Mac Home Design Software Review

Why Home Design Software on the Mac?

Mac home design software improves your ability to create beautiful, efficient home designs that reflect the restraints of your budget while incorporating your personal touches into every design. With the emphasis on eco-friendly products available today, the best Mac programs will suggest ways to include “green” elements in your new or updated dwelling.

Mac home design software goes way beyond the simple line drawings contained in floor plan books. Home design software is simply fun to use whether you’re designing a home for yourself or are a seasoned general contractor. In this site, you’ll find articles on home design and comprehensive reviews to help you make an informed decision on which Mac software package is right for you.

What to Look for in Mac Home Design Software

These are the points TopTenREVIEWS experts evaluated to rank Mac home design software:

Aesthetic Appeal
The interface of the software should be well-organized and intuitive. The top packages will be able to render your plans in multiple views and provide extensive libraries of elements from color palettes and textures to furniture and plants.

Features & Tools
Mac home design software features should go beyond basic floor plan design; it should offer a variety of tools such as real-time walkthroughs and the ability to incorporate plumbing/electrical/HVAC infrastructure. The design tools should be accessible and easy to use even for an inexperienced designer. The best Mac home design software provides tools that allow creative design and customization including lighting effects and landscape design.

Support & Documentation
With the complex nature of home design, the help and support options for Mac home design software should offer clear, step-by-step instructions. The language in help files and tutorials should be simple to understand and well-organized, so you can find answers fast. The developer should also provide substantial support on their web site where you can contact them via email or phone if necessary.

Ease of Use
A computer novice should be able to install and learn how to use Mac home design software quickly. The control panel and design tools should be powerful, but intuitive.

So whether you’re building your first house or are a pro home contractor, Mac home design software will help you do it faster, easier and greener (and maybe even cheaper!) than ever before.

Read our review of the best Mac home design software including Punch! Home & Landscape Design Studio, SketchUp and Live Interior 3D Pro and check out our other home design software reviews too.

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Software » Home / Hobbies » Home Design Software Review » Mac Home Design Software Review
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Punch! Home & Landscape Design Studio SketchUp Live Interior 3D Pro
Punch! Home & Landscape Design Studio SketchUp Live Interior 3D Pro
Reviewer Comments Read Review
Read Review
Read Review
Lowest Price
Visit Punch! Home & Landscape Design Studio
$149.99
Visit SketchUp 8 Pro
$495.00
Visit Live Interior 3D Pro
$129.95
Overall Rating
Ratings
Aesthetic Appeal
Features & Tools
Ease of Use
Support & Documentation
 
Professional-Grade Product
Available
NA
Version Punch! Home Design Studio Pro 8  
Price $249.99 $495  
Features
Imperial & Metric Measurements
2D Design
3D Design
Enter Precise Dimensions  
3D Walkthrough
3D Flyaround (aerial views)
3D Cutaway Slider (dollhouse views)
Set Camera View Angles
Wireframe Views
Create Custom Animations  
Scan & Trace Pictures, Blueprints
 
Interior Lighting Simulation
 
Exterior Lighting Simulation
 
Object Organizer Database  
Cost Estimation
  
Automatic Updates
Automatic Floorplan Dimensioning
 
Hands-On Real Model
 
Editable Home Plans
Editable Standard Room Templates
Landscape Module
Plant Editor
 
Plant Library
Tools
Material Paintbrush
Roofing Wizard
 
Custom Material Wizard
 
House Builder Wizard
  
Curved Walls
 
Custom Roofs & Pitch
Window & Door Designer
 
Cabinet Designer
 
Framing Editor
  
Stair Generator
 
Topography Designer
 
Deck Designer
  
Fence Designer
  
Object Libraries
Import 2D Pictures
Import 3D Pictures
Appliances
Interior Furniture
Exterior Furniture
Plants
Doors
Windows
Cabinets
Stairs
Railing
Ramps
 
Flooring
Light Fixtures
External Light Fixtures
Bathroom Fixtures
Roofing Materials
Import Options
3D Files
DXF (AUTOCAD)
 
DWG (AUTOCAD)
 
2D Files
BMP
JPEG
PDF   
PNG
TIFF  
Export Options
Print 2D Image
Print 3D Image
3D Files
  
DXF (AUTOCAD)
 
DWG (AUTOCAD)
 
WRL (VRML)
2D Files
  
JPEG
BMP
PNG
TIFF
WMF
  
EPS
 
PSD
  
PDF
Support & Documentation
Video Tutorials
Paper Manual
 
Online Manual  
In-Program Manual   
Online Training/Tutorials  
FAQ
Community Forums
Phone Support
 
Email Support
Recommended System Specs
OS Mac 10.4.11 or higher Mac 10.4.11 and 10.5+ Mac OS X 10.4.8 or higher
Processor (CPU) G4 or higher G5/Intel G5
Memory (RAM) 256MB 2GB 2 GB
Video Memory 32MB 512 MB 128 MB
Hard Drive Space 5.3GB 500 MB 1 GB
Display Resolution 1024x768 1024x769 1024X768
Display Millions of colors Millions of colors millions of colors
QuickTime   5 7 or higher
Optical Drive DVD-ROM   DVD-ROM
Internet Connection Yes Yes Yes