Customer Reviews

Broderbund 3D Home Architect Kitchen / Bath

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Buyer beware. I purchased this so that I could lay out some simple plans for expanding a basement bathroom. All I wanted was some clip-art (toilet, vanity, shower, tub, etc.) and the ability to tell the program the dimensions of the bathroom that I desire. Is this too much to ask from a bathroom design program? I envisioned being able to:

1. Tell the program the desired dimensions,
2. Then dragging and dropping the provided clip-art onto the layout and have everything automatically sized to scale.
3. If the program was good, I would also be able to drag in some electrical outlets, ceiling fans, lighting, etc.
4. I would end up, I had hoped, with a 2 dimensional or simple 3D blue-print or drawing of sorts that I could take to a Home Depot, or have a contractor look at.

Here is the reality:
* I was given one 3 dimensional template that could not be edited in any meaningful way. Perhaps if I wanted to study the voluminous help files and had an architectural background I would have had more luck.
* Although I'm a computer geek, for the life of me I couldn't figure out how to change the canned dimensions the template provided.
* I also didn't find any clip-art.
* I uninstalled the program and used Excel (yes, MS Excel) and some clip art from the Internet that served my purpose.
3D Home Architect Kitchen and Bath Design was a major disappointment for me.

Program is difficult to use. Basic functionality such as inserting a sink didn't work properly (able to insert only pedestal sink). Couldn't find any online help from either Broderbund or Encoreusa for this product.