Chief Architect

Chief Architect

Pluspunten:

Het programma bied veel mogelijkheden op verschillende niveaus

Minpunten:

Het kan best wel ingewikkeld zijn. Soms moet je goed kijken hoe je iets maakt

Definitely Chief !!!

Opmerkingen: With Chief Architect, the system does most of the work for you so you can focus on the floorplan and even in the placement of objects in the rooms, the walkthrough view is also excellent for showing a client the finished project so there is buy-in for the proposed construction or remodel. Landscaping is also easy as the Cadastral can be transferred into the plan allowing for accuracy in placing building on lot

Pluspunten:

Found the software easy to understand and use especially with the 3d vies available which can be seen in split screen beside the floorplan, also with the detailed QS breakdown, estimating materials needs accurately is a cinch. The online tutorials and ideas will have you designing in no time

Minpunten:

With all software there is a bit of a learning curve especially with the rapid changes in versions which add substantial changes to the software in terms of materials and objects that can be utilised.

Over engineered, poor technical service.

Opmerkingen: Poor. When I search the online tools for an answer to a question, I rarely get what I need. What I call something and what they call it are two entirely different things. They have a computer language that only computer minded people understand. It’s not intuitive or user friendly. Complete frustration doesn’t begin to describe it. I’m sure there are better, easier ways to do certain tasks but I’m not paying enormous rates to find out. My advice - don’t waste your money, time or efforts!

Pluspunten:

The graphics are good, better than hand drawing.

Minpunten:

I am a kitchen & bath designer and have used Chief Architect for 11 years. The initial cost is high and the yearly “technical support” is up to $525. I am pretty much self taught because the training classes are ridiculously expensive. I have taken advantage of the free courses they offer but otherwise have figured things out by trial and error. In 11 years I have contacted technical support 18 times (less than twice a year). Sometimes they would answer my questions but mostly referred me to their online tools, one of which is other users answering questions - how [SENSITIVE CONTENT HIDDEN]. Yesterday I contacted them to get an answer on what I assumed would be an easy question (I searched the online tools but got nothing). I needed a knee wall that started at 42” high and tapered to 34” high. Their response was that it was beyond technical supports capabilities, but, I could pay $125/hour for someone to help. Really??? Needless to say I responded with my displeasure. The $525/year does get me updates, but that is virtually it. For what I need, the Interiors program is over engineered. In my old program, when I needed a vaulted ceiling, I entered the height of one wall and the height of the other and voila, done. In CA it’s a complicated, multi (10+) step process. Likewise, rotating the direction of a wood floor should be as simple as 2 clicks, but no, another multi step process.

Not a smart software

Opmerkingen: Horrible

Pluspunten:

Nothing, I like absolutely nothing about it!

Minpunten:

Everything, I hate every single thing about this software. It is not smart whatsoever. Once you use smart software, CA will be so insignificant. You have very little room for customization, no phasing, the layout process is completely atrocious. Worst software in existence. Again, one you use good software CA will be a raisin for a brain compared to a highly respected scientist.

Difficult to Use for Kitchen Design

Opmerkingen: So time consuming and challenging compared to other programs specifically when you are using for Kitchen design, which it is marketed as.

Pluspunten:

Renderings are nice, its nice to have control over sizing, colors, etc.

Minpunten:

For kitchen design specifically it is NEAR IMPOSSIBLE to get the wall dimensions accurate and that is vital in kitchen design. Every time you try to type in dimensions it messes up other walls. THis becomes a huge time waster. This program is so time consuming. ALso there should be actual cabinet catalogues and not just doors. Sometimes you like to just place walls and place items. Also - having to close the room to get dimensions is very frustrating (specifically for kitchens)