Browse Forums General Discussion 1 Nov 22, 2019 1:00 pm Hi I am looking to renovate and extend my home in the next couple of years and am seeking advice on the best choice of 3d software to model the concept. I already have measured drawings of the current home and would like to : 1. Pay someone on upwork or freelancer to build a 3d model of the current home 2. Get the same person to build 3d model of the renovation from my sketches of the proposed changes. 3. Be able to use the same software as a novice to make tweaks and changes to the concept. Once I've got the 3d model that I am happy with (and agreed with my wife) I'll hand over to a draftsman to do the new measured drawings that the builders can quote and work off. I've previoulsy used to use Broderbund 3d Home Architect reasonably proficiently, but this sofware is no longer available. I don't need a full BIM tool as it is really just so I can agree the concept. I'm reluctant to go with one of the cloud platforms where there is a monthly fee as this will only ever be two models and this project could easily push out beyond two years. I would like one product that it is suited to handling the whole layout of the block and garden as well and allow for 3 levels with separated structures on different elevations. The house is on a sloping block. The garage is at street level and will connect to the house with stairs to the house further up the block. I'd also liked the Broderbund tool's ability to move around the 3d model so you could see the design from different angles. Is there an ideal tool out there? Happy to spend $200 for a one-off software purchase. I found a current list here: https://windowsreport.com/3d-home-architect/#1. I do want a product that I can get someone to get the drawing 90% there so it can't be too obsure but on the other hand I don't want to buy an expensive Revit license either. Regards adbell Re: Recommendation for 3D Modelling Software - Home Renovati 2Nov 23, 2019 7:20 am Hi adbell welcome to the forum No there isn't an ideal BIM tool for sketchers that connects to real data Even free sketchup requires addons OT, for real House and site measuring tools Bosch has a Laser measuring tool + GLM Floor Plan App I use this Bosch tool throughout the design & build stages. In a nut shell the choice boils down to spending 200 bucks for software that cant be used during your build or buy a tool with a free app that you will have many uses for....? my2c cheers Chris Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Re: Recommendation for 3D Modelling Software - Home Renovati 3Nov 23, 2019 10:15 am Thanks Chris The Bosch tool looks really interesting and must save a lot of time when doing the floorplan. However, it doesn't appear to have the 3D part. I mainly want to have a 3D model so I can agree the scope and high level design with my wife. I have all the measurement info required to define a model of the current house and a good idea of the changes we have been considering. Having a model will make it much easier to agree some of the finer details before we engage a draftsman or architect to make the specification for the builder. Regards adbell Re: Recommendation for 3D Modelling Software - Home Renovati 4Nov 23, 2019 1:41 pm adbell The Bosch tool looks really interesting and must save a lot of time when doing the floorplan. However, it doesn't appear to have the 3D part. I mainly want to have a 3D model so I can agree the scope and high level design with my wife. The export is via 2D pdf or images/photos adbell I have all the measurement info required to define a model of the current house and a good idea of the changes we have been considering. Having a model will make it much easier to agree some of the finer details before we engage a draftsman or architect to make the specification for the builder. The only problem with exporting/importing to different software programs is that the final Architectural, Engineering, Construction (AEC) model will be fragmented and pretty much useless on site during the build. here my2c 1. Pick an app/program that can export to sketchup (skp) 2.Make sure the AEC 3D BIM program can import skp files 3.Pick a BIM program that does everything in one program ie AEC, quants, data, automated scripts, etc as your project will have to be remodelled from scratch 4.Has a free 3D viewer that you can use/access, unfortunately they are all now cloud based the software user will have a subscription for use 5.The data and quants can be linked and shared via google or Microsoft sheets A word of warning some Architects use Achicad and engineers use Autocad, Revit or Vectorworks The file translation between them are useless and it will end up costing you more when making BIM changes Stick with revit or vectorworks users both have viewers Quantities/Costs/Profits Exploded View I would love to see your model as it progresses Cheers Chris Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Re: Recommendation for 3D Modelling Software - Home Renovati 5Nov 24, 2019 10:47 pm I am copying the from the other post of mine down here for you about the software. You could pay a few bucks for a one plan (one property) or go monthly subscription. Subscription will allow you to do as many as you like while one off purchase is for that particular plan you are going to draw up or change. Google Sketchup was/is free. https://www.magicplan.app/en/ It is available as an app for Android and iPhone as well. Easy to use and flexible enough. If you prefer a computer software then you would need to search for Google Sketchup, which is discontinued or you could take the latest Sketchup (paid). Hope this helps. Re: Recommendation for 3D Modelling Software - Home Renovati 6Nov 26, 2019 12:47 pm The good thing about Sketchup is that once you have your house as a 3D model you can go onto their website and download all sorts of furniture etc for nix as well so you can really have a close look at your rooms furnished rather than just bare walls.Ideal for working out distances from the bed to the BIR, toilet to the shower etc if you can't visualise it. Stewie ideal house depends on the site and location as much as internal floor plan....what is the distance from the house to all four boundaries, where is north, describe your… 3 15155 a building inspector should be able to tell you about any major problems but we need a floor plan with dimensions to clarify options for extra bedrooms ... sometime an… 1 8718 |