EmailBest 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
Get info about new reports and updates
- Good features, tools
- 3D rendering
- Can edit colors or textures for objects
- Difficult to learn
- No video tutorials
- Floor plans are limited to three floors
We found the most convincing review for the Punch! Home Design Studio software at Macworld, where it was tested. We also found several owner reviews posted at Amazon.com.
For Mac users, the Punch! Home Design Studio software (*est. $100) is the only game in town. The software comes packed with lots of fun tools, such as 3D rendering that works in real time and the ability to edit colors or textures for objects in a model. However, many people were frustrated with the software's steep learning curve, and several gave up trying. They say that they spent significant amounts of time relying only on a paper manual for help because the program has no video tutorials. This program works with Mac OS X 10.4 and higher. A more advanced program is the similarly titled Punch! Home Design Studio Pro for Mac (*est. $160). This program includes 3D Custom Workshop Pro, which allows you to insert your own CAD object to expand your library. However, users say that this feature does not work well, and this program also has a steep learning curve that some users found frustrating.
| Featured Stores | Store Rating | Notes | Total Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |  1175 store reviews | In Stock. New | $139.95 | See It |
 |  5264 store reviews | In Stock. Order Today, Ships Today NEW | $149.96 | See It |
 |  793 store reviews | In Stock. Order Today, Ships Today | $149.96 | See It |
| See All Stores | ||||
Our Sources
1. Macworld
Greg Miller calls Punch! Home Design Studio software for Mac "great software at a reasonable price." He says that the software is full-featured and great fun because it uses 3D rendering in real time. However, he adds that the software takes "time and patience to master" when placing objects.
Review: Home Design Studio 11.0 review, Greg Miller, May 4, 2007
2. Amazon.com
The owners posting reviews here for Punch! Home Design Studio are split, giving the software either very high marks or very low marks. They say that it has tons of features, making it easy to create a roof, for example, and instantly tweak and change designs. However, many owners also complain that the software is difficult to learn and comes with only a paper manual.
Review: Punch! Home Design Studio (Mac), Contributors to Amazon.com
