Drawing program to design a house

[DenSweeP]

As the topic says, I'm looking for some software I can use to design a house with. It must not be something I need a varsity degree for just to be able to use it. It must be fairly simplistic, but be able to to give a nice look of the house inside and out. Basically I want to draw the plans for an idea of space and also be able to "render" what it will look like inside. Basically Sims 3, but something a bit more official, because I would also like to be able when done give it to the official architect and he can see what we have in mind!

Suggestions please.

[czc]

Revit $$$
Archicad (never used)

Need to think of more.

[DenSweeP]

Oh, preferably free ones, but paid for okay depending on cost!

[czc]

Sorry I'm stupid, If you just want to make a 3d model you could use sketchup. free

There is turbocad, I think it can be bought for R950 at Incredlibe connection

Qcad don't know what its like http://www.ribbonsoft.com/qcad.html (There is supposed to be a community edition, can't find now)

[Wyvern]

I would recomend Sketchup - its easy enough to figure out. You might also be able to get a trial version of autocad or autocadlite - but good luck. They are not easy to use unless you are trained on it.

Ive managed decent 3D models of houses on sketchup - but then again I work from the architects drawings.

[Raven Gold]

pretty much any 3D software. czc mentioned Sketchup, that'll do the trick. You can download funrature models aswell is you need.

[czc]

http://www.cycas.de/down.php?s=en#top

http://www.octree.de/

Only programs I've ever used are Turbocad, Autocad and Inventor.

Can't say what the others are like.

I think give it a shot in Sketchup for now. This might make sketchup easier to use http://drivingdimensions.com/SketchUp/overview/

[Wyvern]

pretty much any 3D software. czc mentioned Sketchup, that'll do the trick. You can download funrature models aswell is you need.

Keep in mind its not all to south african building regulations - especially their doors and windows. I have had to readjust a lot of the models or recreate my own to suite SA NBRS.

[Raven Gold]

I keep in mind that these things don't have to be exact, the archetect should be compitent enough to fill in the blanks. If not, time to find a new archetect.

[Wyvern]

Hehehe, see I work with the architects - I make the models from their designs. They expect the models to be to scale and exact.

I was just mentioning it more for the fact that its sometimes easier to just make your own models than using the warehouse.