Instant Architect

Rating:
Summary: Need more 'Details' when offering the program!
Review: I have a degree in Interior Design and have done drafting and architectectual designs the 'old fashioned way' with the drafting table, T-square, different size angles, and templates.
My sons want to get this for me as it seems more convenient with being on the computer. I download the CD-ROM but I realize there isn't a booklet or manual within the box to explain. I have a chronic disabling illness which I need things to better explain and show me in ways I can read without doing a project and having to search for 'how to just do a general layout plan design I have in my head'. The same with other programs you offer like this that doesn't have a manual to read or view from that point before you become overwhelmed by trying to figure out the program itself. If there is a booklet, I would appreciate it, or I will struggle through this and hope to eventually figure it out. You just need to state that there will not be a manual provided before someone purchases it.~Janice

Rating:
Summary: Instant Architect
Review: I have this program and it was not at all what I expected. It's difficult to use. I still haven't figured out to use it even with a printed manual. I mostly wanted a program that I could easily design a spiral staircase with and that would print out a material list for me. I should have saved my money. I think you would have to be an architect for this to be instant.

Rating:
Summary: Other Easy Cadd Program - Punch Professional Home Design
Review: I read a one star response about Instant Architect. Here's my 2 cents. I picked up Professional Home Design by Punch Software. If you want somthing quick and fun to use, this is the program. Once you lay out your floor plan you can click to view it in 3D. The other thing that you can do is click to view the house as it would be framed. This software includes furniture, landscaping, appliances, etc. It also keeps a material list as you design. As an architect, I use AutoCad and Microstation. I bought this for fun and found it to be a pretty good program for the money and a hoot to use. I would highly recommend it. Thanks!!

Rating:
Summary: Instant Architect isn't so instant.
Review: I was looking for a product that would help me get some ideas for a new cabin project down on paper. I wanted something that would help me with maintaining scale, automate some of the mundane drawing activites, and perhaps inspire me with ideas. I really didn't want or need all the features of the more expensively priced offerings out there. Given the price of this product my expectations were fairly low regardless what the packaging promised. After experimenting with Instant Architect for a few days it failed to meet even the lowest of my expectations. Here are the list of problems as I perceive them. The product looks like a beefed up version of Microsoft paint and it is slow, slow, slow (running on a P3 600 with 392MB RAM). The rendering is buggy especially when scrolling, often hanging, splitting the image or failing to render it completely. The interface is very rudamentary and clunky. Using the "image gallery" is especially unpleasant. The image library leaves much to be desired. Nearly all of the "150 free pre-drawn floorplans" are absolutley pathetic. Don't go looking for inspiration or ideas there! All in all I really think that this application is a comlete waste of money and time. When it came down to it I found myself struggling more the drawing. If you are looking for the kind of product I am looking for don't waste your time or money on Instant Architect. Stick to pen and paper!