Home Design and Architecture Guide

Color Design Software : Color Style Studio

Want a window into the future?
I have one for you if you’re house painter, decorator, color design professional or simply want to paint your own house.

Re-color photos of house exterior or interior with Color Style Studio. See how it will look like in virtually any color combination. Select a photo of your client’s house and let your clients choose their preferred paint colors. Then sit back and watch their amazement while you show them their house instantly repainted in their chosen color scheme. Have your clients choose other colors and watch as you “repaint” the house over and over again, quickly and easily. You’ll close more sales when you show your customers how their house will look before you open the first paint can.

And moreover, if you do not have time to make client’s house shots, just pick similar room or house from Color Style Studio‘s big collection of ready interior and exterior photos.

Color Style Studio is already up and running in more than 510 paint shops and design studios in seven different countries. By allowing clients to change their minds as many times as they want, Color Style Studio offers customers an easy way to choose the most perfect interior or exterior paint color schemes. And it reduces probability of timely and costly mistakes when making color decisions.

Deliver this unique ability to your clients and watch your sales soar! Let them pick colors right on the photos of their own houses. You’ll gain a strong competitive advantage while providing a wider assortment of services for your clients.

Choose colors from among such well-known color collections as California Paints Millennium, PPG, Behr, Benjamin Moore, Sherwin Williams, Colortrend, RAL, Sikkens, ICI Paints, Symphony and others (115 different sets, more then 57,000 colors).

Create custom color sets to fit the specific tastes of your customers, making them return to your shop to buy unique paints over and over again.

And if you or your customers are running short on inspiration, simply let Color Style Studio generate random compositions of tints that can be applied to an object, one after another, until the perfect color combination is found! Imagine being creative all the time and guaranteeing 100% satisfaction.

You can also construct your own collection of photo objects, structuring them under different themes, for those clients who do not have an available photo of their home or building. You’ll look like the pro and you’ll make more sales as a result.

Display any picture on your PC monitor and make it come alive with a built-in color management system that gives you the power to calibrate your monitor’s color palette with the colors of the real world. This automatic system frees you to focus on color, not color management.

Sometimes you need to find the closest match to an ungraded tint among standard color sets. Color Style Studio quickly performs searches for any possible custom color, restoring your customers’ forgotten tints or matching standards that fit specific residential and business color schemes.

Calculate paint and material costs with the built-in calculator that’s designed to perform this task quickly and accurately.

Color Style Studio brings clarity to the process of matching and choosing interior and exterior color schemes. It provides the ability to compare several color compositions displayed on the same photo object at one time. No more wondering which composition is the “best house color scheme.” Now your client can see the hottest color combinations up close and personal making closing the sale that much easier.

Download to try Color Style Studio FREE or invest in it safely clicking here just $197.95 $ 67.95

Ashampoo® 3D CAD Architecture

Switch to the new CAD technology now!
You are probably familiar with expensive planning software as used by architects and engineers. These software products usually cost thousands of euros since they have the capability to plan large-scale projects.

Based on the latest software technology, Ashampoo 3D CAD Architecture provides similar capabilities at a fraction of the cost: 3D design, ‘intelligent’ components, perfect 2D/3D plans including cross sections and views, virtual reality image export, precise dimensioning and even calculation of quantities and costs. Sounds incredible? Just read on to learn more about Ashampoo 3D CAD Architecture.

Design family homes, shopping malls, high-rise buildings, or just a simple apartment; interactively, in a realistic 3D world. All views and windows are updated synchronously, regardless of whether you are planning in the 3D-window, a 2D plan or a cross section view.

Easy to use, with extremely accurate results.

Powerful Functions

Intelligent components
An important feature of the software is the use of ‘intelligent’ construction components. Once you have positioned an ‘intelligent’ 3D object, the rest of the work is done for you by the software. For instance, when you are constructing wall by wall, the height of the walls is automatically adjusted to the height of the current floor.

Accurate to the centimetre
Walls, doors, windows and columns can be edited precisely with the help of professional construction aids. For example, the reference point of a wall (i.e. centre-line, left or right side) can easily be switched during editing.

Total flexibility
Stair construction allows for the design of landing stairs, spiral stairs and even complex polygonal stairs. Stairs are constructed click by click using the mouse, with a 3D model of the stairs being created immediately during construction. You can define individually the various features of the stairs, from banisters down to individual surfaces and textures.

Unlimited possibilities
In no time at all, the first floor is finished. The room layout, which can be modified at any time, is only limited by your creativity.

Automatically perfect
Now construct the roof: You can either let the software determine the style of the roof automatically based on the exterior walls, or you can specify the style yourself. Each section of the roof can be modified separately, for example as a hip or a gable with any angle and overhang. The “real work” however is done for you by the software: The entire timber frame is calculated automatically.

Adaptive walls
Once the roof has been constructed and placed in position, the walls directly under the roof are automatically adjusted to fit. Even quantities and costs are automatically recalculated to reflect changes to the walls.

Professional window construction
Windows can be constructed in any 3D- or 2D-view. Various types of windows are provided, and their size and functionality can be modified to suit your design.

Simple positioning
Windows can easily be inserted in each floor, even joining two windows at a corner of the building is no problem.

Complete overview
The entire editing of a building is performed with the aid of multiple views. If construction components are changed in one view, all other views of the project are automatically updated.

Cross sections
Cross sections and views are defined in the 2D floor plan, and are then created automatically by the software. The representation of a cross section can be simplified to produce a technical view showing just the outline of the cross section to which heights and dimensions can be added.

Construction plans
All aspects of project planning (e.g. floor plans, views and cross sections) can be compiled to produce detailed construction plans of the quality required by architects and engineers, with a choice of scale and up to DIN A0 in size.

Features at a glance

Design and construction
* Construction in any view, i.e. 2D floor plans, cross sections or 3D
* Polygonal winding staircases (solid or wooden)
* Polygonal landing staircases (solid or wooden)
* Construction aids, 3D/2D guidelines
* 3D /2D dimensioning, snap-to functions for 3D objects
* Accurate positioning using reference points and numerical editing
* Detailed visibilities for each view, settings for level of detail shown
* Structural layers for walls, ceilings and floors

Creative planning with a lot of 3D objects
* Accurate cross sections through the 3D model
* Assistants for copying properties, select, delete operations
* Comprehensive catalog of 3D objects, materials and symbols
* Create individual 2D symbols for text blocks, legends
* Settings for sun and moon for the illumination of 3D views
* Extendable 3D catalogs
* User definition of structural layers for inclusion in the catalog
* Scale objects

Real-world pictures
* Define user light sources, punctual and spot lighting, ambient, etc.
* Edit models using materials and texture
* Project management using the project viewer; create layers
* Predefined dormer-types including eyebrow and arched dormers
* Work with patterns and pattern elements; combinations
* Common partial 3D converter
* Predefined banisters for staircases
* Ray tracing, antialiasing, create images during processing

Landscape planning with predefined landscape forms
* Automatic recognition of openings in walls & facade elements
* Surface editor for surfacing areas and sub-areas, editing in 2D/3D
* Extensive range of functions for roofs and dormers incl. gutters,…
* 2D / 3D plants
* 2D graphic functions
* 3D landscaping with predefined landscape forms, paths, terraces
* Insert openings

Powerful export functions
* Generate laying plans as a standard option
* Assignment of task items, quantities, export of lists
* Export in various formats e.g. CygniCon Object, 3DS, 3D-DXF, etc.
* Export timber lists in PDF, RTF, Excel or HTML format
* Analysis of surfaced areas with respect to material requirements
* Calculate texture coordinates and point normals
* Integrated calculation functions, assignment of task items
* Convert 3D models into various formats e.g. 3DS, 3D-DXF, VRML1

Free download Ashampoo® 3D CAD Architecture ( $79.99 )

How to Pick a Home Design Software

For anyone who plans to build a new house, home design software can seem like a dream come true. But with so many programs to choose between, how do you decide? Start by answering these questions.

1. What are your system requirements?
Home design software needs a lot of memory and power. Before you buy home design software, make sure your computer system meets the requirements to run the program.

2. What’s your learning curve?
Some home design programs can be challenging. Computer novices will need to spend time reading the manual and working through online tutorials. For out-of-the-box simplicity, opt for a basic program with a minimum of special features.

3. What do you want to do?
o Dabble, play, and create.
A simple program with basic features is all you need to try out your creative ideas. Before you splurge, experiment with a free drawing program like Google SketchUp or bargain-priced software like the ultra-easy IMSI TurboFLOORPLAN Instant Architect.

o Draw simple floor plans.
If all you want to do is draw simple floor plans, you might not need a high powered graphics program or software for drawing 3D images. Instead, try an easy, free online drawing tool.

o Prepare to build.
Home design software isn’t as powerful as the CAD programs used by architects and engineers. You won’t be able to draft blueprints or construction-ready drawings. With some programs, however, you can create designs with enough detail to give your pro a jump start. Better Homes and Gardens software by Chief Architect® will let you select from a huge library of cabinets, colors, and other features. Choose the Better Homes and Gardens Home Designer Suite and you can also plan complex electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems.

o Add curb appeal to an existing home.
Programs like IMSI TurboFLOORPLAN Home & Landscape Pro will let you import a photo and add new landscape features. However, you really don’t need home design software if your goal is to view paint colors or make other cosmetic changes to your house. Instead, choose a paint color software program or a photo-editing program.

o Create a presentation.
Some home design software has features that teachers and sales representatives find especially helpful. For example, IMSI TurboFLOORPLAN Home & Landscape Pro will let users record voice narratives and create animated views of home designs.

o Work on a school project.
If you’re facing a tight deadline, pick software that’s quick and easy to use. Most school projects don’t require enormous libraries of colors and details. Opt for simplicity over bells and whistles.

What’s Your View?
Have you ever used any of these home design programs? Tell us your experiences!
* IMSI TurboFLOORPLAN Instant Architect
* IMSI TurboFLOORPLAN Home & Landscape Pro
* Better Homes and Gardens Home Designer Suite
* Punch! Software Professional Home Design Suite

Top 6 Home Design Software

Anyone with a dream and a computer can draw floor plans, house elevations, and 3D pictures using these easy home design software programs. All of these programs are affordable, and some are even free. Which is best? For tips in choosing, see: How to Pick a Home Design Software

1. IMSI TurboFLOORPLAN Instant Architect

IMSI TurboFLOORPLAN Instant Architect offers instant gratification for the beginner. This home design software program doesn’t have all the “bells and whistles,” but includes more than enough options to create floor plans, cost estimates, landscape designs, and masterful 3D illustrations. Plus, Instant Architect is budget-priced.

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2. IMSI TurboFLOORPLAN Home & Landscape Pro

Home & Landscape Pro from IMSI TurboFLOORPLAN is a souped-up version of their Instant Architect software. It has out-of-the-box simplicity for beginners, but also offers powerful CAD tools and many extra features for advanced users. The ease and adaptability of Home & Landscape Pro make it an especially good buy.

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3. Better Homes and Gardens Home Designer Suite

Better Homes and Gardens partnered with Chief Architect, Inc to publish home design software that combines CAD tools with more than 1,500 sample plans and photo galleries with home design advice. If you’re computer savvy, you’ll love all the features and resources bundled in this powerful software. But, if you’ve never used graphics software before, plan to spend time learning how to use the Better Homes and Gardens Home Designer Suite. Fortunately, the software comes with tutorial videos.
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4. Punch! Home Design Suite

This is one of the least expensive of the many home design programs offered by the Punch! Software company. You can plan your electrical and plumbing systems, design doors and windows, create custom trim, and more. Punch! home design programs are available for the PC and the MAC.

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5. DesignWorkshop Lite (FREE)
The cost-free DesignWorkshop Lite software program lets you build your own 3D models of buildings, landscapes, exhibits, or any kind of spatial design. For a small price, you can also order complete documentation, tutorials, and additional example building models. DesignWorkshop Lite has a dual platform for both Macintosh and Windows operating systems.

6. Google SketchUp (FREE)
Download the free SketchUp program from Google and you can draw 3D images of your building project. After you’ve created your 3D image, you can print it out or upload it to a “3D Warehouse” to share with others. The Warehouse also has drawings you can add to your own 3D picture.

What if you only want to draw a simple floor plan?
If all you want to do is draw a simple floor plan, without fancy 3D views, you might not need the high powered software listed above. Instead, check out these easy, free online drawing tools.

Punch! Software Professional Home Design Suite

Punch! Professional Home Design Suite is the home design software package that lets you design all of the critical components for your home. This powerful home design capability includes foundations, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, custom windows, custom roofs, and much, much more.

Turn layered drawings on and off for uncluttered viewing of your home design. You can combine as few or as many layers as you wish and spot potential costly design conflicts. Ordinary blueprints could never give you that level of insight into your home designs!

Whether a Beginning Home Designer or a Seasoned Home Design Professional, Punch! Professional Home Design Suite produces stunning results.

A single easy-to-use interface puts powerful tools at your fingertips; you can use as many or as few of the built-in home design tools as you choose – and always achieve professional results.

Beginners will appreciate the simple drag & drop functions for windows, doors, landscape plantings, building materials, color and other functions.

View Your Home Designs with Incredible 3D Realism!

LiveView 3D Home Design window continually previews your work, in real-time 3D, as you draw and the unique “color ramp” gives you thousands of subtle paint-color choices. And the Elevation tools allow easy design flexibility for walk-out basements and split-level designs.

Interior design and exterior 2D elevations are available with a single mouse click and the exclusive ClearView tool renders your home design with a “glass house” effect so you can see through walls and maximize space.

And you’ll be amazed at the powerful 3D graphics engine that lets you create real-time walk or fly-through – for a Hollywood-style voyage through your new creation!

Feature for feature, the easy-yet-powerful home design tools integrated in Punch! Professional Home Design Suite give you virtually unlimited control over every aspect of your home plan.

Cost
Punch! Software Professional Home Design Suite offers a variety of home design software packages. The Punch! Software Professional Home Design Suite reviewed here can usually be purchased for about $69.99 or considerably less. To find the best deal, click the “compare prices” button below.