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I'm looking for some software that can help with 3D design of building interiors and exteriors so that:

  1. People can give me their house or building plan and I can make the 3D model
  2. If people don't have a plan, I can make the model from pictures or photos

I imagine I will need AutoCAD for the layout - which additional software can help me achieve the above?

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Um O_o AutoCAD perhaps? – KronoS May 11 '11 at 6:18
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"So which software can do my job"? You want a piece of software doing your job? – Daniel Beck May 11 '11 at 6:53
see superuser.com/questions/30053/… for an answer to #2. – kez May 12 '11 at 18:56
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closed as not constructive by studiohack♦ May 13 '11 at 16:36

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5 Answers

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Google SketchUp is avalible for an entry-to-high level users, in free and pro flavours. It might be worth starting out with this and once you get fully comfortable with this have a look at 3DS Max like MaQleod said.

Bear in mind you will need a fairly high spec machine for CAD programs, but any modern (~2 year old) machine should be able to run SketchUp OK.

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There are a lot of options out there. 3DS Max is commonly used in architecture circles, but any 3D software will do the job, it is just a matter of what you are comfortable with.

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You mean only 3dsmax will do or i need any other software as well like Revit – Moorage May 11 '11 at 6:52
Check this out: youtube.com/watch?v=r3dqPYWS3MA - it will give you an idea of what 3ds max can do for interiors, and this one for exteriors: youtube.com/watch?v=LKxQThj3hzo - in other words, you really don't need other software. – MaQleod May 11 '11 at 6:54
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Try Blender. It's free. Modelling using blue prints or photos is quite easy. You can script it. It has an integrated renderer and even a game engine. You can also animate your models.

You can use these features to fly through the house as animation, or even let the user control where to go.

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i want to use ready made models in my design from evermotion , whic r not available for blender or google sketch – Moorage May 11 '11 at 9:55
@Moorage add that to your question as it would lead to more appropriate answers – mbx May 11 '11 at 11:15
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Maybe ArchiCad?

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I don't know any architecture office that uses 3DS Max. Many rendering companies do. Architecture office use Revit, SketchUp AutoCAD, maybe Vectorworks if they use Macs. I would stick with sketch up as it is the most affordable and will be good enough for modeling houses. Plus there are some good rendering plugins like Podium or VRay that can make some great images.

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