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guiri
Joined: 13 Jun 2009
Posts: 3
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 Posted: Sat Jun 13, 2009 10:28 pm Post subject: What software for Home/House Design? |
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Hi guys, I'm new here and I wanted to try to design my own home just for the hell of it.
As it stands, I was supposed to be in the position to have one built but that doesn't seem like it'll happen so I just want to play around and dream a little.
What I want to design is something like a barn but for residential use. I want extremely high ceilings with beams going everywhere and with a partial loft so that one can have rooms or something else upstairs but still be able to look down. I like dormers and cupolas and stuff and a way to get up there.
Something like this http://www.barnpros.com/products/ayrshire/index.html#
or like this http://www.unclehowards.com/Portals/0/img/barns/GreatWestern/Great%20Western%20Cropped.jpg
Now, my question is, what program/s out there is/are the best for this.
I have NO experience and I have a hard time with manuals/instructions so if something is intuitive, that would be cool.
Also, would someone here be interested in doing the initial stuff for me so that I can just go in and start making changes (just a thought).
I found some that seem great but I wanted someone's opinion.
Also, I'm not sure if they are ALL suitable for something like a barn or they have some kind of limitation.
THanks and please, include links if you can.
George |
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lekizz
millennium club
Joined: 11 Jan 2006
Posts: 1212
Location: UK
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| Posted: Sat Jun 13, 2009 11:17 pm Post subject: |
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Try "Sketchup", free programme to download and quite easy to play around with. With a bit of practise you can create some very sophisticated models.
http://sketchup.google.com/ |
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guiri
Joined: 13 Jun 2009
Posts: 3
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| Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2009 1:40 am Post subject: |
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Thanks, I'll give it a shot. Anything else I should consider even if it's pay software?
==
Hey, I just downloaded it and tried it. Is there a program that will allow me to say, start with certain dimensions for the floor and add walls and stuff and then make it 3D and go on from there?
Thanks
George |
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phansford
Joined: 18 Apr 2004
Posts: 829
Location: SW Ohio
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| Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2009 5:40 am Post subject: |
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This is a common question here. (click on the blue lettering for a link to a previous thread)
Most people are looking for advice on home design software that will let them plan out their dream home. I think most of these packages are probably the same and will allow you to play in plan, then extract a 3D view of your idea.
Sketchup won't let you plan in plan very well and its actually a professional level software that Google has turned out to the masses. (It was originally developed by someone else who unfortunately sold it to Google) There are a lot of professionals using it and they are expecting Google to continue development of this important tool.
Back to topic - Any of the inexpensive home design software packages should do the trick for you. Go to Amazon - read the reviews. Enjoy.
Hope that helps. |
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csintexas
millennium club
Joined: 06 Feb 2006
Posts: 2174
Location: USA
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| Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2009 7:56 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: | | I have NO experience and I have a hard time with manuals/instructions so if something is intuitive, that would be cool. |
In this case I would give up on this idea. (just stick to a pencil and graph paper -they are extremely intuitive)
_________________
-Chris Stewart
http://bcshdb.blogspot.com >
The B/CS Home Design Blog |
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djswan
millennium club
Joined: 17 Aug 2007
Posts: 1119
Location: Montana, USA
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| Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2009 2:07 pm Post subject: |
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Big fan of the stick and dirt here. Sketchup is cool, I kinda introduced it to some friends and they went wild with it. Like releasing a pike in a trout stream. 
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n/a |
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guiri
Joined: 13 Jun 2009
Posts: 3
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| Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2009 4:23 pm Post subject: |
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| Alright, when I get money, where would I find someone to design one for me for a resonable price 'cause it'll be just for fun anyway? |
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phansford
Joined: 18 Apr 2004
Posts: 829
Location: SW Ohio
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| Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2009 5:24 am Post subject: |
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| guiri wrote: | | Alright, when I get money, where would I find someone to design one for me for a resonable price 'cause it'll be just for fun anyway? |
You can certainly find an architect in your area. Ask around and you will find someone who does residential design (not all architects do houses) or you might find a residential designer/draftsman to draft some things for you. But to hire someone without intent of building the project or without a site is sorting of tossing money out the window. IMHO. I certainly will be happy to take your money, but I would advice otherwise. Because.....
No matter if it is your intent to build or not, my cost is the same. Architects and Residential Designers offer their services at an hourly rate. It doesn't matter if you build or not...... I have to charge you full rates to cover my expenses. No offense intended, but I don't need the practice  I think there are better ways for you to spend your money.
My suggestion is to have some fun with this yourself. There are lots of books on converting barns and house design that you can begin to educate yourself. Gird paper and a pencil is a fine place to start. Cutting out photos of details and spaces you like is valuable. Once you get some ideas... then might get a software package or sketch-up. OR You could always find a student at the local community college to "play" around with you and the project, but don't expect a lot. And you should still pay them something - at least minimum wage.
I am not trying to discourage you.... just help you not toss your money away. Save it for building your home when you are ready, willing, and able. |
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Checkpoint43
Joined: 22 Mar 2007
Posts: 180
Location: Lexington, VA
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| Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2009 1:08 pm Post subject: |
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Hi guiri,
Designing your own home can be fun.
You have a good idea what your needs are, and would like to sketch your ideas.
It would be nice to have a failry accurate tool for this, even though you don't expect to build anything from your drawings.
You're prepared to contact a professional architect or residential designer to handle that.
I completely understand.
So to help you out, I thought I'd show you a neat "tool" that I found online.
I'm not making any endorsements about designers I know nothing about, but based on your question, I think you will like this.
Click here to watch the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoI-sXQWuCg
Hope this helps. |
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Checkpoint43
Joined: 22 Mar 2007
Posts: 180
Location: Lexington, VA
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| Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2009 1:23 pm Post subject: |
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Oh, by the way...
Once you decide you want to build a house, be sure to take your drawings to a professional designer in your area.
The first thing he will do is make sure he's not infringing on another designer's copyrights.
He may design a new house from scratch, based on the "requirements" you showed him with your sketch, or he may need to ask for permission to create a derivative of the company's plan.
(Even though you sketched it, the company's database of options allowed this to happen, so it's safe to assume your "sketches" are really this company's plans.)
In order to do this, he will need to contact the original company, and order a set of "reproducables".
These plans come with a "liability release letter" allowing him to modify the plans and build just one house from those plans.
The liability release is an agreement that says the original company will not be held responsible if the "modified" structure should fall.
Ahh, legal disclaimers. Ya gotta love 'em. |
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Checkpoint43
Joined: 22 Mar 2007
Posts: 180
Location: Lexington, VA
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| Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2009 1:30 pm Post subject: |
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Does all of this sound complicated?
Of course it is.
That's why I advertise local architects, and allow them so introduce themselves to the public by displaying their own work.
Call them directly to make changes to their own designs, and copyright infringement is not an issue.
More information about this is on my web site,
www.checkpointplans.com |
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csintexas
millennium club
Joined: 06 Feb 2006
Posts: 2174
Location: USA
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| Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2009 7:01 am Post subject: |
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I don't know why you would want to pay someone to design a house for you just for fun. Seems like there would be other hobbies that are more entertaining and if you save your money than someday you will actually be able to build one.
All I was trying to say is that none of the software is particularly intuitive. Sketchup requires a substantial learning curve other software is extremely limited. Pencil and paper works great and also develops artistic skill.
_________________
-Chris Stewart
http://bcshdb.blogspot.com >
The B/CS Home Design Blog |
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Jimbobidybone
Joined: 18 Jun 2009
Posts: 17
Location: Derby, UK
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| Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2009 8:54 am Post subject: |
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This might seem a fairly immature reply, but I have 2 words for you:
The Sims
Might sound a bit of a daft suggestion but if you're going to do it as hobby, you can build some fairly swanky houses with this game, there's no real learning curve just a little ingame tutorial, I've not tried the sims 3 yet but I'm sure that will let you do everything you desire and you get to have loadsa fun and test drive the house you design at the same time 
_________________
James Pegg
Please check out my site www.jrpcad.co.uk. |
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tequiladezert
Joined: 18 Jun 2009
Posts: 1
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| Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2009 7:26 pm Post subject: |
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"Hi, I'm posting this on behalf of George/guiri;
Guys, I CANNOT reply as I keep getting my account suspended for Spam and I have NO idea why.
I've tried to write to the support e mail twice but no reply. I also set up a new account with a new name and e mail address and again, the same thing. I get blocked for spam...
I hate to let people think I can't be bothered responding when they take time to reply.
Also, I have found someone to draw a house for me I think 
Thanks
George" |
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