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
If you mean me [emoji6]
Not with Cadvilla and SweetHome3D, where the walkthrough looks a bit more minimalist, but not as much ’90s style as in your screenshot [emoji23][emoji6]
In Cadvilla, at least light and shadows (sunlight through the windows) are pre-rendered and also visible during the walkthrough. The models are also detailed enough while walking through. What is missing are bump maps, reflections, caustics, and multi-bounce light diffusion during the walkthrough. What’s really cool, though, is that the lighting is “active” during the walkthrough and even in the design phase, meaning you get a pretty good idea of the light effect when positioning the lights. This really saves a lot of time.
With SketchUp (but only the “Pro” version), it pre-renders and during the walkthrough you get nearly the same quality as the still renders thanks to real-time ray tracing.
What more could you want? [emoji6] I don’t want anything, though I’m not so sure about the original poster [emoji4]
Not with Cadvilla and SweetHome3D, where the walkthrough looks a bit more minimalist, but not as much ’90s style as in your screenshot [emoji23][emoji6]
In Cadvilla, at least light and shadows (sunlight through the windows) are pre-rendered and also visible during the walkthrough. The models are also detailed enough while walking through. What is missing are bump maps, reflections, caustics, and multi-bounce light diffusion during the walkthrough. What’s really cool, though, is that the lighting is “active” during the walkthrough and even in the design phase, meaning you get a pretty good idea of the light effect when positioning the lights. This really saves a lot of time.
With SketchUp (but only the “Pro” version), it pre-renders and during the walkthrough you get nearly the same quality as the still renders thanks to real-time ray tracing.
What more could you want? [emoji6] I don’t want anything, though I’m not so sure about the original poster [emoji4]
A brief addition: the Cadvilla still images took about 5–8 minutes. SweetHome3D took an annoying 30 minutes — but as I already mentioned, the implementation is not very efficient.
Whether entering latitude and longitude, as well as time, in Cadvilla then reflects the correct lighting conditions, I won’t be able to confirm for another 10 months [emoji6]
Whether entering latitude and longitude, as well as time, in Cadvilla then reflects the correct lighting conditions, I won’t be able to confirm for another 10 months [emoji6]
Oh man… written words always cause so many misunderstandings, and they just keep multiplying until it becomes exhausting. It's a shame we can't speak live to clear things up right away.
@ruppsn Sorry for the incomplete greeting. I already explained why I don’t like SketchUp and similar programs. I simply lack the talent to carve so much out of a lump that it turns into something useful. To do that, I’d have to visualize the result in my head beforehand, which is exactly my problem. As I mentioned before, I’m much better at being creative with ready-made elements—basically kits.
@kbt09 I need to clear up the second misunderstanding with you. I can afford €2,000 (about $2,200) and would be crazy not to manage that, but I don’t like subscription models. I would never lease a car either. If I want something, I have the money or save for it, no matter how economical renting might be. That’s just how I am. However, no one here has yet presented the “all-in-one” solution I’d be willing to pay thousands of euros for. Again, I’m willing to spend an unreasonable amount of money but want to be able to estimate in advance whether it’s worth it by my standards. If I rent the software and then, for any reason (health, caring for parents, job…), I can’t use it anymore, I will have wasted two grand. That seems irresponsible to me. There is, of course, a legitimate reason for this pricing model though: If I were a professional architect, I could write it off for taxes and have employees or partners who could continue working with it. And what if I want to revisit old designs years later? Then I’d rent the program again. What if rental prices suddenly double? That could happen! No, I want to know a clear final price because I can manage that.
@ypg Regarding the problem child: well spotted! At least half of that applies. Control freak—yes, overthinker—I used to be, no longer. Decision maker—yes, but decisions are difficult. Fear—I don’t know that word. By the way, I didn’t choose these traits myself. We are simply children of our parents and products of our environment. Apart from that, it’s all the more understandable that, given my personality, I want to plan house construction as detailed as possible. I think even people with slight controlling tendencies have that right. I don’t want to know how many builders end up regretting some or many of their decisions after a surge of enthusiasm or being persuaded by a good salesperson. After all, we’re not talking about buying a clothes drying rack but the biggest project of a lifetime with lasting impact.
@ruppsn Finally… that’s exactly what I was looking for! Clear statements about what the program can and cannot do. Incidentally, Cadilla Prof Plus currently costs €219 (about $240) from the manufacturer. If I were to buy, I’d choose the Pro and Plus version anyway… though I don’t know if I’d ever need the extra features. If I do, at least I’ll have them.
Regarding your designs: numbers 1 and 3 appeal to me quite a bit—thank you very much. Now I can finally work with something and understand what you mean when you talk about the programs. The designs are far from photorealistic, but they probably compensate well for my lack of imagination. Of course, I had already googled pictures of the programs and didn’t find Cadvilla bad at all. However, Sweet Home 3D gave me the impression I was looking at an in-game adventure game. I particularly appreciate your notes about the possibility to import additional objects.
And here lies the core of the problem (which will probably cause misunderstandings again). I would rather spend more money—much more—and then have access to a huge object library. Back when I was childless, enjoying bachelorhood, and my parents were still healthy… yes, I would have thrown myself passionately into crafting the inventory. I would also gladly have experimented a lot and researched online. But after many years at the computer, I no longer have the desire or patience for that. Years ago, if you sought advice in forums, you usually got it quickly. Now, you mostly encounter fools babbling nonsense sprinkled with a “quote of the day.” That tires me out and wastes valuable time.
@ypg Maybe you could please show me a sample of your designs so I can get an idea of what Arcon is capable of today.
One more word about your advice to just research and get inspired (for example, from @ruppsn). Here’s an example why that sounds good and surely makes sense but is only theory. Our daughter, like many children today, has slightly crooked feet and knees. Over the years we have been to two orthopedists and various medical supply stores for insoles. So far, they have not resulted in any visible improvement. The latest insoles were poorly made, so I had to complain. They told me to go directly to the workshop of the medical supply store. There I asked about the possible uselessness of insoles and nobody answered. Then by chance, another workshop manager came in, overheard me, and introduced me to “soft support insoles with pronation and wedge correction.” I had never seen anything like that before, despite extensive internet research, talks with doctors, and the medical supply store. Even Google barely knows about it. Essentially, these are studs like on football boots, but you glue them to the bottom of the insoles. The effect is that the foot is pressed uncomfortably, and you instinctively and actively try to change your foot position to avoid the pain. According to the experienced orthopedic technician, this may lead to an improvement in foot alignment. So now you tell me to “take care of it myself”… How great would it be if planning software (in a figurative sense) included such rare building blocks so I could discover and explore them. Do you understand me a little better now???
@ruppsn Sorry for the incomplete greeting. I already explained why I don’t like SketchUp and similar programs. I simply lack the talent to carve so much out of a lump that it turns into something useful. To do that, I’d have to visualize the result in my head beforehand, which is exactly my problem. As I mentioned before, I’m much better at being creative with ready-made elements—basically kits.
@kbt09 I need to clear up the second misunderstanding with you. I can afford €2,000 (about $2,200) and would be crazy not to manage that, but I don’t like subscription models. I would never lease a car either. If I want something, I have the money or save for it, no matter how economical renting might be. That’s just how I am. However, no one here has yet presented the “all-in-one” solution I’d be willing to pay thousands of euros for. Again, I’m willing to spend an unreasonable amount of money but want to be able to estimate in advance whether it’s worth it by my standards. If I rent the software and then, for any reason (health, caring for parents, job…), I can’t use it anymore, I will have wasted two grand. That seems irresponsible to me. There is, of course, a legitimate reason for this pricing model though: If I were a professional architect, I could write it off for taxes and have employees or partners who could continue working with it. And what if I want to revisit old designs years later? Then I’d rent the program again. What if rental prices suddenly double? That could happen! No, I want to know a clear final price because I can manage that.
@ypg Regarding the problem child: well spotted! At least half of that applies. Control freak—yes, overthinker—I used to be, no longer. Decision maker—yes, but decisions are difficult. Fear—I don’t know that word. By the way, I didn’t choose these traits myself. We are simply children of our parents and products of our environment. Apart from that, it’s all the more understandable that, given my personality, I want to plan house construction as detailed as possible. I think even people with slight controlling tendencies have that right. I don’t want to know how many builders end up regretting some or many of their decisions after a surge of enthusiasm or being persuaded by a good salesperson. After all, we’re not talking about buying a clothes drying rack but the biggest project of a lifetime with lasting impact.
@ruppsn Finally… that’s exactly what I was looking for! Clear statements about what the program can and cannot do. Incidentally, Cadilla Prof Plus currently costs €219 (about $240) from the manufacturer. If I were to buy, I’d choose the Pro and Plus version anyway… though I don’t know if I’d ever need the extra features. If I do, at least I’ll have them.
Regarding your designs: numbers 1 and 3 appeal to me quite a bit—thank you very much. Now I can finally work with something and understand what you mean when you talk about the programs. The designs are far from photorealistic, but they probably compensate well for my lack of imagination. Of course, I had already googled pictures of the programs and didn’t find Cadvilla bad at all. However, Sweet Home 3D gave me the impression I was looking at an in-game adventure game. I particularly appreciate your notes about the possibility to import additional objects.
And here lies the core of the problem (which will probably cause misunderstandings again). I would rather spend more money—much more—and then have access to a huge object library. Back when I was childless, enjoying bachelorhood, and my parents were still healthy… yes, I would have thrown myself passionately into crafting the inventory. I would also gladly have experimented a lot and researched online. But after many years at the computer, I no longer have the desire or patience for that. Years ago, if you sought advice in forums, you usually got it quickly. Now, you mostly encounter fools babbling nonsense sprinkled with a “quote of the day.” That tires me out and wastes valuable time.
@ypg Maybe you could please show me a sample of your designs so I can get an idea of what Arcon is capable of today.
One more word about your advice to just research and get inspired (for example, from @ruppsn). Here’s an example why that sounds good and surely makes sense but is only theory. Our daughter, like many children today, has slightly crooked feet and knees. Over the years we have been to two orthopedists and various medical supply stores for insoles. So far, they have not resulted in any visible improvement. The latest insoles were poorly made, so I had to complain. They told me to go directly to the workshop of the medical supply store. There I asked about the possible uselessness of insoles and nobody answered. Then by chance, another workshop manager came in, overheard me, and introduced me to “soft support insoles with pronation and wedge correction.” I had never seen anything like that before, despite extensive internet research, talks with doctors, and the medical supply store. Even Google barely knows about it. Essentially, these are studs like on football boots, but you glue them to the bottom of the insoles. The effect is that the foot is pressed uncomfortably, and you instinctively and actively try to change your foot position to avoid the pain. According to the experienced orthopedic technician, this may lead to an improvement in foot alignment. So now you tell me to “take care of it myself”… How great would it be if planning software (in a figurative sense) included such rare building blocks so I could discover and explore them. Do you understand me a little better now???
@Mihoe ... sorry, this is now a lot of talk about something.
For me, the 2000 euros were not about whether it is direct purchase, leasing, rent, or anything else, but rather about the approximate budget you had in mind.
For me, the 2000 euros were not about whether it is direct purchase, leasing, rent, or anything else, but rather about the approximate budget you had in mind.
Mihoe schrieb:This is where it also helps to consult a suitable expert who can work with you to develop a building that meets planning permission, structural, and other requirements—knowledge usually acquired only through intensive study.
How nice it would be if planning software (in a figurative sense) included these rare building components so that I could discover and explore them.
Mihoe schrieb:
Oh man … the written word always causes so many misunderstandings, and then new ones arise, multiplying until it becomes exhausting. It’s a shame we can’t speak live to clear things up right away. You’re absolutely right
Mihoe schrieb:
If anything, I would go with the Pro and Plus versions If I remember correctly, there is a 30-day (?) trial version. I would definitely try it first to avoid a potential bad purchase, even if you can afford it. You could invest 200 EUR more wisely elsewhere than in software you might not get along with
Mihoe schrieb:
The designs are far from what I would call photorealistic, but they would probably compensate for my lack of imagination. No, from my point of view, they’re not photorealistic either, but for the purpose of developing a concept that’s not too far from reality, they are quite suitable. No matter how photorealistic the rendering ends up being, real life will always be somewhat different. So maybe it’s not a bad thing to let go a little of the idea that everything must be perfectly controlled (through renderings) and planned in advance.
Don’t get me wrong, I recognize some of this in myself. I’m sure I visualize a lot more and spend more time on details than the average person, but these remain models that approximate reality. Have confidence in your plan and allow some gaps. A good planner can often give you much better advice and information than a self-made visualization, thanks to their experience and training. Especially when it comes to what works well (visually) and what doesn’t. They can sometimes really come up with good new ideas that you wouldn’t have thought of yourself.
Maybe just take a look at projects from planners you’re considering and try to get a feeling for whether you like their style… that would already be a good foundation.
Mihoe schrieb:
One more word about your suggestions that I should do some research and get or be given inspiration (e.g., from @ruppsn). No offense, that wasn’t a lecture but a recommendation, because I don’t think you’ll find (and ever find) exactly what you’re looking for. So I thought it might at least help you to know where else you can get inspiration from. It was a recommendation based on personal experience – among other things, my wife’s best friend and I are big users of Pinterest.
But if you have already exhausted those sources of inspiration, what’s stopping you from having a few conversations with architects?
Just tell them your problem, maybe they see it as their job to build models for you or create visualizations. And as I already said about the HOAI fee structure, I don’t see anything in the five-digit range. The initial consultation with an architect is probably free anyway… just do what you regretted not doing earlier here on the forum: talk to different planners.
Otherwise, I can only agree with @kbt09.
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