Virtual Architect Home & Landscape Platinum Suite

I received this program as a gift... and no one had read the reviews. Or someone hates me. After wasting two good weekends to try to recreate a farmhouse, barn and garage, and then play with the designs after that, I find that a standalone, two car garage can be created with moderate difficulty. Heaven forbid you want to build a 2 story house or add dormers or put windows on multiple floors, and to do anything truly creative is impossible. This program is made solely with the intention of advertising products and should not be sold. HGTV should be ashamed for having their names on this product. Nothing is intuitive or uses normal symbols and standards, and many features never even show up. I went so far as to reinstall the program and try it on both a Windows XP and Windows 7 system, simply hoping the gift would not have to be returned. Wrong. My 7 year old daughter does a better job with her crayons. Buy it and regret it. You have been warned.

This software is quit powerful and is exactly what I was looking for. While not the current version (6.0 is most current), it is very comprehensive. I strongly suggest that: 1) any buyer use the tutorials included; 2) have your measurements ready to plug into the program when you actually begin the design process, and 3) while watching the tutorials, make a draft version of what project you want to create (like a kitchen) and dont worry about getting it perfect - while you learn the program! This is a CAD type program and can seem rigid/unforgiving. The undue and edit elements are very helpful when needed.

You can build walls and such, but you have to build the walls, the floors, the ceilings, the roof, etc... room by room.

Im still trying to figure this one out. Its pretty complicated...

Do not buy this product if you want more then a rough sketch.

I bought it to design a one acre lot. Canʻt fit a lot that size into the work area, canʻt see the dimensions as I create lot lines or even after for that matter. Very steep learning curve, may be possible to do what I want to do, but I donʻt see how. Donʻt waste your money. Iʻve had several house and landscape design tools, and this is by far the worst Iʻve encountered.

absolute garbage , dont waste your money . 26 yrs in the landscape business and wouldnt let a 4th grader use it for a class project.

Reminds me of Lotus. Not an up-to-date software.

I think this product is cool and easier to use than it looks. Some reviews say that its hard to save, but I had no problem at all. I use windows 7. I enjoy the 3d perspective and love all the details. I love designing kitchens and its really simple to create your own. I also love the different options for bedrooms and all the materials to use. I just use this for fun, not really for professional usage. I love building and designing amazing spaces. It didnt take me long to get the hang of it.

As a website designer, and definitely not a draftsman, I use this program to draw house plans for a home builder client. Does the trkick.