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Housing Design and Modelling Software

| Posted in General Discussion on February 21, 2004 09:09am

Does anyone have any recommendations or experience with housing design and modelling software. My girlfriend and I have bought a cottage that requires quite a bit of work to make it comfortable and efficient in winter. We intend to install new windows, particularly on the south side of the building and I’d like to be able to model what the cottage would look like with windows of different sizes.

My experience is as a framing carpenter and renovator so I’d like the software to be able to show detail at a framing and floor plan level and also provide 3d renderings so that we can make decisions on what size windows to purchase.

My initial research, has me concerned that I’ll end up with pretty 3d renderings but no detail or vice versa. Over time we plan on building an addition and would like to be able to use the software to design the addition.

We can’t justify the cost of professional software, but nevertheless would like to use software that produces plans that we can take to the municipality to get a building permit. Hopefully, I’m not asking too much.

Thanks for any advice and recommendations you have to offer.  

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  1. Piffin | Feb 21, 2004 09:28pm | #1

    "would like to use software that produces plans that we can take to the municipality to get a building permit"

    Maybe I'm being picky here, but I need to start by pointing out your choice of words. The software will not "produce" the plans. It is only a tool that will be in your hands to do the creative work. How acceptable it is to your permittin agency depends on you knowl;edge and skill level.

    I think that it is possible that the accuracy of dedtail you are looking for will only be found in a professional level pachage like Softplan or Chief Architect. There are cheaper HO versions from Broderbund and others out there that do passable work foir a one time fling like this.

     

     

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

    1. Piffin | Feb 21, 2004 10:07pm | #2

      http://forums.taunton.com/tp-breaktime/messages?msg=40278.4 

       

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

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