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3D Home Architect 5
FAQs - Downloads - System Requirements
 		 3D Home Architect 5
 
 
 

Create, Expand or Remodel Your Dream House

Floor Plans • Plumbing Fixtures • Electrical Fixtures • Automatic Roof Creation • Furnishings • Colors & Textures • Doors • Windows • Floors • Cabinets • Stairs & Railings • Foundations • And much more!

 
 
FAQs
bulletAdding a Basic Roof
bullet Upgrade 3D Home Architect® 5 Deluxe to Professional SE
bullet Reinstall 3D Home Architect® 5 Professional SE from 5 Deluxe
bullet Quick-Start Guide for 3D Home Architect® 5.0
bullet Import Design Plans from Previous Versions
bullet Opening Building Element and Fixture Catalogs
bullet Register 3D Home Architect® 5 for a Free Offer
bullet Downloading Additional Building Element and Fixture Catalogs
bullet Changing Textures, Patterns and Colors
bullet Displaying and Hiding the Panels, Tools and Toolbars
bulletPrinting to a Plotter
bullet Unable to Select an Element in the Design
bulletUser Guide Download
bulletCD-Read Issue
bullet HomeStyles® 1500 Best-Selling Home Plans
bullet Error-1608: Unable to Create InstallDriver Instance
bullet Uninstalling 3D Home Architect® 5.0
bullet Adding a Wall under the Stairs
bullet Exception 10H in Module OPENGL.DLL
bullet Why Update the Video Card Driver?
bulletCreating French Doors
bulletBuilding Codes (ICBO)
bullet MBuilder Has Encountered a Problem...
bulletAdding Dimension Lines
bulletText Is Distorted
bullet3D Home Architect® 5.0
bullet Commander Is No Longer Accessible
bullet Incompatible Version of the RPC Stub
bullet Creating a Specific Wall Length
bullet Integrate 3D Home Architect® 5.0 and 3D Home Landscape® Designer 5
bullet Drawing Walls to an Exact Length
bullet Reversing the Door Handle on a Refrigerator
bullet Walls Do Not Appear After Drawing Them
bulletAdding a Flat Roof
bullet Help for 3D Home Architect® 5.0
bullet Adding Texture for 3D Objects
bullet Exporting a Plan to be Opened in Other Drafting Programs
bullet Access Violation (Windows® XP)
bullet Upgrade to 3D Home Architect® 5.1
bullet Manually Uninstalling 3D Home Architect® 5.0
bullet Gable Roof Segment Cannot Be Selected
bullet Locating the Sample Plans
bullet 50 Free 3D Objects Order Canceled

 
Issue Adding a Basic Roof
Description  
Solution After completing the exterior walls of your project, you can add a roof either automatically or by choosing the points to specify the area that will be covered by the roof. This technical note describes both procedures. Follow the desired procedure below to add a basic roof to a plan created in 3D Home Architect® 5.0.

Automatically Generate a Roof to Fit the Structure
 
  1. Click Insert from the menu bar and click Roofs.

    NOTE: By default, a 20-degree Shingled Hip Roof is pre-selected. To choose a different style, click one of the other roof styles in the Catalog list (right).

     
  2. Right-click anywhere in the plan area and left-click Insert: Auto Perimeter from the menu that appears.
     
  3. Click once anywhere inside the perimeter of the structure. The roof is automatically generated.
     
  4. Right-click inside the perimeter of the structure and left-click Finish to complete the process.
Define the Roof Area
  1. Click Insert from the menu bar and click Roofs.

    NOTE: By default, a 20-degree Shingled Hip Roof is pre-selected. To choose a different style, click one of the other roof styles in the Catalog list (right).

     
  2. Right-click anywhere in the plan area and left-click Insert: Pick Points.
     
  3. Move the mouse to move the cursor to the starting point of the roof and click once.
     
  4. Using the mouse, move the cursor to the next point and click once.
     
  5. Repeat Step 5 until returning to the starting point. A box will be drawn around the selected area as points are added.
     
  6. When back at the starting point, right-click and left-click Finish to complete the process.
NOTE: The Pick Points insertion method will not work for curved wall segments. For curved walls, use the automatic method described in the first procedure.
 
Issue Upgrade 3D Home Architect® 5 Deluxe to Professional SE
Description  
Solution Owners of 3D Home Architect® 5 Deluxe who have Internet access can upgrade to the Professional SE edition of 3D Home Architect® 5. View the remainder of this technical note for additional information and a step-by-step procedure that describes how to order and install the Professional SE upgrade. Follow the procedure below to upgrade to 3D Home Architect® 5 Professional SE from 3D Home Architect® 5 Deluxe.

NOTE: An Internet connection is required to complete the following procedure.

 

Upgrade to 3D Home Architect® 5 Professional SE
 

  1. Place the 3D Home Architect® 5 Deluxe CD into the CD drive. The 3D Home Architect 5.0 splash screen will open.

    NOTE: The 3D Home Architect® 5 Deluxe CD is required to install the 3D Home Architect® 5 Deluxe to Professional SE Upgrade.

     
  2. Click the Upgrade button. The Internet browser will launch and connect to the 3D Home Architect® 5 Professional SE Upgrade page at the Broderbund website.

     
  3. To place the order and install the Professional SE edition, click either Windows® Download or Add to Cart, located on the right portion of the screen. The Shopping Cart will appear listing any items that were added.
     
  4. Verify that only the item or items to be ordered are listed. If additional items are listed, check the box under Remove: for that line item by clicking once in the empty box. Then click Update Your Cart to apply the changes.

    NOTE: To browse the Broderbund Store for additional products before checking out, click the Continue Shopping button. To check out, continue with Step 5.

     
  5. After verifying that only the desired items are listed in the Shopping Cart, click Proceed to Checkout.
     
  6. If you have previously registered and have setup a user name and password at Broderbund.com or a site within the Broderbund family, enter your email address and password in the proper fields and click Login.

    If this is the first time you have ordered online from Broderbund and you do not have a user name and password, click Continue (which is to the right of New Customer) and complete the registration.

     
  7. If the Shipping Options screen appears, enter the required Shipping information and click Add Address. (Typically, this screen will appear only when an item or items in the Shopping Cart require shipping.)

    NOTE: If no items were selected that require shipping and you entered a user name and password in Step 6, additional items may have been added to the shopping cart under that user name. Complete the Shipping Options and click Add Address. The Shopping Cart will appear and present the option to remove any unwanted items. After verifying that only the desired items have been added, click Proceed to Checkout.

     
  8. When the Payment Options screen appears, enter or verify the name, billing address and credit card information and click Continue Checkout.
     
  9. When the Review & Submit Order screen appears, verify that the order and total are correct and click Submit Your Order.

    NOTE: If the Account Creation screen appears, enter your correct e-mail address, a user name, password and other information in the required fields to create an account and click Continue.

     
  10. When the "Your order has been submitted" screen appears, a receipt can be printed if desired by clicking Print Receipt. (A printer is required to print the receipt.)
     
  11. Minimize the Internet browser by clicking the minimize ( _ ) button at the top-right corner of the browser window.
     
  12. Exit 3D Home Architect® 5 Deluxe and verify that the CD (3D Home Architect® 5 Deluxe) is in the drive.

    NOTE: If the 3D Home Architect® 5 Deluxe CD is not in the drive, 3D Home Architect® 5 will be uninstalled.

     
  13. From the Task bar, click the browser to restore the browser window. The "Your order has been submitted" screen should appear.
     
  14. Click the Begin Installation button for the 3D Home Architect® 5 Professional Upgrade.

    NOTE: A Security Warning dialog box may appear asking if you want to install and run the InstallShield Wizard. Clicking No will cancel the 3D Home Architect® 5 Professional Upgrade installation.

    The InstallShield Wizard is needed to install 3D Home Architect® 5 Professional. Click Yes to continue with the installation.

     
  15. When the 3D Home Architect Professional 5.0 Upgrade–One Click Install window appears, click Install. The InstallShield Wizard window will appear.
     
  16. Click Next. Setup will begin.
     
  17. When the Welcome 3D Home Architect® 5 Professional Upgrade Setup Program window appears, click Next and follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation.
     
  18. When the installation is complete, select the option to restart the computer and click Finish. Windows® will shut down and restart.
     
  19. When the computer restarts, launch and use 3D Home Architect® 5 Professional SE.
 
Issue Reinstall 3D Home Architect® 5 Professional SE from 5 Deluxe
Description  
Solution Reinstall 3D Home Architect® 5 Professional SE from 5 Deluxe Owners of 3D Home Architect® 5 Deluxe who have Internet access can upgrade to the Professional SE edition of 3D Home Architect®. If you have previously purchased the 3D Home Architect® 5 Professional SE Upgrade from 3D Home Architect® 5 Deluxe and the upgrade installation failed or was canceled, or you have since uninstalled the program, view the remainder of this technical note for additional information and a step-by-step procedure that describes how to reinstall the upgrade. Follow the procedure below to reinstall the 3D Home Architect® 5 Professional SE from 5 Deluxe.

Before you begin…
bullet3D Home Architect® 5 Deluxe must be installed.
 
bulletPlace the 3D Home Architect® Deluxe 5 CD into the CD drive.
 
bulletAn Internet connection is required.
 
bulletPrinting this technical note is recommended.

 

Reinstalling the 3D Home Architect® 5 Professional SE from 5 Deluxe
 

  1. Close 3D Home Architect® 5 Deluxe.
     
  2. Click the Login link located at the top of the page.

    Note: If the Login link does not appear, click the My Account link and skip to step 6.

     
  3. In the fields provided on the left side of the page, enter the email address and password for the account.
     
  4. Click the purple Sign in button to sign in. The My Account page will appear.
     
  5. In the page that appears, click the My Downloads link.

    NOTE: The 3D Home Architect® 5 Deluxe CD is required in the CD drive to install the 3D Home Architect® 5 Professional SE. If the CD is not in the drive during this process, the program will be uninstalled.

     
  6. In the My Downloads page that opens, a list of all programs purchased for download (under the user name entered in Step 4) will display. Click the Install Now link that appears to the right of 3D Home Architect® Professional 5.0 SE Download-422.1 KB. 3D Home Architect® Professional 5.0 SE-One Click Install page displays.

    NOTE: If 3D Home Architect® 5.0 Professional SE Download–422.1 KB does not appear in the list of files available for you to download, either the order was placed using another user name or the order did not go through. Try the following: If it is possible that another user name was used to place the order, click the Sign Out link at the top of the My Downloads page to log out. Login under the other user name and repeat Steps 4 and 5.
     
  7. When the 3D Home Architect 5 Professional SE–One Click Install window appears, click Install. The InstallShield Wizard window will appear.
  8. When the 3D Home Architect 5 Professional SE–One Click Install window appears, click Install. The InstallShield Wizard window will appear.
  9. Click Next. Setup will begin.

    NOTE: An Install dialog box may appear stating: "Setup has detected that 3D Home Architect is currently running. Please close the application and then select OK to continue." Exit 3D Home Architect® 5 Deluxe and wait about 60 seconds before clicking OK to continue the Professional SE edition installation.
  10. When the Welcome to 3D Home Architect Professional SE 5 Setup Program window appears, click Next and follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation.
  11. When the installation is complete, select the option to restart the computer and click Finish. Windows® will shut down and restart.
  12. When the computer restarts, launch and use 3D Home Architect® 5 Professional SE.
 
Issue Quick-Start Guide for 3D Home Architect® 5.0
Description  
Solution Descriptions of program features and steps explaining how to use them can be found in 3D Home Architect® 5. Before you begin, investing a small amount of time to become familiar with these features and the new design and "feel" of 3D Home Architect® 5 is recommended. Once you know where to look, you can easily find the answers to many of your questions. The remainder of this technical note identifies where to find important information within the program and provides additional information to help you experience the full potential of 3D Home Architect® 5. The following procedures will help you locate areas within 3D Home Architect® 5.0 that provide answers to your questions and that explain how to use the program.

First Things First: The Tutorials

The quickest way to experience 3D Home Architect® without actually using the program is to view the tutorials. Each tutorial highlights a specific function or design element of the program, helping you to become more familiar with 3D Home Architect® 5.

Complete the following steps to access the tutorial section of 3D Home Architect® 5.
 
  1. Launch 3D Home Architect® 5. The 3D Home Architect® 5.0 splash screen will appear.
     
  2. Click Tutorials, which is located on the left side of the splash screen. The content titles of the Tutorials section will appear.

    NOTE: To view an explanation of each available option shown in the splash screen, position the mouse pointer over the button. (Do not click.) A brief description will appear. (No description will appear for Run.)

     
  3. Click a title to open that tutorial.
NOTE: Some tutorials include animation and sound.

3D Home Architect® 5.0 Help

Typically, items in a Help file include descriptions of program features and steps explaining how to use them. The 3D Home Architect® 5.0 Help content includes a Contents tab, Index tab and Search tab. Specific words and phrases can also be typed into a keyword field to efficiently search the contents.

To open and use the Help file, complete the following steps:
 
  1. Launch 3D Home Architect® 5.
     
  2. Begin a new plan or open an existing plan.
     
  3. At the Workspace, click Help in the menu bar.
     
  4. Select 3D Home Architect Help from the menu that appears.

    NOTE: The question mark (?) icon located in the toolbar can also be used to open the Help file.

     
  5. Search the Help content by keyword or phrases, or scroll through the content using the arrow keys.
     
  6. Click once on an entry to highlight it and click Display. The selection will display in the right portion of the Help for 3D Home Architect® 5.0 window. (Double-clicking the entry will also display the content in the window.)
Toolbars

The toolbars in 3D Home Architect® 5.0 contain the tools required to design a plan. These toolbars can be positioned as desired at the top or bottom of the Workspace. Selected toolbars can remain hidden if desired. To display a toolbar, complete the following steps:
 
  1. Launch 3D Home Architect® 5.0 and click Run in the splash screen. The Setup window will open.
     
  2. Select the desired option and click OK.
     
  3. At the Workspace, click View in the menu bar and select Toolbars. The Options window will open.
     
  4. Click inside the box that appears before each toolbar name to choose the desired toolbar or toolbars to display.
     
  5. Click Apply and click OK to apply the changes and to close the Options window.


Turn the ORTHO Setting Off

The ORTHO setting limits mouse movements to 90-degree angles. This makes it easier to draw walls when creating the perimeter of a home design. However, when objects are added, the ORTHO limitation can make it difficult to move those objects. Turn ORTHO off by double-clicking on it in the Status Bar (located near the bottom-right corner of the window).

Managing the Mouse: When in doubt, right click!

You clicked on the Roof insert tool…. Now what? You’ve selected a door because you want it to open in and not out. How do you do that?

When you’re not sure what step to take next, try clicking your right mouse button. Many actions in the program are accessed in this manner. Insert, Restart, Cancel and Finish are all actions that are accessible when inserting an object. Deselect, Properties, Delete, Stretch, Move, Rotate, Duplicate, Duplicate to Locations, Lengthen, Break, Curve, Flip, Insert Opening and more are options that are accessible for objects already inserted in the plan. The choices that appear in the right-click menu depend on the object or tool selected. You can perform actions on multiple objects at once by pressing and holding the SHIFT key while selecting all the desired objects. These objects can be modified simultaneously, as long as they are all of the same type (e.g., all doors, all windows, etc.).

Locations vs. Floors

Understanding the difference between a location and a floor in 3D Home Architect® 5 will help you while using the program. Use the following guide to help understand the difference between the location and floor.

Location: Refers to the level of the design, such as a basement or lower level, first floor, second floor, attic, etc. When adding a location to a design, the floor (wood or concrete slab) is not inserted, allowing for additional control over the design.

 

Floors: The Insert Floors tool allows you to insert the type of concrete or wood floor desired for a level. The Insert Floors tool also allows for the selection of the desired carpet, tile or linoleum for a specific room or rooms.

Becoming Familiar with the Display Filter

When designing a house with multiple locations (see the previous definition), the option to display (or not display) building elements for all or selected locations is available for each view. Each view for all locations has its own display options. This allows for the viewing of all selected elements in a 3D view that may not be desired in a 2D view and vise versa. The steps below describe how to access and use the Display Filter.
  1. With a design plan open in 3D Home Architect® 5, click the Display Filter icon (resembles a light bulb) located in the view bar typically positioned at the bottom of the window. The Display Filter window will open displaying a list of design elements (Doors, Windows, etc.).

    NOTE: The Display Filter can also be accessed by clicking View from the menu bar and clicking Display Filter.

     
  2. Each design element includes a light bulb icon before it. Turn the light bulb on to display a design element and off to prevent a design element from displaying for all locations or a specific location.

To prevent a design element from displaying for all locations, click once on the yellow light bulb that appears to the left of that design element. The color of the light bulb will change to white and should appear turned off.

NOTE: Click once on that light bulb again to turn it on.

 

To prevent a design element from displaying for a specific location only, complete the following:

  1. Click the plus sign (+) that appears to the left of that design element to expand the list of locations for a design.
     
  2. For each location that is not to display the design element, click once on the yellow light bulb that appears to the left of that location. The color of the light bulb will change to white and should appear turned off. (Click once on that light bulb again to turn it on.)

Click the All On or All Off button to turn on or off all of the Building Elements or Annotation Elements for all locations.
 

To display the building elements for the current location only, click once in the empty box next to Current Location Only to check it.

NOTE: Click once on the checkmark in the Current Location Only box to remove the checkmark. This will turn on the building elements that were not individually turned off for all locations.

  1. After selecting which building elements to view for all locations, click OK. All elements for each location that were turned off will not be displayed in the current view.
Modifying Building Elements, Fixtures and Objects: The Power is in the Properties

3D Home Architect 5.0 offers unprecedented control over every detail of a home design. Most of this control is accessed through the building element, fixture or object's Properties pages. To see Properties for any building element, fixture or object, including walls, windows, and doors, double-click on it, or left-click to select the object and right-click to select Properties. In the Properties pages, you can adjust the type, dimensions and layout of most objects. You can also add trim, apply colors, textures, and patterns, and enter manufacturer and price information.
 
Issue Import Design Plans from Previous Versions
Description  
Solution After creating designs using previous versions of 3D Home Architect®, you want to know if those plans can be imported into 3D Home Architect® 5.0. View the remainder of this technical note for more information. With the changes in 3D Home Architect® 5.0 and the addition of new features, design plans created in 3D Home Architect® versions 4 and earlier cannot be imported into 3D Home Architect® 5.0.
 
Issue Opening Building Element and Fixture Catalogs
Description  
Solution The 3D Home Architect® 5 in-program Master catalog includes an extensive library of building elements and fixtures. (Catalogs can be purchased and downloaded from Broderbund.com or created by the user.) The information in this technical note describes how to open a catalog and switch between catalogs. Follow the procedures below as needed to switch to a different catalog or open a new catalog.

Opening a Catalog
 
  1. Launch 3D Home Architect® 5 and open or start a design project.
     
  2. In the Catalog panel (right pane), click the Catalog Management button (which resembles an open book).
     
  3. From the menu that appears, click Open Catalog. The Open dialog box will appear.
     
  4. Navigate to the drive and directory where the catalog to be opened exists. (Typical location is in the C:\Program Files\Broderbund\3D Home Architect 5.0\Catalogs folder.)
     
  5. Click once on the desired catalog (e.g., Bonus Catalog.bdb, Outdoor Objects.bdb, etc.) to select it.

    3D Home Architect® 5.0 Outdoor Objects (Outdoor Objects.bdb) can be purchased and downloaded.

     
  6. Click Open. The catalog selected in Step 5 will open.

    NOTE: Only the building elements and fixtures for the Insert Tool that is currently selected will be displayed. For example, the Bonus Catalog includes 50 3D objects that will be displayed when the Floors or the Furnishings Insert Tools are selected.
Switching Between Catalogs

When multiple catalogs are opened, switching between the different catalogs to use the various building elements and fixtures is possible. The procedure is described below.
 
  1. Open a design project in 3D Home Architect® 5.
     
  2. In the Catalog panel (right pane), click the down arrow button that appears to the right of the current catalog (e.g., Master Catalog). A list of available catalogs will appear.
     
  3. Click once on a catalog to view. A list of the building elements and fixtures in the selected catalog will open in the Catalog panel.
 
Issue Register 3D Home Architect® 5 for a Free Offer
Description  
Solution After completing the product registration, there is no option available to download the free product mentioned during the registration process. The free download offer mentioned during the registration process has expired. This download offer has been replaced by an offer for free shipping and handling on your next Broderbund.com order. Consult the following for additional information. Receive FREE Shipping and Handling

Broderbund.com is your source on the Web for incredible software at affordable prices. Now, you can enjoy even more savings when you get FREE shipping with your next online order from Broderbund.com.

Note: A promotion code is displayed at the end of the registration process to allow you to take advantage of this money-saving offer. Write down the promotion code that is presented or print the page with the promotion code then complete the steps that follow.

 
  1. Locate the titles you would like to purchase and add them to your cart.
     
  2. Progress through the checkout process by following the onscreen instructions.
     
  3. At Step 3, enter your special promotion code into the promotion code box.
     
  4. Click the Continue button and follow the onscreen instructions to complete your order.
 
Issue Downloading Additional Building Element and Fixture Catalogs
Description  
Solution Additional building element and fixture catalogs can be purchased and are available for download. If you have purchased additional catalogs or registered 3D Home Architect® 5 for the free bonus catalog, the information in this technical note describes how to download your purchased or bonus catalog or catalogs. The technical note also describes how to re-download a catalog that has been deleted. Follow the procedure below to download your purchased or bonus catalog for 3D Home Architect® 5.

 

Download Additional Catalogs for 3D Home Architect® 5
 

  1. Close all open programs, including 3D Home Architect® 5.
     
  2. Click the Login link located at the top of the page.

    Note: If the login link does not appear, click the My Account link and skip to Step 6.

     
  3. In the fields provided on the left side of the page, enter the email address and password for the account.
     
  4. Click the purple Sign In button to sign in. The My Account page will appear.
     
  5. Click the My Downloads link located on the left side of the page.
     
  6. Click the Install Now or Download Now link next to the desired download.
     
  7. In the My Downloads page that opens, a list of all programs purchased or registered for download (under the Broderbund.com user name currently logged in) will display. To begin the download, click the Begin Installation button that appears to the right of the desired 3D Home Architect® 5 catalog name (e.g., 3d Home Arch 5.0 Objects). 3D Home Architect Catalog-One Click Install page will appear.

    Note: If no 3D Home Architect® 5 catalogs (or downloads) appear in the list of files available for download, either the order was placed using another user name or the order did not go through. Try the following suggestions:
  1. If it is possible that another Broderbund.com user name was used to place the order (or to register 3D Home Architect® 5 for the bonus catalog), click the Log Out link at the top of the My Downloads page to log out. Login under the other user name and repeat Steps 1-8.

     
  2. If the Internet connection was interrupted when placing the order or when registering 3D Home Architect® 5 for the bonus catalog before the catalog was downloaded, and you do not have another Broderbund.com User Name, it is likely that the order or registration did not go through.
  1. When the 3D Home Architect Catalog-One Click Install page appears, click Install. The InstallShield Wizard window will appear.
     
  2. Click Next. Setup will begin.
     
  3. When the Welcome window opens, click Next and follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation.

    Note: If a message appears stating the program failed to detect 3D Home Architect® 5 on the system, click NO. 3D Home Architect® 5 must be installed before any building element and fixture catalogs can be installed.

     
  4. When the installation is complete, click Finish.
 
Issue Changing Textures, Patterns and Colors
Description  
Solution To allow additional control as you create a design, 3D Home Architect® 5 features the option to change the texture, pattern and color of building elements and fixtures. The remainder of this technical note describes changing the texture, pattern and color of building elements and fixtures. The information below describes one way to change the texture, pattern and color of building elements and fixtures using as examples items included in the Master Catalog. Use the following guide when changing the texture, pattern and color of any building element or fixture.

Changing the Texture, Pattern and Color of a Building Element or Fixture
 
  1. Open a current project or start a new project in 3D Home Architect® 5.
     
  2. Click the desired Insert tool (e.g., walls, floors, furnishings, etc.) from the Inset bar (typically located on the left). The types or fixtures of the selected element that are available in the current catalog will appear on the right in the Catalog panel.

    NOTE: The Insert tools can also be activated from the Insert menu.

     
  3. Verify that the Master Catalog is selected and visible in the Catalog panel.

    NOTE: If the Master Catalog is not selected, complete the following steps:
  1. Click the down arrow button that appears to the right of the current catalog.
     
  2. From the menu that appears, click Master Catalog Deluxe (3D Home Architect® Deluxe 5) or Master Catalog Pro (3D Home Architect® Professional 5).
     
  3. Continue with Step 4.
  1. Double-click the desired fixture (e.g., Sofa Style 1) or building element (e.g., 4" General Wall) to edit. A window for the selected element will open.
     
  2. Click the Appearance tab. The current texture, pattern and color for the selected component will appear.

    For Example: For a 4" General Wall, 2D Footprint, Exterior Side may appear. For Sofa Style 1, Frame, Cushion, etc. will appear.

     
  3. To change the texture, pattern or color of a component, locate the desired item under Components and click that component once.
     
  4. Click Edit. The Materials window will open.

Click the Texture tab to change the texture of the selected building element or fixture component (e.g., Cushion for Sofa Style 1).
 

Click the Pattern tab to change the pattern on the selected building element or fixture component (e.g., Exterior Side for 4" General Wall).
 

Click the Color tab to change the color of the selected building element or fixture component.

NOTE: Under the Color tab, the surface and pattern colors can be changed separately.

The available textures, patterns and colors will appear on the left of the Edit Materials window.
  1. Locate the desired texture, pattern or color from the available list and click it once to select it.

    NOTE: Click the Load button to define a custom color or import another pattern or texture that is not listed.

     
  2. After selecting the desired texture, pattern and color for the component selected in Step 6, click OK.

    NOTE: To change the texture, pattern or color for another component of the selected design element or fixture, repeat Steps 6-9.

     
  3. When finished changing the texture, pattern or color for all desired components, click OK to close the edit window of the selected building element or fixture.
     
  4. Insert the edited building element or fixture into the plan as desired.

 
IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT THE MASTER CATALOG


Definitions
bulletMaster Catalog: The catalog installed with the program. All elements and fixtures used to create a plan are stored and maintained in the Master Catalog.
 
bulletCurrent Model: This catalog is created when a plan is created. A Current Model contains all of the elements and fixtures that were used for a specific plan. A Current Model catalog opens whenever a plan is opened.

In many instances, after working in 3D Home Architect® 5 and upon closing the program, the following message will appear: 'Catalog "C:\Program Files\Broderbund\3S Home Architect 5.0\Catalogs\Master Catalog [Deluxe or Pro].bdb" has been modified. Do you wish to save your changes?'

Clicking No is strongly recommended. The following explains why.

After an edited building element or fixture is added to a current plan, it is also added to that plan's catalog (Current Model). The Current Model catalog is saved with its plan. Building elements and fixtures in the Current Model catalog can be used later for that same plan without the need to edit the texture, pattern and color for that item. Building elements and fixtures saved in the current plan's catalog (Current Model) cannot be accessed in other plans.

Clicking Yes to save changes to the Master Catalog, which is the original catalog, will modify that catalog to include changes made to any element or fixture. As a result, the edited building elements or fixtures will be available for use in other plans. However, the original textures, patterns and colors that where changed for any edited building elements or fixtures will be lost.

To preserve the original content of the Master Catalog upon closing the 3D Home Architect® 5, click No when the following message is received: asked: 'Catalog "C:\Program Files\Broderbund\3S Home Architect 5.0\Catalogs\Master Catalog [Deluxe or Pro].bdb" has been modified. Do you wish to save your changes?'
 
Issue Displaying and Hiding the Panels, Tools and Toolbars
Description  
Solution In 3D Home Architect® 5, you can customize the workspace by displaying or hiding the panels, tools and toolbars. The 3D Home Architect® 5 toolbars can also be positioned and repositioned around the workspace. View the remainder of this technical note for more information about the 3D Home Architect® 5 workspace options. Complete the following procedures as desired.

Workspace Options
 
  1. Open a current project or start a new project in 3D Home Architect® 5.
     
  2. Click Tools from the menu bar and click Options. The Options window will open.
     
  3. Click the Workspace tab. The workspace options that are currently selected will display a check to the left of them.
     
  4. Click once in the empty box to check a desired tool, toolbar or panel option to display that item on the workspace.

    Click once in a checked box to uncheck a tool, toolbar or panel option to prevent that item from displaying on the workspace.
     
  5. After selecting the desired tool, toolbar or panel options, click Apply to apply the new changes. The workspace behind the Options window will change.
     
  6. Click OK to close the Options window.
NOTE: To hide a toolbar, drag the desired toolbar to a new location and click the "X" that appears in the top-left corner of that toolbar.


Tools, Toolbars and Panel Options Described
 
bulletCommander (Tool): The appearance of the Commander varies with the task and how the user has configured the Commander. By default, the Commander appears between the Catalog/View Panel(s) and the design area; however, it can be moved. The Commander is a multi-functional tool in which precise values can be entered when drawing walls or manipulating elements (moving, rotating, curving, breaking, etc.) By default, this tool is not checked.

 
bulletStatus Bar (Tool): The Status bar displays helpful information such as prompts. It also contains a variety of drawing aids (Autoinsert, Grid Snap, etc.) that can be toggled on and off. The Status Bar is located at the bottom of the 3D Home Architect® 5 screen and cannot be moved. By default, this tool is checked.

 
bulletTabbed Panels (Panel Setting): These options are selected by default with the Active box checked. The tabbed panel displays the Catalog and View options in one panel under separate tabs. By default, the tabbed Catalog/View panel is located on the right of the workspace and can be moved. Deselecting the Active box will hide the tabbed Catalog/View Panel.

 
bulletSeparate Panel (Panel Setting): Selecting the Separate Panel setting will allow for the simultaneous viewing of the Catalog and View options without switching between tabs. This setting also allows the user to hide one panel (e.g., View) and show only the other (e.g., Catalog). By default, the Separate Panel setting is not selected.
bulletThe Catalog panel is used for opening and creating catalogs and selecting elements to insert into a design.
 
bulletThe View panel lists any currently saved views (e.g., Plan, Model, Elevation, etc.).
bulletStandard (Toolbar): A group of buttons that allows easy and convenient access to commands such as New, Open, Save, Undo, and Redo, etc. By default, this toolbar is checked and typically located in the upper-left corner of the window (below the menu bar). The Standard toolbar can be moved.

 
bulletView (Toolbar): A group of buttons that allows easy and convenient access to some of the commands from the View menu (i.e., Zoom In, Zoom Out, Orbit, Display Filter, etc.). By default, this toolbar is checked and typically located in the lower-left corner of the window (above the Status bar). The View toolbar can be moved.

 
bulletDisplay (Toolbar): A group of buttons that allows easy and convenient access to some of the commands from the View-Display menu (Shaded View, Textured View, Rendered View, etc.). By default, this toolbar is not checked. When displayed, the Display toolbar can be moved.

 
bulletInsert (Toolbar): A group of buttons that allows easy and convenient access to commands from the Insert menu (Walls, Furnishings, Doors, etc.). By default, this toolbar is checked and typically located on the left side of the workspace. When displayed, the Insert toolbar can be moved.

 
bulletTools (Toolbar): A group of buttons used to change locations and to access other commands from the Tools menu (Options, Materials, etc.). By default, this toolbar is not checked. When displayed, the Tools toolbar can be moved.

 
bulletAnnotate (Toolbar): A group of buttons that allows easy and convenient access the Text and Dimensions commands from the Annotate menu. By default, this toolbar is not checked. When displayed, the Annotate toolbar can be moved.

 
bulletQuantity (Toolbar): A group of buttons that allows easy and convenient access the Generate Report and View Report commands from the Quantity menu. By default, this toolbar is not checked. When displayed, the Quantity toolbar can be moved.

 
bulletRender (Toolbar): A group of buttons that allows convenient access to the Calculate Solution, Reset Solution and Render Options commands from the View-Render menu. By default, this toolbar is not checked. When displayed, the Render toolbar can be moved.
 
Issue Printing to a Plotter
Description  
Solution After designing a plan using 3D Home Architect® 5, you want to know if the plan can be printed from the program to a printer plotter. 3D Home Architect® 5 can print to a printer plotter. View the remainder of this technical note for additional information. Follow the procedure below to print to a plotter.
 
  1. Open or create a design in 3D Home Architect® 5.
     
  2. Click File from the menu bar and click Print. The Print Window will open.
     
  3. Verify that the printer plotter is selected in the Name: field.

    NOTE: If another printer name is currently listed in the Name: field, click the down arrow button that appears to the right of the Name: field and select the correct printer (e.g., HP DesignJet 1055CM Printer) from the list of installed drivers.

     
  4. If needed, make the appropriate changes to the print settings.
     
  5. Click OK. The current design will be sent to the printer selected in Step 3.
 
Issue Unable to Select an Element in the Design
Description  
Solution While working in 3D Home Architect® 5, you are unable to select a building element, fixture or object. Typically, this issue results when one of the following occurs: the building element, fixture or object is positioned on a location other than the one currently selected, the plan is in a 3D view and the system resources are low, or another building element, fixture or object is in the way. View the remainder of this technical note for additional information and procedures that describe changing locations and using the display filters. When an object cannot be selected, complete the following in the order presented.
 
  1. If a 3D view is active, change to a 2D view and try selecting the object again. Depending on the system and the available system resources, it may take a minute or so to change views.

    NOTE: If, after changing the view, the building element, fixture or object disappears or cannot be selected, continue with Step 2.

     
  2. Verify that the desired building element, fixture or object is located on the current location (floor) and not on another location (floor).
  1. Click View from the menu bar and click Display Filter, or click the Display Filter button, which resembles a light bulb, in the View toolbar. The Display Filters window will open.
     
  2. Click once in the empty box that appears to the left of Current Location Only to check it.

    NOTE: If the Current Location Only box is already checked, stop here and continue with Step 3b.

     
  3. Click OK. Only the current location (floor) should display.
     
  4. Try selecting the element, fixture or object again. If you are still unable to select it, stop here and continue with Step 3.

    NOTE: If the desired building element, fixture or object no longer appears on screen, click Tools from the menu bar and click Building Locations…. The Building Locations window will open.

     
  5. Select the building location where the desired building element, fixture or object exists and click OK. That location should appear on screen.

    NOTE: If multiple locations (floors) appear on the screen, repeat Steps 2a-2c to view only the current location.

     
  6. Try selecting the desired building element, fixture or object again. If you are still unable to select it, continue with Step 3.
  1. With only the current location displayed in 2D view, verify that the desired building element, fixture or object is not hidden behind another object or is not turned off.
  1. Click View from the menu bar and click Display Filter, or click the Display Filter button, which resembles a light bulb, in the View toolbar. The Display Filters window will open. Several types of building elements, fixtures and objects (Walls, Cabinets, Furnishings, etc.) will appear.
     
  2. Verify that the light bulb to the left of the desired building element, fixture or object type is turned on. (The bulb will appear yellow.)

    NOTE: If the light bulb is white indicating that it is turned off, click once on the light bulb to turn it on.

     
  3. If the desired building element, fixture or object cannot be selected because a building element, fixture or object of another type on the same location (floor) is in the way, click once on the light bulb for the building element, fixture or object type that is in the way to turn it off.

    NOTE: If another building element, fixture or object of the same type is in the way, do not turn it off. Continue with Step 3d.

     
  4. Click once on the plus sign (+) that appears to the left of the light bulb and building element, fixture or object type you want to select. A list of the available locations (floors) will expand from the building element, fixture or object type.
     
  5. Verify that the light bulb that appears to the left of the current location is turned on. (If the light bulb is turned off, click once on the light bulb to turn it on.)
     
  6. Click OK to close the Display Filter window.
     
  7. Try selecting the desired building element, fixture or object again. If you are still unable to select it, continue with Step 4.
  1. If the desired building element, fixture or object cannot be selected because another desired building element, fixture or object of the same type is in the way, temporarily move that object to gain access to the desired element, fixture or object.
 
Issue User Guide Download
Description  
Solution If you downloaded the online version of 3D Home Architect® 5.0, the 3D Home Architect® 5 User Guide can be downloaded free of charge. Please note the Associated Downloads section below this note for the file. The remainder of this note describes how to proceed. Follow the instructions below to download the file.

NOTE: Adobe® Acrobat® Reader is required to view or print the 3D Home Architect® 5 User Guide.
 
  1. Scroll down to the Associated Downloads section of this technical note.
     
  2. Click the file to begin the download process.
     
  3. Read the description and click Continue. The End User License Agreement will appear.
     
  4. Read the Agreement. Click Yes, if you agree to all terms and Conditions of the License Agreement.
     
  5. Read and follow the instructions as presented. (The instructions can be printed if desired.)
NOTE: Adobe® Acrobat® Reader must be installed in order to view the user's guide. If Adobe® Acrobat® Reader is not installed, the latest version can be downloaded free from the Adobe® Web site.
 
Issue CD-Read Issue
Description  
Solution After inserting the CD into the CD-ROM drive when prompted, the CD is not recognized. Any number of the following conditions may cause this issue: incorrect CD is used, CD needs cleaned, incompatible CD-ROM drive settings, incorrect CD-ROM driver, or outdated CD-ROM firmware or driver. Consult the remainder of this technical note for additional information. Completing the procedures that follow will help to identify the source of the CD-Read issue. Begin with item one and proceed through the list attempting to use the CD after each step.

 
  1. Verify that the correct CD is inserted in the CD-ROM drive.
     
  2. Clean the CD. Place a small amount of nonabrasive, liquid soap on the shiny side of the CD. Using your fingertips and warm water, gently rub the soap on the CD in a circular motion. Rinse the CD thoroughly and dry it using a clean, soft T-shirt or lint-free towel. Do not use paper towels or tissue paper.

    NOTE: For Windows® 2000/XP, continue with Step 6 if the issue remains after completing Steps 1 and 2.

    For Windows® 98/Me, continue with Step 3 if the issue remains after completing Steps 1 and 2.

     
  3. Change the Read Ahead setting in the following manner:
  1. Return to the desktop and right-click on the My Computer icon.
     
  2. Select Properties from the menu that appears and click the Performance tab in the Systems Properties window.
     
  3. Click the File System button and then click the CD-ROM tab.
     
  4. Locate Optimize Access Pattern For.
     
  5. Click the arrow to the right of the information field and select the No Read Ahead option.
     
  6. Restart Windows®.
  1. Verify that the computer is utilizing a 32-bit file system. In the System Properties window (found in Step 3 above), click the Performance tab. Verify that the File System reads 32-bit. (If it reads anything else, contact the computer manufacturer for installation of the proper CD-ROM or hard drive drivers.)
     
  2. Turn off DMA in the following manner:
  1. In the System Properties window (found in Step 3 above), click the Device Manager tab.
     
  2. Choose View Devices By Type. In the list that appears, locate CD-ROM or CD-ROM Controller.
     
  3. Click the plus (+) sign next to this listing.
     
  4. Using the left mouse button, double-click on the name that appears.
     
  5. In the Properties window, click the Settings tab. Find the DMA checkbox and remove the checkmark (if one exists).
     
  6. Click OK.
  1. Verify that the most current version of the driver and/or firmware for the CD-ROM drive is in use. Contact the computer manufacturer for additional information.
     
  2. Try to use a different CD in the CD-ROM drive to see if it can be read.
     
  3. If possible, insert the problem CD into the CD-ROM drive of another computer to see if the issue remains.
 
Issue HomeStyles® 1500 Best-Selling Home Plans
Description  
Solution The HomeStyles® 1500 Best-Selling Home Plans is a separate program included with 3D Home Architect® Professional 5.0. The plans available in this program are designed for preview use only and will not open in 3D Home Architect® 5.0. Additional information is provided in this technical note. You may preview the plans included with HomeStyles® 1500 Best-Selling Home Plans for ideas when developing your own professional quality design plan. The plans in this package may also be available for purchase from HomeStyles.

Technical support for HomeStyles® 1500 Best-Selling Home Plans is provided by a company other than Broderbund®. Support for this product can be reached by using the contact information below.
 
bulletFAX Support: Technical questions can be sent via fax to (651) 602-5002. Be sure to include the following information: fax number, name, address, the computer system you have, and a detailed summary of the problem. This information will help to decrease the time it takes to respond.

 
bulletE-Mail Support: Technical questions can be sent via e-mail to support@homestyles.com.
 
Issue Error-1608: Unable to Create InstallDriver Instance
Description  
Solution When attempting to install 3D Home Architect® 5, the following message appears: "Error -1608: Unable to create InstallDriver instance, return code -2147467262." This issue is caused by the InstallShield engine. Consult the remainder of this technical note for additional information.
 
Issue Uninstalling 3D Home Architect® 5.0
Description  
Solution At times, it may be necessary to uninstall and reinstall 3D Home Architect® 5 to troubleshoot an issue or reinstall the Master Catalog for example. The instructions included in the remainder of this technical note describe how to uninstall 3D Home Architect® 5 from the hard drive. Follow the procedure below to uninstall 3D Home Architect® 5.

NOTE: Printing this technical note before beginning is strongly recommended.

Uninstall Using Add/Remove Programs

 
  1. Close all programs and windows and return to the desktop.
     
  2. Click Start, select Settings and click Control Panel. The Control Panel window will open.

    For Windows® XP, click Start and click Control Panel. The Control Panel window will open.

     
  3. In the Control Panel window, double-click the Add/Remove Programs icon. The Add/Remove Programs window will open showing a list of installed programs.

    For Windows® XP, if viewing the Control Panel in Category View, click Add or Remove Programs. The Add or Remove Programs window will open.

     
  4. Locate and click the 3D Home Architect® entry once to select it.
     
  5. Click the Add/Remove (Windows® 98) or Change/Remove (Windows® Me/XP and 2000) button to begin the uninstall process.
     
  6. Follow the prompts to uninstall 3D Home Architect® 5.
NOTE: If 3D Home Architect® 5 cannot be removed using the Add/Remove Programs, follow the procedure under Completing a Manual Uninstall shown below.

Completing a Manual Uninstall

NOTE: The following procedure will remove the 3D Home Architect 5 folder and all of its contents (sample plans, textures, catalogs, etc.) from the hard drive. If changes have been made to the sample plans, new catalogs have been added, or projects have been saved to the 3D Home Architect 5 folder (or one of its sub-folders), copying that data to another location before continuing with the procedure below is strongly recommended.

When a new plan is saved, the default save in location is My Documents. Plans saved in the My Documents folder will not be deleted when the following procedure is completed.
 
  1. Close all programs and windows and return to the desktop.
     
  2. Double-click the My Computer icon.

    For Windows® XP, click Start and click My Computer.

     
  3. Click View (Windows® 98) or Tools (Windows® Me/2000/XP) from the menu bar and click Folder Options (Windows® 98/Me/2000/XP).
     
  4. Select the View tab in the window that appears and locate the Hidden Files (or Hidden Files and Folders) setting.
     
  5. For Windows® 98, verify that the Show all Files option is selected.

    For Windows® Me/2000/XP, verify that the Display Hidden Files and Folders option is selected.

     
  6. Locate the Hide File Extensions for Known File Types setting and ensure that it does not have a check before it.

    NOTE: If a checkmark appears before this setting, click once on the checkmark to remove it.

     
  7. Click Apply and click OK to apply the changes and close the Folder Options window.
     
  8. In the following manner, navigate to the drive and location where 3D Home Architect® 5 is installed:
  1. Double-click the C:\ drive. The contents of the C: drive will appear.
     
  2. Double-click the Program Files folder. The contents of the Program Files folder will appear.
     
  3. Double-click the Broderbund folder. The contents of the Broderbund folder will appear.
  1. Right-click the 3D Home Architect 5.0 folder and click Delete (left mouse button) in the menu that appears.
     
  2. Click Yes when prompted to move the files to the Recycle Bin.
     
  3. Click the Back button on the tool bar to return to the Program Files folder.
     
  4. Double-click the Common Files folder.
     
  5. Right-click the InstallShield folder and click Delete (left mouse button) in the menu that appears.
     
  6. Click Yes when prompted to move the files to the Recycle Bin.
     
  7. Click the Back button to return to the Program Files folder, or close the Common Files folder.
     
  8. Double-click the InstallShield Installation Information folder to view its contents.
     
  9. Right-click the {880017F9-2548-42DB-9A3C-B6BE0136B624} folder and click Delete (left mouse button) in the menu that appears.
     
  10. Click Yes when prompted to move the files to the Recycle Bin.
     
  11. Close all programs and windows and return to the desktop. 3D Home Architect® 5 is now removed from the system.
 
Issue