Design Your Own Floorplans For That Dream Home Or Remodel
Written: Aug 17 '00 (Updated Aug 17 '00)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Easy To Use, SmartParts Technology
Cons: Roof Tool Is Hard To Use, No Option For Attic Loft
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| kcfoxy's Full Review: Home Architect Deluxe 3.0 |
Broderbund has created a variety of home design software that is clearly superior to anything put out by either Sierra or Home Design. Easy to learn programming, featuring intuitive SmartParts technology is the key. Just make sure your computer has the capability to run this type of program.
System requirements for the Windows 95/98 Platform include:
CPU: Pentium/100 MHz or better
RAM: 32 MB
Hard Drive: 25 MB
Video: 800 X 600, 16 Bit
CD ROM: 4X or better
For the avid computer geek this probably poses no problem, but for the casual user, such as myself, the memory needed, on top of the already huge amount of space Windows likes to wallow around in, can slow things down quite a bit. Optimal functioning, in terms of both graphics, 3D walk through, and design/landscape libraries will be found on higher speed processors with excellent graphic capabilities. For floor plan generation, my main interest, a less powerful computer works just fine.
After installing your program it is simple to get started. Unlike other faux CAD programs, that confound you with X-Y axis nonsense, 3D Home Architect gives you a very user friendly toolbar. A decent, and easy to read User's Manual explains the program, and even more helpful for beginner's will be the Quick Start card, allowing you to plunge into the creative world of floor plan design and remodel.
A click of your mouse on the walls icon, and you can begin the design process. Through familiar click and drag procedure it is easy to create parameter walls, rooms, closets, porches, decks, et al. The defaults are easy to over-ride through a click on the options drop down menu.
To create or remodel an existing bath, the option to resize is very helpful. I was able to turn a standard 5' x 2'9" tub into the custom whirlpool I desired, (a 5'6" X 3' Kohler), and a standard 2' floor cabinet was easily stretched into the 3' vanity I desired. A click on the bathroom icon and I could select an appropriate oval sink to place into this vanity.
Windows are easily created, and default settings allow you to resize and redesign window mouldings and types of glass treatment, such as casement, fixed or sliding styles. I plan to use both glass block and stained glass in my dream cabin, and only wish they had these capabilities.
There are a variety of furniture styles, which, for the most part are boxy and unimaginative. The important thing to note, is to measure your own furniture and use a similarly sized piece from either the toolbar or library, to give you an idea of floor space needed to suit your grouping. Don't forget at least 2'6" of walk around room between bed and dressers, or dining table and china cabinet though!
One gripe I do have is with the less than spectacular roof tool. Highly touted by Broderbund, this is hardly user friendly unless you are designing the most mundane of gable or hip roofs. Forget about adding either shed or doghouse dormers! For some reason the plan gives you an attic with any first floor plan, and if you desire a 1 1/2 story cabin, instead of a 2 story home, there is no way to trick the program.
I envision a cozy little 36' X 28' cabin, making good use of existing lumber sizes. There will be a master suite on the ground floor, with 2 closets, a full bath and a connecting office/media room. All these things have been possible to complete with this program, including either conventional or spiral stairs leading to a second floor loft.
This loft area will have a sitting area that overlooks the living room below, as well as an elevated deck which creates a sheltering porch over the entry way below. A full bath, a walk in storage closet, and a good-sized guest bedroom under the sloping roof complete this floor. Although I can trick the program to complete knee walls, (areas of less than 5' under the roof slant), I am still forced to go with a second floor plan.
Using this plan I can calculate heated square footage, (by naming knee wall area as open to below), and it is possible to create bird's eye views that encompass both floors, for example as looking up from the stairway or living room. Walls may be changed to railings to create that loft overlook so desirable in log homes today.
You have the option of 3D views, and can rotate your camera to give offset, front, right, left and back views of the home you have designed. Useful are the section views that can also be realized in this mode. 2D and 3D floor plans are easy to print in either black and white or full color. The program gives you the option of custom coloring different surfaces. I like to use a different color for wet areas (laundry room, utility closet, kitchen and baths), outdoors areas, (porches and decks) and carpeted or hardwood living areas, (bedrooms, halls, living and dining areas).
You are able to calculate the amount of building materials needed through the materials tool, and can print out cost sheets, customized with prices for building materials in your own area. So for example, you can calculate number of sheets of drywall and blue board needed, siding, mouldings and framing, square footage of carpeting, hardwood flooring, vinyl flooring, concrete and more.
A plan check feature helps you with simple code requirements, such as sizing of egress doors, smoke detectors, minimal closet and room sizing, et al. There is even help for checking your placement and selection of lighting, switch and wiring features. If you like to copy floor plans from magazines and plan books, 3D Home Architect Deluxe further gives you the option of reversing your plan, a great help if you love a plan but the view on your lot faces the other direction.
I would recommend this program to anyone dreaming of designing their own home, who is beyond the paper napkin stage. I started with drafting paper and pencil and this was the logical next step for me. I have bought a few of the cheaper programs, and they sit, unused to this day. While I don't much use the landscape or stock floor plan software bundled with this product, nor the design library, (replete with brand name items), I can see where this might be helpful for others wishing to envision an overall picture of their dream home, lot and interior.
I like the fact this program can be exported via DXF and BMP, because CAD export to such professional power programs as Chief Architect will help me communicate my design into working blueprints when the time is right.
Other versions of this program have been developed and are viewable at the broderbund.com website as well as at various stores both online and in larger office supplies and computer stores.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
kcfoxy
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Member: Casey Stewart
Location: West Coast Of Mars
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