Virtual Architect Ultimate Home Design with Landscaping and Decks

First of all the box says, free download, well the download doesn't work with the code they send you. Next after getting a disk drive to download the program took several times to get it to actually install. After that it got worse. This software is so clunky I am going to go out and buy a few sheets of graphics paper and #2 pencil and I will end up with a better output. Most of the software I have used has been click drag a selection. This product you spend way to much time in properties trying to get the software to understand what you want to put in, like a french door instead of a 36" exterior door. Don' waste your money on this garbage.

This is NOT ver 8.0 as described, but 7.0. It's fairly intuitive if you're familiar with CAD type tools, or even some MS Office tools for that matter. The objects are all organized logically (e.g. Building, Interior, Landscape, etc.). There are some quirks about things moving/resizing after you'd think that they'd be anchored. I don't want my exterior walls being resized when I'm trying to draw/resize interior walls. It's mostly for decorating and visualization than it is for actual construction specifications, so some of those features are less intuitive. It comes with a large book as well as tutorial videos on the DVD and a ton of documentation and help files. It also has a 30 day money back guarantee. I'll play with it for another week before trying to get the ver 8.0 that I thought I was getting. I'd wager some of the issues I'm seeing are likely resolved in 8.0. I'd also hope to see more vendor products in the updated version. I'll keep playing to see if this is a program that can help me get to plans/drawings, in which case I'll upgrade to ver 8.0, or return it for something else. But I was able to map out my whole house in a few hours, so it's not that complex to use.

Really easy to use. Put together a floor plan within a 1/2 hour of opening up the software. Instructions are great.

Editing my initial review. I HATE this software. I've tried to work with its limitation and have given up. The developer cares not for bad reviews on Amazon, apparently, so that speaks volumes.Right away, I started to dislike this software. Let’s start with the fact that Amazon advertised it as Version 9 yet I received Version 8. The user interface is difficult to navigate (I’ve used CAD before) and many of the features described in the print User Manual and in the embedded Help subroutine are not actually present. For example, the guides boast of an automatic wiring feature which connects all the outlets in your blueprint. Not there! There is also no “Basement” selection, only Foundation, First Floor and 2nd Story. Don’t the programmers know that many houses have basements and many homeowners want to finish them (like us)? I’m particularly frustrated right now because I need to insert a door and the program simply won’t let me!I bought the program because I need detailed plans for a building permit. I regret shelling out $105+ on this one.

Spend hours reading the Mand reading and viewing the tutorials that come with this program. Seems like no matter what yo, it doesn't work the way the book and the tutorials explain it out to me very difficult to use. Not user friend like it at all.I guess I'll have to spend the next 3 to 4 years of my life.And attempt to figure this thing out

I’ve had installation issues and I am unable to get any help. Tech support are not available when I’m home and nothing on-line helped.

I have been in commercial real estate for 42 years and was looking for a replacement of an older software program for doing basic designs. I found that even though I consider myself tech savvy, the instructions provided were not user friendly.

First of all, this product works on Windows 11, which was a concern when I bought it given that it's dated to 2016. It's a sophisticated CAD program that's packed with features. Some folks claim that it's interface is complicated, however, I found it to be well organized and logical. Yes, it takes a while to fully learn all of its features, but the tutorials are pretty good. If you're interested in detailed drafting and design of your new home and have the time to devote to it, this is a great bargain. I didn't rate the tech support because I didn't use it.