Rating: 
Summary: I thought it was pretty good
Review: A good product. I never used version 4 so I have nothing to compare it to but I've had no problems getting everything done I needed to.
Rating: 
Summary: Not what I Expected
Review: After reading the box, it sounded good so I bought this program. Took it home and invetsed about 16 hours playing with it and designing a home we plan to build. Several times the program would shut down without warning and without saving my work. I contacted Broderbund via E-Mail support and they wrote that they were still working on fixing that problem. Also wanted to print full size drawings on my home printer (Like other programs)and it would not do that either. Broderbund said they were working on that one too. Other features I thought I had were not on the program. I was very disappointed and very happy to see a money back guarantee on the box. I am currently waiting for my refund. I then spent a bit more money on the Punch! AS18 program and have to say...What a difference!
Rating: 
Summary: Not nearly as easy to use as they'd like you to think!
Review: After using 3D Home Architecht 4.0; I upgraded to this professional version. Not only are the two softwares TOTALLY different, but some very helpful functions in the older, for simple 4.0 are not offered in the newer 5.0 version.
Sure - its very powerful; but if you can't tell how long your walls are, what good is it?
Rating: 
Summary: Powerful beyond belief
Review: As a user of 3D Home Architect 4.0, I was a little miffed at first to find the interface 5.0 change from 4.0. As I spent a little time with the more complex interface, I realized that the new power of this program was awesome!New features I found included curved walls, multiple 3D Views, and real-time navigation, features that were not possible with the old version. The new roofing creates the most complex shapes roofs I could ask for, with curved, multi-faceted and multi-sloped roofs with multiple plate heights. I inserted skylights, curve-top windows, doors and created complex structures, not possible with 4.0. Objects that I did not find in the database, I easily imported from 3DS files that I found on the internet. This upgrade was definitely worth the money and worth the slightly larger learning curve.
Rating:
Summary: Three (or more) steps back
Review: Broderbund just lost a long time customer. I have been using their product for years and was very excited when I got the notice of the new upgrade available. I just loaded it and only after major frustration did I start searching the web for information on what I might be missing. I wish I had read these reviews before I bought into the upgrade. I'm going to check out Chief Architect as suggested... otherwise, I'll reload v4.0. v5.0 doesn't do half of what 4.0 did and its touchier than any software I've used in ten or more years. Shame on Broderbund... and shame of me for giving them money (but its the last time).
Rating:
Summary: Defective, not ready for release
Review: Consider this release a beta. It is buggy. Video errors, program errors, lacking in function. The tech support guys are doing their best to keep up, but bad is bad. Wait for a patch.
Rating:
Summary: Home Architect
Review: Definitely not a finished product. Extremely difficult to view interior as 3D. Compare with Version 3. Rendering takes forever on a 400MHz CPU, 256 megabyte ram. Help is of little help.
Plus - installation come with a freebie that you may not want: DSSAGENT.EXE, a stealth link. Look it up.
Rating:
Summary: Don't buy this so-called "upgrade"!
Review: Don't waste your money. This is not an upgrade to 3D Home Architect 4.0. It is a totally new product that is not anything like the previous version...
Rating:
Summary: ATTENTION BRODERBUND 3D HOME ARCHITECT v4.0 OWNERS!!
Review: From the negative reviews of the 5.0 product, I decided to do some research on another product that was recommended: Chief Architect Home Edition 5.0 (or CAHE5). Apparently, the vendor who makes CAHE5 also made Broderbund's 3D Home Architect v4.0 product. But they did NOT make the new v5.0 software; it was sub-contracted out to another company. Probably explains the new interface and the fact that v5.0 is not compatible with v4.0 (you cannot import v4.0 designs). CAHE5 *is* compatible with 4.0, and it will import v4.0 files. The vendor says that CAHE5 is the true update to v4.0. FYI, The vendor also says that the next release of their software will be renamed to Better Homes and "Home Designer Suite" v6.0. It's available now, in fact. ... NOTE: I do not work for Chief Architect, Broderbund or any other computer company. I'm just a homeowner researching for the best home design software and I believe in sharing the knowledge. Regards,
Roland Thomas
Rating:
Summary: 4.0 is much better
Review: I agree w/ other reviews, 4.0 is much better. The only exception that I have found so far is that 5.0 has a more powerful rendering engine. 5.0 is not as flexible, I haven't yet found a way to specify the height at which a window is placed so I can't put a window in a gable end of a roof. Also the help system is much weaker than 4.0. This software is not much more than a toy. It is easy to learn and use so if a quick representation is all that is needed, it will work but 4.0 is still better even for that.
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