OUESTION: Home Design Software

Aug 29, 2011 | Yosemitest

[Yosemitest]

OUESTION: Home Design Software
Aug 29, 2011



Is there a computer software program that lets you:

1. First take item's size or dimensions and label them and save them, (stove, couch, sink, etc.) as a movable item.

2. Place them on a design sheet, and move them around by mouse movement.

3. Define space between items, and be able to change it later.

4. After you get satisfied with your layout of items, then design walls around those items, and design you home, yard, or whatever you are planning to build,
in that order, and be able to make changes in your plans, anywhere along the process.



I have an old Punch Home Design Softwear Platinum Version 8 program.
I don't really know how to use it.
I'm wondering if there's a program that will let you design your home AROUND the items you want and where you want their placement, BEFORE you design your room sizes.
That way, you won't assume you need more room space than you want, or less room space than you need.

Also you might want to consider where you want to place root cellars or basements that don't exactly match the house foundation,
so you can have a safe location in case of tornados, and a way out from under the house in case of fire after a tornado,
and a safe location in case of a forest fire.

Any suggestion, or thoughts?

[Yosemitest]

Thank you for your time.

[Bean Counter]

Honestly, I just faced this very question with designing my new shop. The answer I came up with was to hire a local architect to do it for me.

It simply was not worth my time or the frustration involved to teach myself how to use any of the many different design software programs that are out there, and for $200 I found a local grad doing work on the side and hired him to give me a complete set of plans, 5 sheets, ready to go to Codes with and pull my permits.

It was a good way to directly stimulate the local economy too...the right way!

[gemoftheocean]

...and you’ll never want to buy another or bigger piece of furniture.... [I expect almost any design package will do what you want..but sometimes you just have to actually RTFM.]

[gemoftheocean]

...and you’ll never want to buy another or bigger piece of furniture.... [I expect almost any design package will do what you want..but sometimes you just have to actually RTFM.]

[the invisib1e hand]

IMHO - and I realise this doesn’t answer your questions directly — If you do not know how to use, or do not want to teach yourself to use, Autocad, then hire an architect. Rhino-3D is also extremely user friendly, thought not geared specifically for home design.

[glorgau]

http://www.homestyler.com/designer

[Yosemitest]

When I was in the military, I knew one day I would move back home, where I grew up.
I THOUGHT that I'd work on a house design while I was in the military, a little at a time.
BUT, I never got around to it. Hence, I didn't learn how to use my program.
Now, I'm older and have acquired items, say speakers that need a minimum distance from the TV, and I want to plan a good layout for a home, and play with the plan.
Then when I'm satisfied with the layout, I'll start construction.

I guess there's always the pencil and paper method.

[the invisib1e hand]

I guess there's always the pencil and paper method.

Don't discount it -- all software does is automate it. Wouldn't be a bad idea to start with sketches even as you're getting to learn your software. I say, learn it, and then if it has limitations find something a little more sophisticated.

[BfloGuy]

Google Sketchup is free and available online. It's the equal of software I've used that costs hundreds of dollars. As mentioned above, though, you will have to learn how to use it.

Well worth the time, in my opinion.

[the invisib1e hand]

LOTS of people - I've known designers -- who at one time or another cut out little 2-d models of things and moved them around on a sheet of paper.

The thing that will help you most is "scale" -- i.e. 1" = 10' or something similar (there are standard scales architects use). Once you've worked that out for say, your wood stove, your couch, and your living room, you'll be able to make good use of the concept.

Remember, these are tools to make design easier -- not to make you a slave to learning design.

Try it!

[Yosemitest]

My problem is, assisting with older parents, taking care of a garden, and just plan living, time is limited.
I do want to learn it, but I get tired easily, being diabetic.

[the invisib1e hand]

Google Sketchup is free and available online

Right! I've heard of it; when I did design I downloaded it but never used it, as I'd moved on to Rhino or Autocad or I was protesting Google's takeover of the world or something...

[the invisib1e hand]

My problem is, assisting with older parents, taking care of a garden, and just plan living, time is limited. I do want to learn it, but I get tired easily, being diabetic.

Take your time. You can do it -- believe me, if I can (and I did), you can.

[Yosemitest]

Thanks.

[Yosemitest]

About 6 months ago, my brother paid an architect $700 to design a simple 20' by 30' garage for the back yard,
with an upstairs storage area. to meet code for Florida's panhandle and its 140 mph wind load.

[Raycpa]

Home Designer Architectural can do that and more.

[skr]

I just used Photoshop and a measuring tape. It wasn’t fancy but I was able to move things around and get ready for when the delivery people came.

[FromTheSidelines]

eTeks Sweet Home 3D - free, open source, and it's great. I've used it to design a couple of cabins I built and it worked perfectly. Simple to use, easy 2D and 3D views that are linked, and quick to learn.

[ggrrrrr23456]

Chief Architect X4 is awesome.
Check out chiefarchitect.com and watch their demos. It gives you an idea of what’s possible with the high-end software out there and could inform you as you search for a more affordable piece of software.
Plus, it’s just cool to watch what this program can do.