File> New Plan

Ctrl + N

Create a new plan file. See "Creating a New Plan".

File> New Layout

Create a new layout file. See "Creating a Layout File".

File> Open Plan...

Open an existing plan file. See "Opening a Plan or Layout File".

File> Open Layout...

Open an existing layout file. See "Opening a Plan or Layout File".

File> Templates> New Plan From Template

File> Templates> New Layout From Template

File> Templates> Save Plan As Template

File> Search For Plans...

File> Manage Auto Archives...

Opens Windows Explorer to the archives folder for the current plan. See "Auto Archive".

File> Startup Options...

Opens the Startup Options dialog. See "Startup Options".

File> Close

N/A

Ctrl + W

or F4

Close the current view. If you close a plan or layout, you will be prompted to save any changes you have made. See "Closing Plans and Views".

File> Close All

N/A

Close all windows. If you have made any changes to the file, you will be prompted to save them. See "Closing Plans and Views".

File> Save

Save the current plan or layout file. See "Saving a Plan or Layout File".

File> Save As...

Save the current plan or layout file, and assign file and path names. See "Save and Save As".

File> Save Plan Thumbnail

Save the current view as a thumbnail for the plan, which displays in the Open Plan File dialog. See "Saving a Plan Thumbnail".

File> Export> Entire Plan...

Export all plan files and external referenced files to an empty folder. See "Exporting an Entire Plan".

File> Export> Current View (DWG, DXF)...

Exports a 2D DXF file of the current floor plan view. See "Exporting 2D DXF/DWG Files".

Exports a 2D DXF file which includes all floors in floor plan view. Items of different types or on different floors are placed on distinct layers. See "Exporting 2D DXF/DWG Files".

Only available from a 3D view. Exports the entire model as a 3D DWG/DXF. See "Exporting a 3D Model in DXF/DWG Format".

Only available from a 3D view. Exports the model as a 3DS. See "Exporting a 3D Model in 3DS Format".

Only available from a vector or render view. Export the entire model in a .wrl file format which allows you to creat real time walkthroughs using a VRML plug-in or import into other graphics programs. See "Creating VRML Files".

Exports the entire model as a POV-Ray compatible file which can then be imported into POV Ray. See "Raytracing".

Export a Windows Metafile of the current view. See "Metafiles".

Export any view as a picture file. See "Exporting Picture Files".

Export the set of multi-layer wall definitions from the current plan so they can be imported into another. See "Exporting Wall Definitions".

Export a defined layer set from the current plan so it can be imported into another. See "Exporting/Importing Layer Sets".

File> Import> Drawing (DWG, DXF)...

Import a 2D DXF file as CAD data. See "Importing 2D DXF/DWG Files".

Import a picture file (.bmp, .jpg, .png,*.gif, *.tif, or *.pcx) into a floor plan view; layout; or cross section/elevation view. See "Importing Picture Files".

Import a Metafile (.emf) into a floor plan view, layout, or cross section/elevation view. See "Importing Picture Files".

Import a graphics file into the My Backdrops folder of the Library Browser. See "Adding Backdrops to the Library".

Import a file containing wall type definitions from a different plan and merge them with the current plan's wall type definitions. See "Importing Wall Definitions".

Import line style definitions from another plan and merge them with the current plan's line syle definitions. See "Line Styles".

Import a defined layer set from another plan file. See "Exporting/Importing Layer Sets".

Import terrain data from a text file in a variety of formats. See "Importing Terrain Data".

File> Print> Page Setup...

Open the Page Setup dialog to assign properties to the printed page. See "Page Setup Dialog".

File> Print> Scale to Fit

Adjust the drawing scale to fit the drawing sheet. See "Printing to Scale".

File> Print> Center Sheet

Center the drawing sheet relative to the model. See "Center Sheet".

File> Print> Print Preview

Turn the display of the print preview on or off. See "Print Preview".

File> Print> Print...

Open the Print dialog to print your plan or layout file. See "The Printing Tools".

Print the current view as an image. Used to print a render view or a 3D view showing images, such as trees. See "Print Image Dialog".

Opens the Print Model dialog allowing you to print plan templates for making a model of your plan. See "Print Model".

File> Print> Customize Sheet Sizes...

N/A

Open the Customize Sheet Sizes dialog to select a sheet size. See "Creating Custom Sheet Sizes".

File> Print> Clear Printer Info

N/A

Clear the printer information associated with the current page setup. See "Clearing Printer Information".

Send the current view to an open Layout file. See "Sending Views to Layout".

File> Exit

N/A

Exit from Home Designer Pro. See "Exiting Chief Architect".

Names of Plans Most Recently Opened

N/A

Only available after opening a plan. The number of plans that display in the list can be set. See "General Panel".

Edit> Undo

Ctrl + Z

Allows multiple undos of plan changes depending on your settings in the Preferences dialog. See "General Panel".

Edit> Redo

Ctrl + Y

Redo the last Undo performed. See "General Panel".

Edit> Cut

Ctrl + X

Delete the selected item and copy it to the clipboard so it can be pasted elsewhere.

Edit> Copy

Ctrl + C

Copy the selected item to the clipboard so it can be pasted elsewhere. The original item is left unchanged. See "Copying and Pasting Objects".

Edit> Copy Region as Picture

Lets you select a region to be saved as a Windows metafile. You also specify the size of the file. See "Metafiles".

Edit> Paste> Paste

Ctrl + V

Paste the last item cut or copied. See "Copying and Pasting Objects".

Edit> Paste> Paste Hold Position

Ctrl + Alt + V

Paste the last item cut or copied to the same position on the screen. See "Copying and Pasting Objects".

Edit > Paste> Paste Special

Shift + Alt + V

Pastes the last item cut or copied to the clipboard, provded it is a file type Chief Architect recognizes. See "Copying and Pasting Objects".

Edit> Delete

Delete

Delete the selected object. See "Deleting Objects".

Edit> Delete Objects...

Ctrl + Spacebar

Opens a dialog that allows you to delete items of a particular type in a single room, all rooms, or throughout a whole plan. See "Delete Objects Dialog".

Edit> Select Objects

Spacebar

Activate the tool for selecting objects. See "Selecting Objects".

Edit> Select All

N/A

Ctrl + A

Selects the entire plan.

Edit> Snap Settings> Object Snaps

Shift + F11

Toggles Object Snaps on and off. See "Object Snaps".

Edit> Snap Settings> Angle Snaps

F10

Toggles Angle Snaps on and off. See "Angle Snaps".

Edit> Snap Settings> Grid Snaps

Ctrl + F9

Toggle Grid Snaps on and off. See "Grid Snaps".

Edit> Snap Settings> Bumping/Pushing

Offers easy access to the Bumping/Pushing setting in the Preferences dialog. See "Snap Properties Panel".

Edit> Snap Settings> Endpoint

Enables snapping to the ends of lines, arcs, splines, and other objects. See "Snap Properties Panel".

Edit> Snap Settings> Midpoint

Enables snapping to the midpoint of an object, such as a line or arc. For objects such as boxes, you can snap to the midpoint of any side. See "Snap Properties Panel".

Edit> Snap Settings> Center

Enables snapping to the center of cabinets, fixtures, furniture, as wellas circles and arcs. See "Snap Properties Panel".

Edit> Snap Settings> Quadrant

Enables snapping to the left, right, top, or bottom of an arc or circle. See "Snap Properties Panel".

Edit> Snap Settings> On Object

Enables snapping to any point on the selected object, including CAD obnjects and cabinets. See "Snap Properties Panel".

Edit> Snap Settings> Points/Markers

Allows you to snap to any temporary points you have placed, as well as callouts and markers. See "Snap Properties Panel".

Edit> Snap Settings> Intersections

Enables snapping to the intersection of two objects such as lines. Also snaps extension lines to objects or two extension lines to each other. See "Snap Properties Panel".

Edit> Snap Settings> Tangent Extensions

Enables snapping to a point tangent to the objects where the extension anchor sits. See "Snap Properties Panel".

Edit> Snap Settings> Perpendicular Extensions

Enables snapping to a point perpendicular to the object where the extension anchor sits. See "Snap Properties Panel".

Edit> Snap Settings> Orthogonal Extensions

Enables snappiong to a point on a 90-degree axis from the extension anchor. See "Snap Properties Panel".

Edit> Edit Behaviors> Default

Alt + Z or Alt + /

Toggles the default edit mode on and off. See "Edit Behaviors".

Edit> Edit Behaviors> Alternate

Alt or right mouse button

Toggles to alternate editing mode. See "Edit Behaviors".

Edit> Edit Behaviors> Move

Z, /, or middle mouse button

Toggles to Move edit mode. See "Edit Behaviors".

Edit> Edit Behaviors> Resize

X, comma (,), or X2 mouse button

Toggles to Resize edit mode. See"Edit Behaviors".

Edit> Edit Behaviors> Concentric

C, period (.), or X1 mouse button

Togglers to Concentric edit mode. See "Edit Behaviors".

Edit> Edit Behaviors> Fillet

F

Toggles to Fillet edit mode. See "Edit Behaviors".

Edit> Edit Behaviors> Edit Object Parts

Shift + F8

Toggles Edit Object Parts on and off. See "Edit Object Parts".

Edit> Edit Behaviors> Rotate/Resize About Current Point

Activates the Rotate/Resize About Current Point edit tool. See "Rotate/Resize About".

Edit > Arc Creation Modes> Free Form Arc

Draw an arc by clicking at the start point, dragging to create the arc, and clicking again at the end point. See "Arc Tools".

Edit > Arc Creation Modes> Center/Radius/End Arc

Draw an arc by clicking at the center of the arc, dragging to define the length and radius, then clicking at the end. See "Center/Radius/End Arc".

Edit > Arc Creation Modes> Start/End/On Arc

Draw an arc by dragging from the start point to the end point of the arc, then move the mouse to adjust the curvature. See "Start/End/On Arc".

Edit > Arc Creation Modes> Start/ Tangent/ End Arc

Draw an arc by clicking at the start point, thendragging to define the arc tangent at the start point. See "Start/Tangent/End Arc".

Edit > Arc Creation Modes> Arc About Center

Draw an arc by defining the center and then the end points. See "Arc About Center".

Edit> Edit Area> Edit Area

Ctrl + H

Select all objects within an area to copy them or Move the entire area by dragging it to a new location. See "Edit Area".

Edit> Edit Area> Edit Area Visible

Select all visible objects within an area to copy them or Move the entire area by dragging it to a new location. See "Edit Area".

Edit> Edit Area> Edit Area (All Floors)

Group selection tool that allows you to Move or Copy all floors of an entire area.. See "Edit Area (All Floors)".

Edit> Edit Area> Edit Area (All Floors) Visible

Group selection tool that allows you to Move or Copy visible objects on all floors from an entire area. See "Edit Area (All Floors)".

Edit> Default Settings...

Set general parameters for objects and tools used in a plan. See "Plan Defaults".

Edit> Reset to Defaults...

N/A

Reset a part or all of the plan to the defaults for roof information, floor and ceiling heights, and wall heights. See "Reset to Defaults".

Edit> Preferences...

Shift + ~

Define the global preferences for Chief Architect. Some of these settings are unique to individual plans. See "Preferences Dialog".

Build> Wall> Straight Exterior Wall

Shift + Q

Draw straight walls using the Exterior wall type as defined in the Wall Defaults dialog. See "Exterior Walls".

Build> Wall> Curved Exterior Wall

Draw a straight wall of the Exterior wall type defined in the Wall Defaults dialog. See "Exterior Walls".

Build> Wall> Straight Interior Wall

Draw walls using the Interior wall type as defined in the Wall Defaults dialog. See "Interior Walls".

Build> Wall> Curved Interior Wall

Draw a curved interior wall of the type defined in the Wall Defaults dialog. See "Interior Walls".

Build> Wall> Straight Foundation Wall

Draw straight foundation walls using the settings from the Foundation Defaults dialog. See "Foundation Walls".

Build> Wall> Curved Foundation Wall

Draw curved foundation wall using the settings from the Foundation Defaults dialog. See "Foundation Walls".

Build> Wall> Straight Pony Wall

Draw pony walls using the settings from the Pony Wall Defaults dialog. See "Pony Walls".

Build> Wall> Curved Pony Wall

Draw a curved pony wall as defined in the Pony Wall Defaults dialog. See "Pony Walls".

Build> Wall> Straight Railing

Ctrl + Q

Draw railings as defined in the Default Railing dialog. See "Railings".

Build> Wall> Curved Railing

Draw a curved as defined in the Default Railing dialog. See "Railings".

Build> Wall> Invisible Wall

Draw an Invisible wall to define room areas. See "Invisible Walls".

Build> Wall> Polygon Shaped Room...

Open the New Regular Polygon Shaped Room dialog and define the specifications for a regular polygonal room. See "Polygon Shaped Rooms and Decks".

Build> Wall> Hatch Wall

Fill a wall with a hatch pattern. See "Hatch Wall".

Build> Wall> Break Wall

Ctrl + B

Break a wall into two sections. See "Break Wall".

Build> Wall> Fix Wall Connections

Connect walls whose ends are within a few inches of each other but are not connected. See "Fix Wall Connections".

Build> Wall> Define Wall Types

Open the Wall Type Definitions dialog to create or modify available wall types. See "Wall Type Definitions".

Build> Decks> Straight Deck Railing

Draw a deck defined by straight railings. See "Deck Railing".

Build> Decks> Curved Deck Railing

Draw curved deck railing. See "Deck Railing".

Build> Decks> Straight Deck Edge

Draw a deck edge with no railing. See "Deck Edge".

Build> Decks> Curved Deck Edge

Draw a curved deck edge with no railing. See "Deck Edge".

Build Decks> Polygon Shaped Deck...

Open the New Regular Polygon Shaped Deck dialog and define the specifications for a regular polygonal deck. See "Polygon Shaped Rooms and Decks".

Build> Fencing> Straight Fencing

Draw a straight fence. See "The Fencing Tools".

Build> Fencing> Curved Fencing

Draw curved fencing. See "The Fencing Tools".

Build> Door> Hinged Door

Shift + E

Place a hinged door into a wall. See "Hinged Doors".

Build> Door> Doorway

Place a doorway into a wall. See "Doorways".

Build> Door> Sliding Door

Place a sliding door into a wall. See "Sliding Doors".

Build> Door> Pocket Door

Place a pocket door into a wall. See "Pocket Doors".

Build> Door> Bifold Door

Place a bifold door into a wall. See "Bifold Doors".

Build> Door> Garage Door

Place a garage door into a wall. See "Garage Doors".

Build> Window> Window

Shift + W

Place a window as defined in the Window Defaults dialog. See "Standard Windows".

Build> Window> Bay Window

Place a bay window into a wall. See "Bay Windows".

Build> Window> Box Window

Place a box window into a wall. See "Box Windows".

Build> Window> Bow Window

Place a bow window into a wall. See "Bow Windows".

Build> Floor> Build New Floor...

Shift + X

Create a new floor in your plan. See "Adding Floors".

Build> Floor> Insert New Floor...

Insert a new floor at the current floor and move all other floors up one level. See "Adding Floors".

Build> Floor> Delete Current Floor

Delete the current floor. The floor above moves down to take the place of the current floor. See "Deleting Floors".

Build> Floor> Exchange with Floor Above

Exchange the current floor with the one above it. See "Adding Floors".

Build> Floor> Exchange with Floor Below

Exchange the current floor with the one below it. See "Adding Floors".

Build> Floor> Build Foundation...

Shift + F

Create a foundation level. See "Building a Foundation".

Build> Floor> Delete Foundation

Delete the current foundation. See "Deleting Foundations".

Build> Floor> Rebuild Walls/ Floors/Ceilings

F12

Update the 3D model to include recent changes. See "Automatic Rebuild of Floors & Ceilings"

Build> Floor> Rebuild Slabs

Rebuild a monolithic slab foundation based on the current first floor footprint. See "Rebuilding Monolithic Slab Foundations".

Build> Roof> Build Roof...

Ctrl + R

Specify settings for automatic roof generation in the Build Roof dialog. See "Build Roof Dialog".

Build> Roof> Roof Plane

Q

Manually place roof planes in floor plan view. See "Roof Plane".

Build> Roof> Ceiling Plane

Manually place ceiling planes in floor plan view. See "Ceiling Plane".

Build> Roof> Truss Base

Define a truss base on a roof plane. See "Truss Base".

Build> Roof> Gable/Roof Line

Draw a gable roof in floor plan view. See "Gable/Roof Line".

Build> Roof> Skylight

Create a closed polyline within a roof plane that will be defined as a skylight. See "Skylights".

Build> Roof> Auto Floating Dormer

Place a floating dormer onto a roof plane. See "Auto Floating Dormer".

Build> Roof> Auto Dormer

Place an auto dormer onto a roof plane. See "Auto Dormer".

Build> Roof> Delete Roof Planes

Delete all roof planes. See "Delete Roof Planes".

Build> Roof> Delete Ceiling Planes

N/A

Delete all ceiling planes. See "Ceiling Planes".

Build> Roof> Fix Roofs

Mend all broken roof edges. See "Fix Roofs".

Build> Structure> Round Pier

Place round piers under foundation walls. See "Piers & Pads".

Build> Structure> Square Pad

Place a square pad under foundation walls. See "Piers & Pads".

Build> Structure> Slab

Draw a slab at grade in floor plan view. See "Slabs".

Build> Structure> Slab with Footing

Draw a slab with thickened footings in floor plan view. See "Slabs".

Build> Structure> Slab Hole

Draw a rectangular polyline within a slab to create a hole. See "Slab Holes".

Build> Structure> Slab Hole with Footing

Draw a rectangular polyline within a slab with footings to create a hole with footings. See "Slab Holes".

Build> Structure> Platform Hole

Draw a rectangular polyline to place a hole in the above ceiling/floor platform. See "Platform Holes".

Build> Framing> Build Framing...

Ctrl + Shift + S

Display Build Framing dialog to define framing specifications. See "Build Framing Dialog".

Build> Framing> Rafter

Manually draw a rafter. See "Rafter".

Build> Framing> Roof Blocking

Manually draw roof blocking. See "Joist and Roof Blocking".

Build> Framing> Roof Truss

Manually draw a truss. See "Roof Truss".

Build> Framing> Roof Beam

Draw a beam in floor plan view. See "Roof Beam".

Build> Framing> Joist

Manually draw a ceiling or floor joist, depending on the platform it is drawn over. See "Joist".

Build> Framing> Joist Blocking

Draw joist blocking. See "Joist and Roof Blocking".

Build> Framing> Floor/Ceiling Truss

Manually draw a floor truss. See "Floor/Ceiling Truss".

Build> Framing> Floor/Ceiling Beam

Manually draw a floor or ceiling beam. See "Floor/Ceiling Beam".

Build> Framing> Post

Manually draw a post. See "Post".

Build> Framing> Framing Reference Marker

Place a framing reference marker in a plan. See "Framing Reference Markers".

Build> Framing> Bearing Line

Draw a line defining bearing areas for automatic framing to break joists. See "Bearing Lines".

Build> Framing> Joist Direction

Draw a line defining joist direction for automatic floor or ceiling framing generation. See "Joist Direction Lines".

Build> Trim> Corner Boards

Click in floor plan view to place corner boards. See "Corner Boards".

Build> Trim> Quoins

Click in floor plan view to place quoins. See "Quoins".

Build> Trim> Molding Polyline

Draw a molding polyline. See "Layer Tab".

Build> Trim> Molding Line

Draw a molding line. See "Layer Tab".

Build> Trim> 3D Molding Polyline

Draw a 3D modling polyline. See "Layer Tab".

Build> Trim> 3D Molding Line

Draw a 3D modling line. See "Layer Tab".

Build> Stairs> Straight Stairs

Shift + Y

Drag to create an UP stair. Hold the Alt key and drag to create a DOWN stair. See "Stair Tools".

Build> Stairs> Click Stairs

Build a set of stairs with a single mouse click. See "Click Stairs".

Build> Stairs> Curve to Left

Place stairs that curve to the left. See "Stair Tools".

Build> Stairs> Curve to Right

Place stairs that curve to the right. See "Stair Tools".

Build> Cabinet> Base Cabinet

Shift + T

Place a base cabinet as defined in the Base Cabinet Defaults dialog. See "Base Cabinets".

Build> Cabinet> Wall Cabinet

Ctrl + T

Place a wall cabinet as defined in the Wall Cabinet Defaults dialog. See "Wall Cabinets".

Build> Cabinet> Full Height

Place a full height or pantry cabinet as defined in the Full Height Cabinet Defaults dialog. See "Full Height Cabinets".

Build> Cabinet> Soffit

T

Place a soffit. See "Soffits".

Build> Cabinet> Shelf

Place a shelf used in a closet. See "Shelves".

Build> Cabinet> Partition

Place a vertical partition. See "Partitions".

Build> Cabinet> Custom Countertop

Draw a polyline to create a custom counter top. See "Custom Countertops".

Build> Cabinet> Custom Counter Hole

Draw a polyline to create a hole in a custom counter top. See "Custom Counter Holes".

Build> Fireplace

Create a free-standing or built-in masonry fireplace. See "Fireplaces".

Build> Electrical> 110V Outlet

Place 110V outlets. See "Outlets".

Build> Electrical> 220V Outlet

Place 220V outlets. See "Auto Place Outlets".

Build> Electrical> Light

Place default lights on walls or ceiling as defined in the Electrical Defaults dialog. See "Lights".

Build> Electrical> Switch

Place switches in walls or cabinets as defined in the Electrical Defaults dialog. See "Switches".

Build> Electrical> Auto Place Outlets

Automatically place outlets in room. See "Outlets".

Build> Electrical> Connect Electrical

Connect electrical items into circuits. See  "Connect Electrical".

Build> Primitive> Box

Draw a box that also displays in 3D. See "Primitive Tools".

Build> Primitive> Sphere

Draw a circle that is a sphere in 3D. See "Primitive Tools".

Build> Primitive> Cylinder