Slightly OOT: What software (can be paid) for designing a house? I'm a software engineer with no background in civil engineering / related fields. AutoCAD is too complex, Photoshop too abstract. I'm thinking the Sims :) But I need "real" measurements.
The resulting design is not for commercial use but to be passed to the professionals (architect/builder). Simple enough for my mom to understand yet detailed enough for the professionals to know what I want precisely.
Sketchup is really in a nice spot for this kind of stuff.
I’m still stuck at the last free version 2017 make. The new free web thing is kind of okay, but really suffers in even a slightly bigger models.
Haven’t tried the newer paid versions. It’s a real shame most of these cad-like stuff are going subscription only. As a hobbyist, my needs are really sporadic :/
There's a web version at my.sketchup.com. It lacks some of the features of the desktop software, but works well enough. I drew up the interior of my home to aid in renovations.
I also use it for modeling 3D prints when I don't need the part to be parameterized.
I've had good experiences with Home Designer [1]. Used it to mock up how I wanted my basement finished [2] so I could solicit quotes and ended up running around the house measuring rooms so I could model the rest of the house (for fun... didn't really serve a purpose).
Ended up liking it enough that my father decided to use it to design the home he wants to build. He even found a builder who uses the pro version of the software (Chief Architect) so my father could view / tweak the model.
Rhinoceros is $800 and used for product design, shipbuilding and architecture. We’re currently getting permits and structural done on our family home with drawings created with it. It also comes with a parametric solver system, grasshopper.
SketchUp. Pretty easy for an amateur/hobbyist to learn, powerful enough that your architect might use it, too. You can try the web based version for free.
The resulting design is not for commercial use but to be passed to the professionals (architect/builder). Simple enough for my mom to understand yet detailed enough for the professionals to know what I want precisely.