You're not going to get an answer,.... : ) It's a secret!

Why would it be a secret?

I'd like to know what program it is to.

It's a secret because many have already asked summerfield this question several times and summerfields not telling ;)

I'd understand if it was proprietary but keeping a retail program a "secret" seems a bit silly.

Summerfield already shares so much time and energy. I don't understand why the name of software program would be any different?

Summerfield is obviously a professional and his software is the tool of his trade. Why would you expect him to reveal the software, especially since he so graciously comes to this forum and gives people FREE professional designs?

You people should be ashamed of this silly thread.

"Summerfield is obviously a professional and his software is the tool of his trade. Why would you expect him to reveal the software, especially since he so graciously comes to this forum and gives people FREE professional designs?
You people should be ashamed of this silly thread."

Why are "tools of the trade" a secret? No one here is trying steal proprietary secrets, or anyones business. If this software is of professional caliber, most of the people here would not spend that kind of money anyways.

I ask because I am a software junkie and if I could afford it I would buy it for my personal use. I am constantly working on my own plans for my dream home. I love the results of this software. I personally would come up with my starting plan and then when we are close to building I would take that to someone like Summerfield(or others on this site). I personally would not feel right asking Summerfield to do the amount of work he/she does on this site for free. I work in the construction end of the business and I know the value of the time put into drawing those plans on the computer.

I certainly don't feel ashamed for asking. If he tells us the name - Great! If not - no biggie. Certainly not anything to get upset about.

IMHO, it seems silly to not share that information. I have no interest in using it for professional reasons. I don't design houses for a living. But again, if he doesn't want to divulge that information it isn't a big deal. I'm sure everyone will continue to be extremely appreciate of everything he offers the forum.

"Summerfield already shares so much time and energy. I don't understand why the name of software program would be any different?"

I kind of agree with this statement but it is his prerogative to keep it secret.
Great design is not about the software but the skills. To me, you can use the best software but it does not warranty the quality of the design and SF has good design skills; I only saw a few of his designs, I just came back to this forum a few days ago.

kellyeng, if he is the gracious person that you say he is, he could come here at least to say that he does not want to share his "secret".

On the other hand, I think he uses 2 programs: One to create the floor plan and another one to render it. And I have a wild guess but let�s give SF a chance first.

Great. Run off another professional. That's what this forum does best.

BTW, if I had to guess, the software is probably "Chief Architect" which runs for about $2200. Have at it. . .

"Great. Run off another professional. That's what this forum does best.
BTW, if I had to guess, the software is probably "Chief Architect" which runs for about $2200. Have at it. . ."

You don't have a very high opinion of us or Summerfield if you think we are trying to run someone off or that a simple question would do that.

He or she has the right to not tell us. A simple I don't feel like sharing would be fine. It will not make me think less of him/her.

I think the constant work that Summerfield does on peoples plans( for free) would run him/her off faster. Summerfield already goes way beyond what most professionals would do in a forum setting.

As one of the people Summerfield has helped, I would just like to take this opportunity if he's out there to say "thank you" again. I drew our plans using a graph paper template in excel and used a $100 version of Chief Architect get a feel for the layout as it allows you to walk through your design. However, this CA's rendering capabilites (or mine, more likely) did not give me a very good idea of what the completed home would look like.

Summerfield's rendering was exactly what I pictured my home to be and I can't thank him enough for that. Yes, we will turn my drawings over to a professional when we are ready to build but this just helps so much in the interim. And Summerfield will be the first one I contact in a professional capacity!

Bren

It is not Chief Architect as I have it and it doesn't look like his. I dont know what he uses either. The plans seem to be what most are most interested in as the elevation /rendering is not quite as polished as the plans.

He chooses to offer alot of free design and that should be enough but if he chooses to share it thats fine for you as well.

I agree about the Chief Architect. We have it in the office and the exterior renderings are quite different. The plans are what interest me. The layout has a very nice look to it. Enough detail but not too much clutter.

I asked a couple of times, when I first came to the forum. You probably won't get a response. Personally, I think the mystery is part of Summerfield's appeal :)

While some of you might not understand, it really doesn't matter. Summerfield can share the information, or not. If you really want to know, go look at software programs and see if you can find it. Who knows, maybe Summerfield is a software designer, and came up with the program?

Learn to live with a little mystery...or go do your research. Just like many people here don't reveal their real names (I like being Lavender Lass) Summerfield chooses not to reveal the software.

And Summerfield, thank you so much for drawing up my home plan...it's made all the difference. It's so much easier to read and you've helped me with some wonderful improvements. I might be back, since I'm getting some help with my kitchen plan, over on that forum...and might need a few small changes. Let me know, if you find some time on your hands...I know you've been busy! :)

I do think it would be nice if Summerfield would respond to this thread to settle it once and for all.

Even just a simple statement that they do not wish to share that information would be nice so that when someone asks this question again in the future, they can be pointed to this thread, instead of thinking Summerfield is just ignoring them.

It might even be nice to start a thread for those willing to share what software they are using so they could post the name and an example pic. (Maybe even add in any thoughts on the software.) Then someone trying to decide on a software could have real examples to look at along with a username of someone who actually used it.

aa- I can see why it would be nice to have a post, where people could share experiences and likes/dislikes about different software, I don't think that's quite the same thing.

To me, Summerfield is a very thoughtful individual (I don't even know if it's a man or woman) who takes their valuable time to help those of us, who are trying to get some idea of what we want our floor plan to look like. Without this help, I'd still be drawing my graph paper sketches (which many did not care for) since I have no software :)

It's almost like this mystery person, shows up, helps you out and you have no idea who they are, but you're so thankful for the help. If that person doesn't want to share the one thing that gives them the ability to do this...and make their drawings special, I totally understand and respect that.

It's almost like having a patent...it's what makes Summerfield's designs unique and sets them apart from so many others. Yes, there is talent, too, but when you see that software, you know it's Summerfield's design. That's what I meant, when I said it's part of the appeal...do you ask the Lone Ranger to take off their mask, because you want to see who they are? Live with the mystery and be thankful that someone is out there, willing to help and happy to do it! :)

ll- never meant to imply that I think Summerfield should tell. It would just be nice for them to say "no" instead of just intentially ignoring multiple requests.

I could care less what software it is, but I do find it rude not to respond one way or the other. Let them respond once here and move on. Anytime anyone sees someone ask the same question again, they can need to point them to this thread.

I agree Summerfield has been helpful to many. I do have to say this, though... (JMHO) The answer does not pertain to me since I do not need any additional software nor Summerfields help at this point, but being helpful to others does not outweigh being what could be interpretted as rude by not responding to a question that supposedly has been asked more than once. Instead, it taints my overall opinion of the user that should be entirely positive.

Summerfield is a generous person that has helped many on this forum. The unwavering anonymity is intriguing and keeps us all wondering what he/she does in their professional life.

I am a recipient of Summerfield's creative design. Summerfield took my basic design and developed a plan that our designer could not capture after months of one-on-one interviews and detailed emails. My husband and I are very grateful to Summerfield.

We have a copy of Chief Architect - $99 for the home version. The full version is costly and typically out of reach for most "hobbyists". The renderings created by Summerfield have the appearance of SoftPlan architecture software.

If you read this Summefield - You are a very generous person and I truly appreciate your assistance.

I am a long time lurker, first time poster.

I too would love to know what software this is. Summerfield had been very generous with time. Maybe he has just not seen this post yet. Can't see any other reason for not posting what is obviously an older software program. The renderings of the exterior are just not reflective of current programs.

Bump. Just in case Summerfield is on holidays.

Double bump

Bump

aCs

Thank-you for the response. I have googled aCs but I can't find anything.

aCs = ancient Chinese secret :-)

i work with a couple of different software programs that were developed for me by my neice ... they're not available in the retail market (yet!) ... she still has a lot of kinks to work out ...

i've been pleased , overall , but , as has been pointed out , the exterior applications do not offer the proper look i am seeking ... so we're working on that ...

excepting library items , most of the drawings require hand-placement of each detail ... a bit time-consuming , but i am able to draft with much more speed than i ever could using CA ...

thank you to all who left kind words ... it has been a pleasure to offer my assitance , and i look forward to futher requests ...

my apologies to those who were hoping to procure these drafting tools , but , hopefully , my neice will be publishing in the not-too-distant future ...

Your work with her software is a really good advertisement. When she gets it dialed in she has a ready made market right here.

Thanks for the reply Summerfield!

I would definitely be interested in additional information once your niece is ready for retail.

Summerfield do you just tweek plans for people? I have the shape of the house I want The kitchen area I want the mudroom area I want and things like that....I need someone who knows how to piece it all together.......

Summerfield,

Although I've not benefitted from your advice ... yet ... we hope to build our first dream home in the next year, I do appreciate anyone who volunteers their precious time to help others. Doing what you do takes a lot of time and effort and the fact that your working with your niece to further develop her own software is really telling to the kind of person you are. Thank you!