Others say...

"I. HATE. THIS. SOFTWARE."
I spent most of this evening trying to do a simple bathroom layout that I could have drawn on graph paper in an hour. I'm very frustrated and about ready to throw this software onto Marketplace or Ebay and let some other poor schmuck mess around with it. I use Win2kPro and haven't had any crashes in more than a year (last time it was thanks to some cheesy shareware)... but I had three in as many hours this evening running this software.

This software cannot seem to understand placing a medicine cabinet above a sink, a wall cabinet over a toilet, or a tv on top of a dresser - constant error messages saying (essentially) "you can't put something on top of something else" - even when the combination is completely normal and expected. The interface is not at all intuitive, especially the dialog boxes (which were sloppily done from a simple design point of view, for instance the buttons didn't line up neatly) and compounding the problem the help files are garbage: they do not explain what things appearing on the screen mean and only explain the barest rudiments of how to use the features. The 3D views are incomprehensible, even if you situate the "camera" between what you want to look at and the things "behind you", often it layers on the stuff "behind you" so your elevation becomes a useless muddle. I spent almost 45 minutes just trying to get a stupid mirror to show up properly on the elevation (it was correctly placed on the plan view) because it kept appearing fragmented across a couple of other elements in the view. I'm not a stupid person, I'm reasonably well educated and have a good bit of common sense, but this software did a great job of making me feel like a fumbling idiot. I'm glad I only wasted ten bucks on this.

Be prepared for an insane amount of spam from Broderbund, as well; I've removed myself from their mailing list as per the instructions at the bottom of the emails multiple times, but still more fills up my junk-mail folder. Unacceptable. I don't intend to purchase another Broderbund product again.

"awesome"
im in to architecture, and i think this program is awesome. it is a wonderful program, and its addicting

"Cheap & Powerful"
Outstanding product for the price. Its old but its as good as most of the more expensive "junk" for sale at home improvement and software stores.

Versions: 3d home 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0 are from the same company 5.0 is NOT the same and is incompatible. The newest version is Better Homes and Gardens Home Designer Suite 6.0 (much more expensive but has materials application options)

About 3.0
------------

3d. Its stable (3d modeling works but is not "realistic"). It is good enough to get a 3d feel though. 3.0 allows 3d object manipulation (drag or "resize" windows, doors, cabinets in 3d) and its done in 2d simultaneously).

Design is Straightforward. You should read the manual though if you want slip hip roofs with gable ends (roofs are trickier than walls). The stair tools are fairly straightforward but do not allow curves.

It would give it six stars ;-) if it had:
>> more than the basic snap on angles forces standard variance (45, 90 and 22.5 and such)
>> more objects in its library (very limited)
>> better rendering (its rudimentary compared to cool tools available today).
>> round or curved walls or stairs (you can approximate curved walls with short wall sections but oh what a pain)

Summary:
Overall even though it's a few years old and has a few problems I rate it 5 stars because its: DIRT CHEAP, fast, easy to use, good enough 3d rendering for space planning, allows 3d view object manipulation. It gets you up to speed with home design concepts very quickly and will get you diagrams you can build from faster than any other product I have seen. + does some good basic materials planning.

Definitely 5 "value" stars, you should be able to get it for under $10.


"it does work with XP"
Contrary to the prior review, this software works just fine under XP. I'd recommend checking for software updates to XP and/or ensuring the drivers are current. If it makes a difference it is XP Pro SP1, always kept current over the internet, running on a 2500+XP w/ 512 memory and 128mb 9600 ATI card. Fairly current stuff.
I've got this window open on one monitor (looking for an upgrade--but finding out it might not be worthwhile unless I spend hundreds of dollars) and my garage/apartment open in the other screen.

"3D Home Architect Deluxe 3 & MS Windows XP"
Everyone else has done an excellent job evaluating this product. However, I thought that I should add that I use Windows XP, and this program DOES operate with out any problems for me. I thought this might be beneficial knowledge for any other XP user's out there!