Is there a good 3d home design program that works on win vista?
I'm planning on a 20x34 1 3/4 1000sf cabin
I need a program that will make building dept ready plans.
Thanks.
I would expect any XP compatible program should run fine on Vista. No one (at this point in the Vista cycle) would design a program to run exclusively on Vista. d*
When you say building department ready plans do you want to do all the structural detailing, cross sections and elevations yourself? If so you will need a Pro level program such as Chief Architect (http://www.chiefarchitect.com/).
On the PlanHelp (http://www.planhelp.com/public/main.cfm) site we use much simpler (and far cheaper!) older programs (http://www.countryplans.com/3dha/index.html) to do modified floor plan layouts and elevations that can be printed to scale and then pasted into paper plans that have the structural information already worked up.
See this link for info: http://www.planhelp.com/public/92.cfm
Of course, there are limits to such a strategy. You can't change some things on a floor plan without the structure having to change as well. But, if one of the paper plans (http://www.countryplans.com/plans.html) comes close to your needs, then a matching template plan (http://www.planhelp.com/public/programs/downloadsearch.cfm?searchtype=simple&searchmode=cat&keywords=recent&sortby=name&cat=3DHA%20) will allow you to make interior revisions, change windows and doors and even shorten or lengthen the building a bit without structural modification.
THere is a free trial version of Chief Architect available, albeit crippled. No printing/saving.
Thanks for the info.
I'm using punch software now and its very limited.
I'm planning on doing as much as I can.
Also, how do you post pictures on this forum?
Thanks again.
Here's a good Step-by-step that Glenn worked up:
Start a free account at Photobucket (http://photobucket.com)
Register- log in - go to-- Upload Photos (or videos!)/ Browse click the browse button - it will look on your computer - browse to the My Documents/roof.jpg or whatever, (the name of the file you want).
This also works with other images/pictures on your computer. Double click the file name then click the upload button.
The picture will appear on your Photobucket album. Below the picture are 3 tags.
Copy the img code tag --click on it and it should copy -- if not then highlight it - right click - copy then paste it into the message reply window between the IMG brackets (made by the little picture frame on the icon toolbar). This works for all photos or screenshots.
Example - note that I added the quotes and the first hyphen to keep the file from appearing so you could see what I am talking about. Even though this looks complicated, it isn't - the program names it and everything -you just click buttons and copy and paste.
"[img-]https://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d184/glennkangiser/ScreenShot004-1.jpg[/img]"
Also: see this topic
http://countryplans.com/smf/index.php?topic=3512.0
Thanks for the photo info.
Has anyone used Punch! Professional Home Design Platinum V12?
It says it prints blueprints to scale.
I'm looking for more mechanical design rather than 3d design.
This program seems to have both.
Also, can I get more info on planhelp and how do you paste mods on your plans?
Can you mod the 20x30 cabin plans online and then download and print them?
Here's my rough ideas...
(https://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj181/bigdjmike/cabin6.jpg)[/img]
(https://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj181/bigdjmike/cabin5.jpg)[/img]
The 2nd floor has a full shed roof in the back.
I'm planning on doing platform framing with 2 ft kneewall upstairs.
I will probably redo the 1st floor bathroom to make a hvac closet in back of the bed closet.
Let me know what you think.
I have a copy of V 8 I got at a garage sale. I have not mastered it; sometimes my roofs are about 6 - 12 inches or so above the walls in the 3D views. ???
I will be interested in how the Punch project works out for you. Let us know. If you can print to scale (1/4") then you can paste the new floorplan over the old in the paper plans. You may be able to do the same with elevations.
Here's more info on doing this from the PlanHelp site.
Using template plans: http://www.planhelp.com/public/92.cfm
General Info: http://www.planhelp.com/public/10.cfm
and http://www.planhelp.com
Understand that Punch will not open the template files. You will have to start from scratch and layout your own. We can use ONLY the programs mentioned in the articles. Home design programs have never settled on a compatible file format, so almost everyone is different.
John
PS - The two programs we have settled on for the template files are far from perfect. They can do a good job of floorplan layout and print to scale with different layers turned on or off (electrical, dimensions, labels, etc.) This is very useful and not available in many newer programs.
Here's a tutorial on the $12 program we have used: http://www.countryplans.com/3dha/index.html
I've just upgraded from Punch super home suite to Punch Pro Home Design platinum v12.
I'll let you know if it works out.
Also, is there anything in the code about putting a furnace room accessible through a bedroom closet...
(https://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj181/bigdjmike/cabin7.jpg)
IRC2003 is located here
http://www2.iccsafe.org/states/Seattle/seattle_residential/res_frameset.htm
That's Seattle specific but everything is there; Seattle exemptions are noted but still readable. Chapter 24 covers furnaces and other stuff.
I wonder if you might consider an outside door (assuming it is close to grade). It could be sided and as well insulated as the wall.
I rearranged the whole 1st floor....
(https://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj181/bigdjmike/cabin8.jpg)
I have to have code stairs, I coudn't make it work the original way.
I also have some renderings....
(https://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj181/bigdjmike/R1.jpg)
(https://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj181/bigdjmike/R2.jpg)
(https://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj181/bigdjmike/R3.jpg)
2nd floor is next....
Cool - looks almost real.
2nd Floor....
(https://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj181/bigdjmike/2ndf.jpg)
(https://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj181/bigdjmike/R6.jpg)
(https://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj181/bigdjmike/R5.jpg)
1st Floor HD....
(https://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj181/bigdjmike/R7.jpg)
(https://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj181/bigdjmike/R8.jpg)
(https://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj181/bigdjmike/R9.jpg)
(https://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj181/bigdjmike/R10.jpg)
Rear Decks...
(https://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj181/bigdjmike/R11.jpg)
Looking good. The layout seems well dimensioned.
Looks like you're getting more skilled with the program each time you post images.[cool]