Comments on: Chief Architect Interior Designer 9.0 http://www.wjsp.org/272-chief-architect-interior-designer-9-0.html Sun, 09 May 2010 23:29:01 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: William Gilmyers http://www.wjsp.org/272-chief-architect-interior-designer-9-0.html#comment-138 William Gilmyers Sun, 09 May 2010 23:29:01 +0000 http://www.wjsp.org/272-chief-architect-interior-designer-9-0.html#comment-138 I've been thinking of doing a basement remodel and wanted a tool to try out design ideas. I have no CAD, architecture or design experience. It took me about a day's work to build a pretty good 3d model of my home. Still needs some work and there are a few things that aren't quite right, but it's a serviceable model. Only resource I used was the user guide which walked me through the process. <br /> <br />The 3d camera tools are very cool, again a little tricky to master. <br /> <br />You can probably go faster than I did if you are only looking to do one room, but if you're like me it was hard to resist building a model of the whole house. Product was a little addictive one I got the hang of it, trying to put in things like molding, wall colors, furniture, etc. Rating: 4 / 5 I’ve been thinking of doing a basement remodel and wanted a tool to try out design ideas. I have no CAD, architecture or design experience. It took me about a day’s work to build a pretty good 3d model of my home. Still needs some work and there are a few things that aren’t quite right, but it’s a serviceable model. Only resource I used was the user guide which walked me through the process.

The 3d camera tools are very cool, again a little tricky to master.

You can probably go faster than I did if you are only looking to do one room, but if you’re like me it was hard to resist building a model of the whole house. Product was a little addictive one I got the hang of it, trying to put in things like molding, wall colors, furniture, etc.
Rating: 4 / 5

]]> By: Hawaii Dave http://www.wjsp.org/272-chief-architect-interior-designer-9-0.html#comment-137 Hawaii Dave Sun, 09 May 2010 20:55:12 +0000 http://www.wjsp.org/272-chief-architect-interior-designer-9-0.html#comment-137 This product did not meet my meager expectations. It did not perform with any more sophistication than a 10 year old version of Punch home designer that was purchased for less than $30. A somewhat sad statement in terms of progress for this software. <br /> <br />The library of 5000 or so items are in most part, not "customizable" other than color and texture. A serious shortcoming if you are interested in seeing a realistic final design layout. <br /> <br />The "final view" function that allows you to see what your final plan would look like in better resolution does not function and causes my computer to crash. <br /> <br />Finally, beware of the 30-day guarantee as the downloadable version on Amazon is not refundable by it's return policy. <br /> <br />Buyer beware. Adequate if you have low expectations, completely inadequate if you are interested in seeing what your design plans will look like. <br /> Rating: 1 / 5 This product did not meet my meager expectations. It did not perform with any more sophistication than a 10 year old version of Punch home designer that was purchased for less than $30. A somewhat sad statement in terms of progress for this software.

The library of 5000 or so items are in most part, not “customizable” other than color and texture. A serious shortcoming if you are interested in seeing a realistic final design layout.

The “final view” function that allows you to see what your final plan would look like in better resolution does not function and causes my computer to crash.

Finally, beware of the 30-day guarantee as the downloadable version on Amazon is not refundable by it’s return policy.

Buyer beware. Adequate if you have low expectations, completely inadequate if you are interested in seeing what your design plans will look like.

Rating: 1 / 5

]]> By: Robert E. Neiman Jr. http://www.wjsp.org/272-chief-architect-interior-designer-9-0.html#comment-136 Robert E. Neiman Jr. Sun, 09 May 2010 19:27:39 +0000 http://www.wjsp.org/272-chief-architect-interior-designer-9-0.html#comment-136 Downloaded this program onto a fairly robust 2.8 Ghz machine that is only about 1 year old (well within their minimum requirements). I did the complete registration which was bizarre in itself. You fill out the registration form online and then you must print it out and either mail or fax the print out to them. I have never had that requested of me before after a software purchase. Then I opened the program and many features would not work. I then tried to access Chief Architect's website for help and it kept saying that I was logged in on another computer,(which of course I wasn't), and to log off of that computer, or wait an hour for the other session to time out. I repeat, wait an hour for the last session to time out. I tried many times to get back on their web site and had the same result. I have never encountered this type of program support in my entire life. Needless to say, I will be asking for a refund tomorrow (Monday) since they only offer telephone support Monday through Friday. Hopefully they will honor their 30 day money back guarantee. Life is too short. I could get the design work done faster with paper and pencil. Rating: 1 / 5 Downloaded this program onto a fairly robust 2.8 Ghz machine that is only about 1 year old (well within their minimum requirements). I did the complete registration which was bizarre in itself. You fill out the registration form online and then you must print it out and either mail or fax the print out to them. I have never had that requested of me before after a software purchase. Then I opened the program and many features would not work. I then tried to access Chief Architect’s website for help and it kept saying that I was logged in on another computer,(which of course I wasn’t), and to log off of that computer, or wait an hour for the other session to time out. I repeat, wait an hour for the last session to time out. I tried many times to get back on their web site and had the same result. I have never encountered this type of program support in my entire life. Needless to say, I will be asking for a refund tomorrow (Monday) since they only offer telephone support Monday through Friday. Hopefully they will honor their 30 day money back guarantee. Life is too short. I could get the design work done faster with paper and pencil.
Rating: 1 / 5

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