Good evening everyone,
My problem in brief:
I am looking for “THE” 3D home design software that allows creating as photo-realistic house plans as possible. The program should also enable realistic furnishing of interior spaces and the design of the outdoor area. If possible, I want to be able to virtually fly around and through the design with virtual cameras, similar to a drone.
Ultimately, I want designs comparable to those published by various home builders in their catalogs. Unfortunately, it’s probably not allowed to mention names here.
The reason why (for those interested):
I would like to build a house, or rather my wife and daughter have been pushing me for a long time.
However, I have zero visual imagination when looking at drawings. The architects I met during initial contacts with building companies either did not understand or did not have the (financial) motivation to create a custom design with me. It was basically just house designs A through X from a drawer. They might generously move a wall or a window... “Try design No. 3, it’s very fashionable and popular…” That was all I was offered. A proper architect, if I could even find one, would cost me a large five-digit sum, because I’d have to engage them full-time for months.
To overcome these hurdles, I want to take on this task myself, working on the design evening by evening, virtually walking through and exploring the design, identifying needed changes, and adjusting until everything fits perfectly. Many years ago, I had the chance to create designs with the program Arcon, which worked reasonably well. But this program did not offer the current possibilities for photo-realistic rendering of designs.
What I don’t need...:
are pessimistic comments about how I wouldn’t be able to do it anyway. I’m not aiming to win an architecture award, and my lack of experience, feasibility, structural engineering, etc. is a different matter. I also don’t need any CAD or structural analysis modules, etc.
Let’s say others build model railways as a hobby, and my wife and I would like to design our tailor-made dream house.
Many thanks in advance for all serious advice!
Best regards,
MiHoe
My problem in brief:
I am looking for “THE” 3D home design software that allows creating as photo-realistic house plans as possible. The program should also enable realistic furnishing of interior spaces and the design of the outdoor area. If possible, I want to be able to virtually fly around and through the design with virtual cameras, similar to a drone.
Ultimately, I want designs comparable to those published by various home builders in their catalogs. Unfortunately, it’s probably not allowed to mention names here.
The reason why (for those interested):
I would like to build a house, or rather my wife and daughter have been pushing me for a long time.
However, I have zero visual imagination when looking at drawings. The architects I met during initial contacts with building companies either did not understand or did not have the (financial) motivation to create a custom design with me. It was basically just house designs A through X from a drawer. They might generously move a wall or a window... “Try design No. 3, it’s very fashionable and popular…” That was all I was offered. A proper architect, if I could even find one, would cost me a large five-digit sum, because I’d have to engage them full-time for months.
To overcome these hurdles, I want to take on this task myself, working on the design evening by evening, virtually walking through and exploring the design, identifying needed changes, and adjusting until everything fits perfectly. Many years ago, I had the chance to create designs with the program Arcon, which worked reasonably well. But this program did not offer the current possibilities for photo-realistic rendering of designs.
What I don’t need...:
are pessimistic comments about how I wouldn’t be able to do it anyway. I’m not aiming to win an architecture award, and my lack of experience, feasibility, structural engineering, etc. is a different matter. I also don’t need any CAD or structural analysis modules, etc.
Let’s say others build model railways as a hobby, and my wife and I would like to design our tailor-made dream house.
Many thanks in advance for all serious advice!
Best regards,
MiHoe
@everyone: First of all, before I respond to your answers in chronological order, I want to sincerely thank you. Contrary to my fears, there were no stupid comments like "just grab a pencil because it’s cheap." On the contrary, everyone is genuinely making an effort to provide constructive suggestions, which is very commendable because it’s so rare!
What I unfortunately forgot to mention in my original question is a request not to argue! :-)
Honestly, it’s difficult to find a wording that allows everyone to "read my mind" and understand things the same way. Misunderstandings are inevitable… it’s just human and (unfortunately) completely normal. The written word always leaves room for interpretation and can easily be misunderstood. I can understand both of you, considering your quite different backgrounds (photography vs. research). So please, no bickering — there is no reason for that, and somehow you are both right from your own perspective… it just isn’t the same as the other’s.
Misunderstandings are also inevitable because increasingly ridiculous regulations come up these days. I’m not allowed to photograph my children at school or daycare… yet there are thousands of websites with illegal content online. Due to data protection laws, I am not allowed to film my own front door… meanwhile, burglars have broken in 11 times over the last two years, and they’re happy about that. People praise the great data protection… meanwhile, some hackers recently hacked my wife’s Amazon account and made significant purchases at her expense. Hysterical activism keeps creating more and more ridiculous rules that disempower citizens and help no one. If I were allowed to upload pictures here or name the very different companies whose designs I like, my question would be clearer. Apart from posting links… what else is forbidden?
Now, on to your responses:
@manyyuu: I probably don’t really need a head-height warning system, especially since the designs will ultimately be reviewed and implemented by a construction company and their architects. Hopefully, they would catch any major planning mistakes.
@ MIA_San_MIA: Home.by.me/de/ looks promising at first glance, especially since it’s non-binding and free.
@jansen: Yes, that’s true; I had uploaded my request before and actually received an answer by email. However, my thread disappeared without a trace or comment. I definitely did not include any advertising or links. I only used the word Arcon, which shouldn’t be the issue since people here also mention companies and product names. Without those, this forum would only be about discussing the weather! :-)
@ypg: No, my account was not deleted, only the post—again, without warning or obvious violation. I have no idea why. :-(
@rupson: SweetHome3D basically moves in the right direction but looks very artificial, like a “hidden object” game… so it’s not what I’m looking for. Cadvilla comes closer to my wishes, at least based on images I’ve seen on Google.
Regarding foam boards… yes, I already tried cardboard ones and they weren’t very effective.
About architects: A friend whose wife is an architect estimated the fee at a five-digit sum (rough estimate). Since he is familiar with pricing and has an idea of my requirements, I believe him that my needs could quickly reach such dimensions. The friend also explained why I shouldn’t expect much from a company X if I want to move walls or change window positions. General contractors, he says, usually budget only a very low amount for the architect under their contract. That architect then has little incentive to spend much time on small fees under $1,000, which is understandable. These architects usually focus only on structural calculations and essential requirements. Hence, they have little experience or knowledge in flexible design. I, on the other hand, consider a real architect more of an artist and advisor.
@ypg: You mention and praise the development of Arcon. Unfortunately, the name is very vague. There’s talk of Arcon+, Arcon with various version numbers, Arcon with a year in the name… sometimes called Arcon Professional, sometimes Arcon Eleco, available for purchase or rental… all very confusing. Also, the Cadvilla mentioned by rupson somehow relates to Arcon. Apparently, the term is not a registered product name and is used freely by anyone. It seems there is also a newer version that can create impressive 3D visualizations. Despite intensive searching, I have not yet found it.
@rupson: Regarding ypg’s statement that you have to buy five-digit software for what I want, “nope.” Unfortunately, ypg can’t name it either. Do you know it? If your answer is no?
@ rupson (I’m not sure if the original poster means by photorealism what you understand by it): Very true, it’s a subjective view! That’s why I have to ask again whether I may name companies whose virtual designs I like? Then we would know what my standard is :-)
@ dear ypg: I did not criticize Arcon. My knowledge of Arcon is frozen at over 10 years ago, around version 6.51 or 4.1 or even 2003. The latest version is reportedly from 2017 and the version number is confusingly 6.30… *I don’t understand that!*
What I unfortunately forgot to mention in my original question is a request not to argue! :-)
Honestly, it’s difficult to find a wording that allows everyone to "read my mind" and understand things the same way. Misunderstandings are inevitable… it’s just human and (unfortunately) completely normal. The written word always leaves room for interpretation and can easily be misunderstood. I can understand both of you, considering your quite different backgrounds (photography vs. research). So please, no bickering — there is no reason for that, and somehow you are both right from your own perspective… it just isn’t the same as the other’s.
Misunderstandings are also inevitable because increasingly ridiculous regulations come up these days. I’m not allowed to photograph my children at school or daycare… yet there are thousands of websites with illegal content online. Due to data protection laws, I am not allowed to film my own front door… meanwhile, burglars have broken in 11 times over the last two years, and they’re happy about that. People praise the great data protection… meanwhile, some hackers recently hacked my wife’s Amazon account and made significant purchases at her expense. Hysterical activism keeps creating more and more ridiculous rules that disempower citizens and help no one. If I were allowed to upload pictures here or name the very different companies whose designs I like, my question would be clearer. Apart from posting links… what else is forbidden?
Now, on to your responses:
@manyyuu: I probably don’t really need a head-height warning system, especially since the designs will ultimately be reviewed and implemented by a construction company and their architects. Hopefully, they would catch any major planning mistakes.
@ MIA_San_MIA: Home.by.me/de/ looks promising at first glance, especially since it’s non-binding and free.
@jansen: Yes, that’s true; I had uploaded my request before and actually received an answer by email. However, my thread disappeared without a trace or comment. I definitely did not include any advertising or links. I only used the word Arcon, which shouldn’t be the issue since people here also mention companies and product names. Without those, this forum would only be about discussing the weather! :-)
@ypg: No, my account was not deleted, only the post—again, without warning or obvious violation. I have no idea why. :-(
@rupson: SweetHome3D basically moves in the right direction but looks very artificial, like a “hidden object” game… so it’s not what I’m looking for. Cadvilla comes closer to my wishes, at least based on images I’ve seen on Google.
Regarding foam boards… yes, I already tried cardboard ones and they weren’t very effective.
About architects: A friend whose wife is an architect estimated the fee at a five-digit sum (rough estimate). Since he is familiar with pricing and has an idea of my requirements, I believe him that my needs could quickly reach such dimensions. The friend also explained why I shouldn’t expect much from a company X if I want to move walls or change window positions. General contractors, he says, usually budget only a very low amount for the architect under their contract. That architect then has little incentive to spend much time on small fees under $1,000, which is understandable. These architects usually focus only on structural calculations and essential requirements. Hence, they have little experience or knowledge in flexible design. I, on the other hand, consider a real architect more of an artist and advisor.
@ypg: You mention and praise the development of Arcon. Unfortunately, the name is very vague. There’s talk of Arcon+, Arcon with various version numbers, Arcon with a year in the name… sometimes called Arcon Professional, sometimes Arcon Eleco, available for purchase or rental… all very confusing. Also, the Cadvilla mentioned by rupson somehow relates to Arcon. Apparently, the term is not a registered product name and is used freely by anyone. It seems there is also a newer version that can create impressive 3D visualizations. Despite intensive searching, I have not yet found it.
@rupson: Regarding ypg’s statement that you have to buy five-digit software for what I want, “nope.” Unfortunately, ypg can’t name it either. Do you know it? If your answer is no?
@ rupson (I’m not sure if the original poster means by photorealism what you understand by it): Very true, it’s a subjective view! That’s why I have to ask again whether I may name companies whose virtual designs I like? Then we would know what my standard is :-)
@ dear ypg: I did not criticize Arcon. My knowledge of Arcon is frozen at over 10 years ago, around version 6.51 or 4.1 or even 2003. The latest version is reportedly from 2017 and the version number is confusingly 6.30… *I don’t understand that!*
@Mihoe
Arcon was a product by mb Software, which eventually went bankrupt. VA Software bought the Arcon software and now distributes it under various names. Just look up Arcon on Wiki.
I have the impression that many commercial programs are based on this product, meaning: always a different program, but basically Arcon inside.
The market is very confusing, with many imitators everywhere.
This Arcon +6... also a new version again. I don’t know if it’s a revised edition.
The plus sign stands for Professional; without the plus is a simplified version.
You can upload photos here with source information, no links! No advertising!
Arcon was a product by mb Software, which eventually went bankrupt. VA Software bought the Arcon software and now distributes it under various names. Just look up Arcon on Wiki.
I have the impression that many commercial programs are based on this product, meaning: always a different program, but basically Arcon inside.
The market is very confusing, with many imitators everywhere.
This Arcon +6... also a new version again. I don’t know if it’s a revised edition.
The plus sign stands for Professional; without the plus is a simplified version.
You can upload photos here with source information, no links! No advertising!
Thank you for the prompt response. This is definitely workable.
I’ll use these two pictures of a staircase from Massa Haus as an example. Here, a virtual stair railing has been covered with completely different textures... sometimes light and sometimes dark, giving a totally different impression.
For instance, I could simulate something like this with the all-in-one software.
I’ll use these two pictures of a staircase from Massa Haus as an example. Here, a virtual stair railing has been covered with completely different textures... sometimes light and sometimes dark, giving a totally different impression.
For instance, I could simulate something like this with the all-in-one software.
For an overall view, I’d like to upload this image from Kampa. By that, I mean a fairly photorealistic rendering. For example, you can see shadows, which are important for the subjective perception. And yes, you can clearly see at the transitions that the background is never truly behind the house.
Using the Kampa image as a reference, I would like to describe my preferences. On the front of the extension, there are some kind of cladding panels (ceramic?) installed. However, you could just as well use horizontal wooden panels, which would give the whole thing a completely different appearance. Alternatively, natural stone like gray slate could be used... Nowadays, so many options are possible. But if the construction company doesn’t inform me about these possibilities, I might end up regretting not knowing they exist. And even if I do know... what does it really look like in practice? That’s why I’m looking for THE software that allows me to change everything with a single click and also inspires me through the various surface options available in the selection menus.
Back to the online solution Home.by.me ... Thanks @ MIA_San_MIA, but unfortunately it quickly becomes expensive if you need additional credits. These can cost around 50–60 € each, and I can't estimate how many credit units I would need ... This can easily add up to four-figure amounts. I prefer to purchase a full version and have unlimited access. Otherwise, the operation of Home.by.me is quick and intuitive to learn.