Instant Deck Design

Rating:
Summary: Waste of time
Review: I bought this at CompUSA last year. The program tinks. It has very few pre-drawn deck layouts which are not really editable. There is nothing in the program that helps you draw a deck from scratch any better than pencil and paper. Basically, unless one of the pitiful few decks shown included perfectly matches what you want to build, it's useless. It's a sham to call this "deck design". Completely false advertising. Junk junk junk. Download a free 30 day demo of smartdraw and at least you'll have a decent and easy to use drawing program to use. Need something for a longer timeframe, then pay for smartdraw or some other actually useful program vs. throwing away your ... bucks.

Rating:
Summary: Worthless
Review: I downloaded Version 15 of this program from the IMSI website-now I see why they don't offer a trial version. The description on the website is manifestly untruthful. The deck wizard only offers a few options: deck dimensions; corner chamfer; and stair position. In order to change anything, you have to reconfigure the pre-drawn deck one board at a time using a very limited set of editing tools. The wizard only allows you to position the stairs coming straight out of one of the sides-forget about having a landing halfway down. There are no options for any of the materials used or railings, etc.

The Help file is for DesignCAD, the words "deck, " stair," and "rail" are not even included.

It doesn't even create a materials list. This seems to be a blatant flaw, it just lists two words: "Count" and "Attribute" and the number "0."

This software performs no useful function for anyone who intends to build a deck. I wish I could get my money back.

Rating:
Summary: A Simple CAD program
Review: I'm not sure why this is called "Instant Deck Design". There are a few canned deck designs in here. If you want to make your own deck design, you are basically given a standard CAD package that allows you to do 2D or 3D packages - there aren't even any canned deck accessories.

I did find the program useful, and I did draw my deck using their 2D tool. I was hoping it would help with structural calculations, etc., but it doesn't. So don't expect any help in pier locations, beam sizes, lumber selection, etc. If you select a canned deck it does provide a material list, but not if you draw your own.

Summary: Inexpensive, allows you to draw your deck, but really not much help other then a drawing tool.

Rating:
Summary: Waste of time
Review: I'm not sure why this is called "Instant Deck Design". There are a few canned deck designs in here. If you want to make your own deck design, you are basically given a standard CAD package that allows you to do 2D or 3D packages - there aren't even any canned deck accessories.

I did find the program useful, and I did draw my deck using their 2D tool. I was hoping it would help with structural calculations, etc., but it doesn't. So don't expect any help in pier locations, beam sizes, lumber selection, etc. If you select a canned deck it does provide a material list, but not if you draw your own.

Summary: Inexpensive, allows you to draw your deck, but really not much help other then a drawing tool.