- Google SketchUp is available in two versions, the free version and the professional version. Used as a 3D modeling tool, professionals use Google SketchUp Pro to create 3D models of houses, commercial structures and cities. The documentation system in the Pro version, Layout, offers presentations and printed documentation in a variety of formats, depending upon the specific application. Professionals use the construction drawings, reports, slideshow presentations and other documentation for discussions with team members, reviews with management staff and meetings with customers. In January of 2011, SketchUp Pro costs $495 with a free trial available.
- DesignWorkshop Lite is another free program for 3D modeling, creating floor plans, exterior building and landscaping views and walk-throughs for space visualization. User guides are available online and the extended version, available at $9.95 in January 2011 features an expanded architectural library, objects and textures, a metric and a Japanese version. Artifice, the company behind DesignWorkshop Lite offers a CD-ROM version for $19.95.
- AutoCAD FreeStyle by Autodesk is available to create home design, electrical drawings, floor plans, landscape design plans and more. Promoted as "intuitive" software, AutoCAD FreeStyle saves drawings and plans as well as printing or exporting them in multiple formats. Tutorials are accessible online along with access to the site's forums and discussion groups. The price in January 2011 of a full program license and software is $149 with a free trial available for download.
- Chief Architect offers several programs in the Home Designer Series which cater to multiple user skill sets: Essentials, Interior, Landscape and Deck, Suite, Architectural and Professional. The Essentials provides the basic features for home designing and is the least expensive at $59. Interiors and the Landscape and Deck versions are specific to interior designing and outdoor landscaping and each cost $79. The Suite and the Architectural versions priced at $99 and $199 are expanded versions of the Essentials. The Professional costs $495 and has more advanced tools with blueprint printing, manual framing capability, material lists, walk-throughs and more. Upgraded professional versions for architects and home designers run between $1495 and $2195. All prices effective January 2011.
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