3D Home Architect Deluxe 5.0

I have developed a poplular course over the last few years that allows for hands on individualized training in 3d presentations and working drawings using low end CAD software as a platform.

A couple of years ago, I purchased a number of copies of 3d Home Architect 4.0 to use as a teaching platform. Once I found the glitches and tweaked the user manuals, the program proved satisfactory.

To keep my course fresh, I have susbsequently purchased 5.0 as well as another low end package from Punch for review. I settled for the Punch version without really looking close a Broderbund's 5.0.

I have written a tutorial for Punch and found that students blow right through course with little difficulty. Figuring I could offer them more, I reloaded 5.0 and took a closer look.

Wow! I find 5.0' video tutorials extremely helpful.
For my Basic Architectural CADD offering, the program has proved to be glitch free.

Granted the program is not compatible with 4.0, but for the price, a guy just starting out can't lose.

I now have two packages that the contractors visit.
It will be interesting to see which one they prefer. (Isn't free enterprize wonderful?)

Concening the negative comments, perhaps those that are critical of 5.0 are expecting high end performance from low end software.

If that is the case, AutoCad may be the route to go. If you have the time and money to learn it!

It has been fun to watch the improvements occur with CAD software, particularily the low end. One can only imagine what is coming down the line!

Jerry S.


Like going from DOS to Windows   November 20, 2002
Juan M Roman
11 out of 15 found this review helpful

I ALMOST returned this software after a few days of trying it and now I am glad I didn't. I kept trying my old skills from version 4.0 and of course it was frustrating. I felt the same as when I tried my first windows program, after years of DOS familiarity.
Of course, I lost compatibility with my old designs, but again, most of those were one time shots to try ideas or to refine concepts. No serious contractor strength designs can be produced with version 4. With 5.0 you almost can. If you erase all you know about version 4 and work a few hours with the tutorials, you will be rewarded with a very flexible product that in a short time will be more intuitive to use than the old version 4.


3D Home Architect Deluxe   May 15, 2007
Linda H. Satterfield (Northwest Georgia)
I use this program extensively. My husband is a contractor involved primarily in home improvement and/or additions. I use 3D Home Architect Deluxe to design the addition/change/improvement and we are able to demonstrate to the client, prior to beginning of work, how the finished project will look. It's an added plus for us as well as the homeowner. We attach an initialed copy of the plan to our contract to avoid any possible future disagreements about the original agreement. Some clients even come to my home office to utilize the "3D" element of the program and get a "true feel" for the project and make any final changes/adjustments based upon what they see. Altogether, it's a wonderful program with an excellent tutorial and easy to use.

I have used 3D Home Architect Deluxe to design entire homes, not just for our clients but ourselves as well. I recently completed the design for a home we plan to build and it saved us major $$$ as I was able to present the architect with a highly workable plan which enabled him to provide our blueprints for a much reduced price.

Highest recommendations to the contractor or those like myself who simply like to design homes.


3D HOME ARCHITECT   March 3, 2008
alice
3D Home Architect, Product was received in perfect condition and in time allowed. The program is more like CAD than I expected. I have an earlier version and expected it to be similar. So it will take a little longer to get onto.