Turbocad / Architectural software question | FerrariChat
Buy

Turbocad / Architectural software question

Discussion in 'Creative Arts' started by dongerdude, Feb 21, 2007.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

  1. dongerdude

    dongerdude Formula 3

    Mar 17, 2006
    1,200
    Full Name:
    Carl
    #1 dongerdude, Feb 21, 2007
    Hi all

    My parents are retiring in the next 18 months and have just bought a piece of land on which they are intending to build a new house.

    My Dad is trying to come up with ideas - they want something pretty modern with curved walls, etc. My dad has tried some floor planner software, but none of them will allow you to do curved walls - they only do straight walls. He also wants something that does 3D modelling from 2D designs as my Mum has a hard time visualising the finished product from a set of 2D designs. Obviously they also want software that can do different textures (render, glass, etc).

    He's seen this on amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/IMSI-TurboCAD-Professional-12-Architectural/dp/B000G8NO0E/sr=8-1/qid=1172084874/ref=sr_1_1/203-5811315-0031944?ie=UTF8&s=software
    oviously it's pretty pricey (well for a piece of software he's unlikely to use again, though compared to the money the whole project will cost, he's willing to suck up the expense), so my dad wants to make sure it's worth the money before buying anything. Anyone used this one, or got any other recommendations that they can make - my folks will apreciate any input or suggestions!
     
  2. Asian1118

    Asian1118 F1 Rookie

    Mar 23, 2005
    3,834
    Shelby twp
    Full Name:
    James
    #2 Asian1118, Feb 21, 2007
    Unless your dad has a CAD backgound it may just be a waste of money. I havent used this software but I do know autocad, and the 3d extensions for that and its not something that you can just pick up. If he knows how to work it why not, but I would think that hiring someone to do it will work out much better in the long run.
     
  3. smg2

    smg2 F1 World Champ
    Sponsor

    Apr 1, 2004
    16,335
    Dumpster Fire #31
    Full Name:
    SMG
    #3 smg2, Feb 21, 2007
    Since you're going to be building a custom home anyways, I'd hire an Architect and then you'd have all the renderings you need to 'see' a final product. the cost of the software like a full version of autocad with the architectural suite can run into the 20k mark. and then you have the learning curve of some very complicated software.

    I've been using autocad for just over 15yrs and it's not an easy program to pick up.

    consult with Architects in your area and find one YOU like and will understand what YOU want. the money spent there will be better used than trying to go it alone.
     
  4. Kingair33

    Kingair33 Formula Junior

    Aug 28, 2006
    941
    San Francisco, CA
    Full Name:
    Alex
    #4 Kingair33, Feb 21, 2007
    +1
    You can buy a very expensive wrench and that’s great but you still have to know how to use it. It would be much easier and probably cheaper just to have a professional do it.
     
  5. Ney

    Ney F1 Veteran
    Silver Subscribed

    Apr 20, 2004
    7,371
    #5 Ney, Feb 22, 2007
    I was thinking of doing some brain surgery and I saw this video on E-bay..... does anyone have any experience with it?

    Go hire a licensed Architect..., no, not the carpenter with a really awesome set of pencils and a compass that does sketches on the tailgate of his truck. I have seen many very expensive disasters or homes trying to DIY. It will be far cheaper in the long run.

    At least the guy doing the brain surgery can bury his patient. When it is a house, all the rest of us can do is hope some vines get planted to cover it up.
     
  6. davidgoerndt

    davidgoerndt Formula 3

    Oct 25, 2004
    1,420
    Orlando, FL
    Full Name:
    David Goerndt
    #6 davidgoerndt, Feb 22, 2007
    If you are looking for just visualisation software, Sketch-Up isn't bad and it's under $500.00 US. If, however, you need finished working drawings, stick to one of the CAD programs. They are pricey and not easy to get into for a beginner. An architect is probably your best choice.
     
  7. dongerdude

    dongerdude Formula 3

    Mar 17, 2006
    1,200
    Full Name:
    Carl
    #7 dongerdude, Feb 22, 2007
    Thanks for the replies - obviously they are going to hire an architect to do the work proper (they have experience of building major extensions on houses before), the idea of getting some CAD software is so that they can try out a few ideas as they want a rdaical modern design and my mum is having a bit of trouble visualising them from 2D plan and elevation drawings that my dad does (he used to design chemical plants so is pretty handy at making technical drawings). They borrowed a copy of this software from friends http://www.amazon.co.uk/IMSI-FloorPlan-3D-v10-Standard/dp/B0009WPSXI/sr=8-5/qid=1172182073/ref=sr_1_5/203-5811315-0031944?ie=UTF8&s=software but it can't do curved walls or glass walls which are both major design elements that they want in the new house as the site occupies a section of curved riverbank and they want to repeat the curve in the shape of the terrace and rear wall of the house (and possibly the front wall too to create a curved house with square ends) as well as incorporating a turret-like master suite that has a similar shape to the sections of the Sydney opera house. The curved glass walls are not entirely dissimilar to those in Charles Deaton's sculptured house: http://www.kentwoodhomestour.com/kentwood/sculpturedhouse/home.html

    Basically they are looking for something that will enable them to relatively simply design a few initial ideas to take to the architect and show him (they are interviewing architects at the moment). Judging by what you and other people have said, getting any computer software that can do this is unlikely to be the best option as it'll probably take my dad forever to learn how to work the software - unless anyone knows of anything that is easy to use/learn that is capable of this type of work (my dad has no previous CAD experience).
     
  8. dongerdude

    dongerdude Formula 3

    Mar 17, 2006
    1,200
    Full Name:
    Carl
    #8 dongerdude, Feb 22, 2007
    Thanks for this suggestion - we'd never heard of sketchup before, but it looks like it could be the ideal package for what my dad wants - we're both downloading the free trial now.
     
  9. coverland

    coverland Formula 3

    Apr 22, 2007
    1,013
    Seattle
    Full Name:
    Colin
    #9 coverland, Apr 30, 2007
    Google actually offers a weak(er) version of Sketch-Up on their website for free.
    -Colin
     
  10. jsa330

    jsa330 F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Oct 31, 2003
    10,046
    75225
    Full Name:
    Scott
    #10 jsa330, Apr 30, 2007
    I downloaded the free Google Sketchup and have fooled with it for an hour or so...it does look very easy to learn and use. A couple of my practicing-architect friends swear by it...one guy bought the full version after trying the free one.

    Agree on professional-level CAD programs...big $$$ and even the most user-friendly...ArchiCAD is my fave...have a very steep "learning curve".

    dongerdude: A "homeowner" CAD program or something like Sketchup is no substitute for using a design professional, but you and your parents already know that. I think these programs are great for getting prelim ideas down, though.
     
  11. dongerdude

    dongerdude Formula 3

    Mar 17, 2006
    1,200
    Full Name:
    Carl
    #11 dongerdude, Apr 30, 2007
    That's all they're using it for - to get a few ideas (they'll definitely get an architect to draw up proper plans when they're certain what they want (and oversee the project and ensure compliance with building regs) - my Mum has a hard time imagining what 2D plans will really look like. So far, they are looking into doing something with a rear elevation similar to Ken Shuttleworth's Crescent House:
    http://www.kenshuttleworth.com/
     
  12. -AC

    -AC Formula Junior
    BANNED

    Dec 4, 2004
    433
    Colorado
    #12 -AC, Apr 30, 2007
    what is wrong with using grid paper and sketch the ideas?
     
  13. jsa330

    jsa330 F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Oct 31, 2003
    10,046
    75225
    Full Name:
    Scott
    #13 jsa330, Apr 30, 2007

    Very nice!

    I'm helping a friend with his new house design...he did just that, I looked at it and made a few comments, and he sent it off to his architect, who has now produced a set of basic CAD drawings.

    The old-fashioned way still works, but using a CAD program is fun.
     
  14. wax

    wax Five Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Jul 20, 2003
    52,415
    SFPD
    Full Name:
    Dirty Harry
    #14 wax, Apr 30, 2007
    To demonstrate curved walls, all he has to do is hold a Playing Card between thumb and a finger, then say, "like this, Honey."
     

Share This Page