Rating: 
Summary: Useless software
Review: To start, the wall utility in this software is innacurate. Unless, you adjust the settings to draw within the nearest foot you will not be able to draw a wall of desired length. Even with the feature called the commander, which is supposed to allow you to enter the length and rotation angle of a wall, errors are present. For example, I typed in the information for a 40' wall and it produced one 40'2". And the six powerful rendering tools it promises, only 2 are available with this version. It doesn't even produce a detailed quantities list or plans check like the earlier version. I have a master's in civil engineering and do design work/CADD work on a daily basis, and have worked on both of the major CADD systems so I know what a good design program is.
Rating: 
Summary: Like going from DOS to Windows
Review: I ALMOST returned this software after a few days of trying it and now I am glad I didn't. I kept trying my old skills from version 4.0 and of course it was frustrating. I felt the same as when I tried my first windows program, after years of DOS familiarity.
Of course, I lost compatibility with my old designs, but again, most of those were one time shots to try ideas or to refine concepts. No serious contractor strength designs can be produced with version 4. With 5.0 you almost can. If you erase all you know about version 4 and work a few hours with the tutorials, you will be rewarded with a very flexible product that in a short time will be more intuitive to use than the old version 4.
Rating:
Summary: NOT USER-FRIENDLY
Review: I had a 3D Home Actitect program that I bought almost 10 years ago. It was much easier to use. Frankly I was extremely disappointed in this "new and improved" version. I feel it was a waste of my money and will go back to the old version. If you're a do-it-yourselfer, I'd suggest skipping this product.
Rating:
Summary: From sugar to ...
Review: I upgraded from version 3.0. My files do not work in 5.0. I think that it is the responsibility of the software publisher to inform the public that their new versions are not compatible with older versions. The new version doesn't have any of the same behavior as the old. I tried to make new plans and I was fighting the software. I'm going back to version 3.
Rating:
Summary: Broderbund's Big Mistake
Review: I bought a DOWNGRADE! Version 5.0 does NOT read my version 4.0 plans. SAVE YOUR MONEY! 3D Home 4.0 was a great product. Instead of getting more great features with 5.0, I got a headache. It is obvious that broderbund has a different software company creating 5.0. My advice, find out which software company made 4.0 and buy from them.
Rating:
Summary: Save your money
Review: Version 5.0 appears very powerful but it is very difficult to use compared to version 4.0. The price of total design freedom is a steep learning curve and I am not willing to pay the price.Here is the first problem that frustates me to no end. When you draw a rectangle the size disappears until you annotate it with the dimension tool. Then if you move the wall, the dimension size does not follow along - it stays the same, measuring between meaningless points. How can I have confidence in my design when the measurements are out to lunch. All I want is improved roof design capability which 5.0 might have. I am sending it back to Broderbrund without mastering the powerful features it claims to have. The basics are too difficult. I will keep using 4.0.
Rating:
Summary: Consumer Alert
Review: I found this alert on the manufacturers website: Consumer Alert!
Attention 3D Home Architect 4.0 Users:
Buyer beware is the watchword when considering the purchase of 3D Home 5.0, the so-called "upgrade" to our (ART, Inc) award winning 3D Home 4.0 software. We are the developers of 3D Home Architect 4.0, but we did NOT produce 3D Home 5.0 and we are NOT responsible for its content or its missing features. 3D Home 5.0 IS NOT A TRUE UPGRADE TO 3D HOME ARCHITECT 4.0! The Problems with 3D Home 5.0
3D Home 5.0 is now on the shelves BUT IT IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH 3D HOME 4.0! This means that any plans you worked on in 3D Home 4.0 become wasted effort. Not only that, but all the time you invested learning how to use 3D Home Architect 4.0 is lost. This "new" version of 3D Home 5.0, authored by another company has a totally different interface. Chief Architect Home Edition 5.0: The True Upgrade! DON'T PANIC! We feel your pain and have rushed to offer you a real solution to this problem. We are now offering Chief Architect Home Edition 5.0, which is based on our powerful, award winning professional grade Drafting & Design software. This is not only the best do-it-yourself home design software on the market today, BUT CHIEF ARCHITECT HOME EDITION 5.0 IS FULLY COMPATIBLE WITH 3D HOME 4.0! This means that you can use all of your 3D Home Architect 4.0 house plans in Chief Architect Home Edition 5.0! And, because you already know 3D Home Architect 4.0, you will feel right at home with the familiar interface of Chief Architect Home Edition 5.0.
Rating: 
Summary: 3DHA 5 vs 4
Review: I'm a user of both 3DHA 4 and 5 and have read the comments here; Versions 4 and 5 are VERY different and not compatible - they were created by different companies. Having worked with both applications extensively, it is apparent (to me at least) that version 5.0 is much more powerful than 4.0: Inserting a roof: After selecting the Roof Tool, simply right-click over the structure and choose "Auto-Insert". Now, move one of the walls - the roof automatically re-sizes. (Way cool.) Version 4.0 required a 'regeneration' of the roof which I found quite awkward. Other examples: * Ability to modify ANYTHING and EVERYTHING (4.0 did not allow modifications to furnishings); * Full 3-D Editing (try that in 4.0!); * View Modes that only professional packages have (wireframe, hidden line, shaded, etc.); * Improved 3D Navigation - no more 'step, step, step' motion. The 'Orbit' Tool alone is a vast improvement. * 'Pick Points' and 'Insert Mode' - these allow you to draw continuously without having to re-click a tool. For example: if you are drawing walls (thus is 'Insert Mode') your cursor can leave the workspace and change drawing options or views WHILE drawing! * More control over appearance - they've even introduced Line Styles and Hatch Patterns. (That's right: Hatch Patterns in a retail home design application!) * 'MS-Office' interface: they've changed the UI to be more compatible with Office applications. 5.0's interface reminds me of Visio. I prefer 5.0's interface as 4.0's was so quirky. Every single aspect of this software has been improved and made more powerful. The quality of plans I am able to produce in a short amount of time exceeds the capabilities of 4.0 hands down. I'll never go back to Version 4.0.
Rating:
Summary: Horrible
Review: I just want to echo everything that's already been said. Do not buy this software unless you are an expert with CAD. And even then, I would suggest you find the previous version (Deluxe 4.0) in the bargain bin. It was easy to use. Problems I had with this version are:
1. Couldn't print to 1/4" scale on printer. Plotters supported. But, who has one of these? 2. Didn't find a way to automatically annontate rooms (sizes or names). 3. Generally, just difficult to use. Found the "Commander" to be cumbersome and confusing. 4. Couldn't import drawings from previous version. 5. Had software crash when loading drawings I had just saved. Maybe as CAD software, this is a good product. But, the features I needed were not present. I'm returning mine today.
Rating: 
Summary: Upgrade Warning!
Review: The fact that 3D Home Architect v.5.0 is not compatible with 3D Home Architect v.4.0 drawings is the single worst upgrade mistake you could make - and I paid the price (see Regarding: Broderbund Technical Note ID: 31665). Who's bright idea was that? Find them and tell them they should sell shoes - not technology products. You can give them my name and I'll be glad to them directly. Broderbund should know better. Even if the formats are different they should have created a migration tool. No excuses - they should have. The fact that I now must REDRAW all my work in order to take advantage of 5.0 features is insane. For their protection, other potential Broderbund customers should know about this total lack of customer support perpetrated by your company. Too bad. I really thought your company had it together.
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