Chief Architect Help Database - Article Number:  33

How to Adjust Wall Connections

The information in this article applies to:
  • Home Designer Pro
  • Chief Architect X5
  • Chief Architect X4
  • Chief Architect X3
QUESTION

My wall connections had looked fine, but then I changed something and now they no longer seem to connect at the main layer.  How can I fix this?

CAUSE

If you have recently modified your wall types, you likely accidentally adjusted the Main Layer.

 


In most circumstances, the Main Layer should be specified as the structural layer of the wall, particularly when the wall is a framed type. The Main Layer determines many things, including at intersections, walls join at the interior surfaces of their Main Layers.

ANSWER

If you do not want your walls to move when you adjust the Main Layer of your wall types, you first need to adjust your General Wall Defaults.

 

To adjust change the Default behavior for resizing walls

  1. Select Edit> Default Settings , then click on the plus + sign next to Walls, highlight General Wall and click OK to display the General Wall Defaults.


  2. Under Resize About, move the radio button to Outer Surface, then click OK.



    These radio buttons determine what part of a wall retains its position when its wall type or wall type definition is changed.

    The Resize About location is also where any snap points will be located along a wall as it is drawn or connected to other walls, and is where a wall's length is measured.


  3. Now you can go in to your Wall Type Definitions dialog and modify the Main Layer for your wall types without it moving the outside surface of the walls.

 


To restore the Main Layer

  1. Select one of the walls where the wall connection doesn't look correct, and click on the Open Object edit button.


  2. Go to the Wall Types tab, and click on the Define button.


  3. In the Wall Type Definitions dialog, move the Main Layer radio button back to the correct location, then click OK.



    Recall that typically the Main Layer should be the Framing layer, often the thickest layer in your wall type.


  4. Click OK again in the Wall Specification dialog, verify that the wall connections for this wall type now display correctly.




  5. Repeat this process for any other wall types in your plan that you may have inadvertently incorrectly set the Main Layer.

 

Last updated on: Feb 11, 2013

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