THIS REMODELING SOFTWARE WILL TURN YOU INTO A VIRTUAL ARCHITECT OVERNIGHT
By GAIL ERWAY GERARD

(MONEY Magazine) – As a practicing architect for more than 20 years (currently at CADway Design in New York City), as well as chairman of the computer applications committee of the New York chapter of the American Institute of Architects, I have seen plenty of computer-aided design programs for professionals. But there has recently been a boom in another kind of software: programs aimed at homeowners who want to design a renovation project themselves. After evaluating five of the biggest sellers at MONEY's request (see the table opposite), I was impressed to discover just how useful they are.

All the programs let you use your computer's mouse to draw walls, windows and the like on a pad displayed on the screen. With a few clicks, convert your electronic etchings into a 3-D image that lets you take a virtual walk through the space. You can, for example, install and view a new countertop and oak cabinets in the kitchen you've designed, or build and furnish an extra bedroom, right down to the cornice moldings. A moderately computer-savvy homeowner can probably get the hang of most packages in half an hour and crank out a presentable design in less than 60 minutes. What's more, the best of the programs--including my favorite, Broderbund's 3D Home Architect--give you invaluable advice about things like refrigerator placement that you couldn't easily get without professional help.

The actual design and drawing is so easy that a three-toed sloth could do it, thanks to point-and-click tool bars. For example, when you click your mouse on the "door" icon, a box drops down to show you several door styles. Select the one you want and drag it into place; it will position itself perfectly. Once you've created your design, you can tinker with it as much as you like.

Before you can begin, you'll need to figure out the dimensions of the rooms you want to remodel. It's important to know the location of load-bearing beams and walls too, so that you don't eliminate them with a click of your mouse. The programs supply prototype plans for various rooms that you can modify if you'd prefer not to draw them from scratch.

Call me biased, but useful as these programs are, they cannot replace professional help. You'll still need a knowledgeable contractor or architect (depending on the scope of your project) to help you meet local building codes and basic structural requirements, not to mention to come up with design solutions you (and your software) may not have thought of. However, if you show a pro the printout of what you've designed--or give him your disk--you'll save valuable time explaining what you're looking for and jump-start the job.

--Gail Erway Gerard