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Deck Software
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01-19-2006, 10:07 PM
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#1 |
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Deck Designer/Builder
Trade: Construction Project Manager
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Whitby, Ontario
Posts: 2,426
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Deck Software
In my never ending search for a good, affordable (not $2000) software package for designing decks, I ordered one online the other day for $1 plus $5.99 shipping. There have been a few posts lately on this topic so rather the post repetitive replies to those posts, I started this new thread.
Anyway, the link and name of the software is: Link: https://secure.starcdrom.com/home.php?cat=22 Name: Sierra 3D Custom LandDesigner: Home & Garden Suite Because I just got it today, I can't really give a full blown review yet. I can say that from what I have tried out so far it's pretty good. You can input your own prices per foot for a wide assortment of materials, get a full material list with the costs calculated, set your own joist spacing, change the direction of the decking, set stair riser & tread dimensions, etc. One negative thus far is that the railing selections are quite limited and you can't vary the baluster spacing. I just did a basic, one-level rectagular deck to test drive it so I haven't gotten around to trying out irregular designs yet. I'm going to try inputting copies of decks I did last season to see how usable it really is. Also, the package has a lot more than just the 3D Deck software (the only thing I really wanted) but for the whopping price of $1.00, I decided to take the risk 
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01-19-2006, 11:40 PM
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#2 |
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Pro
Trade: Custom deck builder
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado
Posts: 4,312
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Re: Deck Software
Let us know how it works with the complex stuff. When you do compare to past jobs let us know how well the material lists work. Does it have a way to set up labor costs per foot as well as material? I really want the cad quest software $1,295 is a lot of cash for software. But still better priced than decktools.
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Robert Shaw Colorado Springs Custom Decks Colorado Custom Decks Custom Composite Decks |
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01-20-2006, 12:19 AM
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#3 |
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Deck Designer/Builder
Trade: Construction Project Manager
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Whitby, Ontario
Posts: 2,426
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Re: Deck Software
Well, I'm liking it more and more as I play with the features. You can set the individual price per foot for a pretty wide range of lumber, set prices for hardware from screws, lag bolts, carriage bolts, washers, bags of concrete, etc. The layout drawings for the framing is bang on and actually look good enough to use as permit drawings - there are no notes but they could be added by hand after they're printed.
As for drawing the layout it's easy to customize elevation, cut-outs, angled corners, multi-level decks, pool surrounds, etc. It also has an array of furniture, planters and the like to scale to show clients how big a deck they REALLY need you to build! Again, the railing selections are pretty limited and basic. Most of the railings I do are custom (I refuse to do "builder's rails") so I didn't really expect any program to do a parts lists for my railings. All in all I give it a  You sure can't complain about the price!
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01-20-2006, 07:15 AM
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#4 |
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Remodeler
Trade: Remodeler
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Spring Hill, Florida
Posts: 820
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Re: Deck Software
Terry,
I just placed an order for this high priced package  If you like it I'm sure it must be of some use. Thanks for the post. |
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01-20-2006, 08:52 AM
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#5 |
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Pro
Trade: Carpentry
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Delaware
Posts: 272
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Re: Deck Software
Terry,
Can you post a couple of the samples you're working up? My experience has been that it's difficult to work up drawings that look like what they show on the advertisement. I've spent a lot on tools over the past month, but I could probably spring for an additional $6.99
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01-20-2006, 10:36 AM
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#6 |
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Pro
Trade: Custom deck builder
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado
Posts: 4,312
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Re: Deck Software
They are going to be wondering why they are having such a run on this one piece of software. I just bought it cant wait to give it a shot. I have bought many a little cheap software hoping I would hit the jackpot someday so I dont have to buy cadquest or decktools. Most did not have features like being able to edit material cost, the material list was always lacking, or the plans just sucked, could not do anything but square and maybe clip a corner. But if Terry says its good I will give it a try.
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Robert Shaw Colorado Springs Custom Decks Colorado Custom Decks Custom Composite Decks |
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01-31-2006, 12:08 PM
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#7 |
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Registered User
Trade: home improvement
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 1
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Re: Deck Software
I just ordered right now and hope it as good as you say. Cant beat the price!!!!
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01-31-2006, 07:55 PM
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#8 |
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Pro
Trade: Home Improvement/ Handyman Services
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 128
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Re: Deck Software
I'v had the whole software set of SIERRA home with home arch, home int,garden electrical and a whole bunch of other stuff. I was only ordering the 3D deck but they were out of stock and were offering the whole package for the 3D deck price. I have used the 3D deck portion and liked it. I used it for a pool deck and the 3D picks were pretty good.
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02-02-2006, 04:31 PM
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#9 |
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Pro
Trade: builder of stuff, real nice stuff
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 477
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Re: Deck Software
how long does it take to get the software. i ordered it and have been kind of board and woudl like to play with it. the software that is...
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02-02-2006, 08:15 PM
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#10 |
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Pro
Trade: Home Improvement/ Handyman Services
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 128
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Re: Deck Software
If I remember correctly, they said 4-6 wks for del. I think I got it in 3wks.
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02-02-2006, 08:19 PM
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#11 | |
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Deck Designer/Builder
Trade: Construction Project Manager
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Whitby, Ontario
Posts: 2,426
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Re: Deck SoftwareQuote:
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02-02-2006, 09:21 PM
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#12 |
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Pro
Trade: Custom deck builder
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado
Posts: 4,312
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Re: Deck Software
Just got mine today
 stilll installing as we speak I will post my review soon.
__________________
Robert Shaw Colorado Springs Custom Decks Colorado Custom Decks Custom Composite Decks |
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02-02-2006, 09:49 PM
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#13 |
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Remodeler
Trade: Remodeler
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Spring Hill, Florida
Posts: 820
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Re: Deck Software
Got mine today also. Played aroung for a couple minutes and will have more time tomorrow.
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02-03-2006, 08:02 AM
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#14 | |
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Do it Right, Do it Once
Trade: Deck & Concrete
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Oregon
Posts: 97
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Re: Deck SoftwareQuote:
As a Correct Deck, you should be able to get CADQuest for free? Do you have it? Sorry, it’s not Correct Deck, but our Distributor http://www.mcfarlandcascade.com/Home...e=HOME&Js=true that is providing the CadQuest. Last edited by Oregon_Rob; 02-03-2006 at 08:07 AM. |
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02-03-2006, 07:03 PM
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#15 |
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Pro
Trade: Custom deck builder
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado
Posts: 4,312
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Re: Deck Software
Dont get my hopes up like that Rob. Why dont you "buy" a few more of those freebies for the rest of us on here.
That is the cad quest standard HD has is for $350 as well. The $1200 version has more features.
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Robert Shaw Colorado Springs Custom Decks Colorado Custom Decks Custom Composite Decks Last edited by RobertCDF; 02-03-2006 at 07:05 PM. |
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02-03-2006, 08:53 PM
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#16 | |
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Pro
Trade: Home Improvement
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 302
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Re: Deck SoftwareQuote:
I was talking to a Correct Deck rep. and he was saying C.D. is coming out with some software this Spring I believe he said.... Bob |
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02-03-2006, 10:40 PM
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#17 |
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Do it Right, Do it Once
Trade: Deck & Concrete
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Oregon
Posts: 97
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Re: Deck Software
Well I got it today and I have to say that I am under whelmed. It is pretty easy to make nice pictures, and get some what decent bills of material, but you can't make dimensioned drawing (a biggie for me) and it is very limited as far as types of rails. It doesn't give you the choice between attaching to a house or free standing. It does calculate the loading pretty well. You input the load and it sizes beams... With a little work, you can overlay the pic on the house.
With some practice, I could do this deck in about 10-15 Min. |
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02-03-2006, 11:18 PM
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#18 |
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Deck Designer/Builder
Trade: Construction Project Manager
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Whitby, Ontario
Posts: 2,426
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Re: Deck Software
Rob, how can you be underwhelmed with a software package that cost $7? As a comparison, the Punch software costs around $30 and is useless as far as a material list and pricing goes.
Also, I had no problems attaching it the house and it even calculated the number of lag bolts for the ledger board. |
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02-04-2006, 03:42 AM
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#19 | |
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Pro
Trade: Custom deck builder
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado
Posts: 4,312
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Re: Deck SoftwareQuote:
Is this screen capture and description from cad quest? or the cheaper software that this thread was originally about? I would hope that for $350 or $1200 it better give me plans that I make a few notes on and take to get the permit.
__________________
Robert Shaw Colorado Springs Custom Decks Colorado Custom Decks Custom Composite Decks |
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02-04-2006, 03:44 AM
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#20 | |
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Pro
Trade: Custom deck builder
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado
Posts: 4,312
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Re: Deck SoftwareQuote:
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Robert Shaw Colorado Springs Custom Decks Colorado Custom Decks Custom Composite Decks |
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