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.
15 years and counting
I have been using this software for 15+ years. Has always been a very usable program. I have designed homes with 8,000 sq ft too small shops with it. I create it and take my work to an Architect to put it in a proper form.
Russ Brown
Excellent DIY Tool
I searched and tried several tools to draw plans, modify plans and visualize my designs and only Home Designer Pro gave me the results I was looking for. It has a learning curve and not all features are intuitive but with the online videos and support team, Chief Architect provides the right mix to support a motivated person to get quality results. I would like to see more “right mouse” menu features that simplify copy and paste functions or to add a new layer by keeping the floorplan walls/windows etc. so that you can visualize and compare ideas over the same floor plan. Also to help separate a framing view from the exterior walls by creating a new layer (not floor). I am still learning so maybe these features exist but I have not discovered them yet. Great tool if you can afford it.
8 Years of DIY Fun Experience
I am not an architect but have been using design software for quite long for the design of my own properties. In 2015 when I switched to Home Designer Pro I discovered a whole new experience and real fun with this superior product, especially the user friendly interface and ease of learning despite the highly professional and detailed design features, including excellent landscaping capabilities, also thanks to the intuitive and extensive online resources. Chief Architect support have consistently exceeded my expectations during the past 8 years. It is indeed an enjoyable experience with Home Designer Pro!
Need better functionality for basic shapes
I’ve been using HD Pro for over a year now and find the selection of library items to be fairly limited, especially when I need to find something specific or unique. I end up creating items from basic shapes a good deal, but these are rudimentary. For example, I use cylinders extensively, but if you try to angle them vertically, they distort to the point of uselessness (e.g., attic ductwork, underground sprinkler systems over hilly terrain). Adding square and cylindrical arc shapes would also be of benefit. Other than that, the program is fantastic for depicting overall options for layout, colors, etc. for viewers, designers, contractors, and the like. Keep up the great work!
Best 3D / CAD we have ever used
We have used Chief Architect from the beginning. We now use Home Designer Pro because
it does everything that we need it to do. Our clients love the renderings. The muiltiple views
and BMP images let them see what their building is going to look like before it’s built.
Great program but hard for a beginner
This program is way more advanced than I am. There is truth to the statement “be smarter than the equipment”. A basis beginners tutorial with color by number instructions would be beneficial because I was overwhelmed and got frustrated not being able to figure out how to operate the program. This is not the programs fault truly the user. So program is fabulous but hard to use for beginners or someone that is not familiar with building or terms
FUN AND FUNCTIONAL
As a designer I use CHIEF ARCHITECT HOME DESIGNER PRO as a tool and a toy. When working with clients the ease of making changes and having them be able follow along in 3D is always a hit. It takes the fear out of making major decisions and smooths out the design process. It builds confidence in my clients and is a great sales tool. And as a designer I love to just play the program, I have my grandchildren over and we design their dream houses which you can imagine are quite creative at different ages. I just love the program.
Home Designer Pro.
Having onused H Des Pro for 6 months I like the addions in 2023.
However ther are 2 additions I would appreciate.
1-Being able to access more 3D products from suppliers.
2-Being able to create more layers and layer blocks. (a layer block is where you would be able to turn various parts of the design off and on. Like different kitchen layouts off and on)
Great software
I am totally new to this software, however, I also use AutoCAD and Solidworks and I caught on very easily in using it. I’m still getting more familiar and utilizing the videos to learn all I can. Thank you
Using now for 8years Thank You
I just have to say this is very easy to use and has more detail than anything I have used for a long time and is priced to be affordable to any business. There are so many modifications you can make to the cabinets and complete floor plan manipulations. and all the tutorials make it quick to find out how to do something. I use it to do full home layouts and can do them quickly. The core materials and manufacturers are great with detail. Very realistic 3D and 360 with ease.
Been using for years, works well
I have been using this product for years. It works very well for a basic home design. In fact I designed our home we built in 2000 with it I think. I know this is the basic package and that you get a lot more with the premium packages, but I do wish the furniture design was easier to modify once placed in the drawing. For instance, I put a sink in a cabinet and then I couldn’t move the sink into place. It was a corner cabinet. But I eventually got it where I wanted it by deleting then reinstalling it.
Great product for the money, I recommend it.
Great Product to design your home … I did!
Like any software, it takes some time to get the hang of the ins and outs. I’ve been using “Pro” for 7 years and when it came time to design my home on the water, my wife and I collected the measurements of the rooms we wanted and then played with the design until we found a combination we liked. We then handed the plans to an Architect and they used it for the plans and permit approvals. We’ve been in the home now 3 years and we are so happy with the outcome.
I’m just a DIY builder and never had any CAD training, but I’ve helped and are helping many friends design their homes.
I highly recommend this product … you’ll love it!
Excellent Product
I’ve been using Chief Architect/Home Designer products since 2013. I have always been satisfied with the software and customer service. The software is easy to use. It provides beautiful 3D renderings for our clients which helps them visualize their future home/landscape. They love that they can see and walk through the design on their mobile device using the 3D Viewer…giving them the opportunity to view their design on their own. Love the detailed material list, and the ability to show plant names.
