House design software

[keithkarmann]

Can anyone recommend some software for designing a house, preferably free but fully functional with dimensions and print out facilities. I am not opposed to paying for the software as long as it does not cost hundreds of dollars.It must be easy to use. Thanks in advance

[keestha]

AutoCad might be something you should look into.

Quite a few years ago since I used it. I googled architectural software to find the proper name, the search also came up with quite a few other results.

Edited July 14, 2014 by keestha

[sandyf]

Where are you located? If you can get to an IT city, that is your best bet. They have a wide range of design and engineering software available and you can browse for something that you think may suit your needs and that you feel you can use. I assume you have some experience with this type of software, otherwise you should start with a basic package and then move up.

CD's are usually 200 baht and DVD's 400 baht so you do not lose a great deal if you end up with something that does not pan out. Good Luck

[sandyf]

AutoCad might be something you should look into.

Quite a few years ago since I used it. I googled architectural software to find the proper name, the search also came up with quite a few other results.

I used to use Autocad but it got far too complicated. The newer versions are certainly not for a beginner. If it is a drawing package that is required then Easycad or Turbocad would be a better bet.

[ThaidDown]

For free take a look at SweetHome3D. Available for Windows/Linux/Mac. Also usable without download online from browser.

Home page http://www.sweethome3d.com/

[Daffy D]

Home page http://www.sweethome3d.com/

+1

Not what you asked but have you had a look at Crossy's site. http://www.crossy.co.uk/Thai_House_Plans/

He has put together information of FREE designs of government approved houses that might give you some ideas and inspiration for your project.

[Crossy]

Our home was built from those free designs, we ended up with a hybrid of No's 27 and 30 with a re-designed roof structure (actually copied from a factory in Ayutthaya).

I adjusted the drawings using Photoshop although I didn't alter the structural elements, our local planning chap was more than happy to issue a building permit.

Ended up like this

EDIT The chunk out of the rightmost barge-board was caused by a direct lightning hit, the bit that was blown off has now been re-fitted.

[MJP]

Google SketchUp 8.

http://filehippo.com/download_sketchup/9114/

I use this for designing anything from houses (which I have gone on to build) to oil field remediation schemes to river diversions . . .

So much easier than Autodesk stuff.

[MJP]

Our home was built from those free designs, we ended up with a hybrid of No's 27 and 30 with a re-designed roof structure (actually copied from a factory in Ayutthaya).

I adjusted the drawings using Photoshop although I didn't alter the structural elements, our local planning chap was more than happy to issue a building permit.

Ended up like this

SAM_2460.JPG

EDIT The chunk out of the rightmost barge-board was caused by a direct lightning hit, the bit that was blown off has now been re-fitted.

Crossy, very similar to a house I had designed for Bang Saray. Very nice.

[Crossy]

+1 for Sketchup, but unless you're using the 'standard' Thai pole and beam spacing of 3-4m you'll need a structural engineer to actually design the structural elements.

If you can base the structure around a pre-certified design savings can be made, OK small savings in the big scheme of things, but worth a few beers.

[tifino]

I'm currently using these to 3d home designers:

http://download.cnet.com/Roomeon-3D-Planner/3000-6677_4-75664938.html

roomeon_3d_planner

http://myvirtualhome.software.informer.com/2.0/

MyVirtualHome\MVHLauncher.exe

they were originally found just be searching google, and I prefer these as they don't give me recurring nightmares of memories of autocad

the next one is Online-based:

http://www.smallblueprinter.com/sbp.html

Edited July 14, 2014 by tifino

[laolover88]

We used Arcon 3D and Smartdraw. Worked well, but need a structural engineer!

[MJP]

For advanced stuff google Building Information Management (BIM) software. You can do materials take offs and all sorts.

[kannot]

something simple floorplanner.com

[IMHO]

Chief Architect is an awesome, and fully complete package if you're using Windows, and can find it for a good price... It needs a little custom configuration to handle things like Thai roof trusses (it defaults to American wood trusses @ 18" spacing), but is capable of both visualizing in 3D and printing 2D plans (inc electrical, plumbing, furniture, roof etc), and can also generate a BOQ.

SweetHome3D is good fro the price (free), but can't do roofs, can't do 2D plans, has nowhere near Chief's or SketchUp's library, and is just nowhere near the sophistication and completeness of Chief.

We use SketchUp on all builds to visualize out footings, beams and posts (especially useful on stepped beams/elevation changes) so our workers can see clearly what they're going to make, and avoid mistakes/guesswork. It starts getting a bit unwieldy when it comes to then adding floors, walls, windows, roof trusses etc on top of the beams and posts though..

At the end of the day though, your draftsman is going to us AutoCAD, no matter what you've used.

Edited July 14, 2014 by IMHO

[keeniau96]

+1 for Sketchup.

Crossy, like your house. Very similar to my own ... same same but different <grin>. That bright red satellite dish is awful distraction from the symmetry. Can of white spray?

[tifino]

+1 for Sketchup.

Crossy, like your house. Very similar to my own ... same same but different <grin>. That bright red satellite dish is awful distraction from the symmetry. Can of white spray?

paintbrush in hand - paint a crossthatched bamboo/banana leaf effect, make look like a rice collecting pan

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NaWdufR0ufY/UYAD0aTRwFI/AAAAAAAAOds/I2SyT0ugQok/s1600/011.JPG

[carlyai]

i used Chief Architect Premier 64 Bit version. It takes a little while to get your head around it, but you can do anything you like with your house plans and at the end sit with the mrs and walk thru the building.

I looked at the other info on Thaivisa and of Crossy's pics, but for the shape of my land I decided on a Lshaped house, ranch style. I then looked up the internet for L shaped houses and then used Chief Architect to design the dimensions of the rooms and house.

After talking with the builder (one of the relations), I brought the house back to just over 200 sq m to fit in with my budget.

I did have trouble designing the roof, and drawing the exposed beams, but that was due to lack of experience with the program. I didn't want a ceiling to store all that heat so that's why I went for exposed beams and a small ceiling area.

If you read all the info in the formums, you can plan your house, and there's nothing more a builder/relation/rice farmer likes than a plan that has all the dimensions, a plan that he can see what it looks like when finished (the walk thru), it makes his life sooo much easier.

II read up everything and asked Crossy questions about the electrical stuff and designed the 3 phase electrical system and the builder has done a good job putting it in although weren't finished as it's rice planting season at the moment.

I am the only house in the village, so he says, that has used double brick and cavity walls and roof insulation. Got most of this from the forums, and the safety aspects of the electrical system and not splitting nuetral retruns etc. Invaluable.

It does pay if you are on site through the whole building process and then can pick up anything that you're not happy with. Not much if you draw a great plan using Chief Architect.

In Pattaya you can buy the program from a big computer center there on Pattaya Thay Road.

[carlyai]

I forgot, that I did have trouble using Chief Architect in designing the 3 metre balcony and roof around the front and rear of the house. The roof pillars were Ok, but I had a hard time designing the roofs to match up, and as the electrical drawings were needed I left out the 3 m balcony on the plan drawings. With a little more patience and reading the tutorial I am sure it could be done, but roofs are a bit tricky and you have to be patient, so sitting in a 40C room on the computer and tounging for a beer, I said 'she'll be rignt mate'. It does help if you have a smart builder who knows what you want. Speaking a bit of language also helps.