to overlay on your design.
Opening Indicators – Doors, Windows & Cabinets

Show or hide opening indicators for hinge side of doors, windows and cabinet using Layers in Elevation, Cross Section, and Plan views.

Layout tool – for construction documents

Layout sheets are used to organize plans, elevations, CAD details, schedules, site plans, and other items for construction documents. The drawings can be scaled and printed at any size. All views are dynamically linked to the original model reflecting any update you make. Reorder the Layout pages for construction documents. Create templates for Layouts with borders and title blocks.
Set up multiple Pages per Layout File

- 1000 Pages
Advanced Layout Editing

Edit line views sent to the layout, rescale views sent to layout, re-link views on the layout to reference different files.
Enhanced “Send to Layout” and “CAD Detail From View”

Experience faster response times and improved line generation
Library / Catalog Browser

Choose from thousands of items. Download new content from Chief Architect or from third party sources. The Library includes generic and manufacturer brands.
Project Browser

A project organization tool to manage and navigate, project files, floors, elevations, cross sections, 3D views, cameras, and CAD details. Rename cameras, view multiple projects at once, easily access details and share them between projects.
Design Structures with multiple Floors

Excludes attic and basement or foundation.
- 30 Floors
Unlimited number of Opened Files

Reference as many plans or views during a single session. Limited to your computer’s resources.
Plan Templates

Choose pre-defined Plan Templates or create your own.
Time Tracker™ tool

Measure working time per project, per client, or per task. Start and stop the Time Tracker. View, edit, and export a time log, and add notes for each project.
Plan Database tool

Create a plan database to organizing your plan portfolio.
Plan Check tool

Provides a review for basic room egress, roof, wall layout, and more.
Rotate & Flip Plan tools

Flip or create a mirror image. Rotate the orientation of the floor plan view on your screen.
Insert & Exchange Floors

Use the Floor Above/Below tool to insert and exchange floors. Insert new Floors or levels between existing floors.
House Wizard™

Drag-and-drop room bubbles and arrange them before converting them to walls. Provides a quick way to lay out rooms that adjoin the project to illustrate how the completed project would look.
Model Maker™

Print designs that can be assembled into 3D Models
Loan Calculator tool

Calculate mortgage payments.
Home Designer® Plan Share

Share Chief Architect® plans with the consumer / DIY Home Designer® products. Your clients can use this for floor/space planning and change colors, materials and textures. Features a Plan Lock to prevent Home Designer from editing the Plan file.
Chief Architect Viewer file compatibility

Share your Chief Architect design files with clients using the free Chief Architect Viewer software

Room Defaults – ceiling height, style, moldings, wall covering, floor materials

Control the initial behavior by specifying default values. Define room attributes by room type.
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.
Name individual Rooms

Name individual rooms from a defined list of types or create new names. Custom Room Label controls - assign room types as well as custom room labels. Rooms display dimensions with interior area measurements. Multiple Room Select to group edit the Room attributes.
Custom Room Label controls

Assign room types as well as custom room labels.
Room Dimension Format Defaults

Define the display of room dimensions.
Control over new Room specifications when additional floors are added

Use the Floor Defaults dialog to set up a new floor’s attributes.
Display any combination of Room Label Size Layers

Display the Dimensional Size and the Square Footage labels for a room at one time.
Automatic Room Connections

Island rooms (rooms within rooms) automatically connect to outer rooms via an invisible wall to ensure proper room definitions
Accurately Layered Floor & Ceiling Platforms

3D model includes Finished Floor and Finished Ceiling heights. Use these layers to add dimension details and define cabinet and stair elevations.
Define floor coverings, finishes, and sub-layers
Raised Floor Platforms

Specify raised floor platforms that are automatically framed
Molding display control by Room

Specify height, width, and orientation of moldings from floor or ceiling. Control the display of moldings in any room type.
Room Molding Polyline & 3D Molding Polylines tool

Automatically generate a molding polyline derived from the room's perimeter. Reshape the polyline as desired and attach multiple molding profiles. Designate sizes for each profile and specify its height off the floor. 3D Molding Polylines create horizontal and vertical moldings.
Room Polyline

Automatically generate a polyline derived from the room's perimeter. Use the polyline tools to generate a Materials List, view the area, or convert to a molding, slab, and other custom options.
Room Polygon tool

Create a Room automatically with pre-specified dimensions.

Wall tools

Wall Styles include interior, exterior, railing, pony, half wall, curved, angled, raked, stepped. All styles are customizable with unique layers. Wall Types include structural wood, stucco steel, concrete ICF, SIPS, glass block, railings.
Draw and edit Walls in 2D and 3D
Create custom Wall styles with multiple layers

All the Wall layers calculate into the Materials List.
Curved Wall controls for radius, center, and ends
Half-Wall tool

Draw half walls and specify their default values (also known as solid railings).
Solid Railing & Half-Wall material options

Include wall assembly layers and control them just as you would a standard wall.
Shoe Control for Railings

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

Specify size, shape, and custom profiles for top rail, middle rail, bottom rail and beam.
Control Railing Beam Materials

Set the material assigned to beams above railings separately from other railing components.
Improved railings clip to ceiling surface

Railings that intersect roofs and ceilings are automatically clipped to fit the slope.
Pony Walls

For a two section Wall, define materials for each section. Control window and door display, dimensions, alignment between floors.
Pony Wall height controls

Adjust the height of individual Pony Walls by typing the lower wall’s height into the dialog
Double Walls for marriage walls and multi-family units

Includes window and door control.
Thru-Wall controls

Specify wall intersections / framing on a per wall end basis using the new Thru-Wall attribute
Improved Wall Connections for more accurate plan view representations of wall intersections

Turn ON or OFF Thru-Wall connection display in plan view.
Create Raked & Stepped Walls

Control heights of walls, add breaks and adjust in Cross Section and Elevation views. Define stepped foundations with vertical footing control.
Wall Align tool

Align walls on another floor (individually or group selected). Toggle the floor reference to see through to the floor above or below.
Automatic Attic Walls

Control creation and options.
Align wall layers with foundation

Use the wall setting "Foundation to this Line" to specify the alignment of walls with foundations walls.
Steel Framing with C-Channels & U-Channels

Specify steel framing members and show them in 3D Framing views.
Set up designs for Remodeling

Place New, Existing, Demolition and Remodeling Walls on unique layers
Enhanced Wall Editing

Adjust wall lengths by selecting dimensions or temporary dimensions that run parallel to the wall.
Continuous Wall Draw mode

Right click to enable continuous wall drawing mode - speeds up wall draw time.
Invisible Wall Defaults

Invisible Walls are typically used for room definition when a regular wall is not appropriate. Define the default attributes.
Terrain Walls

Terrain Walls follow terrain contours.
Wall Corner Boards & Quoins

Place Corner Boards and Quoins at wall interscetion corners. Set default size and material attributes.
Auto Place and Delete Corner Boards and Quoins

Automatically add trim details to wall corners. Option to delete all corner boards and quoins on a per floor or per plan basis through the Delete Objects dialog

Cabinet Designer™ tools

Create any style of Cabinet using the Smart Parametric tools including Framed, Frameless, Curved, Angled and Bow. Adjust drawers, face frames, doors, styles, shapes, shelves, moldings, backsplashes, appliances, countertops and several other items. Use a specification dialog to define and customize your Cabinets.
Manufacturer Catalogs & Smart Parametric Cabinets

Cabinet catalogs include door and drawer styles, colors, wood species, and accessories.
Define Cabinet defaults

Control the initial behavior by specifying default values - define, colors, sizes, doors and drawer styles, moldings, materials, countertops, hardware, and several other attributes for the cabinets as you begin a new design.
National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) Standardized

Cabinet display options conform to NKBA standards including countertops, line styles, labels and more. NKBA approved software for professional certification testing.
Place Multiple Appliances in a cabinet

Add an oven and a warming drawer to the same cabinet; adjust or replace the appliance type by editing it in the Cabinet Specification dialog.
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.
Display Countertop lines in Plan View and control the display with a Layer
Custom Countertop tool creates countertops of any shape or size

Draw and edit countertops manually. Add countertop holes, edge profiles, adjust the thickness and height off the floor.
Convert Automatic Countertops to Custom Countertops

Change the automatically generated countertop to a custom countertop that can be edited and resized independently from the cabinet.
Countertop Edge Molding

Control the display of edge molding applied to custom countertops
Rounded Cabinet Corners

Specify rounded or chamfered corners on a cabinet box.
Rounded Countertop Corners for Automatic Countertops
Cabinet Moldings

Add crown moldings, light rails, dentil and rope molding details to Cabinets
Easily create Stacked Molding

Add multiple moldings to objects and specify vertical and horizontal offset distances with different Molding Profiles to create stacked moldings.
Cabinet Millwork & End Panels

Pilasters, feet, legs, and moldings. All resize automatically as the cabinet changes. Attach End Panels to the sides and back of cabinets. Panels can be set to be automatically generated when an end or back is exposed, or they can be manually turned on or off. Control materials by specifying finished, unfinished, or automatic sides. The automatic feature can determine if the cabinet is exposed or against another cabinet.
Cabinet Fillers

Create cabinet fillers automatically between cabinets, or add them manually.
Frameless Cabinet settings

Change the cabinet style in one click with the new Frameless and Full Overlay options for cabinets.
Blind Corner Cabinet Controls

Turn On or Off Automatic Blind Corner Cabinet behavior.
Architectural Blocks, save customized Cabinets to the Library

Save any Cabinet, group of Cabinets, or an entire room of Cabinets as an Architectural Block and store in the Library for future use. Unblock the cabinet grouping and modify as needed. For example, store kitchen islands or an entire kitchen in your library for future designs.
Define Cabinets to sub-floor or finish floor height

Define elevation for cabinets, furniture, fixtures and stairs relative to finished floor or sub-floor.
Place Cabinet Doors, Drawers, and End Panels on Cabinets or as stand-alone objects
Double False Drawer item type

Show double-false drawers for sink base cabinets
Improved Corner Cabinet Hardware

Single knob hardware for pie-cut corner cabinets.
Regular & Sloped Soffits

Generate sloped soffits that automatically match roof or ceiling pitch, or manually adjust slope. Control the initial behavior by specifying default values.

Custom Door & Window tools

Create any style of Door, Doorway, and Window including Arched, Shaped and Mulled. Use the Smart Parametric tools. Doors styles include interior, exterior, sliding, pocket, bi-fold, atrium, double-swing, and garage. Hardware Library - Hinges, Handles and Locks. Windows styles include interior, exterior, single/double hung, sliding, casement, corner, recessed, bay, and box
Manufacturer Catalogs and Smart Parametric Doors & Windows

Catalog Doors have interior and exterior material settings. Define colors and wood species.
Door Defaults by Door Type

Set unique door defaults for different types of doors: hinged, pocket, bifold, sliding, and garage.
Pass-Thru tool

Create an opening between two rooms.
Atrium Door options

Create Center Swing Double-Doors, also known as atrium patio doors. Define a variety of other ways to open the doors
Adjustable Louver Sizes

New louver attribute allows you to control their size in windows and doors.
Improved representation of doors recessed into masonry walls
Mulled Units, save customized Doors & Windows to the Library

Create custom Mulled door and window blocks. Move, dimension, and label them as single units and add them to the Library. Mulled Units that contain Doors are automatically recognized as Door objects for Schedules and Schedule Labels.
Visual Door Placement feedback

Visualize door placement prior to actually placing the door with intuitive control of the hinge and swing.
3D Door Display options

New 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.
Double Walls/Window/Door Control for marriage walls and multi-family units
Window and Door Casings Display in Plan View

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

More accurate display of window sill, frame size, and mullions in Plan view. Better representation of multi-pane windows in Plan view.
Automatic Frame Depth

Set window frame depth to automatically fit into wall.
Unlimited Divided Lites for glass

Create Windows and Glass Doors with an unlimited number of lites.
Custom Muntins

Design your own muntins using the CAD tools and attach them to windows.
Window Treatments & Shutters

Adjust curtains by the height off floor and height above casing. Specify shutters on either side of a window. Blinds fit inside casing when attached to Windows.
Door & Window Capitals

Place capitals above Window or Door casing and set the height and width.
Sills & Lintels

Specify sills for windows and set the height and width. Lintels - control window and door trim sizes.
Lintel and Sill Control

Separately display Lintels or Sills for windows.
Bay or Bow Windows Multiple Select

Select then edit a group of bay, box or bow windows.
Improved smoothing of arched Windows, Doors, and Doorways

Build Roof options - pitch, overhang, raise of plate for energy heels, curved roof information, framing details, fascias, gutters, exposed rafters and roof returns and many other options

Specify pitch, overhang, raise of plate for energy heels, curved roof information, framing details, fascias, gutters, exposed rafters and roof returns and many other options Includes roof and ceiling framing and trusses. See the Framing section for details.
Build Automatic Roofs - gable, hip, shed, gambrel, mansard, and several others

Generate the roof for any design automatically. Use the Auto-Rebuild Roofs feature to automatically update the roof as your design changes.
Roof Layer controls - specify the thickness of roof components
Draw and edit roofs in 2D and 3D

Design the roof in a split screen with both the 2D and 3D views up at the same time to visualize the design.
Custom Roof & Ceiling tools

Draw Roof and Ceiling planes and shape and edit them to produce any custom style.
Convert Flat Roofs & Ceilings t Curved

Specify any roof or ceiling plane as curved in its specification dialog. Set angles and radius for plane
Actual and Projected Area of Roof Planes

Find macros and references to both the Actual and the Projected square footage of Roof Planes in the roof dialog’s Polyline tab
Control Rafter Spacing per Roof Plane

Specify rafter spacing values for individual roof planes in a design.
Gable & Hip Roof Toggle tool

Toggle the roof between these two styles using the Gable / Hip tool in 3D and 2D.
Define Roof attributes per wall including multiple Roof Pitches & Overhangs
Shadow Boards

Apply Shadow Boards to the fascia of roof planes automatically. Specify molding profiles and stack moldings to create the desired molding build-up.
Ridge Caps

Automatically generate Ridge Caps on roofs; turn ridge caps on/off on a per roof basis; assign custom ridge cap profiles.
Fascia & Sub Fascia control

Control the size and display of fascia boards.
Gutters & Frieze Moldings

Create custom profiles for gutters and friezes. Attach them to roofs so that they update and resize as the roof design changes.
Auto Roof Returns™ for Gable Walls

Gable, Hip, Full, Sloping and Flat.
Roof Gable Line tool

Draw a line over a door or window and the program will automatically generate Gable roof.
Auto Dormer™ tool

Generate floating (false) and structural dormers automatically. Set the dormer size, roof pitch, and accurately place them on a roof. Dormers types – eyebrow, gable, hip, shed, gambrel, mansard, barrel, and hip curved
Dormer Overhang Controls

Separately control the eave and gable overhang distance for automatic dormers
Automatic Ceilings & Ceiling tools - create custom styles including cathedral, trey, coffered, and barrel

Automatic ceilings are created once a roof is generated.
Skylights

Automatically cut the roof with correct structural framing. Define Square or Plum sides and frame width and height.

Stair tool

Specify tread width, length, tread number, overhang, and thickness. Set riser height, top and bottom height. Specify details about stringers, open underneath, runners, railing details, baluster and newel styles and shapes, brackets, handrails on walls next to stairs, around corners, and hand rail profile.
One-Click™ Stairs & Ramps

Auto place stairs from platform to platform. Platform to terrain Stairs and Ramps automatically connect to the terrain when drawn from the ground to the structure.
Advanced Stair tools

Customize curved sections, flared treads, starter treads, winders, definable walk line, maintainable tread width, and landings.
Wrap Around Stairs, connect treads around corners
Auto Stairwell™

Creates stairwell and the platform to match the staircase.
Stair Defaults for interior & exterior Stairs
Enhanced interface for Stair Specification dialog

Dialog diagram and access to change more attributes about stairs.
Enhanced Stairs editing options

Options for riser heights, tread width, start height, and bottom height.
Define Stair starting elevation

Specify whether stairs and ramps are located at the sub-floor or the finished floor elevation.
Ramp tool

Default Ramp is ADA compliant. Specify length, slope rise and run. Specify overhangs, railings, tread surface, open underneath, baluster and newel styles, shapes, and hand rail profile.
Ramp Defaults

Set up default attributes for ramps
Landing tool

Create Custom Landings to auto-connect Stair sections or Ramp sections together. Choose auto adjust features for the height and thickness based on stair or ramp connection. Turn railings on or off per Landing edge.
Custom Newels & Balusters

Choose from newels and balusters in the Library Catalog or import your own.
Automatic Handrail width from wall width

Define the Handrail width based on the width of the wall.
Independent Railings

Create custom railing styles such as glass, cable, or panels.
Railing Opening & Wall surface offset

Control whether an automatic opening is created when attaching a Stair or Ramp to a wall or railing. Control the offset of the automatic wall surface under a Stair.
Multiple Stair Select

Group edit the Stair attributes.
Enhanced materials controls for Landings & Stairs

Individually control the material assignments for stair and landing components.

Foundation tools for Slab, Pier, Crawlspace, Full Basement, Stem Walls, Footings, Post & Beam, Grade Beam

Set up a default foundation type, controlling stem-wall height, footing size, slab or pier information. Edit the foundations settings after it has been built.
Foundation Defaults

More detailed control over the foundation automatically generated for Garage rooms.
Auto Rebuild Foundations

Automatically update the foundation plan to align with the 1st floor as the design progresses.
Monolithic Slab technology

Designing slab foundations is now faster, easier, and more accurate.
Monolithic Slab Inset Ledges

Create monolithic slab foundations with inset ledges for masonry wall construction.
Monolithic Slab Curbing

Specify curbing for monolithic slab foundations.
Enhanced 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
Wall/Footing Below attribute

Generate a footing, or foundation wall + footing below, when automatic foundations are created by setting a wall as a Bearing Wall.
Treated Bottom Plates

Any wall over concrete foundation or flooring automatically generates a treated bottom plate.
Slab footing specification

Control footings for slabs on a per edge basis; resize, dimension, or exclude the footing.
Vertical Footing Control

Define stepped foundations with vertical footing control. Choose to show or hide vertical footings for stepped foundations.
Improved foundations with Slab at top of Stem Wall
Specify Foundation Piers as Round or Square
Rebar calculations for Posts & Beams

Specify the amount of rebar required for foundations so that it is calculation on the Materials List.
Specify Slabs for crawl spaces
Slab Volume listed in the slab specification dialog for easy reference
Wall Footing Offset

Choose to center footings on Wall's main layer or specify an offset value.
Slab Footing Offset Default

Specify a default offset distances for footings under slab foundations

Automatic Framing - floors, walls, ceilings, roofs, openings, headers

Turn on / off automatic framing – move a window and the framing updates. Define Trimmers and Headers based on opening sizes.
Manual Framing tools

Draw individual framing members or select and edit automatically generated members.
Trusses automatically configured to fit the space

Floor, ceiling, and roof trusses. Create trusses that automatically conform and fit between platforms; manually edit and customize them. Truss options include scissor, attic, step down, girder, sub-girder, drop hip, jacks, kingpost, gable end, reduced gable, energy heel.
Truss Details

Automatically generated truss details for floor, ceiling, and roof trusses. Each truss is labeled for easy identification.
Roof Framing options

Hand Stack or Truss Frame. Define rafters, ridges, lookouts, sub-fascia, blocking, bridging. Valley fill roof trusses. Exposed Rafter Tails and custom rafter tail cuts - choose a molding profile or draw your own profile.
Control Roof Lookout framing

Turn on or off the automatic generation of lookout framing in the Framing dialog.
Enhanced control of Birdsmouth cuts for Rafters

Turn off auto calculation of birdsmouth and manually specify the birdsmouth seat.
Wall Framing options

Define number of plates, stud thickness, spacing, bridging, miter ends, framing for short walls and knee walls. Balloon Wall Framing platforms extend through walls or walls through platforms. Steel Framing for walls, headers, joists, and rafters - automatically creates C-Channel and U-Channel shaped framing members for typical steel framing. Define the number of Rim Joists generated on a per wall basis.
Wall Framing details on a per Wall basis

For each wall, view and edit wall framing, add dimensions or callouts. Use to produce framing schedules or wall details.
Post & Beam framing tools - specify Round or Square posts

Set the Default Material for Posts in the framing defaults.
Automatically produce platform holes, foundation holes

Use polyline tools to generate holes for the floor or ceiling and automatically generate framing around them.
Deck Framing options

Define Plank overhang, width, gap, direction, border planks, beams and joists. Define widths, spacing, direction and type of planks. Automatically re-build framing as the design changes. Include or exclude beams, posts, and footings.

CAD tools

Comprehensive CAD objects and editing tools: Points, Lines, Polylines, Splines, Arcs, Circles, Ovals, Boxes, Arrows, Fence, Trim Extend, Parallel, Perpendicular, Reflect, Replicate, Transform, Fillet, Chamfer, and several others.
3D Primitive, Advanced Polyline & Face tools

Create custom solids with a variety of shapes. Edit polylines using Polyline Subtract, Polyline Union, and Polyline Intersection. Create solid faces, extrude and revolve them to create custom objects.
Solid Pyramid Object

Pyramid can also be truncated to form a pedestal shape.
Polyline Solid tools

Create 3D shapes using the Polyline Solid tool. Create custom countertop shapes, backsplashes, tub platforms, etc.
Polygon CAD tool

Creates regularly-shaped polylines of pre-specified dimensions. Specify the number of sides and specify the polygon size by length of sides or overall radius.
Convert 2D CAD lines and polylines to other Chief objects

Quickly convert CAD to Polyline Solids, Molding Polylines, Countertops, Slabs, Landings, Holes in Roofs and Platforms. Convert Arcs and Circles to Polylines. Convert polylines to Revision Clouds and Material List Areas. Convert to Elevation and Terrain data, Sprinklers, Roads, Road Markings, and Sidewalks.
CAD Detail From View tool

Generate a CAD Detail from any view. Add or remove lines, add dimensions, fill patterns, text, and callouts. Use CAD details in your Layout and save to the Library for future use.
CAD-to-Walls™

Import CAD files, such as AutoCAD®, and convert CAD lines to fully configured 3D walls, windows, and doors.
Architectural CAD Details

Details for residential structural elements. Detailed assemblies for floors, roofs, decks, walls and foundations. Over 500 details are included in the premium SSA catalogs.
Accurately create objects using coordinates

Use the Enter Coordinates dialog and specify absolute or relative coordinates for objects created by clicking and dragging.
Align / Distribute Objects tool

Define distribution and automatic alignment of CAD objects.
Create and manage CAD Details & Blocks

Draw customized details and diagrams, print them to scale, and save for reuse in the Library.
Auto Purge CAD Blocks option

Unused CAD Blocks can be automatically purged from plans when the program is closed.
Specify Insertion Points for CAD Blocks

Define an exact location for inserting and placing CAD Blocks.
Custom Line Style Editor tool

Design your own lines styles are reuse them throughout your projects.
Close Polyline tool, Filleted Polylines radius

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

Choose from a number of methods to precisely draw arcs.
Current CAD Layer & CAD Points saved with plans and layouts

When a plan is closed and re-opened, the CAD Layer used in the previous session is active.
Preference control for Roof Intersection CAD Points

Control the display of the auto-generated CAD points.
Select Same, Load Same & Make Same tools

Match properties between items of the same type. Edit similar items, including Electrical and Images.
Visual CAD Snaps™

Snap indicators – center, end point, tangent, and several others. Snap to objects or a grid. Snap to Reference Floor layer (a floor above or below the current floor).
Angle Snap preview while drawing
Multiple Copy tool

Replicate objects at pre-defined increments. Set default increments for different types of framing objects, as well as general objects.
Paste Hold Position tool

Copy an item between layers, plans or floors while maintaining orientation and exact position.
Point-to-Point Move tool

Accurately move or copy objects.

Layer Sets

Set up unique layer groupings for display and printing. Create separate Layer sets for Electrical Plans, Framing Views, or Space Planning. Use the Layer Set toolbar to quickly swap active Layer Sets. Swap Layer Sets using Annotation Sets.
User-Defined Layers

In addition to the default Layers, add, change and delete new Layers.
Assign objects to Layers for Display & Materials List

Choose which objects display in 2D and 3D and if they are to be used in Material List. Change the default layer used for individual objects and assign them as necessary.
Layer Eyedropper & Layer Painter tool

Select a layer assigned to an object using the Layer Eyedropper tool, then apply that layer to a different object with Layer Painter.
Layer Hider tool

Click on an object in plan view to turn off its layer display
Control Placing Objects on Hidden and Locked Layers

Ability to override the placement of objects on layers that are turned Off or that are hidden.
Control display attributes by Layer

Set color, weight, and line style on a per layer basis. Lock layers as necessary to prevent editing.
Object Layer Properties edit tool

Quickly and easily modify the layer properties for any object
Layer Set Defaults dialog & Management dialog

Assign 2D and 3D views to Layer Sets. For example, assign the Cross Section camera to a “Wall Cabinets” only view. Manage Layer Sets - import, export, copy, edit, delete, and create new layer sets from one dialog. Set the currently active set and the reference set.
Assign Cameras to Layers
Layer Set Defaults for Camera Types

Specify unique layer sets for each camera type; Full Camera, Floor Camera, Full Overview, Floor Overview, Cross Section, Back-Clipped Cross Section, and Wall Elevation. Control the layers displayed for any of these cameras when they are initially created by assigning layer sets in the Layer Set Defaults dialog.
Stair and Ramp Up/Down Arrow layer control

New layer for stair and ramp arrow allows you to control the display separately.
New “Footings, Step Markers” layer

Control the step markers display, line style, color, line weight, and text style.
Layer and Line Style Information are stored with cabinets, CAD blocks, and other objects stored in the Library
Reference Layer Sets

Reference Layer Sets are retained for each view sent to Layout pages.

Dimensioning tools

Baseline, Centerline, Angular, End-to-End, Interior, Point-to-Point, and Temporary dimensions. Use One-Click Auto Dimensions™ for exteriors.
Running Dimension Tool

Draw dimension with cumulative values from base item to each dimensioned object in a single dimension string.
Display Secondary Dimensions

Define the display of secondary dimensions.
Specify Dimension Units, Accuracy, & Display

Use Imperial and Metric systems. Control the units displayed for dimensions, number height and font, arrow size and style, accuracy in decimals or fractions to 1/128" or 0.0078125.
Dimension Label Fill option

Specify solid or transparent fill for dimensions' text.
Append text to dimensions

Insert additional text before or after the dimension value for any dimension string. Choose the dimension number to which text is added
Define where Dimensions locate

Locate to centers, rough openings, casing, interior layer, main framing layer, sides, and several other locations.
Input Accurate Dimensions using a DISTO™ or other Laser Distance Meter

Use a Bluetooth or Wireless compatible device to automatically measure a space then input the distances directly into dimension strings.
National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) Automatic Dimensions

Automatically dimension interior rooms and elevations to the National Kitchen and Bath Association dimensioning standards.
Automatic Interior Dimensions

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

Use the Auto Elevation Dimension tool to add dimensions to Elevation and Cross Section views.
Auto Exterior Dimensions Defaults

Define the default behavior of Automatic Exterior Dimensions.
Automatic Dimension Parent Tool

All Automatic dimensioning features are located together under the Automatic Dimension parent tool.
Delete Automatic Dimensions

Use the Delete Objects tool to delete Automatic Dimensions from a Floor or the Entire Plan. Manually edited or modified dimensions will remain.
Multiple Dimension Defaults

Define multiple dimension styles and attributes for your specific needs, such as defaults for floor plans, cabinet elevations and site plans. For each Default, define the attributes for number height, unit of measure, arrow, fonts and more.
Precisely position objects by entering a dimension

Select any object, and enter a corresponding dimension number to move the object a set distance.
Enhanced Wall Editing with Dimensions

Adjust wall lengths by selecting dimensions or temporary dimensions that run parallel to the wall. Display Wall length as you draw; press TAB to input an exact dimension
Tape Measure tool

Use the Tape Measure Tool to find the measurements of any item.
Dimensions snap to objects

Snap to the Center of Cabinets, sides of Appliances and Fixtures, Framing, and Callouts and Markers.
Dimension Location Snaps for Furniture Items

Set dimensions to snap to the centers and/or sides of furniture objects for Manual and Automatic Dimensions.
Define or convert any dimension extension to a Centerline Extension

Open the specification for any dimension and select an extension number to change its values or change it to a centerline.
Dimension locations for wall tops, bottoms and cross sections

Wall Elevation Views include dimension locations and extension for wall tops and bottoms. Cross Section Views include dimension locations and extension lines for finished floor and ceilings.
Box and Bumpout Extension Snaps

Snap to projected 90° intersections
Auto Exterior Dimensions for Slab Foundations

Automatically dimension monolithic slab foundations with a single click.
Dimensions Snap to Foundation Footings

Accurately dimension foundation footings with manually drawn dimensions.
Show or hide firebox dimensions for free standing fireplaces

Electrical & HVAC tools

Create Electrical, Plumbing and Heating / Ventilation plans. Electrical – place lights, switches, outlets, low voltage, and wiring. Circuit Connection tools draw the connections and circuits for your electrical layout. Connect electrical components together to create circuits. Adjust the lines and arcs of the circuit design. Connections will automatically change switches for 3-way and 4-way. Specify Electrical, Fixture, and Furniture items to attach to ceilings and roofs and auto-rotate to match the pitch of roofs or vaulted ceilings.
Electrical Defaults

Control the initial behavior by specifying default values. Set up default objects to be placed when adding lights and outlets to a room, set the height for outlets and switches off the floor or countertops.
Auto Place Outlets tool

Places outlets at regular intervals based on room type.
Electrical Lighting & Lighting Sources

Use Light Sources in addition to light fixture symbols to enhance the lighting in a scene. Light Fixtures have light sources for Render and Ray Trace Views.
Define custom lighting with shadows, attenuation and intensity

Turn lighting on or off per fixture to control whether a light is used for a 3D scene.
Improved Lighting Units

Choose from common wattage/lumens values for lights or specify custom values.
Edit Lighting properties of electrical objects directly from the Library
Easily control lighting

New edit controls for lighting allow you to turn lights on or off with a single click.
Enhanced Adjust Lighting Dialog

Added information in dialog makes it easy to locate lights by label name or room location
Automatic GFCI outlets in Kitchens

Use the Auto Place Outlet tool to add GFCI outlets to your kitchen rooms.
Continuous draw mode for Electrical Connections

Quickly generate electrical connections for each circuit in your design.
Photo-realistic lighting effects with the Ray trace rendering

See the Rendering section for additional detail.

Terrain tools

Generate a 3D terrain model with elevation data you enter or import.
Create Plot Plans, Site plans, & Subdivisions

Input accurate length, bearing and setback information.
Automatic Plan Footprint tool

Use the Plan Footprint tool to automatically generate a CAD Detail for a Site Plan. Turn on only the layers you need visible for the site plan such as roof planes, overhang and exterior walls
Import Terrain Wizard, import GPS, text file, DWG/DXF
Terrain Elevation Splines, Polylines, Regions & Points

Input elevations data for Terrain by drawing splines, lines, and points. Attach elevation value to each object, then automatically generate the terrain contours. A Clear Terrain tool is available to remove contouring and adjust elevation data.
Terrain Modifier tools - Hills, Valleys, Elevated Regions, Flat Regions
Azimuth Bearings

Display angles as Azimuth Bearings.
Advanced Terrain dialog

Use the dialog controls for terrain smoothness, triangle generation, terrain's skirt, clipping around structures, and full control over terrain contours.
Retaining Walls, Terrain Break tools

Generate retaining walls with built-in terrain breaks to automatically create steps in the terrain with the wall. Use the Terrain Break tool for steps without the wall structure.
Terrain Accessory tools

Stepping Stones, Streams, Garden Curbing, Pre-defined Garden Beds, Blocked garden beds.
Road & Sidewalk tools

Tools to create a Road, Road Median, Road Striping/Marking, Curb, Gutter, Driveway, Sidewalk and Cul-de-sac. Automatically attach a sidewalk to the road or driveway objects you are generating and specify custom curb profiles.
Spline & Polyline driveway tools
Road & Driveway Defaults

Preset sizes, types, and materials for these tools to fit your standard development process.
North Pointer & Sun Angles for shadows

Define a North Pointer and Sun Angle. Specify latitude, longitude, date and time. Generate shadows in 2D and 3D.
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, beams and joists. Full Deck framing – see framing section for more details. Polygon Deck tool, specify the number of sides and the size of a deck.
Fence tool

Create picket, privacy, iron, and panel fences. Choose gate styles from the Library Catalog. Fences follow the terrain.
Sprinkler Designer™ tool

Place sprinkler heads and connect them to create irrigations runs and zones.
Landscaping Plants

Plants Images - Trees, Shrubs, and Flowers can be placed in 2D and 3D views. Over 4,000 plants are included in the premium SSA catalogs.
Create & Import Plants

Import photos of plants and add them to the Library Browser to use in your designs. Add plant growth information and adjust transparency attributes.
3D Plant symbols

Use 3D Plant Symbols for added detail. Generate realistic 3D views where plants cast shadows.
- 700+ 3D Plants in the Premium SSA Catalog
Plant Chooser™ with Hardiness Zone Maps

Plant Hardiness Zone maps show plant data by region.
Plant Encyclopedia™

Detailed plant information – common and scientific name, type, sub-type, characteristics, height range, zones, sun and water needs, bloom time, and leaf and flower color.
Create Landscaping Plans

Assign fill colors to plants in Plan view and display plant labels, garden beds, and contours. Place text and CAD details. Create Plant Schedules.
Grow Plants tool

Use sliding scale and grow the plants up to 20 years from the current maturity.

3D & 2D Editing of Architectural Objects - Walls, Windows, Cabinets, Roofs, Stairs, …

Place and edit objects directly in 3D and 2D Plan View or Elevation View. Design simultaneously in 2D and 3D for any of the views.
Center Objects tool – center objects in 2D & 3D

Center cabinets under windows, windows in walls, dormers on a roof, and several other items 3D and 2D.
Material Painter™ & Default Painter

Apply colors, materials and textures to objects or components of the object. Apply colors as solid or stain. Use the Default Painter tool restore items to their default material.
Material Eyedropper™ & Color Chooser™

Material Eyedropper: copy a material from one object and apply to another. Color Chooser capture colors and materials from a photo or website, such as tile for a custom backsplash or a wood stain color for a floor.
Material Properties Settings

Make rendered and ray traced views more photo realistic with Pre-Defined Metals. Specify attributes for these Pre-Defined Metals: Aluminum, Brass, Bronze, Chromium, Copper, Gold, Iron, Nickel, Sliver, Stainless Steel, Tin Titanium Tungsten, and Zinc.
Material Class Definitions

Use class definitions to define your materials: General, Plastic, Brushed Metal, Shiny Metal, Pre-Defined Metal, Matte, Mirror, Polished, Transparent, and Translucent. Preview the Material classes for standard rendering or ray trace. Ray trace preview includes the option to choose a sphere, cube, or teapot shape to help visualize the attributes of materials.
Screen Capture tool - create custom materials

Screen capture an image and apply in the design, such as a photo of tile for a custom backsplash.
Toggle Patterns on or off in Vector View™
Assign Custom Patterns to Materials or Object Fill
Manage Plan Materials

Manage all the materials used in the design. Replace materials used in a plan with a material from the Library Catalog. Select a group of materials to merge.
Define the Rotation Angle for Custom Patterns
Create Symbol Wizard™

Create custom symbols or import from manufacturers.
Create Custom Moldings

Draw your own molding profile. The software will extrude the molding in 3D.

Library (Catalog) Browser

Access thousands of Objects / Items, both Manufacturer and generic. Download, import and create new objects. Search for objects in the Library or use the advanced search features to filter the results. Number of Library Items is displayed in the status bar.
Library Search & Instant Search bar integrated into the Library

Search for Library items by keyword, object type or style. Instant Search bar is integrated into the Library, just start typing in the search bar to find objects in the Library. Customize Library Search Attributes, view or modify key words for searching on Library objects.
Catalog Migration

Core, Bonus, Manufacturer and User Catalogs from previous installs automatically migrate and update to latest version at install time; User Catalog automatically migrates from previous installs. Use the catalog migration dialog to specify which catalogs to bring forward.
Enhanced feedback for Library Catalog downloads status

Options to Continue or Cancel downloads when Chief Architect closes. Catalog Downloads automatically restart if Chief Architect is closed then re-launched (no pre-subscription required).
Automatic Catalog Updates

Check for updates for catalogs distributed by Chief Architect and automatically update to the latest version.
Replace From Library tool

Select objects in the plan and replace with an object in the Library. Replace single items or all identical items in a plan.
Library Browser filtered views

Choose to show or hide entire library catalogs in the Library Browser tree. Improved library load times as hidden items are not loaded into the Library Browser.
Library Tree Reorganization

Manufacturer, User, Chief Architect Core, and Chief Architect Bonus catalogs are now 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.
Improved speed of deleting objects from the Library Browser
Preview Objects / Items in the Library before they are placed in a design

Visual feedback for the size and orientation of objects being placed from the library and edited in plan and 3D views. Rotate, Spin and Zoom the Library preview.
Convert Plan Materials to Library Materials

Materials that are in use in the plan can automatically be added to the Library.

Automatically generate Materials Lists

Automatic Materials List with columns for equipment, unit costs, percent markup, and labor costs. Change order of the columns. Generate a list for the entire plan, single room, or defined area using a polyline.
Master Materials List

The Master Materials List stores master data, such as price. When a new project is started, the Master List data is applied. Save and load multiple Master Materials Lists.
Specify Layers when calculating a Materials List

Use Layers to control what is included in the Materials List.
Materials List Components

Add detailed information to objects– such as glazing to a cabinet finish. Components information is then posted to the materials list. Choose which details to show or hide on the final Materials List using Components.
Material Schedules

Create Schedules for Doors, Windows, Cabinets, Fixtures, Appliances, Furniture, Electrical HVAC, Plumbing, Plants and Room Finish. Exclude specific items from Schedules such as cabinet hardware. Automatically Customize the information contained in the Schedule and label controls for Schedules.
Cut & Buy Lists

The Structural Lumber Table can be used to calculate lumber materials for a Cut List and a 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.
Materials List include soffits under roof eaves

Annotation Sets

Annotation Sets control a subset of defaults including Dimensions, Text, Arrows, Markers, Callouts, and Layers. Annotation Sets can be used to quickly change your defaults and streamline the annotation process - similar to Layer Sets.
Fully editable Text tools

Control font, size, weight, color, position, justification, and more.
Advanced Rich Text tools

Format text with varying colors, font, and more. Convert plain text to rich text.
Text Style tools

Create unlimited 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.
Specify Line Style and Fill Style for Schedules

Change schedule grid color and overall background color on a per schedule basis.
Improved control over multiple schedules

Manage multiple schedules of the same type and independently control their display of labels. Improved schedule updating when items in the plan are added to or removed from the schedule display.
Text Leader Line tool quickly creates callouts and notes
Create Leader Lines using Rich Text or Plain Text types
Architectural fonts: City Blueprint, Country Blueprint, Chief Blueprint

Use any built-in font included with your operating system.
Spell Checker

Uses a built-in or custom dictionary.
Enhanced Text control

Font control, font defaults, and text macros for page number, date, and others.
Customizable Text Arrows
More control over arrowhead style

Specify the arrowhead type used for Joist Directions, Sun Angles, Roof Labels, and Stairs and Ramps.
Callouts & Markers

Place Callouts and Markers in Plan, Elevation, Layout, and Detail views. Adjust fill color, line style, line weight, and double-headed Callouts. Callouts and Markers have unique layers. Use multiple default styles for Arrows, Markers, and Callouts.
Custom Door, Window, & Cabinet Labels

Type your own customized labels for any Door, Window, or Cabinet object. Control cabinet label size and orientation.
Rotate Labels

Select and rotate labels independently in Plan view. Set default label rotation and offset; set label rotation to be relative or absolute to the rotation of the object.
Layer for Camera Labels

Label display for cameras is now independent from the camera display.
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 and you set up you layout .
Specify labels for Light Source or “added light” objects

Uniquely name light sources in your scenes for easy recognition.
Soffit, Shelf, and Partition Labels

Assign custom labels through the new Label Tab for soffits, shelves, and partitions
Labels for Bay, Box, and Bow Windows

Customize labels through the Label Tab of the Bay, Box, and Bow Window dialogs.
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.
Room Label background fill

Specify background fill color or solid or transparent fill for room labels
Control the location of Labels

New X and Y offsets for labels allow you to control the orientation of labels in relationship to the object.
Embed Hyperlinks in Text

Add links to website or other files using the text tools.
Revision Cloud tool

Encircle objects with revision clouds, or draw your own.
Text Macros & User Defined Text Macros

Insert macros into text objects. Add Contact Info, File Info, Plan Info, Special Characters, and Time and Date macros. Create custom Macros, such as macros for Contractor, Supplier, or Revision Number.
Window Macros

Use macros to include Window Type, Top Elevation, Bottom Elevation, and Floor to Header height in window labels.
Label macros for Electrical Lights, Stairs & Ramps, Roof Pitch / Slope, and Layout Boxes
Create Dynamic Label Macros

Use Text Macros in combination with the Ruby Scripting tools to dynamically update object labels or other annotation in your design.
Text Macro Management dialog

Create New, Edit, Copy, Delete, and Test custom macros from within the Text Macro Management dialog.
Ruby Scripting

Use the Ruby Scripting Console for writing program scripts - such as a determining room volume, custom cabinet labels and several others. Includes an Interactive tutorial on how to create user-defined macros.

Printed Paper sizes

Specify printed paper sizes to fit your design scale.
PDF print

Print to a PDF file for outsourcing a print job – great when you do not have a large format printer.
Print Preview

Displays printable area, paper edges, and line weights. Outline printing is visible in Print Preview mode.
Scale-to-Page or Paper Size
Page Setup

Determine plan sheet size and specify how it prints to different paper size.
Span printing across multiple pages

Print a large format sheet on a smaller paper size and tape together to make the larger sheet.
Control line style begin and end size

For example, for a dashed line define the start and end dash size.

Import & Export Chief Objects

Import/Export Annotation Sets, Layer Sets, Hot Keys, Wall Types, Line Styles, Macros, and Ruby Scripts. Share with other users or transfer them from plan to plan.
Import Defaults

Share default settings between plans for a variety of objects, including: Windows, Doors, Cabinets, Schedules, Stairs.
Transfer Layers between Plan files

Layer names can be transferred between plans.
Export Materials List to Microsoft Excel, CSV, TXT, or HTML
Import PDF files

Import Adobe® PDF file formats into plans, layouts, and CAD Details; retain print resolution and quality when printing final documents with embedded PDF files.
Import & Export 2D DXF

Advanced Layer Mapping to assist with importing.
AutoCAD® 2013 Compatibility

Import or Export DXF and DWG files.
Import & Export 3D files

Import 3D DXF, DWG, OBJ, 3DS, SKP. Export 3D DXF, DWG, 3DS
SketchUp 8 object import (32-bit version only)
Import image files: BMP, JPG, GIF, PCS, TIFF, PCX, PNG, Metafiles, TGA

Image import - specify transparency color and add plant data or image information for materials and backdrops. Display Metafile on plan, elevation, and layout views. Specify fill style to show through and transparency on the image.
Import Terrain Elevation data

Import survey data from AutoCAD or other sources.
3D Mass Import

Group import 3D DWG, DXF, 3DS, OBJ, SKP files and convert them to Library Objects.
Create Materials from Textures

Group import texture image files and convert them to materials automatically.
Export .AVI files for Virtual Tours & 3D VRML
Export PNG & TGA from Ray Traced Renderings
Convert 3D View to Symbol

Create a custom object using Chief Architect's design tools and then round-trip covert a view to a unified library item.

64-bit version

The 64-bit version is more efficient in managing memory and you will see better performance on larger plan files. A 32-bit version is available and will also run on 64-bit operating sytems.
Customizable Toolbars

Modify the toolbar to match your work style. Add and remove buttons, create toolbar groupings, dock and undock toolbars.
Toolbar Sets

A collection of tools on a toolbar set organized by discipline: Default, Terrain, Kitchen & Bath, Space Planning, Plan Detailing, Mechanical Electrical Plumbing, CAD, Color Palette with customizable material swatches.
Customizable Hotkeys

Assign and change shortcut key mapping.
Specify Preferences & Defaults

Set up Preferences for display and editing tools to customize the interface to your needs. Specify defaults most architectural elements.
Reference Floors & Current Floor retained within the Plan file

Assist with layout and wall alignment (displays the floor above or below the current floor). If you have a multi-level plan, the program will re-open to the floor and in the area when you last saved and closed the file.
Virtual Graph Paper™ display

Adjust grid to display a reference in any increment, great for modular design, space planning, and as an indication of scale.
Auto-Archive

Set Auto-Archive Preference to schedule how frequently projects are backed up to an archive file.
Chief Viewer™ - a Free downloadable viewer

View and annotate 3D camera views and Virtual Tours.
Support & Software Assurance

Updates, Major Releases and New Versions, Priority Technical Support, Over 500 Online Training Video access, Download Library Catalogs access, Discounted Training Seminars, Discounts on Secondary Licenses.
30-Day Satisfaction Guarantee

If you are not completely satisfied, Chief Architect, Inc. will gladly refund your purchase price within 30 days of purchase.

Chief Architect Premier - Features

Product Options

Chief Architect Premier
Feature Detail

3D Rendering & Visualization

Cross Sections & Elevations

Plans & Layouts

Rooms

Walls

Cabinets

Doors & Windows

Roofs & Ceilings

Stairs & Ramps

Foundations

Framing

CAD Tools

Layers

Dimensions

Lighting / Electrical / HVAC

Terrain & Landscape

3D Design & Materials

Library / Catalog

Materials List & Cost Estimating

Text / Annotation / Scripting

Printing

Import / Export

User Resources

Chief Architect Premier - Features

Product Options

Chief Architect PremierFeature Detail

3D Rendering & Visualization

Cross Sections & Elevations

Plans & Layouts

Rooms

Walls

Cabinets

Doors & Windows

Roofs & Ceilings

Stairs & Ramps

Foundations

Framing

CAD Tools

Layers

Dimensions

Lighting / Electrical / HVAC

Terrain & Landscape

3D Design & Materials

Library / Catalog

Materials List & Cost Estimating

Text / Annotation / Scripting

Printing

Import / Export

User Resources

Chief Architect Premier
Feature Detail