3D Home Architect Landscape Design Deluxe Reviewer's Comments
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3D Home Architect Landscape Design Deluxe 6 by Broderbund. This product is packed with more features than all other landscaping software we reviewed. You'll be able to do a comprehensive job planning your landscape and previewing that plan from any conceivable angle.
We'd give 3D Home Architect Landscape Design Deluxe 6 a perfect rating in every arena if the program would allow easy landscaping around a digital photo of a specific home; the program works best if you build your landscape around one of the sample homes included.
3D Home Architect Landscape Design Deluxe Screenshots. Click to Enlarge
Aesthetic Appeal:
When you're finished, 3D Home Architect Landscape Design Deluxe 6 will print your plans and help you estimate costs.
One drawback—you can't scroll past edges of your screen; on a large design, you must zoom out to see the big picture, and then zoom in to place items accurately. We felt toggling between these zoom views was time-consuming.
Since this program is a modified home design program, you cannot import a home photo easily, and the 3-D feature will not give accurate results—giving you a 1-D view of your home in a 3-D setting.
Ease of Use:
This program contains impressive 3-D capabilities; you can walk through your plan, view it from the middle or even from above. 3D Home Architect also offers nighttime viewing—especially handy when planning outdoor lighting.
3D Home Architect Landscape Design Deluxe 6 includes a plant Encyclopedia and hardiness zones, so you can pick the perfect plants for your climate. You can also preview your plan through seasonal changes or get a glimpse of what your landscape will look like in the future, when trees are mature.
Home Architect Landscape Design Deluxe 6 allows you to add features and edit textures and colors easily—such as changing the color of a fence or walkway. The program includes tools for irrigation planning, too.
When you're finished, 3D Home Architect Landscape Design Deluxe 6 will print your plans and help you estimate costs.
Features & Tools:
We had no problems installing 3D Home Architect Landscape Design Deluxe 6.
Support & Documentation:
The help in 3D Home Architect Landscape Design Deluxe 6 explains each feature clearly. We should note, however, that the help in 3D Home Architect Landscape Design Deluxe 6 contains information about home design features not included in the program; this help section is a duplicate of Broderbund's top Home Design product, 3D Home Architect Design Suite Deluxe 6.
Summary:
3D Home Architect Landscape Design Deluxe 6 is a powerful program that has more features than the rest, so received top billing. If you want access to home design tools in order to integrate landscaping with home design plans, consider Broderbund's 3D Home Architect Design Suite Deluxe 6.
A complete list of features and side-by-side comparisons are available on the Landscaping Software Review HomePage.
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