3D Design Program?

12 years ago

A friend just re-did her family's living & dining room, and used a program called "Sweet Home 3D."

She described it as very easy & user friendly & said you could just put the measurements in & drop in furniture and you could even "walk through" the proposed spaces in 3D. My friend is a graphic designer. I just downloaded it and can't figure out how to work it - don't see any step by step instructions.

I think that such a program could be useful to me as I try to figure out optimal layout for my new kitchen. Do you have recommended programs (preferably suitable to the neo-luddite, and preferably low-cost?)

Featured Answer

jakuvall

12 years ago

Took a look, pretty amazing for free- blows SU out of the water. Go to the company website- there is a user guide, lot of info, extra symbols, plugins and a video tutorial.

Here is a link that might be useful: Sweet home official site

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Comments (7)

dutty
12 years ago
Google Sketchup is Free! There are lots of youtube videos with instruction. You can check out the mockups I've done in my design thread.

Here is a link that might be useful: My Google Sketchup Designs
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Carrie B
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks, dutty!

jakuvall - The site you linked to is the one I already downloaded. I just can't figure out how to get it to work. I spent an hour or so there last night getting more and more frustrated!
jakuvall
12 years ago
I gave it a quick try and almost as easy as I expected. Would be a shorter learning curve for interiors than SU IMO.
Did you watch the video? link below. I'd print out the user manual somehow or keep it open while you get used to it.

IF I were using this much I'd likely drop in one cabinet, set the depth etc and then copy it. I'd see if the dimensions could be set as defaults before dropping in items but editing is not too bad.
The 3 d view opens below the plan, you want to select "open in new window" for 3d view so you can move it out of the way.
I think this is a real find myself- not for me- I have $$$$ in software.

Here is a link that might be useful: Video tutorial
Carrie B
Original Author
12 years ago
Jakuvall - I watched the video a couple of times. The second time hitting "pause" at every step. I had a very hard time understanding it, and some things I just could not get to work despite trying several times.

I think either my computer (I don't have MS Office on my mac, could that be a problem) doesn't like the program, or I'm just to technologically incompetent to use it. I spend another hour or two this afternoon trying to get it to work - with no success.
Gooster
12 years ago
I used Smart Home 3D program to mockup my kitchen and FR, and floor plan my entire site. The toughest thing to do is to find and download extra library files of commonly used items (like different cabinets, furniture pieces, etc). I think there is also a version you can use online.

The nkba also has an online program at their website. It has more limited capabilities.
jakuvall
12 years ago
Carrie- MS office would not make a difference. What you do need to check is the "Java Run Time Environment", but I am blissfully ignorant of anything apple so can't help you more than that.