Obtaining Library Content

The information in this article applies to:

QUESTION

My Library Browser is empty, or appears to be missing important content. How can I easily obtain this library content to use in my designs? 

ANSWER

If your Library Browser is empty, then you have not yet downloaded the core catalogs. While the program will prompt you the first time you launch it to download and install this core content, you can choose to restart this process at any time if you did not download it in its entirety.

In addition to the core catalogs, a large variety of bonus and manufacturer content can be downloaded and used in your Chief Architect designs.

To install core content

1. First, launch Chief Architect and create a New Plan .
   
   
   
2. Next, select Library> Install Core Content from the menu.
   
   
   
3. Once all the core catalogs have been successfully installed, an Information message will display advising that "Your Library Catalogs are up to date." Click OK.
   
   
   
   
   Note: If you're unable to download the core catalogs using this method, please visit the "Troubleshooting Library Download Issues" resource located in the Related Articles section below.
   
   

To obtain bonus and manufacturer content using the Chief Architect website

1. Launch your web browser and navigate to: https://www.chiefarchitect.com/.
   
   
   
2. Click on My Account in the top right corner of the webpage.
   
   
   
3. Enter your e-mail address and password, then click SIGN IN.
   
   
   Note: If you cannot remember your password, click on Forgot My Password to reset your password.
   
   
4. Once you have signed in, mouse over the Chief Architect tab at the top and select Catalog Downloads to access the 3D Library webpage.
   
   

   You can also get to the 3D Library webpage from within the software by navigating to Library> Get Additional Content Online from the menu.
   

   • Catalogs with Free next to the download arrow do not require SSA and are free to download.
     
     
   • Catalogs with SSA next to the download arrow require active Support & Software Assurance (SSA) to download.
     
     
     Note: If your Support & Software Assurance is not active, please contact our Sales team .
     
     
     
   • Catalogs with a dollar amount (e.g. $3.99) listed are for Home Designer and Chief Architect users that don't have SSA, but want access to catalogs that are typically only available to SSA users.
     
     
   • Place your mouse cursor over the Info  symbol for a summary of details.
     
     
   • Click on the catalog thumbnail image to go to the full overview of the catalog.
     
     
   • Feel free to Like the catalog if you think it is as described, of good quality, and worth recommending to others.
     
   
   
   
5. To download a bonus or manufacturer catalog, click on the Download Arrow symbol or the Download button.
   
   
   
6. You will be prompted to select a version. Click on the Chief Architect version you want to download the catalog for.
   
   
   
7. Depending on your web browser, you will be prompted to either Open or Save the .calibz file.
   
   

   Some web browsers will automatically download and open a file, and some will automatically save the file to your computer.
   
   If you're unsure where the downloaded library file may have gone, check the Downloads folder on your system.
   

   
   
8. If you chose to Open the file, it should start the download and import process into Chief Architect automatically.
   
   
   Note: If the catalog fails to import into the program automatically, please follow the steps in the "Associating Plan, Layout, and Library Files with the Latest Version of Chief Architect or Home Designer" resource located in the Related Articles section below. Once you have followed the steps in the article, repeat Steps 5 - 7 above.
   
   If you chose to Save the file, then you will need to import the library manually. Select Library> Import Library from within the Chief Architect software and then browse to where you saved the .calibz file. Typically, this will be your Downloads folder on your system. Select the .calibz file, choose Open, and the library will then be imported into your Library Browser. If you choose to use this process to import libraries, you can group select multiple .calibz files on your system and import them all at once.
   
   
   
9. Once one or more libraries have been imported, an Information message will display advising that "The Library Import has completed successfully..." followed by the number of items that have been imported. Click OK.