Rating: 
Summary: WATCH OUT WHEN CHANGING OPERATING SOFTWARE
Review: 3D was the first program ever purchased for building floor plans. I was told it was very user friendly, and it is. My wife and I had the highest hopes for this program, when we were using MS Windows98. It appeared to be everything we ever wanted! Then we replaced our operating software to MS Windows XP, just one month after purchasing 3D. The AMAZON On-Line description states it will work with 98, ME, XP, and 2000.
IT WILL NOT WORK WITH XP. WE CONFIRMED THIS WITH BODERBUND. Sadly, we are now looking for a compatible architect software....
Rating: 
Summary: Buyer beware! No annotate feature.
Review: Be aware that this version is not the Deluxe or Professional version and you will not be able to annotate at all. This means no printable dimensions or text fields to identify rooms and such. OK if you just want to play around, but if you want to design something for real you need to buy at least the Deluxe version. Not much good if you can't print the dimensions of your design.
Software crashed on me several times and I was unable to get the tutorial to run until calling tech support. (Tutorial doesn't run well if you use Netscape and you must have Macromedia Flash). I am running XP on a 1.2 GHz box with 768 MB of RAM so that should not be an issue. Tech support from Broderbund is good though.
Rating: 
Summary: it does work with XP
Review: Contrary to the prior review, this software works just fine under XP. I'd recommend checking for software updates to XP and/or ensuring the drivers are current. If it makes a difference it is XP Pro SP1, always kept current over the internet, running on a 2500+XP w/ 512 memory and 128mb 9600 ATI card. Fairly current stuff.
I've got this window open on one monitor (looking for an upgrade--but finding out it might not be worthwhile unless I spend hundreds of dollars) and my garage/apartment open in the other screen.
Rating: 
Summary: 3D Home Architect Deluxe 3 & MS Windows XP
Review: Everyone else has done an excellent job evaluating this product. However, I thought that I should add that I use Windows XP, and this program DOES operate with out any problems for me. I thought this might be beneficial knowledge for any other XP user's out there!
Rating:
Summary: 3D Home Architect Deluxe 3 & MS Windows XP
Review: I bought this in order to work on plans for finishing a basement. The program was easy to use, and completing an initial plan was quite intuitive. However, when I went to print, nothing happened -- just an error message. After spending some time with the manual (which was well organized so at least it wasn't too much time) and then with on-line help, which was somewhat spartan, I discovered that there is a glitch that prevented it from printing with the software configuration on my system (which is relatively up-to-date). After that diagnosis, I worked through two potential solutions provided on-line without success, and it came down to reconfiguring and updating my entire system or jetisoning Home Architect. Since the program wasn't that expensive, this was a minor annoyance, and it is more the time lost with the program than anything else. However, since registering the program and using the on-line help, I have been inundated by spam, often two or three emails a week promoting Broderbund products.
Rating: 
Summary: Useless due to Printing Problem; A LOT OF SPAM FROM BRODER.
Review: I bought this in order to work on plans for finishing a basement. The program was easy to use, and completing an initial plan was quite intuitive. However, when I went to print, nothing happened -- just an error message. After spending some time with the manual (which was well organized so at least it wasn't too much time) and then with on-line help, which was somewhat spartan, I discovered that there is a glitch that prevented it from printing with the software configuration on my system (which is relatively up-to-date). After that diagnosis, I worked through two potential solutions provided on-line without success, and it came down to reconfiguring and updating my entire system or jetisoning Home Architect. Since the program wasn't that expensive, this was a minor annoyance, and it is more the time lost with the program than anything else. However, since registering the program and using the on-line help, I have been inundated by spam, often two or three emails a week promoting Broderbund products.
Rating:
Summary: Great program for the price
Review: I bought version 3 because it was cheaper and reported to be easier to use. It certainly was. You can't beat it for the money. Draw some walls and then you can see it in 3D either from the same level or from above.
Rating:
Summary: Easiest To Use of 3 I tried--built my home from it!
Review: I purchased three highly recommended PC architect programs to put my ideas onto paper. One was too complex, almost a full CAD program that would have taken months to learn by trial and error. The next was too simple to do any serious planning. Broderbund's Home Architect (previous version with book included) was JUST RIGHT. I didn't need the book which was mostly documentation of the fixtures and models included. I started playing with simple frame designs and tried to replicate parts of my favorite layouts from Home Design books. It took me a few weeks in my spare time to get good enough to do some serious drawing. By the time I finished my plans three months later, I had 3-D views, all the electrical switches & outlets installed to code (automatically), an exact measurement to the sq. ft. and materials list I actually used for estimates. Sharing those estimates with the contractor showed him I knew what the house would cost to build except for labor and helped us settle on a fixed price up front. In fact, my estimate turned out to be better than his.
Early in my designing, the materials list showed I couldn't afford the house I wanted so I scaled it down to what I could afford without losing anything important or incurring thousands in loan costs. I took the plans to an architect who basically charged me $400 to re-draw and print out my plans on his plotter. I built the house and the only problem the contractor had was where the architect didn't follow my computerized plan. Next time I'll do it with just this software! It really works. [and now does roof designs] I've enjoyed my home for seven years now and it suits me well because I designed it carefully to meet my needs, my lot and the FL climate. Try several sw packages including this one. Its more intuitive to use than the others and loaded with nice features. Don't settle for a cookie cutter home.
Rating:
Summary: Sorry - not for me...
Review: I started using this product to try and render a house that was a reasonably simple rectangular design. I found the program great, to a point, and for it's price, it is worthwhile. Unfortunately, I found myself tinkering for ages trying to get walls to meet, making rooms into rooms (by making the walls meet) and found some functions virtually impossible. I tore my hair out for a few hours, then threw it on the WAREZ heap, where it will probably stay. Good for beginners after a cheap solution. Maybe if you're trying to do something tricky, you should invest more dollars, though....
Rating:
Summary: 3D Home Architect - Version 3 is better than version 5
Review: I'm not a professional architect, just a person who likes to sit down and draw/design things. That being said, this program is SO MUCH FUN! I've got my perfect dream house all figured out, and now I want to find a place to build it. The only area where it's just a little weak is in how it builds the roof. I highly recommend this software to anyone who wants to sit and dream up their dream home.
|
