Best home design software... Summerfield's available yet??

11 years ago

I'm new to the forum but like many of you have ran across Summerfield's designs which I have fell in love with. I know the question has been posed in the past what software he/she uses and ran across a post where he/she said that it was his nieces that he hoped would be published soon. I have searched for any recent post from Summerfield but haven't seen any. I thought I would go out on a limb though and ask if anyone has heard from him/her or knows if the software ever got published. I am considering a career change and just loved the plans that were created with that program. Crossing my fingers that someone might have any new information on that software. And if not is there any programs similar? Thanks for any help anyone can offer!!

Featured Answer

nieko

11 years ago

I have used Chief Architect for years but it is very pricy. A few years ago I switched to a MAC and was running Chief Arc through a partition (since I didn't want to pay for the MAC version) It became so cumbersome, I decided to look for a less expensive option. I found they make a "home" version for around $100: Home Designer Suite. It's very intuitive and MUCH easier to use than something like AutoCad. It automatically projects walls into 3D and you'll be able to use it for schematic designs and space planning in no time. Roofs, multiple floor plans, materials lists...they would all take a little longer to learn, but the information is out there. I also use Google Sketch-up (a free program) but it takes much longer to master (in my opinion!} Good Luck!

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Comments (6)

Jeff Bowers
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
I've been using Home Designer Suite, and I'm quite happy with it. It's very good about filling in the construction details as you go which makes it tons easier than a generic CAD program, and the 3D visualization works very well. The learning curve isn't bad, and the online tutorials are pretty good. On the flip side, there are some things it can't do since it's a stripped down version of their main product, and I come across bugs occasionally. Overall I would recommend it.
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User
11 years ago
Revit.
chellefnp
11 years ago
Another vote for the Home Designer Suite. It has some limitations, but the 3D rendering is really helpful to get a sense of how things will look.
mushcreek
11 years ago
I go a step further. I need to visualize the 3D space, so once I got the design where I wanted it in Sketch-Up, I built a scale model out of foam board. I picked up some cheap dollhouse furniture on ebay. My wife was quite amused at a 60 y/o man playing with a dollhouse!
User
11 years ago
Software is only a tool. The skill of the operator is more important. Hire an architect.