We are facing that exact decision! We love the freedom of a Mac because we are computer dummies. But, as we are trying to design our retirement cottage without an architect and I obsess over proportions (Will a 24" linen closet door look too big in our tiny hallway?), I really need a way to see 3D designs of our plans. I've down-loaded Google Sketch Up, which looks to be a powerful tool, but the house will be finished before I get the hang of it. Last night Hubby took me to the library because Merillat looks to have an awesome, easy-to-use but powerful 3D kitchen designer but couldn't use it because it requires downloading some software onto "your" computer. Maybe a cheap PC is the answer. What design software do you use?

I used Live Interior. It was somewhat helpful, I guess. I don't have a lot of experience with such programs, so don't take my "review" too seriously, lol. Mostly I used it before we decided to just demo the whole downstairs and move the kitchen, so I was playing around with fitting things into our original space. That was frustrating, but I think it was as much the kitchen as the program. My kd drew everything, didn't use computers at all, so I didn't have any 3D renderings. So when I got a plan from him, I sort of mocked it up in Live Interiors. There aren't a lot of choices of finish (or at least anything near what I was going to use), but it was mildly helpful. Soooo ... I guess if you don't really *need* that $80, it's kind of fun. But I never ended up with anything that even remotely resembled my current kitchen. (I guess that isn't exactly a resoundingly positive take, is it?? I was jealous of many of the other pc-based renderings I saw on here. It doesn't seem like Mac has any consumer-oriented design programs like that.)

Does Punch not do this? Sunset Kitchen Designer (which is made by Punch) does, and my impression was that SKD was a pretty scaled down version of their "real" software...is it possible there's a newer version out from them that would work for you? But if you want to learn something new, I'd go with SketchUp---a bit of a learning curve, but once you get the hang of it, it's pretty versatile so you could use it for lots of things post-kitchen work, too.

We used Chief Architect too. Definitely a learning curve. Also, in order to get everything correct, this WILL take time on your part. I.E. someone needs to take all the measurements. Whether you pay someone or do it yourself... :) That said, Chief Architect gives you a great walkthrough and was a good tool. Keep asking -- hopefully, you'll find something which does the same, but much less expensive! Best, Oldbat2be