Hello home builders!
I am in the early planning phase of converting a commercial building into a multi-family residential property. The total living area is 420 m² (4521 sq ft). Since I have lived in this building for many years, various renovation ideas have accumulated over time that have not been structurally evaluated.
Before consulting professionals (architect, structural engineer, building engineer), I would like to prepare these ideas in the form of floor plans to use them later as a basis for discussion with an expert.
I have already looked for software for floor plans:
* ArchiCAD (professional)
* Avanquest Architect 3D (semi-professional)
* Concadus 3D CAD Architect
* ...
Has anyone had experience with architecture software for amateurs or semi-professionals and can recommend something?
Best regards,
Flasher
I am in the early planning phase of converting a commercial building into a multi-family residential property. The total living area is 420 m² (4521 sq ft). Since I have lived in this building for many years, various renovation ideas have accumulated over time that have not been structurally evaluated.
Before consulting professionals (architect, structural engineer, building engineer), I would like to prepare these ideas in the form of floor plans to use them later as a basis for discussion with an expert.
I have already looked for software for floor plans:
* ArchiCAD (professional)
* Avanquest Architect 3D (semi-professional)
* Concadus 3D CAD Architect
* ...
Has anyone had experience with architecture software for amateurs or semi-professionals and can recommend something?
Best regards,
Flasher
What are your specific requirements?
Simple 3D visualization or detailed renderings with (sun)lighting and object textures?
A basic drawing program or dimensioning accurate to the millimeter with area and measurement calculations? Do you also want to use it for construction planning, meaning modeling wall chases, ceiling and wall openings? On which operating system? MacOS, Windows, Linux? How much time and money are you willing to invest?
I started with SweetHome3D back then and got quite far with it. At some point, this “better painting program” was no longer enough for me, so I moved on to cadvilla—and I’m very satisfied with it, although the software can sometimes be a bit clunky and occasionally slightly buggy, and above all (because it’s CAD) requires intensive training. Depending on the version, it costs up to 200€ (about $220). They have very good, extensive, but somewhat unusual voice-over tutorials.
Otherwise, I can warmly recommend SketchUp. It’s a 3D modeler that takes some getting used to, appears very minimalist at first, but is extremely powerful. The overall learning curve is shorter than with cadvilla, but results become visible a little later. It’s free, with many YouTube tutorials and a large 3D Warehouse full of objects for furnishing later on. Photorealistic renderings can be created because it’s a modeler where render engines can be added or integrated (e.g., the Twilight plugin). That’s a brief overview. Happy Easter!
Simple 3D visualization or detailed renderings with (sun)lighting and object textures?
A basic drawing program or dimensioning accurate to the millimeter with area and measurement calculations? Do you also want to use it for construction planning, meaning modeling wall chases, ceiling and wall openings? On which operating system? MacOS, Windows, Linux? How much time and money are you willing to invest?
I started with SweetHome3D back then and got quite far with it. At some point, this “better painting program” was no longer enough for me, so I moved on to cadvilla—and I’m very satisfied with it, although the software can sometimes be a bit clunky and occasionally slightly buggy, and above all (because it’s CAD) requires intensive training. Depending on the version, it costs up to 200€ (about $220). They have very good, extensive, but somewhat unusual voice-over tutorials.
Otherwise, I can warmly recommend SketchUp. It’s a 3D modeler that takes some getting used to, appears very minimalist at first, but is extremely powerful. The overall learning curve is shorter than with cadvilla, but results become visible a little later. It’s free, with many YouTube tutorials and a large 3D Warehouse full of objects for furnishing later on. Photorealistic renderings can be created because it’s a modeler where render engines can be added or integrated (e.g., the Twilight plugin). That’s a brief overview. Happy Easter!
What are your specific requirements?
Simple 3D visuals or advanced renderings with (sun)light and object textures? 3D visuals and advanced renderings are not that important in the first step. It is actually about 2D drawings for floor plans, both interior and exterior. However, I would like not only a top view but also the ability to insert windows into walls and draw electrical wiring.
I also want to depict ceiling and wall openings.
Additionally, I would like to hand over the drawings to the architect later as a digital basis. A format compatible with professional software would be great.
Simpler drawing program or millimeter-precise dimensioning with area and measurement calculations? At first, I would like to convert the existing hand-drawn house plans into a computer model. That means I want precise area and measurement data because I want to experiment with room sizes afterwards.
Do you also want to create the working plans, i.e., model wall chases, ceiling, and wall openings? Yes!
Which operating system? MacOS, Windows, Linux? Windows only!
How much time and money are you willing to invest? I could imagine spending a low three-digit amount if the software fully meets my overall requirements.
Regarding time: I had two years of technical drawing (mechanical engineering) at school, so I am basically familiar with CAD software. I consider time to learn the software as a given.
When exporting DXF or DWG files, you quickly enter a range dominated by professional software. At that point, the prices tend to be quite high.
Take a look at Cadvilla, which offers different versions and price ranges. It’s also worth checking out their tutorials, and they have a 30-day trial available.
SweetHome3D doesn’t seem like the right tool here; SketchUp (a 3D modeler) could be an option, but a CAD program actually appears to be the better choice.
By wall penetrations, I didn’t mean doors, passages for walking through, or stair openings, but rather penetrations for service shafts, water supply, electrical conduits, and so on.
When I mentioned measurements, I was referring more to wall surfaces, room perimeters, and areas to estimate materials like flooring, plaster surfaces, and masonry.
Living space calculation is also possible, but for rearranging rooms, SweetHome3D seems more suitable initially. Once the floor plan is sufficiently stable, I would switch to a CAD program.
Take a look at Cadvilla, which offers different versions and price ranges. It’s also worth checking out their tutorials, and they have a 30-day trial available.
SweetHome3D doesn’t seem like the right tool here; SketchUp (a 3D modeler) could be an option, but a CAD program actually appears to be the better choice.
By wall penetrations, I didn’t mean doors, passages for walking through, or stair openings, but rather penetrations for service shafts, water supply, electrical conduits, and so on.
When I mentioned measurements, I was referring more to wall surfaces, room perimeters, and areas to estimate materials like flooring, plaster surfaces, and masonry.
Living space calculation is also possible, but for rearranging rooms, SweetHome3D seems more suitable initially. Once the floor plan is sufficiently stable, I would switch to a CAD program.
I agree with Sketchup’s recommendation. Basically, anything you can imagine is possible, and it seems like you already have some experience. Plus, it’s free.
However, I find that hard to imagine, regardless of the software (meaning that the future architect would import your plans into their software and continue working on them).
Flasher schrieb:
Additionally, I would hand over the drawings to the architect afterwards as a digital base. A format compatible with professional software would be ideal.
However, I find that hard to imagine, regardless of the software (meaning that the future architect would import your plans into their software and continue working on them).
I have a background in CAD and find most construction CAD software to be a moderate disaster. I recently tried REVIT 2018. It’s a bit buggy, and construction CAD has a different approach than mechanical CAD, which is quite frustrating.
There are tutorials for Revit available on YouTube. The main advantage of Revit is its BIM capabilities and export functions. However, the learning curve is quite steep, especially if you want to use the BIM features.
For just floor plans and 3D modeling, it’s not bad and relatively quick to learn.
MyHousePlanner, CADVilla are probably too basic for your needs.
There are tutorials for Revit available on YouTube. The main advantage of Revit is its BIM capabilities and export functions. However, the learning curve is quite steep, especially if you want to use the BIM features.
For just floor plans and 3D modeling, it’s not bad and relatively quick to learn.
MyHousePlanner, CADVilla are probably too basic for your needs.
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