Chief Architect Home Designer Pro 10 [Download]

Because I'm a bit of a computer hardware/software nut, a friend asked me if I could help him draw up some plans for a home he wants to build. Without having any idea how I might actually do that I still said yes. That led to a search for software to design homes. After spending a fair amount of time reviewing several programs I selected the feature-rich Home Designer Pro 10. It was easier to just download the product from Amazon than it would have been to wait for a DVD shipment of the software from Chief Architect.The program is actually a lot of fun to use. I'm not going to say you'll be fully functional in a few minutes. But I will say that the numerous video instruction modules from Chief Architect will show you how to use the program in a serious way with just a small time investment. The videos range from a few minutes to 15 or more minutes. Some of the videos you'll have to view several times in order to truly understand how to use the features being explained. But the information is there if you are willing to take the time. And the software generates superb output including outstanding 3-D views of your work. Whether you are a hobbist, need to remodel or design a simple one room add-on to your home, or want to use your creativity to design something from scratch, this is a program I highly recommend.Rick Fuller

I bought this product so that I could show my wife what different parts of our to-be-built house would look like so we could talk about what we liked and what we wanted to change. I can visualize things from a floorplan, but she really needs a 3D view.This software worked great once I figured out how to use it. There is no manual or Quick-Start guide when you buy it, but the company provides EXTENSIVE online videos to show you how to use the program. They videos were very helpful as was the once-a-month live web presentation. I prefered the videos since the web presentations tend to be during working hours. The software is designed to be mostly drag-and-drop for pretty much everything except walls. To create walls you just click-and-drag. The only part of the software I haven't really liked is the way it shows stairways. I haven't figured out how to be able to look up or down a flight of stairs and see the other floor. I can look up the stairs from the lower level, but I can't see what is at the top of the stairs. If the program can do that, I haven't figured out how to do it yet. Other than that the program has been a breeze to use. Additionally, a number of manufacturers (Marvin Windows, Benjamin Moore, etc.) provide files to add their products to the program so you can put actual Marvin Windows or Benjamin Moor paint in the house and see what they look like.My wife has numerous times commented how great it has been to see what the different rooms of the house would look like. It's really helped me win her over since building a house was my idea, not hers.Marvin Windows website:[...]

This software is amazing. We used an earlier version to design a whole house and now have the new version for yet another house. Our construction contraints are endless and this software is allowing us to optimize all our preferences without spending thousands on an architect. We've even been able to load our own curtains, furniture, tile, etc. by taking photos and putting them on the object. We can truly see almost exactly how things will look. Hard to part with that money but definitely WORTH IT!

do not use any longer...complicated to use like autocad

Home Designer Pro better than Designer Suite for roof design and footing design. Also allows perspectives from each side which Home Designer Suite doesn't. Well worth the extra money!

Chief Architect Home Designer Pro 10 [Download]Like any other application this tool has some plusses and minuses. To date, for my use, it has more minuses than plusses and I do not recommend the tool at this time.1) The tool design process appears to be primarily designed for someone who is expecting to design a house and then place it on land somewhere. If you already some land or a lot with a number of constraints, like lot coverage and minimum setbacks, the tool does not provide many features to help with that process.2) If you have an existing house you want to remodel, this tool would not likely be the best choice of a design tool. It is useful to be able to show existing, to be kept, and new in the remodeling process.3) There are many bugs in the application that result in an application crash. The ones where you can restart where you left off are annoyin but not a serious problem. The ones that result in significant lost of data are a serious problem and are the reason I do not recommend that product at this time.