Showing posts with label architectural softward. Show all posts
Showing posts with label architectural softward. Show all posts

3D HOME ARCHITECT DELUXE 3.0 Review

3D HOME ARCHITECT DELUXE 3.0
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
Outstanding product for the price. Its old but its as good as most of the more expensive "junk" for sale at home improvement and software stores.
Versions: 3d home 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0 are from the same company 5.0 is NOT the same and is incompatible. The newest version is Better Homes and Gardens Home Designer Suite 6.0 (much more expensive but has materials application options)
About 3.0
------------
3d. Its stable (3d modeling works but is not "realistic"). It is good enough to get a 3d feel though. 3.0 allows 3d object manipulation (drag or "resize" windows, doors, cabinets in 3d) and its done in 2d simultaneously).
Design is Straightforward. You should read the manual though if you want hip roofs with gable ends (roofs are trickier than walls). The stair tools are fairly straightforward but do not allow curves.
It would give it six stars ;-) if it had:
>> more than the basic snap on angles forces standard variance (45, 90 and 22.5 and such)
>> more objects in its library (very limited)
>> better rendering (its rudimentary compared to cool tools available today).
>> round or curved walls or stairs (you can approximate curved walls with short wall sections but oh what a pain)
Summary:
Overall even though it's a few years old and has a few problems I rate it 5 stars because its: DIRT CHEAP, fast, easy to use, good enough 3d rendering for space planning, allows 3d view object manipulation. It gets you up to speed with home design concepts very quickly and will get you diagrams you can build from faster than any other product I have seen. + does some good basic materials planning.
Definitely 5 "value" stars, you should be able to get it for under $10.


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3D HOME ARCHITECT DELUXE 3.0

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Broderbund 3D Home Architect Home Design Deluxe 6 Review

Broderbund 3D Home Architect Home Design Deluxe 6
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
The software is easy to use, easy to learn. Newer versions have gotten progressively better at providing "canned" components (i.e. footers, windows, doors, textures). This version is even more customizable than previous versions.
The tabbed interface, and selectable toolbars make the interface a lot more functional. I definitely like version 6 better than 3, 4, and 5.
HOWEVER, I would offer a SIGNIFICANT word of caution. Broderbund has a habit of leaving its established client base in the dust. I have been using the application for years, and therefore have a large library of floor plans developed (for my own home, future ideas, etc). In previous upgrades, Broderbund has changed file formats, thus making it impossible to bring previous work into newer products.
I have written to them pleading for consistency, or at least import/export functionality. They have provided no satisfaction. My most recent email to tech support on version 6 yielded this response:
"I understand that you are inquiring about importing a CAD file format into
3D Home Design 6.
This program has the ability to export as DXF, 3DS and WRL files, however
is not capable of importing or opening DXF or other file formats.
Sorry about the inconvenience."
"...inconvenience..." Do they have any clue how much work it is to re-create multiple (dimensionally accurate) designs over AND over again?
While it is nice that you can export to DXF format (great for transferring plans to construction engineers, architects, etc...), it is THE PITS that you CANNOT import from a standard file format (like DXF).
If you are serious about your design and remodeling work, and plan to use this for more than just a room makeover, you may want to consider how important it is to you to take advantage of upgrade features while having to rebuild your designs in the future.
BEFORE you have an established plan base, you may want to consider other products that can import standard formats (i.e. Better Homes and Gardens Home Designer Pro).
Check out the reviews on Punch!Professional Home Design Suite Platinum for a better idea of what people think of Broderbund and its' products.

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3D Home Architect Home Design Deluxe makes planning your dream home a pleasure, instead of a chore. Floor plans, remodeling or working on additions is problems at all for this software. Begin planning the perfect home with software like that used by real architects & designers!Budgeting tools and materials lists make it possible for you to break ground with confidence Landscaping and garden modeling tools are included -- create a beautiful yard to compliment the home of your dreams!

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Punch Home Design Architectural Series 4000 v10 Review

Punch Home Design Architectural Series 4000 v10
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
After using this software for a week, I'm generally pleased with the results. The learning curve is not too difficult to climb; though I have some prior experience with less sophisticated versions of this type of software.
The box comes with a thick printed manual, which is nice to have for reference. The index in the manual is good but not great. Unfortunately the manual is not comprehensive. It appears to cover the core functionality but does not have any depth to its discussion of "power tools". The manual appears to be a nearly verbatim copy of the online help.
The software comes with short online instructional videos -- basically animated screen captures with voice-over commentary. The two or three videos that I've watched have filled in the gaps that the manual left open.
My pc has a 2001-era 1Ghz Celeron and 1GB of memory. It renders the 3D drawings fast enough to not be frustrating, and I have limited patience for this sort of thing. However, I have not added great amounts of detail to the plan yet -- mostly just walls, roof, electrical, and some trim. The addition of detail may slow rendering down enough to be annoying. Other reviewers have complained about performance, but the documentation has hints for speeding up if you run into problems.
While the core parts of the software are pretty good, the power tools leave a little something to be desired. This may just be a lack of education on my part, but if so then I'm going to blame the skimpy documentation. These power tools almost appear to have been developed by either different groups or by third parties. Overall they lack the polish and usability that is part of the core software. Take the "room wizard", for example. This is a slick way to put together the interior floor plan of the house. The problem is that the room wizard launches almost as a separate application, and when you're done it asks to "update the current design". When you say yes, it appears to paste the picture drawn in the room wizard back into the main application. From there, it is difficult (impossible?) to get the interior layout to overlay your foundation design.
I had difficulty with other power tools: the topo designer is clunky, the site planner has an annoying lot size limitation (no line can be more than 1000'), the estimator won't let you add additional materials (you can put in the cost of concrete for your foundation, but you can't add fill or stone for drainage; if I have to manually put this stuff into a separate spreadsheet then having a built-in estimator is pointless). And so on. Again, maybe this is a learning thing, but the rest of the software is easy to figure out -- why are these so different?
Overall, I would give the software 3.5 stars: four stars for doing the stuff it absolutely must do very well, minus one star for advertising extras that don't work so good, plus a star for good documentation on the core functionality, minus half a star for failing to document the extras. (I figure that the extra thirty to fifty bucks of cost over competing brands is due to these extras, but I haven't tried the competition.)

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3D Home Architect Home & Landscape Deluxe Suite Version 9 Review

3D Home Architect Home and Landscape Deluxe Suite Version 9
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I liked Home Architect Version 8, but then I tried Version 9 because I thought it would be better. After 10 minutes of this program, I wanted to toss it out the door. See, this program isn't owned by the original company anymore, they're owned by Punch! Software.
- Any means to customize objects such as Counters or Appliances have been removed. You can Scale them, but you cannot increase or decrease the width.
- If you have knowledge with 3DS Max, you could create a 3D Object, but otherwise you need to use the Objects that Punch! provides. Sacrifices will be made because many vital 3D Objects won't be available.
Want to rotate your Object? No problem! Each time you want to do it, just click on Edit, click on Rotate, type in the Number of Degrees to Rotate, click on the "Degrees" button, then click Okay. In the previous version, each Object would have a Square and a Triangle. You'd just click on the Triangle on the Object, then Rotate. That's been removed.
The Generate Project has been removed. Want to know what you have used? What the project will cost? Too bad.
They removed the Design Wizard completely. The reason I liked 3D Home Architect was because it was different than AutoCAD or DeltaCAD. Those who weren't too knowledgable with those two programs could try 3D Home Architect because the Easy-to-Use Software was more driven towards people who just wanted to make up a quick Floor Plan.
It took me over an Hour just to build the Kitchen. The counters just would not align themselves properly. Objects seemed incomplete, or improperly designed.
Remember the Grid Lock, Object Lock, or Alignment Lock? They've been removed.
Getting a specific Camera View on your House no longer exists. You're just given a 3D Model of your home that you can walk around with the Mouse. You could do that in the previous version too, but they stripped out all the other Features in 3D Mode.
Sure, you can purchase this product, you could download it at their website but there's no Trial Software, No Refunds, No Exchanges... It says there's Refunds or Exchanges on the website, but they don't tell you which ones. EVEN with the Proof of Purchase, tough luck.
If the developers happen to read this, 3D Home Architect WAS a GREAT program. This is just incomplete. It's like you've released it way too early.
I have an idea... Go back to Schhol for Programming & Design because Version 9 is just a headache. It's incomplete, and much more inaccessible, difficult, and frustrating than Version 8. A Trial Version really needs to be offered, otherwise you're just conning people out of $40.00+ per product sold.
To everyone else, I've said my piece. You're welcome to purchase it, but I guarantee that once you've seen just how bad this program is, you'll want your money back.

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3D Home Architect Home & Landscape Design Suite 9 does a lot more than lay out your home and landscape designs. It gives you the ability to fine-tune every element of your home design or landscaping project. The wide range of tools & wizards will help you achieve your goals fast. Easy to use, yet powerful enough to generate buildable blueprint-style plans, it's the only design program you'll need. Accurate top-down representations of furnishings and other design elements in 2D designer's view enhance your home's interior with stylish furniture, lighting fixtures, customized cabinets, new appliances & more. Make the ideal landscape to complement your home - complete with plants and trees, slopes and grades, fencing, even gazebos & pools Includes Plant Encyclopedia - learn about plant care, growth zones, plant diseases, soil concerns and more. Take your dream home from an idea to reality when you design it using 3D Home Architect Home and Landscape Deluxe Suite Version 9, the complete and premium quality design solution. Find the architect in you!

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3D Home Architect Home Design Deluxe Version 9 Review

3D Home Architect Home Design Deluxe Version 9
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
Over the last several years I have used 3D Home Architect to design offices and homes. The version being reviewed has deteriorated significantly from prior versions in functionality and features. It seems the company buys a new version of the software from 3rd parties and calls it "3D Home Architect" resulting in absolutely no file compatibility with prior versions. I'm pretty disappointed with the current version and would not have purchased it if I had known how bad the product is. Don't waste your money!

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Are you longing for a bigger, better, or brand-new home? Stop dreaming and start designing! Featuring professional grade drafting tools in an easy, intuitive interface, 3D Home Architect Home Designer 9 is the jump-start you've been looking for. Convenient wizards help you create basic plans fast, while 3D walk through tours guarantee a flawless finished project. It's easier to get started, easier to access and use your tools and easier than ever to design the home of your dreams -- down to the very last detail. This DVD based design solution is Powered by Punch! Software – the leader in high-end home design software. Home Designer v.9 is Windows/Mac compatible.

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