Fixing Wall Connections

Reference Number: KB-00187
Last Modified: February 13, 2025

The information in this article applies to:

Home Designer Professional or Home Designer Architectural



QUESTION

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

Walls can connect incorrectly if the layers aren't defined correctly.


ANSWER

If you have recently modified your wall types, you may have accidentally adjusted the Main Layer. The Main Layer determines many things, including how walls intersect as walls join at the interior surfaces of their Main Layers.

In most circumstances, the Main Layer should be specified as the structural layer of the wall, particularly when the wall is a framed type. For some wall types, such as ICF walls, it is also important that the main structural layer be comprised of multiple materials. If this is changed then it can cause issues with wall intersections.

To ensure that your wall intersections connect correctly, adjust the Main Layer as needed for your particular wall type. For example, a standard wall will have a single structural layer made up of stud framing, or as you will see in this article, an ­ICF wall will have a structural layer made up of 3 materials.


To restore the Main Layer

  1. Using the Select Objects tool, select your wall that isn't connecting properly, and use the Open Object edit tool to open the Wall Specification.


  2. Select the Wall Types panel and click the Define button next to the Wall Type drop-down.

    In Home Designer Architectural, instead remain on the General panel and click the Define button next to the Wall Type drop-down.


  3. In the Wall Type Definitions dialog, use the Move Up and Move Down buttons to rearrange your wall layers into the appropriate category, and click OK.

    Recall that typically the Main Layer should be the Framing/Structural layer(s), often the thickest layer in your wall type.

    In the Wall Type Specification move your layers into the appropriate layer using the Move Up and Move Down options.


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

    Once the layers are correctly ordered, the walls should connect correctly.


  5. Repeat this process for any other wall types in your plan that you may have inadvertently defined incorrectly.


To adjust the general wall defaults*

*Applies to Home Designer Pro.

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

  1. Select Edit> Default Settings , expand the Walls category, highlight General Wall, then click Edit.


  2. In the General Wall Defaults dialog, underneath of Resize About, move the radio button to Outer Surface, then click OK.

    These options 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's drawn or connected to other walls, as well as where a wall's length is measured.


    General Wall Defaults with Outer Surface selected


  3. Click Done to close out of the Default Settings dialog.
Related Articles