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Home Design Software for a Mac

Discussion in 'Technology' started by 8 SNAKE, Nov 26, 2008.

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  1. 8 SNAKE

    8 SNAKE F1 Veteran

    Jan 5, 2006
    6,948
    Springfield, MO
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    Mike
    #1 8 SNAKE, Nov 26, 2008
    I'm looking for a program that will allow me to create house plans on my Mac. So far, about the only one I've seen is Punch! Home Design Studio and it doesn't seem to get very good reviews from people. I do not need any professional software, and will just use this program to play around with design ideas. Any suggestions?
     
  2. Fast_ian

    Fast_ian Two Time F1 World Champ

    Sep 25, 2006
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    Ian Anderson
    #2 Fast_ian, Nov 26, 2008
    Hi,

    Are you looking for "plans" - From which a contractor can work, or "design" as in 3D visualization(s) and walk rounds? - Very different applications IMHO.

    Cheers,
    Ian
     
  3. 8 SNAKE

    8 SNAKE F1 Veteran

    Jan 5, 2006
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    #3 8 SNAKE, Nov 26, 2008
    I'm looking for something that I can "design" with. I don't plan to draw up something that a contractor can work with (I'll save that for the architects). I just want to play around with ideas and create designs and floor plans that I can look at (including 3-D images). I'd like a program that functions like Punch! does, but am turned off of Punch! because of the negative reviews that I've read.
     
  4. Fast_ian

    Fast_ian Two Time F1 World Champ

    Sep 25, 2006
    23,397
    Campbell, CA
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    Ian Anderson
    #4 Fast_ian, Nov 26, 2008
  5. 8 SNAKE

    8 SNAKE F1 Veteran

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    #5 8 SNAKE, Nov 26, 2008
    Thanks for the link, Ian. I'll check that program out. From what I can tell though, it's set up to design interiors only and not complete homes. Just the same, it looks like something that will be fun to use.
     
  6. Fast_ian

    Fast_ian Two Time F1 World Champ

    Sep 25, 2006
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    Ian Anderson
    #6 Fast_ian, Nov 27, 2008
    A quick search on "versiontracker.com" for "home design" actually turns up a few different options - Some of which even have reasonable reviews.....

    I also had a quick look at some of the reviews of "Punch!" - It's not as bad as the "overall rating" would initially suggest - It seems the reviewers either love it or hate it - No middle ground.

    <Rant> This is the reason why I believe s/w should be "demoable" before purchase - Even if you can't "save" your design (or whatever) you can see before laying out the $ if it's going to suit you. <Rant off>

    Cheers,
    Ian
     
  7. 8 SNAKE

    8 SNAKE F1 Veteran

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    #7 8 SNAKE, Nov 28, 2008
    Thanks again, Ian. I appreciate all of your Mac help (in this thread and some of my others).
     
  8. Pcar928fan

    Pcar928fan Formula 3

    Jan 21, 2008
    1,702
    Austin, TX
    #8 Pcar928fan, Nov 28, 2008
    I tried Punch... This has been 6 years ago now, but it SUCK A$$ back then! I ended up with a Windoze program that was easy to use but I had to buy a spare drive for my company computer because they would not let me put any NON-company approved SW on it... PITA that whole thing was, but it was sure nice to be able to play with my own floor plans in advance of putting the architect on them.

    I would love to hear what you come up with and how it works. I sometimes like to play with home additions and how they look and would work out...

    J
     
  9. tritone

    tritone F1 Veteran
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    Dec 8, 2003
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    James
    #9 tritone, Nov 28, 2008
    ...Sketchup Pro from Google. If you have some design background, this allows you to 'blue-sky' your designs in 3D with a real-time 360º rotation....

    I''ve been designing with skp for a few years now; love it. Quite intuitive for the noob too.....

    Tritone
     
  10. js430

    js430 Formula Junior

    Mar 9, 2005
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    Jerry Kahane
    #10 js430, Nov 29, 2008
    i use sketchup for quick idea renderings. can't beat it.
     
  11. Asian1118

    Asian1118 F1 Rookie

    Mar 23, 2005
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    #11 Asian1118, Nov 29, 2008
    I know your looking for something for a mac, but I have a pc and I've only used it on that. I've played around with chief architect and its fun. It may be available for the mac but Im not sure.
     

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