Room-designing software?

[ShootingBlanks]

So, at long last I am finally moving into a new house with a nice big unfinished basement (which I will quaintly refer to as my "canvas"). The house won't be finished being built until the end of April, but I want to prepare in advance for my home theater project. My question...

...Can anyone recommend some good software for room-design? Anything that specializes in home theater design would be even better. Pay software or freeware - doesn't matter to me. I'm looking for something where I can input room dimensions and start "creating" my room on-screen (adding wall dividers, chairs, lights, cabinets, etc).

Thanks!

[Johk]

I used Visio on my part for planning the room layout...

I know some people here used Google SketchUp which is free but I never tried it.

[tilallr1]

Originally Posted by Johk

I used Visio on my part for planning the room layout...

I know some people here used Google SketchUp which is free but I never tried it.

Both are easy to use but there is a learning curve.

You can see my Google Sketchup's of my future home theater in my WIP gallery.

Really cool software by the way.

[ShootingBlanks]

Originally Posted by Johk

I used Visio on my part for planning the room layout

Forgive my lack of knowledge on this, but is Visio pretty easy to pick up? (I build web applications for a living, so I'm relatively computer savvy). Is room-planning specifically what it's used for, or is it just a general "blueprint" application?

Thanks!

[ShootingBlanks]

Originally Posted by tilallr1

You can see my Google Sketchup's of my future home theater in my WIP gallery.

Am I missing something? I didn't see anything that looked like room mockups. Maybe I'm looking in the wrong place - is this where you were talking about?:

https://www.blu-ray.com/community/ga...&folderid=1038

[tilallr1]

Originally Posted by ShootingBlanks

Forgive my lack of knowledge on this, but is Visio pretty easy to pick up? (I build web applications for a living, so I'm relatively computer savvy). Is room-planning specifically what it's used for, or is it just a general "blueprint" application?

Thanks!

Its more of a blueprint application and will cost you money.

Google Sketchup is a 3D design application which will bring the room to life. Plus, its free. I think its a easy winner.

But personally, I used both for different reasons.

[ShootingBlanks]

Nevermind - I scrolled right past them cuz they looked like real photos! Haha.

Sorry!

[tilallr1]

Originally Posted by ShootingBlanks

Am I missing something? I didn't see anything that looked like room mockups. Maybe I'm looking in the wrong place - is this where you were talking about?:

https://www.blu-ray.com/community/ga...&folderid=1038

The last few images were made in Google Sketchup. I know ... they look real.

[tilallr1]

Originally Posted by ShootingBlanks

Nevermind - I scrolled right past them cuz they looked like real photos! Haha.

Sorry!

[Johk]

Originally Posted by ShootingBlanks

Forgive my lack of knowledge on this, but is Visio pretty easy to pick up? (I build web applications for a living, so I'm relatively computer savvy). Is room-planning specifically what it's used for, or is it just a general "blueprint" application?

Thanks!

I would say it's more of a "blueprint" application but it comes with "Home Layout" template with common shapes...

Here's a page of someone's HT layout in Visio and a company that sells customization for HT design in Visio

[ShootingBlanks]

Very good. Thanks a lot for the tips, guys!

[tilallr1]

Just added my Visio diagram to my Gallery if you want to compare.

[ShootingBlanks]

Originally Posted by tilallr1

Just added my Visio diagram to my Gallery if you want to compare.

Ahhhh, yes - I think the Visio is more along the lines of what I was thinking. Thanks again - I'm gonna try that route...