Replies

1. 
   cargin | Aug 27, 2008 08:47pm | #1

   Brad

   I have Home Design version 8 that you can have.

   Never could figure out the software.

   I would go with Better Homes and Gardens 3D architect or something like that.

   It's HO grade of Chief Architect.

   http://www.homedesignersoftware.com/

   Rich

2. 
   Gene_Davis | Aug 27, 2008 09:34pm | #2

   Here is what you can do with the free version of Google Sketchup.  Just go to Google's main page and surf until you find it.  On a high speed line, takes a very short time to download, and there ya go.

   As with any software, there is the need to learn and get proficient.  There are literally hundreds of video tutorials on YouTube for Sketchup, plus a whole library of great stuff at http://www.go-2-school.com

    

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   "A stripe is just as real as a dadgummed flower."

   Gene Davis        1920-1985

   
3. 
   Jim_Allen | Aug 27, 2008 10:04pm | #3

   I bought a version of Punch when I was still using windows 95. I also had a version of Home Architect. Between the two of them, I was able to draw and build a somewhat complicated lakefront home.

   I am confident that Punch will satisfy you for an addition and the learning curve will be significantly easier than some of the 3D stuff like Chief Architect or Sketchup. I would guess that you will have a floor plan developed, including furnishings, windows and doors within one hour with Punch unless they have changed it significantly.

   I still have Punch on my desktop.

1. 
   BradEcho | Aug 27, 2008 11:12pm | #5

   Jim,Does Punch allow for roof pitches? I'm going to want to recreate my current house to get a better feel of the walk-through with the addition.Thanks again.Brad

1. 
   Jim_Allen | Aug 27, 2008 11:31pm | #6

   Yes. Punch will do roofs. Warning: getting some of that roof work to function in weird situations is tough. Remember when I said I used both programs to finalize some plans? I had to do that because one program worked well to generate some parts and the other program filled in the voids. I don't remember which is which. How complicated is the addition? Can you describe it a little?

1. 
   BradEcho | Aug 28, 2008 01:19am | #7

   We have a 2 story house with east/west gables on the front and back, and slightly smaller gables on the north and south side. Pitch is 14 on 12. On the back of the house is a shed roof addition.We're thinking about extending the roof line of the south gable and using it to encompass the addition. Of course, first we have to get our nephew to vacate the house to the south of us (our rental) so we can tear it down. That might be more work than actually constructing the addition...

1. 
   Jim_Allen | Aug 28, 2008 03:21am | #11

   Punch will do that. You sound like you are talking about a simple push out and extending the gable roof over it.

2. 
   Leegs | Aug 28, 2008 03:59am | #12

   I used Punch for an addition in 2003 and got a lot of utility out of it. Recently I have gotten to be quite good at Sketchup, so I have perspective on both. Nowadays for my use (I'm in 'the business' now:) ) Sketchup is the thing, but for visualization purposes for a single project, I would not hesitate to recommend Punch.Edit: I found its (Punch's) roof functionality to be quite good - plenty flexible, and easy to use. Roofs in Sketchup can be tricky - you can of course accomplish anything, but not necessarily easily.

   Edited 8/27/2008 9:01 pm ET by leegs

2. 
   Piffin | Aug 28, 2008 02:00am | #10

   I read a review of the lower cost CAD packages. One of the weak points of punch is roofs. Apparantly it makes internal assumptions and they do not provide a way for you to over ride. 

    

   Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

4. 
   Jim_Allen | Aug 27, 2008 10:06pm | #4

   I forgot to answer about the archies.

   You probably won't save a significant amount in Arch fees but it probably will pay for the program.

5. 
   woody18428 | Aug 28, 2008 01:29am | #8

   go with home designer great program and people on the cheif architect site will be able to help you

6. 
   vintage1 | Aug 28, 2008 01:50am | #9

   Brad,

   I'll give another vote for the 3d Home architect v. the Punch software.  It has been a few years since I used the punch, but I never found it to be that intuitive. 

   I really like the potential w/ sketchup but I haven't taken the time to get proficient.  I am always inspired when I see the stuff Gene Davis can do with that program.

   As for saving $$ w/ the archy.  It might save a little for you to have the existing already drawn, but they will probably want to verify everything anyway, so don't expect a huge savings.

   Also, I think it is better to give your input about your requirements, desires and dreams and then let them design, rather than offer an existing drawing, but that depends a lot on your relationship with the architect.

    

   You cannot convey tone in an email.

7. 
   DonK | Aug 28, 2008 04:25am | #13

   I'll be the naysayer on this one.

   Bought Punch and never got the hang of it.

   It's still faster for me to draw it by hand. Not quite as pretty, but it works. (For the record, I don't much like computers.)

   Don K.

   EJG Homes    Renovations - New construction - Rentals