Visualize/Render home design software, Mac

[atlasfever]

Hello

Does anyone know of a home design software where I can try to visualize (3D render) layouts? I am using a powerpoint type software at the moment, and it's just not working for me. I assume there must be a simple modelling software that people use.... and, for Apple Mac, not windows.

Thanks!

 

[Flyfisher]

Google Sketchup: http://sketchup.google.com/product/gsu.html

 

[AMc]

Sketchup is great, take some time to follow the initial tutorial videos or you'll waste a lot of time doing things the hard way.
Pay particular attention to using the cursor keys to constrain to axes and using the number pad to add precise dimensions after drawing lines and faces as this makes things MUCH quicker and is easily missed!

The Pro version can export scale plans which can be used for building control etc. The trial is/was time limited to a certain amount of use.
If you build in the free version you may be able to export plans in the trail of the pro version. Though at a few hundred quid it's still a lot cheaper than hiring someone to draw plans for you IF you have the time and skill to invest.

I modelled my whole house renovation using scale plans (Autodesk DWG format) as the basis and it saved us from making some bad space planning mistakes that weren't obvious in 2D.