Best Reviewed
Home Design Software
- Easiest to use home design software Better Homes and Gardens Home Designer Suite 8.0 *Est. $100
- Best home design software Punch! Professional Home Design Suite Platinum Version 12 *Est. $100
- Landscaping and deck-design software Better Homes and Gardens Landscaping and Deck Designer 8.0 *Est. $80
- Free software Google SketchUp *Est. $0
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- Free
- Intuitive, elegant design
- Can create anything in 3D, from a deck to a skyscraper
- Active online user groups
- Integrates with Google Earth
- Not suited to professionals
- Can't create curved surfaces
We found the most convincing reviews for Google SketchUp at CNet and Macworld, which test the software. We also found a brief review at About.com.
Google SketchUp is a free, easy-to-use software download that's excellent for beginners, say experts. With it, you can draw any 3D object or pull objects from an ever-expanding warehouse of images to use in your sketches. There are also user guides, video tutorials and highly active forums if you get stuck. SketchUp integrates well with Google Earth, so that you can see how your design fits into your neighborhood. On the downside, the software can't create curves, which is bound to frustrate. SketchUp 6 is available for Windows 2000/XP/Vista, and for Mac OS X (10.4+). If you want more flexible home design software, consider Better Homes and Gardens Home Designer Suite 8.0 (*est. $100).
Our Sources
1. CNET
CNet reviewer Susan Glinert gives Google SketchUp excellent marks. She likes that the software is free, elegant, intuitive and uses flexible 3D modeling tools. On the downside, she says that you can't "push or pull curved surfaces easily."
Review: Google SketchUp review, Susan Glinert, May 4, 2006
Graeme Aymer gives Google SketchUp good marks. He says that it's easy to use, powerful, stable and fun. He adds that though basic, Google SketchUp is also capable of "immensely complex compositions." On the downside, SketchUp lacks powerful options for creating curved lines, which will disappoint professionals.
Review: SketchUp 6 review, Graeme Aymer, August 28, 2007
3. About.com
About.com's Guide to Google, Marziah Karch, gives SketchUp good marks because it's easy to use. She especially likes that SketchUp integrates well with Google Earth. On the downside, SketchUp is difficult to fine-tune, she adds, making it best for beginners.
Review: Google SketchUp 3D Modeling Software, Marziah Karch, Not Dated
4. Ymholiad.com
Paul Marek looks at three free online design programs, including Google SketchUp. He reports that SketchUp is easy to use and understand, but still takes several hours to learn. He says that it is a powerful 3D modeling package for creating anything in 3D and may be more than you need.
Review: 3 Free Online Kitchen Design Softwares, Paul Marek, Feb. 2008
