I am looking to purchase new software for doing my own home design. I currently have been using 3D Home Architect, but it is much too limited on features. I was recommended Soft Plan by my local lumber yard draftsman, but the cost is more than I care to spend at this time.
Could anyone recommend a quality program that is reasonably priced? Is there anything that is compatible with Soft Plan? (I am aware of the Soft Plan Lite, but I would like more features than that.)
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Replies
Google Sketch Up?
This question generally gets covered several times a month (OK, maybe only once a month lately...) so I would suggest that until someone chooses to give you a current update, you might want to do a search on past posts. There is a wealth of opinions on the subject in the archives.
Chief Architect is the maker of 3d archtect and I think they have another step up in between Chief Architect and 3D. But, you probably won't be happy till you get all the way to Chief or Softplan.
Sketchup can get quite a bit done and it's free. You might want to take a look at it. It's not quite an architectural drafting program but there's no limit on what it can do, given enough time and effort.
To me, Sketchup is a bit better at doing "shop drawings" and details while Chief Architect is better at quickly creating the basic design.
Free is "reasonably priced", so Sketchup meets that criteria. If you find that SU isn't what you are after, I'm offering a copy of last years version of Chief Architect for sale in another folder here. It's version XI and comes with a full license. It might be just "reasonably priced" enough for you. It also has the same basic interface as 3d, so that will give you a good headstart on learning the program.
Shoot me an email if you are interested in doing a deal.
"ould anyone recommend a quality program that is reasonably priced? Is there anything that is compatible with Soft Plan? (I am aware of the Soft Plan Lite, but I would like more features than that.)"
If you want to dance, you have to pay the piper.
I posted a link here a couple weeks ago for a guy who has a used license for SP v 13 ( I think) for sale. Look in the reader classifieds folder. Also Mike Smith has an extra license for chief for sale. He is in that same thread.
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DataCad will not disappoint, developed by architects for architects.
They have a LT version available also, but the file size is limited, really depends on how large your projects are, there are some work arounds for that. Try downloading a free trial to see if you like it. Very powerful software, but much less expensive than Architectural Desktop, not sure how pricing is vs. Softplan or Chief.
I don't remember DataCad anymore...is it object based too, or a 2D drafting program?
What kind of learning curve there to be productive?Others worth considering are Envisioneer, and Vectorworks.
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DataCad latest V12 uses "smart" entities. The "white paper" on their web site wraps it up pretty nicely http://www.datacad.com/Why_DataCAD.htm.
I've been using it since 1985, so I guess I'm pretty old school as far as cad, but I am digging into Revit Architecture now, and am really liking it - not cad at all but true parametric BIM.
DataCad is pretty intuitive, I suppose it may be easier to pick up than AutoCad, but even today I only use maybe 1/3 of it's true capabilities. It plays pretty nice with AutoCad dwg files which is a big time saver for me when incorporating site plans or inserting symbols. I have it tuned pretty well for what I need it for, and it really is easily customized to fit whatever your looking for. A nice program for around 1200.00, and not update crazy either.
another thought comes up.
As I recall, SP now makes the full program available as a monthly lease.
This sounds like a one off project ( yeah sure - one CAD job is like one week only at BT - or only one hit of heroin, LOL) but if it is actually a short term CAD thing for you, like a hot affair in venice or going with the kids on Spring Break to FL, then a few months of lease might be the ticket.
but check it closely. I'm not sure if it is areal lease of if they are financing the purchase price of X # of months.
I'm a big SP fan, but you sound already familiar with the Chief protocols. Not everyone can jump from one program to another easily, and from all I understand, Chief is one of the easier and more intuitive to learn.
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I would be looking for something to keep long-term. I am a contractor who does design for others at times too. The version of 3D Home Architect is old, so there will be alot different no matter what I would guess.
Do you use full version of SP of Lite? I am wondering about such things as windows specs such as Marvin and Anderson.
I started with the old version of 3d in windows 95. The interface and method of drawing is the same in Chief Architect.
But....Chief Architect is 100 times more powerful than 3D architect. There is a lot to learn and there will be a learning curve but it's worth it. Long term, it will pay for itself many, many, many times over. The professionalism that you gain by using the program in conjunction with your general contracts will gain you far more than the cost of the program.
It's a great sales tool too and of course, you can make some good pocket money drawing for others. I did four designs last year at $3500 a pop.
I have used the full version of SP since about '98 v9. Have latest V14 now which includes both marvin and andersen window libraries. It was possible to import libraies from manuf sites in earlier versions. I don't know what is there in lite.my first main reason for the full version and not lite was that I wanted to be able to create my own walls. For instance we have a lot of older homes and I do remo, so I would have a thicker wall with plaster on rough cut studs.
With SP lite, you only have the walls supplied with the program.boss hog here has the Lite version to design for others, so he could explain its limitations better. I'll see if I can ring him in
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Another thing that might help focus the discussion to your needs is something more specific on what sort of budget you have in mind , and what specifically you expect to be able to do that SP lite will not do for you.
re, what style house and what is unique to it that would require the customization and power of the full program
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One thought would be to consider sticking with an industrial standard. Might make things flexible down the road. Autocad would likely be overkill/over budget but maybe focus on SketchUp or TurboCad
Problenm with that suggestion is that there is no industry standard for residential construction
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