Punch! Home Design Architectural Series 3000

Rating:
Summary: Determine Your Patience Level Before You Buy
Review: EXPERIENCE:
I suppose knowing my experience may help to gauge my ability to use the program and help you to decide what you are capable of doing if you purchase this program. I have worked with computers for nearly 20 years. I am a professional graphic designer and web developer. So, I suppose my experience with software would be in the advanced category. However I have never used this program prior to my purchase, but have used other home design and 3D software in my past.

PROS:
Great 3-D walk-through. Fairly descent selection of colors, materials, indoor, and outdoor furniture and landscape design elements. Fun to use if you don't need any custom items that are not in their library. I liked the ability to design more then just the floor plan, such as lighting, deck, plumbing, etc.

CONS:
3D tools seemed to be difficult for the average user. My expectations were not set high, as this is supposed to be a consumer-based product, thus it should be fairly easy to use with direction from the manual. However it lost me! It was several days getting the hang of using it and I still couldn't get basic items designed properly. For example, I needed to create an L-shaped island with sink for the kitchen. It just was not an easy thing to do. Because they did not have such things in their library, I was forced to use the 3D tools (designing from scratch). When creating the object dimensions, it is not easy placing the shape in it's proper location, and it was difficult to get the elevations correct as well. Try putting one of their sinks in your own 3D designed countertop, it just doesn't work well at all! It was truly more work then it should have taken for such a common task. Same thing when applying materials such as wood choices to furniture (albeit furniture was not real important for me) it took much more work then what should be considered a basic task (too many pieces to color within one furniture element). The roof never got quite finished either. I could not get the walls to fit within the dimensions of the roof (or visa-versa) on a 2nd story. I tried so hard, but not being an architect or engineer, I would say that this task requires you to really know what you are doing. It was not discussed well in the manual either. So, was it me, or was it the software with the limitations, I really couldn't tell you.

Needless to say, I got a bit frustrated, and hopefully without sounding like a know-it-all, frustration just doesn't happen to me very often when it comes to design programs. Don't get me wrong, I had those days back when I was learning to use design software, but using a consumer-based program such as this should have been simple for someone with my design background. I don't believe though, that it had to do with being easy or difficult, as much as it had to do with the limitations of the program in my circumstance. But for the newbie, I believe it would be considered a difficult program to use.

MY ADVICE:
If you really need something that covers a lot of ground, but doesn't require a complex design, or complex elements, then this should be fine. However if you don't have the patience or time, and you want to add more custom features to your project, I believe this program is overpriced for your needs, as it will prove to be more work then you bargained for. In fact, although I'm sure they put a lot of money into developing this program, I think it is overpriced for the average consumer trying to design their new home or remodel.

Rating:
Summary: DO NOT BUY
Review: I just recently purchased this software and was completely NOT satisfied! This is a very basic program that simply is overpriced. The box looks nice...and it appears that you just purchased something professional...but please believe when I say this is FAR from the truth. They claim to have all these so called wizards, that basically let you change the size of an existing object and a material from a very small list of materials and thats it! For instance I wanted to see how my kitchen would look...well I jumped into the cabinet wizard to find I had only two door styles to choose from...and much worse I could not add molding, millwork, or handles. Sure, if I want to spend hours creating these things in their cubersome and ackward 3D workshop, then I can add them. This is just ONE of many examples. I tried to email my concerns, but four days later I got a reply that they believed their product was highend software. I wanted my money back but they refused and said I should have spent more time researching their product...how is that for customer service? They went on to say this product does not need a guarantee or even a demo version for you to try out...even though they offer a 90 day money back guarantee with all their other products. Save your money or spend a little more and purchase Better Homes and Gardens Home Designer Pro 6...it is far superior in every aspect. AS3000 may claim to have all these features...but let me tell you they all are very basic and limited. This is NOT a professional program...it is a professional scam and waste of your hard earned money! DO NOT BUY!

Rating:
Summary: Buyer Beware
Review: I researched various design software prior to purcahsing Punch AS3000 and thought I did a good job of doing so...I was wrong. I have been in construction related fields for over 20 years, and feel as though given some instruction, guidleines, etc I can learn almost anything! Purchasing this software proved me to be wrong. Upon making my purchase I learned that there were no "demos" available, this should be warning #1! I pursued it. I was told that I would have 90 day support via phone tech support, which I did, however, when I did call I was treated as though i was truly "bothering" the receiver of my call, and then treated as though they could not believe that I did not know how to do waht I was asking. The manual is basically useless as it does not walk the user through applications in any sort of logical format. The tech support is not helpful, the so called tutorials are also useless. I strongly reccomend that you do not waste your money on this program. My only wish is that I could provide an alternative solution at this time. Each task is cumbersome and most require "custom 3D sorkshop" design which if you have the patience and "creativity" to figure out how to use still do not accomplish the task.