Punch! Home & Landscape Design Studio

March 23, 2010 · Posted in Software

Are you a Mac user, dreaming about building a new home? Maybe you’re in a home already and need something to help you design the landscape or perhaps you’re adding a deck or patio and want to see how your ideas translate into a plan. Punch! Home & Landscape Design Studio Mac home design software is a fully-featured tool to help you develop a plan and then render it in 3D to see what the final product will look like. You can even print out templates and assemble a scale model for a more realistic perspective.

Standout Features

Intuitive interface
Excellent QuickStart tutorials
Drag & Drop rooms to quickly build a floor plan
SmartRooms—automatically update dimensions as you draw/edit
LogiCursor
Automatically generates roof
Elevation View
Material Workshop
Auto Framing—view rough-in framing
“Building Green” tips and suggestions
Numerous customizable elements
Home theater object library
Cabinet Designer
Multiple views of plan—2D, 3D, helicopter or bird’s eye
Estimator

Aesthetic Appeal

Mac home design software, Punch! Home & Landscape Design Studio provides a clean, well-organized environment to design and decorate your dream home. The software can render your plans in multiple views including a basic floor plan, framing, 2D wireframe, 2D and 3D elevations and aerial and cutaway views. Once you’ve completed your plan, take a virtual walk-through to see how your home will look when it’s finished. An interesting experience is being able to look out of the windows into the yard. This is important to be able to see what the outside views look like from inside each room as well as what type of shade/light will be impacting the room. You can even view the outside of the home from all angles using the “helicopter” or satellite modes.

Features & Tools:

Mac home design software Punch! Home & Landscape Design Studio falls between the entry-level PC-only Home & Landscape Design series and the professional Mac home design software version of Home Design Studio Pro. This version of the software combines several types of programs into one suite covering everything from footings and foundations to floor plan, framing, electrical, plumbing, roof and HVAC. The software is pre-loaded with an impressive inventory of 2D and 3D objects and templates. You can also import other images that you want to add to your design.

Among the many features the software offers is the ability to customize the inside of the home plan with paint, wallpaper and flooring. There’s a wide variety of fixtures in the library too. Everything from lighting to bathroom to kitchen. And speaking of the kitchen, you can design your cabinetry using the Cabinet Designer feature. You can customize practically everything right down to the drawer pulls and the door hardware. There’s even blinds, cornices and curtains for the windows. New in this version is the Home Theater object library so you can create the media room of your dreams including the movie theater seating and surround sound. And don’t forget to add the jukebox and popcorn machine! The program also offers a Green feature that includes eco-friendly tips and ideas to reduce your home’s carbon footprint.
Once you’re happy with your design the Estimator software will produce a spreadsheet detailing material quantities, costs and schedules so you can get to work making your dream into a reality.

Ease of Use

Punch! Home & Landscape Design Studio Mac home design software utilizes the Mac’s intuitive operating system to create a user-friendly design environment although the software is probably more than a novice user would need or understand. If you’ve had some experience with building (even just going through the process of building a previous home through a contractor) you’ll understand most of the features. Unless you’re a licensed contractor or architect it’s a good idea to have any major projects reviewed by an authority in the field to be sure your plans meet local code regulations.

Support & Documentation

Mac home design software, Punch! Home & Landscape Design Studio has the potential to overwhelm the user with all of its capabilities and options. Fortunately, Punch! provides several types of support. The software comes with a hefty 444-page user’s guide, an in-program tutorials and assistance as well as an online site with additional help features such as a user’s forum, online support and email submission. The developers even provide an 800 number if all else fails.

Summary

Overall, if you’re a Mac user and you want to design floor or landscape plans, the Mac home design software Punch! Home & Landscape Design Studio is the tool for the job. With its substantial features, easy-to-use interface, excellent tools and ample object library, you’ll have everything you need to create the plans for your dream home or backyard escape.

If you’re a professional contractor or architect working on a Mac you’ll find the Punch! Home Design Studio Pro to be an excellent design tool.

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Punch! Home & Landscape Design Studio

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