floor layout software

[starfish]

I am going to be renovating the top floor of my house, putting in a bathroom. Can anyone suggest easy to use design software to produce floor plans and to visualise rooms in 3D

 

[skier-hughes]

SketchUp, you can get a 30 day trial.

 

[Penners]

Sketchup (which is a 3D program) is free through Google (who've bought it). Download it from http://sketchup.google.com/.

Or for 2D drawings use an ordinary drawing program like Serif's Drawplus (which is what I've used for all my planning and building regs applications). You can get a free older version from http://www.freeserifsoftware.com/software/DrawPlus/default.asp

 

[Gervase]

Ta for that Penners - a free vector graphics programme, and it's available for Macintosh. Huzzah!

 

[skier-hughes]

Sketchup (which is a 3D program) is free through Google (who've bought it). Download it from http://sketchup.google.com/.
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Blimey, I tried it and liked it but baulked at the £300 (I think) price tag.

I'm going to get it now.

 

[skier-hughes]

Ah, I see there is a pro and comsumer version choice, free of $495. Have to see what the difference is, but a free cut down version would still be pretty darn good.

 

[Penners]

It is, and it's great fun.

You can create a 3D drawing of your own home, and then implant it on to Google Earth. If you want to see the effect of this, try using GE to "fly" over Manhattan Island, New York.

 

[starfish]

I have downloaded free version is it really simple to use or would I be quicker getting out the graph paper?

 

[Penners]

I can't answer that, as it depends on your level of skill. Try it and see how you get on.

 

[alice]

I use a Mac and teach computer graphics and animation, so I'm pretty comfortable using these types of programs. Unfortunately, the only cheap one for a Mac (also used for PC's) I could find is Microspot Interiors (a UK company, btw).

It's a bit touchy to use, but it's only $99 here in the States. You can order it online at

http://www.microspot.com/products/interiors/index.htm

You get what you pay for, I didn't need a pro app and didn't want to pay hundreds of dollars, so I got this one, which, as I said, is not very user friendly but works.

alice

 

[Penners]

What do you want to draw, Alice? If you're comfortable with vector work, try the free Serif software I mentioned above.

 

[alice]

I can use Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop CS2 to draw with (that's what I teach)... but I'm lazy and was hoping to find a program with all the drag and drop walls/windows/furniture/etc in it. That's why I bought the Microspot product.

I'll look at the Serif app, but it will have to work on my Apple, and a lot of freeware doesn't.

alice

 

[Penners]

I'll look at the Serif app, but it will have to work on my Apple

There is an Apple version. Strictly it's not freeware in the normal sense. Serif give away free old versions of their software, in the hope of attracting you to pay for the latest version. They write excellent software imho, and regularly receive Best Buy reviews in computer magazines.

Or there's this. I don't know anything about it, but it looks like what you want.

Alternatively, can you run a virtual PC environment on your Apple? If so, then there's loads of similar 3D design packages for the PC.

Does Photoshop CS have vector capabilities? I haven't upgraded since version 7.0, which was the last version I used professionally before I retired. Can't afford Adobe prices these days!

 

[skier-hughes]

Illustrator is for vector.
Have you ever wondered why the mags which give away the free serif software then tell you it's a best buy in the paid for version?
Not that I'm thinking anything underhand goes on.........

 

[Penners]

What a cynic you are, Graham! :wink:

I've used several of Serif's packages - Drawplus, Pageplus, Webplus and Photoplus - and I'm a big fan. They're all very good at what they do, and extremely competitively priced.

Their plaudits are well deserved, I reckon. (And no - I have no connection with the company!)