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Any opinions on BH&G Interior Designer 7.0 software?

16 years ago

Does anyone use Better Homes and Gardens Interior Designer 7.0? It cost $50 on amazon with free shipping. I tried the Free Google Sketchup, but was annoyed with have to "create" everything from scratch. Maybe I'll try it again using the tutorial.

I just wanted to do a quick kitchen layout since my custom cabinet maker just hand drew a sketch and I wanted to visualize it in 3-D.

Here is a link that might be useful: Amazon link to BHG Interior Designer 7.0

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Comments (10)

jrdip
16 years ago
i'm a designer and I use the program. however, it doesn't let you do a lot of modifying of what they already have. if you are expecting the finished product look like that show on hgtv it won't. it's a good program if you want to get a general idea of how things will look and it's easy to use.
loves2cook4six
16 years ago
I have a copy you can have for $25.00 plus exact shipping.

Let me know if you are interested. You can email me through My Page
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igloochic
16 years ago
I thought it was "ok" but I outgrew it pretty quickly. If you move up to the Home Designer pro for $500 you'll be much happier with your outcome. But for a basic view...if you don't have a huge amount of custom stuff...it's ok.

Chief architect for $5000 is even better :oP I just drool over what it can do, but haven't bit the bullet yet...and probably won't but it's fun to dream.
mnhockeymom
16 years ago
I agree w/ i-chic - the Designer version has more variability and function - However, I think there's one in between the one you mentioned and the Designer version....my neighbor used the "middle" one (can't remember its name) and loved it - I'm partial to the Designer one because it makes me *believe* that I'm using Chief Architect which is to die for...either way, the BH&G programs will get you quite far - I managed to skip using an architect completely w/ this project and saved plenty of $$ on the "design" phase w/ my builder.
wareami
16 years ago
A program I found a while back is by CadSoft called Envisioneer Express.
It is limited somewhat by less furniture/appliance but overall is a full featured home designer with 2D & 3D views.
I believe the kitchen wall cabinets are missing from the free version.
In order to get the download link you must register with them.
For Free I don't think anything comes close.

I'm not sure of this policy on posting links to other sites as I only registered here to offer my assessment.
But just google the name of the Software and you should find it.
Hope this helps!
nepool
Original Author
16 years ago
Wareami,
Links to other sites are fine on this forum. So this Envisioneer Express is free and easy to use? Missing wall cabinets might be a problem... Thanks for posting, I'm going to google it to find out more.

There is an $85 BH&G Home Designer Suite 7.0. It seems to include exterior and interior. I'm not sure it will do anything for me because all I really want is to do my kitchen on something that is better than using graph paper and easier than Google Sketch Up. Do you think the Designer Suite will give me a lot more in the kitchen than Interior Designer?
igloochic
16 years ago
Each one has more options. I'd visit the website and you'll find (somewhere on there) a list that kind of runs down the products and does comparisons. They get pretty detailed on the cabinet area on that list if I remember right.

Frankly...I have to say, I'd just puchase the $500 one and start there...but that's because I bought the cheap one and felt I'd wasted money on it after I learned it wouldn't do what I needed. I also saved a great deal of money by using it (I didn't need to have several plans drawn up...we used mine). It was worth the cost to save that money in the long run.

One thing I did like was that it was pretty easy to use (both versions). I purchased another home design program for around $100 and was sorry I had done so. It was hard to use and didn't do much at all (I don't remember the name and it's not on this computer sorry). OH I just remembered...I saw the BH&G program at Costco last visit. You might check there. I have no idea what the charge was, but it's normally cheaper....
rhome410
16 years ago
Also check your library to see if there's a copy to try out. Ours has the Interior Designer 7.0.
logic
16 years ago
I returned it because the colors were not true...espeically white...as it always showed some shade of definite gray..

According to the tech support folks, this is indeed a drawback of the program...

I also found it to not be all that user friendly as it requires many work arounds to achieve some standard features...
rhome410
16 years ago
I haven't tried many others, but I think anything on computer might have problems representing true color. Monitors affect this, too. I have Chief Architect, which has been said, is the more complex parent of the BH&G softwares. I did this example, but tried to use what I thought the lesser softwares in the family would offer. Oops...maybe not the apron sink, and I'm not sure what appliance options the others have. Anyway, I just wanted to check what I get when I use white cabinets and white appliances, and this is my result. For those of you who have the BH&G softwares, is this different than what you would get?

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