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From:Chief Architect
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User Rating: Amazon Sales Rank:#1118 |
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35 of 38 customers found the following review helpful:
Limited Capability-Not for remodeling, 2005-06-08
When I read the other reviews on this product, I was a bit surprised at their very positive nature. Then I remembered how I felt when I first tried this program and it all made sense. My guess is that the folks who wrote the positive reviews probably haven't worked with the program for very long or tried to create anything but the most elementary structures. I know I was very impressed at first. That is until I tried to re-create my own home as the starting point for a remodeling project.
This program is very intuitive and easy to learn, the problem is that it is also very limited. After you get past the ease of creating floor plans, the next obvious progression is to see the building in 3D. That's where the problems begin. The roof planes are nearly impossible to control. If you are creating anything other than a simple cape or ranch, you will quickly see how un-nerving this program can be.
Since most homes are comprised of several sections, controlling how the roof planes associated with those sections are generated is critical if you are to be able to create an end product that resembles what you had in mind. This program takes almost all of the roof plane control away from the user. The program generates the roof planes based on a few user defined parameters. This results in 3D images that almost never match what I had in mind.
Just for the record, I'm not technologically impaired. I am an engineer by trade. If I can't get it to work, then the average user is likely going to have even more trouble. In the end, if you can't get an accurate 3D model from this program that resembles what you are trying to create, then why spend the money or the time on this program. Just get a $10 floor plan program or jump up to the $500 version of this Chief Architect program which, as I've been told (haven't used it myself) , is very capable.
60 of 61 customers found the following review helpful:
 Finally!, 2005-03-26
I've tried many home design programs over the last couple of years and have always been disappointed. I've downloaded many free trial versions and purchased a couple. My latest, Punch Super Home Suite, was OK for 2D stuff but the 3D was impossible and frustrating. I took advantage of their money back guarantee!
I just purchased Better Homes and Gardens Home Designer for $39.00 from a local retailer last week. While I still have lots to learn I love it! I'm amazed at the sophistication for the price. I was VERY leery of buying this based on only one 5 star rating but I did. Well now there are two 5 star ratings so hopefully this will help others.
There are still some things that are "tricky" to construct but I haven't found anything I couldn't create yet and I discover more useful features every time I use it. The training videos are a great way to learn the software quickly and it comes with a hard copy manual, which is getting less common these days. If you are looking for an inexpensive but powerful design program definitely try this one!
33 of 38 customers found the following review helpful:
AWESOME! FANTASTIC PROGRAM......., 2004-12-06
Chief Architect tops them all! This program is great. It has a easy userface like 3D Home Architect version 4.0! This program is definitely worth the $ 59.00 I paid for it. Eventually I will upgrade to the next version. This version also offers designing tutorials. And the backdrops are really nice. BUY IT!!!! I have tried soooo many Home design programs and this is the BEST!!! I WOULD GIVE IT 10 STARS BUT THEY ONLY ALLOW UP TO 5!!!
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