of this ilk...
Has anyone got recommendations for this type of construction software? prefrably demo or trial before purchasing.
Thanks
-- Sir Benjamin Middlethwaite
Although it's not exactly what you're after I have to mention Sketch-Up at every opportunity. It can be used for designing interiors although it's more of a general prurpose 3D drawing tool for any scale of drawing. It is an incredibly polished piece of software and very powerful. Intended for early draft type concept drawings, but I think some of the big CAD packages are starting to write import/export functions for it.
Might be very US-focussed, wooden houses etc. Also, for external / structure design I'm not sure how much use 3D is. Might be an advantage in keeping various sections/aspects linked, so that you change a dimension and it changes on all plans - 3D could help with this. Stuff like this is always expensive. 2000 dollars. Is it full is wizards and things ? What you need to be able to do with this type of software is throw together a prototype and then refine it and add layers of detail. If this software can do than and then you press an button and out come all you sections / plans etc, it could save a lot of time. I'm using vectorengineer pro-tools, cost me 19 quid. 2D only though (surprisingly good if with niggles). Simon.
This is worth a look they used to supply a demo disc that did everything except save and print
as it lacks realism and is basically as the name states 'Sketch'.
-- Sir Benjamin Middlethwaite
Thanks Phil. I was looking at that lastnight but they don't do a trial anymore at least I can't find it if there is one?
-- Sir Benjamin Middlethwaite
IMSI Floorplan 3D is quite good. The latest version [10] is available here for $45
I have version 6 - which came free on the cover CD of PC Plus magazine a year or two ago. The latest version has additional gizmos.
It enables you to create a rendered 3-D view of your masterpiece fairly easily, with walk-throughs and views from different angles. You can select which layers to view - so that you can (for example) take the roof off to see what's inside. You can also view your creation as a 2-D floor plan.
The standard internal items (bathroom equipment, white goods etc.) are somewhat American - but you can create your own.
I'm not sure about using it to produce dimensioned drawings which you can build from - but it's pretty good for visualisation.
I've used GSP 3D Home Designer. It's often on the £10 sofware carousels in shops. The samples and illustrations look a bit naff american but it's actually a slightly cut-down version of Arcon, professional architectural software. The main limitations are 4 storeys (including roof), can't save fly-throughs as .avi and can't create custom objects (like furniture).
Owain
Another option they had was try before you buy/demos at retailers don't know if still available. Might have spare demo disc could post
Phil C
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