Rating: 
Summary: Bummer upgrade, possibly nice for new users
Review: I was so excited to get version 5.0, thinking it would incorporate the latest features from Chief Architect 8.0 (the platform 3DHA 4.0 was built on). Wow was I wrong - 3DHA 5.0 is a complete re-write and the interface is totally alien to me. What a disappointment as I had become quite efficient in version 4.However, on the bright side, if you're a new user you may love this program. I have not used it enough yet to say whether it's worth the ninety bucks or not. In fact, I am so disappointed that I am going to exercise Broderbund's 100% satisfaction policy. As an upgrading user I cannot possibly give this a good rating. But like I said, if you are a newcomer, you may love it.
Rating:
Summary: Not worth the money
Review: I was very dissatisfied with this product. If you want to do anything more complicated than a simple box then forget it. I guess if all you want is some automated help laying out a simple floor plan then it's ok. If you really want to create a house design with multiple floors, or an even slightly complicated roof then don't buy this software. Of course when I found out these limitations and then tried to get a refund using the "full unconditional money back guarantee" that Broderbun says that they offer I got nothing but ignored.
Rating:
Summary: Bug ridden
Review: I wasted [money] on a program that rarely stays running long enough for me to save my work. So much for version 5, this has beta written all over it. I virtually never see other programs crash on my computer, so I thought I'd check to see if Broderbund offered a fix. Unfortunately there's nothing available so I'm going to try Chief Architect Home Edition 5.0 at least then I'll be able to open my Home Architect V4 files.
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: Three (or more) steps back
Review: I'm an experienced CAD user and enjoyed using 3D Home Architect v4.0 to quickly experiment with remodel design ideas. V5.0 is not compatible with v4.0 (no file importing) and it cannot export drawing to other CAD packages. The user interface is unnecessarily complex. I suggest you save yourself some money and grief and buy v4.0 of this product on eBay.
Rating:
Summary: Unnecessarily complex, unintuitive and unstable.
Review: I'm an experienced CAD user and enjoyed using 3D Home Architect v4.0 to quickly experiment with remodel design ideas. V5.0 is not compatible with v4.0 (no file importing) and it cannot export drawing to other CAD packages. The user interface is unnecessarily complex. I suggest you save yourself some money and grief and buy v4.0 of this product on eBay.
Rating:
Summary: Been having lots of fun with this!
Review: I'm not sure what all the complaints are about. Maybe the software has been upgraded. I have found it to be pretty intuitive, as I was able to start using it pretty much right out of the box. I find it to be a real help in looking at spatial relationships and flow between rooms for designing our new home, especially for my husband who cannot easily visualize from blueprints. It's quicker than Autocad for studies of different alternatives for laying in doors, windows, etc., at least for me!
Rating:
Summary: Buy Something Else - 3DHA 5 is Junk
Review: Like many others, I made many designs in 3DHA 4. It had its limitations, but you got used to them and moved on. When 5.0 was released, I jumped on it. Even fell for the Professional Ver. (jokes on me. . .). What a waste. I have never been so frustrated with software before. After many days of struggle, I thought it was me, or my PC. Then I read the reviews here. Those who like this product must never have tried to design a multi-level home, put on a gable roof, or tried to add a room to an existing design. This program, by CadSoft, tells you it can do all that, and it sometimes can, but good luck finding all the tricks and the touchy points, and all the other idiosyncracies. If you like to crash computers or watch an application hang, you'll love 3DHA 5. If you like to design homes, don't be fooled by the low price; get some REAL professional architectural software.
Rating:
Summary: Buy Something Else - 3DHA 5 is Junk
Review: Like many others, I made many designs in 3DHA 4. It had its limitations, but you got used to them and moved on. When 5.0 was released, I jumped on it. Even fell for the Professional Ver. (jokes on me. . .). What a waste. I have never been so frustrated with software before. After many days of struggle, I thought it was me, or my PC. Then I read the reviews here. Those who like this product must never have tried to design a multi-level home, put on a gable roof, or tried to add a room to an existing design. This program, by CadSoft, tells you it can do all that, and it sometimes can, but good luck finding all the tricks and the touchy points, and all the other idiosyncracies. If you like to crash computers or watch an application hang, you'll love 3DHA 5. If you like to design homes, don't be fooled by the low price; get some REAL professional architectural software.
Rating:
Summary: Unflexible, design features
Review: My complaint is simple, but big to what I needed. I wanted to create a partial wall that matched the angle of a staircase. After talking with broderbund tech support, I discovered that the software will not do this function. So if you need unlimited control of the shapes of your walls I'd skip this overpriced software package, If this isn't a problem for you, keep reading reviews and you see what I didn't feel the need to repeat.
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