Who Makes 3D Home Architect?

3D Home Architect and 3D Home Architect Deluxe (3DHA) is marketed by Broderbund through The Learning Company (TLC).  The code behind the software is developed by Advanced Relational Technologies (ART), who are also the developers and marketers for Chief Architect.  Chief Architect (CA) is a professional level software program that works very much like 3DHA, but goes far beyond the capabilities of 3DHA in allowing the user to create working drawings of a home.

Broderbund/TLC has a web site at http://www.thelearningco.com/ and markets many different software titles aimed mostly at the non-commercial user. They have technical support web pages that discuss known problems and frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for the different versions of 3DHA. (v1.5, v2.1, v3.0, v4.0)  But these pages do not supplement the manual. This is the reason for this web site.

Advanced Relational Technology Inc. (the actual programmers) is based out of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. Their address is 301 North Third Street, Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814.  They have a web site at http://www.chiefarchitect.com/. That web site is NOT dedicated to 3DHA, but rather to Chief Architect. The only mention of 3DHA is to let users know that if they would like to upgrade from 3DHA ($40) to CA ($800), they will get a $50 rebate on the price of CA. The best thing about 3DHA is that the people developing the heart of this product are doing so through the development of a truly serious residential development package like Chief. That translates to a lower level software product like 3DHA that provides accurate values in the model.  Some software products are only developed for the low end market and do not pay attention to accuracy. They must feel that, "If it looks pretty, it will sell."  And they're right. Punch! Software claims to be the top seller in home design software. But if you look at the page entitled "Beware of Framing Software" found under "Not in the manual -> General" on this web site, you will quickly see that accuracy is not always the primary goal. The primary goal is SALES!