Chief Architect has established itself in the industry as one of the most renowned home designer software companies there is. They have been known for designing and developing programs that are not only very useful, but also quite reasonably priced. One of these said programs is the Home Designer Suite which is available for a very affordable price tag of only $99. What’s even better is that it is also compatible with Microsoft’s newest OS, Windows 7. Below are some of the main features of this program.

User-Friendliness

Not only is this piece of software very powerful, but it also happens to be a lot of fun and quite easy to use. It is an excellent tool for designing one’s home, from remodeling all the way to landscaping. There are also thousands of sample plans included in the kit, as well as home style templates that can either be used directly or serve as an inspiration for one’s own design. The House Wizard tool is also great for custom designs and features such as automatic framing, stairs, and roof generation make things even easier.

If one might need some help with anything regarding the program, it has an option to either go on the internet and access the product’s online help system, or makes use of the dozens of tutorial videos that provide very helpful step-by-step guides.

Great for Both Interiors and Exteriors

The Home Designer Suite is also great for designing both the interior and exterior of one’s house. Another pre-installed feature is the Material Painter which allows users to apply different materials and colors on nearly all surfaces. There are also hundreds of different interior items to choose from which includes fabrics, sofas, tables, and chairs, to name a few. With the Smart Design Objects also on board, it becomes as simple as dragging and dropping various design objects from the program’s expansive library.

3D Virtual Tools

Aside from 2D, users of the Home Designer Suite can also make use of a couple of other different views to ensure that all the angles are covered before the plans are finalized. One can choose from various 3D views (with an automatic camera tool), the Glass House view (translucent view), or even the Doll House view (roof-less view from the top). It is also an option to go on the Virtual Tour which can also be customized depending on one’s own desires. Adjusting angles and lighting is also made easy by the night and day views, as well as the shadow generation tool which is also on board. Designing one’s home has never been this easy – and enjoyable as well.

By: Robert Diarioti

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Most of the home design software products in the market run on the PC platform with just a few on the MAC OS X computing environment. Here are a few stand-out home design solutions running either exclusively on the Mac or on both Mac and PC workstations.

Punch! Home Design Studio

Retailing for just less than a hundred dollars, the Punch! Home design Studio made popular on the PC has been ported on the Mac with the same features that let you realize on the screen your dream house, inside and out. It can now take advantage of the excellent 3D graphics capabilities of the Mac to render fast 3D drawing of your designs with the usual multi-angle views and textured realism that Punch! Home Design Studio can deliver.

3D Home Architect Home and Landscape Deluxe Suite10

Coming down a bit with lesser features and sophistication is the Architect Home and Landscape Deluxe Suite 10 from 3D Home. Costing just a third of the Punch! Home Design Studio at $36 from Amazon, the suite gets the job done for most homeowners who are not really as interested in designing their dream houses but would like a simple tool that can save them the cost of hiring a professional architect. You get the same 2D and 3D rendering and modeling features with its expensive drag and drop library of design elements that make designing your house and landscaping around it a breeze.

MacDraft

Coming in two flavors, the Pro and the Personal Edition versions, this is basically a 2D drawing tool that does a good job at drafting and creating floor plans as 2D views of your house design project. IA bit pricey at $320 for the Pro and half that on the Personal Edition, either product is as sophisticated as any home-bound CAD-based vector drawing software which can also read AutoCAD files as imports.

Interiors Professional

A $250 value, this is arguably one of the best interior designing tool for the Mac platform. It also has one of the most user-friendly controls for creating some of the best looking interiors with excellent textures and lighting effects in 3D-rendered models. Targeted for both the novice and professional interior designer, the software is easy to learn and use with a library of 3D design objects like furniture, planters and appliances to mention some while allowing you to create your own.

Mac Freeware

There is a couple of free downloadable application for home design worth mentioning. These are Sweet Home 3D and Live interior 3D. For the homeowner or novice wanting to get a feel of what it is like to work with a home design software on the Mac, these two are fine options that take some of the design features available in the market without costing anything, just your internet bandwidth. The graphics are not their best points as some object can look blocky and less refined, certainly not as realistic with software that you pay for, but you get an idea. For many, providing the means to let you play around, simulate and visualize your dream house inside and out on the Mac — without spending a dime is a treat itself. If only for that, despite its limitations, freebies offer stand-out value for the novice.

By: Robert Diarioti

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Being one of the newest software around, it is definitely more advanced. It provides leverage for designers, builders and architect in coming up with designs and other projects such as decking, home remodeling, landscaping, outdoor living and designing.

It will be safe to assume that like its earlier counterpart, this software has user friendly options as well except that it has more additional features and exciting applications.

Features and System requirements

It can operate on Windows Vista, Windows 7 and XP operating systems. This powerhouse software makes building and designing fun and easy. Like the earlier versions, this can arrange walls, view landscapes in a different angles, choose from a variety of colors, has an automatic roof generation, make decks, doors, windows and cabinets and so much more.

From the 1,500 plant options from other version, this takes pride in its wide selection of 3,600 plants. Interior items in this great software has elevated to an amazing number of 7,000 that includes fixtures, windows, doors, cabinets, and appliances.

Highly recommended for professionals involved in the building and designing industry, this software creates so many possibilities. It also has a cost estimator that calculates not only the cost of the project but the home’s value and amount of mortgage possible.

Easy to use program

This software comes with very easy step-by-step tutorial videos. It also has a very clear user manual. There is no need for a technical support to assist you in using the program, but then again you may seek assistance to have a better grasp of the program. It also has an intuitive interface function, user-friendly options that come with many other applications.

Want to view your future home in varying modes? The program allows you to do so. It could be in different landscape angles, home views and even night/day view modes.

This software lets you design with outstanding details, plus its huge selections located in its library is an added incentive. You can also import photos, display your finished designs for other home designers to see and name the brands you plan to use on your remodeling projects.

Purchasing the software

The price ranges anywhere from $180 to $220. Of course, this program is upgradeable which allows you to add more updates when available. This program may be purchased at any Chief Architect store or downloadable from various website for a fee.

What You Cannot Do

Unfortunately, this home planning software has certain limitations. With this software, you cannot verify if such conforms to local and national building codes, the program also does not allow you to add sounds. Complicated HVAC systems cannot be done on this software as well.

Other than these limitations, this software is a great buy. You can practically create various designs with ease. Just by using your computer coupled with patience and imagination, no doubt you will be able to achieve the goal of coming up with great design without the need of spending much on contractors and interior designers.

In general, this software justifies its advertising claims and representations. Enjoy designing, building and remodeling with Chief Architect Architectural Home Designer 9.0 today!

By: Robert Diarioti

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