Architectural Home Designer Software - Home Designer Suite

As a home design software developer, Chief Architect has always had the reputation of publishing programs that are not only highly effective, but also easy to use. Over the years they have come out with a number of home design software, each having its unique twist. Some target the more advanced users such as professional builders or serious designers.
On the other hand, they also have programs that are a bit on the lighter side as they hope to bring out the fun in designing. Among the latter is the Home Designer Suite - a complete home design software package that aims to make the entire design process as easy and as fun as possible. At only $99, it also comes with a fair price tag to pay considering its comprehensive feature set.
Powerful Yet Easy
The trademark of Chief Architect programs is that aside from bringing powerful design tools to the hands of their users, these programs are also very easy to use and quick to learn. Home Designer Suite is no different. It is an excellent tool for those who wish to create the perfect landscaping, remodeling, or home design plans. There are a variety of wizards that will make things a lot easier for users; among them is the House Wizard which holds numerous built-in templates for users to choose from. There's even over a thousand sample plans available which should help users visualize their new home designs.
For those who may encounter any problems using Home Designer Suite, there is a variety of support mechanisms available. Loads of training videos and "how to" tutorials should provide more than enough help and support for any type of problem.
Great for Kitchens and Bathrooms
Home Designer Suite is also an excellent program for designing or remodeling one's kitchen and bathroom. One can end up designing the kitchen of his or her dreams by adding new appliances and moving walls with ease. The same goes with bathroom designs as Home Designer Suite lets its users visualize their ideas in full 3D. One of the best features of Home Designer Suite is the addition of the Cabinet Designer Tool. Here, users can construct custom cabinets in a matter of a few minutes. Almost every part of the cabinets are customizable including door styles, countertops, and colors. With this new feature on board, users can be sure to come up with the most unique cabinets that will suit their overall theme without a hitch.
Virtual Tours Abound
Users need not worry about ending up with a designs that they're not 100% satisfied with. Thanks to the various preview modes made available by Home Designer Suite, users will surely have the designs that they actually want. Designing in 3D is an option through the program's virtual camera that enables a point-and-click feature.
Once the projects are finished, users will have an option to view their new designs through a variety of different views. Among them include the Glass House and the Doll House view which provide a translucent and roof-less, bird's eye view of the home, respectively. If this isn't enough then users can also opt for the 3D virtual tour which will make it seem that they're actually walking inside their new dream home.

Professional Home Design Software

With computers getting increasingly more powerful and more accessible to wider home markets than ever before, software publishers have started putting the power of professional desktop software solutions once the exclusive domain of industrial users into homebound applications and marketed accordingly.
In the area of 3D rendering and drawing focused on home designs, you have professional home design software that are both powerful and user-friendly enough to be used by homeowners. About the only distinguishing quality is the price and networking ability to share common files that corporate users demand. Then there's the after sales technical support that is more responsive for corporate professional software editions. Otherwise, there's really little to distinguish between the two, except AutoCAD.
AutoCAD: The Standard Home Design Software for Professionals
It can be an uphill battle overcoming a standard that has long dominated industries for the last 25 years. The AutoCAD 2D drawing and 3D rending tool has lorded it over industries ranging from toy makers all the way to space shuttle builders and remains supreme as the design tool of choice among professionals.
Just about all commercial products have been designed from it. It is not specially optimized for home design, but it has all the features and functions that home design software application products have, from simple 2D floor plans to sophisticated 3D models with simulated light and shadow interplay as well as walk-through animation.
There are a lot of commercial copycats to the AutoCAD software from Autodesk, all wanting a piece of the industrial and professional market with some pricing themselves low and successfully getting some market share. Admittedly, AutoCad is not for everyone, as it is quite expensive, costing $3,500 for a single user license. But it's comforting to note that professional and amateur home design solutions are CAD based, borrowing many of the 2D and 3D drawing features from AutoCAD.
Chief Architect
Specifically designed and marketed to residential and commercial designers and architects, Chief Architect home design solutions come from a company bearing the same name that has been in the home designing business since the early 90s. Chief Architect Pro is the professional architect and builder's choice application. It is essentially a suite of drawing tools that encompass all aspect of home building designs such as house architectural designing, remodeling, interior design, garden design and landscaping, deck and patio design and floor planning, all in 3D and realistic light and shadow application and animated walk-throughs.
Chief Architect Home Designer Pro
In addition to Chief Architect, the brand has formed a business partnership with Better Homes and Gardens to carry the next generation Home Designer software products under the Chief Architect name. Hence, after Better Homes and Garden Home Designer 8.0, the 9th iteration is marketed as Chief Architect Home Designer Pro 9.0 with sub-derivatives for the home markets.
Targeted to both novice and professionals, corporate and home markets, the Chief Architect Home Designer Pro 9.0 can be considered your-upscale top-of-the line home design solution costing about $400 in the open market. It is a derivative of the Chief Architect Pro. Chief Architect also markets Interior Designer Pro 9.0 which is taken from the same suite, with a more detailed focus on, as the name implies, interior designing.

Why Make a Home Design Plan

Building or refurbishing a home can be fun but it can also be challenging because of the many things that has to be accounted for before starting the project.
Building a home is a big project no matter how little the home is and how meager the budget. In fact, a person can be more cost effective in building his home if he creates a home design plan before introducing changes in the home.
A homeowner should take note of the design of the house he is about to build and put the design into paper. This way, he can avoid committing design mistakes that can cost him money and precious time.
Being hasty when building a home can be detrimental to the home design and also to the budget. A home design plan can be created by the homeowner and builder himself provided he has some knowledge in drawing plans. However, if he does not have any idea about these things then it is best to get the services of a person who is knowledgeable in such matters.
Of course, asking another person to make a home design plan can add to the cost of building the home but it will be cost effective in the long term because it will ensure that the home is properly constructed technically and aesthetically.
Creating a home design plan can be a technical matter and requires research and preparation. The designer of a home plan will take all aspects of the home when preparing the plan including the lifestyle of the people who would be living in the home and the available space.
Leaving everything to the experts may be just the right thing for any homeowner. However, he should also take an active part in planning the design of his home. While he does not know the technicalities, he should be able to suggest what he wants and where things should be placed.
It is important that the specification of the home design plan is not totally left to the discretion of the designer. The home should be a reflection of the personality of the residents and the owner should thus have a say in the overall appearance of his home.
To avoid conflicts while the house design plan is being drawn, the family should already have a consensus as to what motif or design they want for the house. They can choose from the various designs available like a home that depicts country living or it can be minimalist or modern.
Allowing the family to plan ahead can mean a smoother construction process. Making material changes after the home design plan has already been drawn and while the home is being constructed can result to a poorly built home. Plus, it can add to the expenses of building a home.
Once the family has arrived at a consensus as to the general appearance of the home, they should appoint someone who will talk to the designer and who will coordinate all the design and construction process with the designer. Having everyone in the middle of the construction phase can be disadvantageous as it can result to delays in the project.
Anyone who is about to have his dream house built should make sure he gets a good designer to create the home design plan. This way, the technical and aesthetic characteristics of the home is ensured.