Favorite 3D design software?

Erin · January 01, 2008, 02:14:11 PM

http://home-design-software-review.toptenreviews.com/
The above is a rating of 10 "low end" 3D design suites. I hesitate to take their word for it, though, since so often these types of sites only review the software that pays them to do so...

So, I hoped to get a few opinions here.

I've been using the free version of SketchUp for a while and it's okay, but if possible I'd like something a bit more intuitive... I also realize that I'm going to probably have to break down and use our PC

due to the rarity of finding something along these particular lines for my Mac.

Anyway... What's your fave and why?

Thanks!
-Erin

glenn kangiser · January 01, 2008, 02:19:45 PM

I do it all in my head, Erin ... if things get bad I break out a pencil and paper.

I have played with the drawing programs a bit but get too impatient. Then again -- I'm not usually planning a big project.

January 01, 2008, 03:37:32 PM

Well I must confess, multiple pencil/paper sketches is how I start, but for a big project (an entire house or even room), it's nice to be able to see it all in 3D. Rotate, "walk through" the rooms, etc. It really gives a nice idea for what does and doesn't work.

williet · January 01, 2008, 06:51:50 PM

I'm with Glenn. I do it with graph paper and a pencil. I can see where it would be nice to see it all in 3D, but just haven't taken the time to learn a program.

It's hard to beat a scale, pencil and graph paper....OH...and a good eraser!

new land owner · January 01, 2008, 08:40:43 PM

I use Punch software. It took along time to get to learn it, but it is a great program. I like that you can make a change and see it in 3 D. I would buy Punch.

January 01, 2008, 09:15:19 PM

I have Punch I received from a friend. I've played with it, but that's about all.

I'm a paper and pencil guy. Maybe because that's what I started with before there were computers. It's kind of funny in a way. I am a big time computer fan... I got my first computer in '81 and do darn near everything on them today except drawing. For that I use my old drafting tools, assorted pencils, vellum paper (it stands up to much erasing), and a good eraser.

So I'm no help am I?

new land owner · January 01, 2008, 10:07:05 PM

Was it a VIC 20? I got mine in 81'

MountainDon · January 01, 2008, 10:36:45 PM

My first was a Sinclair ZX-81, followed quickly with a VIC-20.

In '82 I bought one of the first IBM PC clones with an Intel 8088 running at 4.77 Mhz, a whopping 128KB of Ram, a 10 MB hard drive. We used it for business inventory tracking. I had a geek working for me and he wrote all the software and patched together a tape device to capture sales off the cash register. Overnight the data was xferred to the PC. There was also a tape data backup drive and a rotating library of tapes. Like I said I got my technology feet wet real early. Difficult to count how many 'boxes' since then. $:-\$

The next year we got a Commodore 64 to play games on.

MountainDon · January 01, 2008, 10:40:40 PM

IF I was looking to do simple 3D work for cabin plans I might consider looking for one of the programs that's compatible with John's planhelp.com stuff. Have to buy used as the newer stuff doesn't work with the older files. I have one of those around here too. Bought it for something like $6 on ebay.com

January 02, 2008, 08:47:17 AM

I'm like Don. I started with computers when they were new. I did have a Vic 20 to start. You couldn't really get software and it booted into basic so I locked myself in my office for a weekend...and learned to program.

That said, I had a drafting machine long before I had a computer and it's just faster to do plans on paper.

With Johns plans I scanned them and put them on CD. I then made cut and paste overlays and put the whole mess in Adobe Photoshop. I could play with them in 2D all I wanted and it worked really well.

Pretty soon, they weren't John's plans anymore $:-\$ so I did paper plans.

Just a quick caveat, although I hope no one here would do it...If you digitize John's plans, please don't give them away. John provides good plans at a better price. It would be a shame to take advantage of his straight forward business methods.

Erin · January 02, 2008, 10:12:14 AM

Quoteit's just faster to do plans on paper

I agree. As I said, I do my sketches on paper, too. (I just use plain old graph paper, though. Many sheets of plain old graph paper. lol since apparently it doesn't hold up as well as velum.)

But after you get the floor plan, elevations, etc. it's nice to put it all in 3D. If you've never tried it, you truly have no idea what you're missing!!

cbc58 · January 03, 2008, 09:51:36 AM

Hi-

For those who have used design software that also has a landscaping feature .... will it show terrain elevations so that you can see what the house will look like sitting on the lot from a distance.. as well as get a better idea of the site work involved? Thks.