Consumer Homes.

Question:

I have 3D Home Architect and I think it is a great tool for the casual user. We had our architect over last week to discuss our kitchen and bath remodeling project. As we talked and made measurements I was able to quickly put on screen what the ideas were. It was very fast. Yes, there are a few bugs as descibed below, but when you get into the heat of planning those tend to be less noticable. In our case we were so glad we could finally communicate what it is we want out of our new rooms the minor irritations were just that – minor. I think there might be a way to add on a few fixture libraries for increased detail, and I will look into that. The 3D part is easy and intuitive. Overall the program is fast, fast, fast. In contrast, I also have Sierra Designs Kitchen and Bath Designer. That program is detailed to an infinite degree. It has fixtures down to the brand level. I spent way too much time learning how to use it so I pretty much gave up and went back to 3DHA. The 3D part is difficult to understand and use effectively. I think eventually I will go back to Sierra for enhanced detail but for now I like the speed and ease of use of the other. I can’t recommend it more. Chris > : Hi all, > The one that appears most promising is Broderbund’s ‘3D > : Home Architect’. Does anyone have some experience with this program? > I am using the Broderbund program to draw the preliminary "concept" plan for > my house. > It works OK, but there are some annoying problems: > 1) Walls from lower floors tend to keep reappearing on

the upper floors (bug) > 2) Automatic size calculations fail for some rooms (another bug) > 3) You can only move objects vertically or horizontally (no diagonal moves) > 4) You can’t move objects through other objects or walls during moves > 5) The cut/paste is intermittent (bug) > 6) Printing problems > 7) The furniture/fixture library is very limited and

there is no symbol editor – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->    to create more > The measurement lines snap to unexpected sides of walls (bug) > 9) "undo" is not always available, so you have to fix mistakes manually > Rich

Response:

: Hi all, : I’m sure this is a FAQ, but does anyone know of a inexpensive CAD-like program : for basic home design for PCs? I would certainly like to take a stab at trying : to design a new home for myself.  I’m not expecting to produce construction : quality plans but I would like to explore several basic designs and be able to : visualize them in 3D. Once I find a basic design that I like I will then take : it to an architect and/or engineer to develop it into working drawings. I’ve : been to a few computer/software stores and looked at a few home design programs : but I have no way to really compare them without trying them out, which would : be cost prohibitive. The one that appears most promising is Broderbund’s ‘3D : Home Architect’. Does anyone have some experience with this program? Would you : recommend it? Would you rather recommend some other program that is also fairly : inexpensive (<$100) but would still be able to view plans in 3D? If you know : of some magazine that has reviewed such programs I would certainly be eager to : find out the name of the magazine and the particular issue. I am using the Broderbund program to draw the preliminary "concept" plan for my house. It works OK, but there are some annoying problems: 1) Walls from lower floors tend to keep reappearing on the upper floors (bug) 2) Automatic size calculations fail for some rooms (another bug) 3) You can only move objects vertically or horizontally (no diagonal moves) 4) You can’t move objects through other objects or walls during moves 5) The cut/paste is intermittent (bug) 6) Printing problems 7) The furniture/fixture library is very limited and there is no symbol editor    to create more The measurement lines snap to unexpected sides of walls (bug) 9) "undo" is not always available, so you have to fix mistakes manually Rich

Response:

Hi all, I’m sure this is a FAQ, but does anyone know of a inexpensive CAD-like program for basic home design for PCs? I would certainly like to take a stab at trying to design a new home for myself.  I’m not expecting to produce construction quality plans but I would like to explore several basic designs and be able to visualize them in 3D. Once I find a basic design that I like I will then take it to an architect and/or engineer to develop it into working drawings. I’ve been to a few computer/software stores and looked at a few home design programs but I have no way to really compare them without trying them out, which would be cost prohibitive. The one that appears most promising is Broderbund’s ‘3D Home Architect’. Does anyone have some experience with this program? Would you recommend it? Would you rather recommend some other program that is also fairly inexpensive (<$100) but would still be able to view plans in 3D? If you know of some magazine that has reviewed such programs I would certainly be eager to find out the name of the magazine and the particular issue. Thanks for any assistance you can provide. Paul Bodenstab

Response: