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Great product
This is a great program for novice people to design their dreams. I’m finding it relatively easy to design a 1,000 square foot cabin, with 2 bedrooms, 1 full bath and a loft. So far the only issue I have come across is making a dormer with a shed roof. There are so many items in the library to make anything you want.
Upgrade
I’ve been using an old 3D Architect version 3 program from 1997. I needed to upgrade and by following the trial, I came to find that chief architect was the new version of what I’ve been using. Do it was a natural transition for me to go with them. I can only run the 2021 release on my PC, however it does everything I need. I am still learning, however I notice it is very similar in functionality as my old program. So that helps me learn better.
Customer service was fantastic I might add. I cannot complain about a thing.
Very, very satisfied.
Not a Pro, but love it anyway
I bought my first version of Chief Architect (CA) in 2015 when my wife and I were getting serious about building our retirement home. In 2020 our home was built using the floor plans, lighting, foundation and window layout (we had a local truss company do our roof) generated by CA. I tried a number of other competitors, but CA is definitely the best and I get the upgrade every year. One of these days I need to take one of the classes and learn “something”. Using their video’s I’ve managed to figure most things out, but somethings still drive me nuts and I know it’s my lack of knowledge, not their software. I’m helping friends design their new home using the 2023 version. They understand that I’m not a professional and all my work well need to be verified by an licensed expert, but getting the layout and look they want is well within my wheelhouse. Every time I call the staff is ALWAYs polite and more than willing to answer questions.
Love this software!
I am a total rookie at this, but have a little CAD experience from years ago, which I’ve forgotten. But the training videos are really a Godsend, and I am having a blast designing a kitchen. So many options.
Pleasantly surprised
I’m now 75 years old and learned to draft using pen and ink.
During my professional career as an engineer, I’ve managed several drafting departments through the years using AutoCAD.
I must say that finding a 2D/3D software with BOTH smart objects and CAD drafting features, along with camera views and a very rich library was a surprise. The learning curve for this software is much shorter than for others that I’ve used through the years … especially with the prolific training videos and well developed help facility. Altogether, this software is truly “elegant” at an affordable price for anyone wishing to produce professional work.
Great software
Great program i been using it for many years. Easy upgrade download still waiting for my backup installation.
Learning
The user manual does not always match exactly with my version of the software. I use general computer application skills and get through what I am trying to do.
The best architectural software out there.
I repaired computers and office equipment until I retired. I’ve always wanted to be an architect. Many years ago I purchased Chief Architect Professional which required a parallel dongle. When new computers no longer came with a parallel port I had to give up my professional version of Chief Architect and get the Designer Pro 2012 version. Although it was a decent program, it was not the original Pro (now Premium) version. I recently purchased Designer Pro 2023 since I cannot afford the Premium version. I don’t sell or give my drawings away, I just do it as a hobby. I do believe this is the best architectural software out there.
Great program – though restricted
Great program – though restricted so that you pay the big bucks or do without –
making do.
WONDERFULL
I’m really happy with this software.
Is very simple to work with it
Thanks guys
Product was very user friendly.
Product was very user friendly. Tutorials helped me to become efficient in a short period of time. Love product
Dream Software
Simply one of the best 3D modelers for housing projects. Perfect for hobbies and professionals alike.
Review before upgrading
Excellent program! I’ve been using Chief Architect for a number of years, but upgrading to the latest version of Pro required I spend about $500 for an upgraded graphics card.
You might want to check your graphics card before upgrading .
So Far so Good
I just bought the software and it seems very intuitive. There seems to be a vast amount of support documents and forums for answering all questions. So far I have found answers to all my questions and some great tips.
Great and useful tool…auto roofs cause problems at times
Love the software, it saves me all kinds of time…but the auto roofs cause me a lot of re-work at times.
Fantastic Product
Bought this product on the recommendation of Eddie Case and I can’t believe I tried to go without it. The software is easy to use and made my job so much easier. Not to mention the 3d rendering is so cool. Thanks for an awesome product, Chief Architect!
Everything is great but creating plumbing lines
I love Home designer pro a lot. I love the ease of using the program, after trying several different ones this one has 90% of everything that I want!
The only disappointing thing that I’ve come by is them not specifying that i can only make plumbing and gas lines with chief architect premiere. But I still like that you can do the electrical and HVAC. I was really looking forward to using the plumbing tools. I’m not sure if I’ll keep Home designer pro and try to find one that does all of it for me. Or if I’ll just stick with the app and use a different program for plumbing.
Great Program!
I love using Chief Architect’s Home Designer Pro as an Interior Design professional. I’m a solopreneur and I needed a CAD program to assist with client designs. This program has everything I need at a very affordable cost. I’m able to produce professional floor plans and 3D renderings to visually represent my designs. I love this product.
If you’re a DIY – look no further
I tried an “App Store” program for a few days, which let me lay out some walls, but I couldn’t take it much further than that. I looked up reviews of home design software and found HD Pro / Chief Architect. I downloaded the free trial and discovered how powerful and how easy it was to use. After a week of not turning off my computer (the free trial doesn’t allow you to save a plan), I purchased a license! I’m glad I did.
The software is extremely powerful, automatically creating standard features of homes: a foundation, roofs, ceilings, kitchen cabinets and appliances. As an amateur, no way would I be able to spec everything out on my own. But, with this software, I’m creating real plans that work, and, ones that can be turned over to a builder.
The 3D modeling capabilities are incredible. I took a survey and was able to enter in the plot lines directly from the survey, complete with setbacks, to see how we could put the house on the land. I also incorporated real photos of the backdrop to see exactly what we would realize. You can see the view through the windows in the model! And, it was easy! I was blown away with the 3D rendering and animated walkthroughs. It really lets us see what we would get.
The architectural object library has everything you would put into a house. Again, more realism.
The material list functions are going to come in handy, as this will let us properly cost the house.
One of the big pluses is the support. I haven’t had to call the support team yet. But, I’ve found the reference manual, user guide, and the training videos all to be excellent resources. I do want to make special mention of the training videos – they are well organized on the web site, and, well scripted. Most of the videos are short and to the point. This allows you to see exactly how to do something that you’re trying to achieve in your plan, then you do it in your plan.
There definitely were a few finer points that I needed to learn, but people in the support forum helped bridge that gap.
Before I started my plan with HD Pro, a builder did refer me to a couple architects. One had a portfolio that didn’t match our tastes. The other was too busy to take on new work. That turned out to be for the best. I’ve easily saved more than the cost of the software by doing this myself. It has also been a lot of fun!
I Switched from Punch! Home Design Complete
I only purchased Home Designer Suite 2023 recently, so there are many features I have not tried yet. However, I am very satisfied with the product so far. HDS has all the intuitive features that I liked in PHDC, such as “drawing” walls and placing doors and windows with a click. But HDS also automates small things that were annoyances or time-wasters in PHDC. For example, connecting and moving walls goes more smoothly, and the auto-dimensioning is nicer. The best feature I’ve used is the auto-sizing of cabinets. Place a base cabinet between two appliances or between a wall and an appliance and it “just fits.” One negative: The comparable edition of PHDC has a much bigger library than HDS.
