Conceptual Stair Design Software

StairJunkie

I'm going to revisit the field of stair design software. I'm not looking for a cut list or exact dimensions but if I could get that then it would be a huge plus.

What I do need is to replicate part styles that I use and plug them in to a staircase design, apply some paint and stain to various parts. Something so the customer can visualize what the finished product will look like.

Examples of the stairs I need to be able to draw:
http://eastcoaststairscompany.com/im...ernandez_3.jpg

http://eastcoaststairscompany.com/im...fanout_1_3.jpg

http://eastcoaststairscompany.com/im.../large/box.jpg

http://eastcoaststairscompany.com/im...ut_metal_2.jpg


The cheaper the better but I understand the good software does cost money. Sketchup and Chief Architect come to mind.

Any suggestions?

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ScipioAfricanus

Chief Architect does a very nice job with staircases and balusters and newel posts but is not a staircase specific program. It would be very difficult to do the real nice volutes that I see in your pictures. And it is about $2300.00 per seat.

If you just want the software to do staircases and such maybe Sketchup wouldbe your best bet at only about $600.00 for the Pro version and the non pro version is free, just download it. The non-pro doesn't have the 'Layout' module with it but you can do some really nice things with it anyway.

There is a guy that sells a very nice stair specific program that is truly awesome called stairdesigner (I think) do a search. I think it is about 1K USD. It will do the layout and material lists I think all the way to programing for a CNC machine.

Andy.

StairJunkie

I'm researching sketchup more (since it's free I guess ) and found part of a foyer design that includes part of a nice looking staircase http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dc837t9h_103fwkqqdrs

Examples in the 3D Warehouse: http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehou...8043&scoring=m

I'm quite impressed with the detail of the staircase, what's viewable, and with the rest of what seems to be the foyer. Is there a dedicated sketchup forum where I could ask active users if I can achieve what I'm looking to do?


(I realize there's another active thread about it right now, I'll add info there as appropriate)

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Cole

I could do what you are wanting to achieve in Sketchup with no problem.

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StairJunkie

What would I be missing out on in Chief Architect that Sketchup doesn't offer for staircase design?

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ScipioAfricanus

Hard question to answer. Sketchup does great things but everything you have to show has to be made individually.
Chief has automatic banisters and newels that you can change but I think is not as easy to make as they are in Sketchup.
Doing flared and rounded stairs in Chief can be done but I think they would lack precision.

You should check out Stairdesigner at http://boole.club.fr/english/stairdesigner_eng.php

It is a stair specific software and I think it is about $1.1k.

They have a demo you can download.

Andy.

jimmys

I'm quite impressed with the detail of the staircase, what's viewable, and with the rest of what seems to be the foyer. Is there a dedicated sketchup forum where I could ask active users if I can achieve what I'm looking to do?


Google to Sketchup Forums and you'll have it.
Scipio is right about SU - you have to draw everything! Though there is a large database of items you can download and alter, including lots of stairs. It's free, why don't you try it? Makes drawing actually fun.
Jim