3D Home Architect Deluxe 5.0

by Riverdeep

Product Features

• Microsoft Windows 98/Me/2000/Xp Pentium II class processor (300 MHz or higher) 96 MB RAM (128 MB Recommended)
• 100 MB free hard-disk space CD-ROM drive Video Card with OpenGL driver and at least 8 MB RAM
• Super VGA monitor (screen resolution at least 800x600) Mouse Microsoft Internet Explorer; 5.0 or higher Internet connection to access online features
• Encore/ RiverDeep
• PC

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00006I50N
• Item model number: 381541
• Date first available at Amazon.com: August 5, 2002
• Average Customer Review: 1.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (79 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,566 in Software (See Top 100 in Software)
  • #90 in Software > Home & Hobbies > Home Design
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Based on professional-grade CAD software, 3D Home Architect Deluxe 5.0 makes it easy to create contractor-ready plans. Start your plans from scratch, use a sample plan, or re-create your home to begin your building, remodeling, or addition project. Choose from six rendering modes and a wide selection of floor plans. Integrated 2-D and 3-D editing tools let you make changes with ease, while fluid navigation capabilities let you view your project from every angle. A fully customizable library of more than 500 doors, windows, furnishings, and appliances helps you envision your final project. Built-in budgeting tools and materials lists let you cost out every facet of your project with confidence. Plus, 3D Home Architect Deluxe 5.0 also comes with 3D Home Interiors 2.0 software and 50 bonus 3-D objects.

Product Description

The fast, easy way to transform your home design fantasies into detailed, contractor-ready plans. Make changes quickly and easily with integrated 2D and 3D editing features and more!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

175 of 189 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Consumer Alert, November 4, 2002

By 

Fred Hutchinson (Tullahoma, TN United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: 3D Home Architect Deluxe 5.0 (CD-ROM)

I found this alert on the manufacturers website:

Consumer Alert!
Attention 3D Home Architect 4.0 Users:
Buyer beware is the watchword when considering the purchase of 3D Home 5.0, the so-called "upgrade" to our (ART, Inc) award winning 3D Home 4.0 software. We are the developers of 3D Home Architect 4.0, but we did NOT produce 3D Home 5.0 and we are NOT responsible for its content or its missing features. 3D Home 5.0 IS NOT A TRUE UPGRADE TO 3D HOME ARCHITECT 4.0!

The Problems with 3D Home 5.0
3D Home 5.0 is now on the shelves BUT IT IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH 3D HOME 4.0! This means that any plans you worked on in 3D Home 4.0 become wasted effort. Not only that, but all the time you invested learning how to use 3D Home Architect 4.0 is lost. This "new" version of 3D Home 5.0, authored by another company has a totally different interface.

Chief Architect Home Edition 5.0: The True Upgrade!

DON'T PANIC! We feel your pain and have rushed to offer you a real solution to this problem. We are now offering Chief Architect Home Edition 5.0, which is based on our powerful, award winning professional grade Drafting & Design software. This is not only the best do-it-yourself home design software on the market today, BUT CHIEF ARCHITECT HOME EDITION 5.0 IS FULLY COMPATIBLE WITH 3D HOME 4.0! This means that you can use all of your 3D Home Architect 4.0 house plans in Chief Architect Home Edition 5.0! And, because you already know 3D Home Architect 4.0, you will feel right at home with the familiar interface of Chief Architect Home Edition 5.0.

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars This is not an upgrade. Downgrade is more like it., January 6, 2003

By 

Michael R. Eby (Plaquemine, LA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: 3D Home Architect Deluxe 5.0 (CD-ROM)

I have been using 3D Home Architect 3.0 and the 3D Home Design Suite Deluxe SE 3.5 for over a year now. I bought (and returned) 3D Home Architect 5.0 thinking it was an upgrade. It is a totally new program with only the slightest similarity in layout. You cannot even open or import a home plan designed in a previous version.

You cannot lay out a room with even diminsions. I tried to space walls 8', 12' and 20' apart to no avail. The closest I could ever come to an exact foot was (x) feet and 11 7/64".

The default walls all have brick on one side which makes one annoying interior. You can switch to having an interior wall with moulding on either the left or right side of the wall but not both sides. You can no longer select a room, so you cannot decorate it and name it.

Forget about incorporating a pool into your design. There is no pool in the entire program. I searched the useless manual and help section. There is no pool. There is a fire hydrant.

One of the greatest things about 3D Home Architect was the great 3D shots. They should call this program 2D Home Architect 5.0 because the 3D views were too complicated to control that it was useless. If you hate pop-ups, don't try to use the 3D views. Everytime I tried to change a view angle another window opened.

I really cannot find one thing worth buying this.

33 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars "Upgrade?" - NOT, March 24, 2003

By 

Daniel Kessler (Farmville, VA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: 3D Home Architect Deluxe 5.0 (CD-ROM)

When Broderbund, the distributor of the 3D home series moved to Version 5.0, they also switched authors of the software. This program is completely different than all previous versions AND incompatible. It is harder to use as well. Stick with 4.0, or better yet, upgrade to the home version of Chief Architect, which is the compatible upgrade to all previous 3D Home Architect products.