TurboFLOORPLAN Instant Architect V12
Posted on Sep 13, 2009 under Architecture software | No Comment
Published by IMSI/Design, TurboFLOORPLAN Instant Architect is a computer-aided design (CAD) program tailored for beginners. While it does not have all the features of more powerful programs such as TurboFLOORPLAN Home & Landscape Pro, TurboFLOORPLAN Instant Architect includes more than enough options to create floor plans, cost estimates, landscape designs, and masterful 3D illustrations.
This review is based on TurboFLOORPLAN Instant Architect.
What Can You Do With TurboFLOORPLAN Instant Architect?
* Draw floor plans
* Design houses, rooms, decks, kitchens, bathrooms, and garden beds
* Create 2D and 3D images
* View houses and rooms from many perspectives
* Arrange furniture and plan interior decoration
* Choose from a menu of options for siding materials, landscape plants, cabinets, appliances, furnishings, and other features
* Choose colors from a palette of options
* Add labels and other text to your designs
* Estimate building costs
* Modify and save your plans
What CAN’T You Do With TurboFLOORPLAN Instant Architect?
TurboFLOORPLAN Instant Architect is a simplified version of the kind of CAD software that architects use. Your options for colors and other architectural details are limited, but Instant Architect is powerful enough to create sophisticated home designs. That said, here are some things Instant Architect will NOT let you do:
* Browse an extended library of sample house plans
* Browse color palettes from multiple paint manufacturers
* View online galleries of projects by other users
* Get design tips and suggestions
* Design complex electrical, plumbing, heating, and cooling systems
* Add voice and sounds to your designs
* Create animated views of your project
* Import your own photos for textures, patterns, and details
* Check your design against national building codes
Also, note that CAD programs are not intended to let you import and edit photos of your own house. For that, you’d need a paint color software program or other type of photo-editing program.
How Easy is Instant Architect?
I was able to install and activate the TurboFLOORPLAN Instant Architect program CD in less than 10 minutes. Once I had filled in my activation code number, the Instant Architect program opened with a House Builder Wizard that guided me through the design process. Help was also available in the 58-page Getting Started manual.
The House Builder Wizard asked me to choose a from a series of options such as number of floors, overall building shape, building dimensions, and roof style. Once these basics were established, I could could add windows, doors, stairs, and other architectural features.
With a click of my mouse, I could switch to 3D views and see my design from different perspectives. A paintbrush option let me choose siding materials, landscape details, paint colors, interior cabinetry, carpeting, and other features.
At times, I wished for more options for colors, shapes, and details. However, the default menu of options provided enough details to create a sophisticated home design.
Following a similar process, I could also use Instant Architect to design a kitchen or bathroom, build a deck, plan garden beds, or simply arrange furniture.
The Bottom Line
TurboFLOORPLAN Instant Architect lacks some “bells and whistles,” but offers instant gratification for the novice. Using TurboFLOORPLAN Instant Architect, I was able to create floor plans and an impressive elevation drawing in less than an hour.
System Requirements
* Windows® 2000, XP, or Vista
* 500 Mhz or higher processor
* 750 MB free hard disk space
* 512 MB RAM (1 GB Recommended)
Cost
TurboFLOORPLAN Instant Architect is an affordable software program available on CD or via download. The cost is about $30, and sometimes much less. To find the best deal, click the “compare prices” button below.
