Reno has a good summary of the development of CAD/CADD from the mid 80s or so. AutoCad, for example, started as a 2-D drafting program for engineering applications. It was much later that they bolted on programs that would allow 2-D architectural applications (for example, the intersection of intersecting walls in plan view with the intersections deleted). 3-D came much, much later for AutoCad, and initially consisted of an add-on program from other vendors, if I remember correctly. Early 3-D programs were mostly wiring diagrams which were hard to see and visualize, much less solid 3-d pictures. DataCad and other early programs were designed from the beginning for architectural design; the 2-D and 3-D was integrated earlier, but these vendors lacked the financial and marketing resoures of AutoCad. Then European software vendors entered the marketplace for both engineering and architectural users, with advanced features like finite analysis and light-ray applications. As the market developed, and low-cost computing emerged, applications began to focus on data base/relational applications and designing for architect in 3-D, rather than starting in 2-D and merging to 3-D. All of this is probably far beyond this forum for consumers interested in building their own home! The good news for most who visit this forum and thread is that a few of the major software manufacturers of engineering and architectural software have also marketed simplified versions of their software that will do 2-D and 3-D applications ranging from decks, to landscaping to fully integrated house design at reasonable expense. The bad news is that none of the software is "smart" enough to prevent mistakes and errors in the input process. It still takes substantial experience and judgement to make these computerized tools work efficiently and effectively. Good luck!

Gray, Well, you're right, I should have figured out the "guy" room. My buildings were not dioramas. I built on 1" scale and recreated both exterior and interior. The project took me to New Zealand and spent time there with a historian responsible for maintaining the Antarctica expedition buildings. The history and stories of the men living in these "huts" became a passion. Sadly, the cost of finishing this project became out of control and didn't get a grant applied for. It is part of the many boxes I cannot let go of...building shell, books, tons of materials. Small house, but big shed storing part of my life. If you were to build your plans it would be amazing how the project would become so much more real for you. The hard work for this has already been done with the created plans shown. All could be built with matte board, I'd even suggest buying it in the colors you are planning. The simplicity of yours would even allow the furniture to be done...but use bass wood or plastics for these. You wouldn't need a lot of tools and the cost minimal. I let go of the model building a while ago. Was doing some freelance for a magazine submitting projects, and it became too commercial. The ability to be creative was lost as I had to design what readers were interested in and freelance is what it means "free" after cost of materials and time involved. My art is now photography mixed with chalk pastels. Primarily close ups of architectural details and lost items found. I like those that show time passed and the affect of element of nature. Use Photoshop and am playing with possibilities of printing large format now. Creative beings cannot let things sit long without evolving into more. The jump in computers is so beyond that what can be done on a lap top is far more than where I started. Me presence at the time put many an architect and engineer into shock...they had to let go of their pencils for keyboards. There is still a need for the high end number crunching computers for engineering and output. My son and I were talking one day about terms which he wondered the meaning of..."do not spindle, punch or staple". What was a spindle? This evolved into talking about learning computers via punch cards. The leap you mentioned...he also trained on computers using punch cards and is in his late 30s. I'll let him feel old. They do use metal framing here, but not often and I don't understand the reasoning for continuing to use wood when this is avialable. On the total opposite of what you are doing I would build a straw bale, the natural "off" of walls, etc. intrigue me. It is not something easily built depending upon where one is located due to permits. Even building a home smaller than a specific size isn't possible unless rural. One can remodel a smaller home, but tis the closest to getting such within city limits. Gads...the Platters? I just watched a Johnny Mathis special and headed into the personal past. And most of this was totally off topic, but at we are in the conversation side.

I built my custom home and design it as well. It was my first and I was very green. My advise is make sure you know what you want and what you are willing to pay for. Learn who your builder is and do not trust too much when they start tell you what you (should) want. I learned the hard way and two months into the build project I had to practically live at the construction site. The builder did not like it much but it was my house and not his so I did not care. We budded heads when he kept defaulting to "his standards". He was good for the big strokes but when it came down to the details he failed. Pick out as many items as you can upfront so you can get a very good idea of cost. We went $50k over budget and that was because the builder's defaulting to "his standards" at the budget discussion table that I was not aware of until we were into the build project. I initially took his advise on some designing, I wish I didn't. When I became the wiser I starting taking things back in my own hands. And I am speaking of selections like cabinetry, windows, flooring tile, countertops doors, decking materials and much more finishes. I had a budget I wasn't suppose to go over and he, the builder, did not make it clear as to what we were going to get within that budget. I do not regret that I went over. And I tell you if I had another $50k laying around I would have used it up.

Still waiting on paperwork with banks and due to weather decided to wait another 2 months until spring is upon us. One of the best advantages to using a cloud like Google's Drive for your paperwork is that you can put your Excel spreadsheets up there and then share them with your builder, spouse, etc. - - anywhere you are! And you can update it and everyone sees the updates. For my lighting I did one with the type (chandelier, fan, etc), Room it goes in, the URL link to the product, a picture of the product, the price, and # we need, so you can see all of your rooms plus get the total $. Then if you switch one, it's super easy to do and everyone has the update. Ok that's my 2cents. Merry Christmas you lovely people building homes :) !! We'll get ours going for sure soon. Love watching all of your ups and downs - You're all blessed!