Oh I have a point, and it's this; Every time this question comes up on CT (and it does frequently), things settle out into two camps: The guys who are pro/semi-pro - and the guys who just want something better than what they can sketch on a notepad.
The guys who are pro/semi-pro ask "what's the big deal? You just pull up the ALT/F9 hit repository, browse over to rendered images, pull a convex linear dissuader on the b31996-lf chair, , blend it into the alpha stream and do a 3 point anchor referenced on the initial x/y minus the incline of the betamax and there's your patio set - here see how easy it is?" And of course they go right on ahead and demonstrate - and when they leave you are left looking at the screen and thinking "WAT THE F DID HE JUST SAY!?!?
If you already had some technical training on electronic CAD, it boils down to picking a system that not only works for you, but works for your archy & the trades.
If you are somebody who is getting into electronic CAD late in the game (over 20, never had drafting in high school/college) then just getting two lines to meet on the computer screen is daunting.
There's a huge fan base for Google Sketchup & Sketch because its free, there's a huge fan base (I know I already said that - but its why the software is so popular). However: it's just general purpose - it doesn't know anything about houses or skateboards. User supplied models help bridge that gap - but unless you have the time to troll those sites where all these bright young stars hang out - it too can be overwhelming.
The one advantage of the consumer grade software, is that you can be making boxes that sort of look like houses with roofs in 15 minutes. They got models, templates, examples - everything.
Your archy may sneer at you and maybe your plan can't be imported into somebody's multi-thousand dollar pro soft - but it may be just the ticket for printing out a quick idea of what a new patio and moving the door would look like.
The one advantage of a brand like Chief Architect (I'm not recommending - just pointing out) is their almost unlimited supply of how to videos plus all the ones people make and put up on You tube. Plus they have trial versions and starter editions.
So back to my original post; Those disks and dongle are stored in a box some place because I only have 24 hours in each day, and I'd rather be good at running my business than expert at drawing lines. I pay an architect, and pay dearly. But in exchange, I get somebody who does only that - and who has some skin in the game.
That's just what works for me. It's different for everybody.
All good points. :thumbsup:
I asked because I downloaded 3D Home Architect trial version from Broderbund years ago, and ended up buying it in the store. I kept it up to date through 4.0. ( I still have the boxed software in my office)
Version 5.0 as you pointed out was released by BH&G, and was a total re-write, not backwards compatible, and did not have the intuitive interface of the 3D Home that I had known.
Fast-forward 20 years and 3DHome 4.0 won't run on my new computer. I started looking around, and found the Home Designer series by Chief Architect. I downloaded the trial version, and it appeared that I had found 3DHome again. I was even able to import my 3Dhome files.:clap:
The basic version is 79.99, and in my opinion would be enough for 95% of the users on this site. Certainly a better option than Sketchup.
The best thing about the company is that you can absolutely try before you buy. You can draw a complete house, you just won't be able to save or print it. If you buy Home Designer Suite for $99 and decide at a later date that you wish you had the features of Architectural ($199), you can upgrade for the difference in price of the two products ($100).
I don't know of any other software company that does that. (I'm sure that there must be a time limit for the upgrade, I wouldn't expect them to upgrade a 2014 version of suite to a 2017 version of Architectural for $100).
I almost hate to see anyone recommend Sketchup because it is so limited compared to the home designer series. It's fine for some things, but if you are a career professional try the Home Architect series. I would be surprised if you ever looked back.
At the other extreme, I also have a problem with the recommendation of Chief Architect (CA). While CA is probably a great program for professionals, Most of aren't going to shell out $1800 to $2400 to draw a few houses now and then. It would be much better to suggest a cheaper version, and to let the user upgrade as their needs change.
I posted most of this in another thread, and the next time this question is ask, I will just link to this post. I do not work for, have stock in, or are in anyway affiliated with Chief Architect. I am however a fan of their Home Designer Series software, and the business model that they use to provide their products.
