| There are a few deck design software suites | | | | disappointed with the selection of plants and |
| that can help you decide on the type of deck | | | | other built-in accessories to add to the |
| that you would like to have in your yard. The | | | | design of your yard or deck area. |
| types of deck building software that are | | | | |
| available and used by consumers aren't meant | | | | The Better Homes and Gardens deck designing |
| to produce engineering schematics or anything | | | | software and other comparable software suites |
| so comprehensive as this, but can really help | | | | can help you decide on some major issues such |
| one get an idea of how particular deck | | | | as deck size and shape, as well as how other |
| designs would look in one's backyard. | | | | aspects of your yard will combine with the |
| | | | deck you're thinking of installing. But if |
| In my opinion, you shouldn't spend more than | | | | you're looking for high precision deck |
| about $50 on deck design software. And there | | | | building software, you're talking about CAD |
| are several deck design software packages | | | | programs that cost hundreds or thousands of |
| that cost less than that. Since this type of | | | | dollars. |
| software is not high precision stuff, there's | | | | |
| no reason to spend hundreds of dollars on it. | | | | There are cheaper deck building software |
| | | | packages, such as 'Total 3D Home Deluxe" |
| Better Homes and Gardens makes a deck | | | | which retails for about $35. Though there are |
| designing software package called 'Better | | | | reviews that seem to indicate that there are |
| Homes and Gardens Landscaping and Deck | | | | some greater problems with alignment and |
| Designer'. This deck design software is | | | | selection of accessories, I hardly think this |
| included in their 'Home Designer Suite 6" | | | | matters when all the deck designing software |
| package, but you can save quite a bit of | | | | out there has some of these problems. |
| money if you only need the exterior design | | | | |
| aspects of such software. | | | | When choosing deck designing software, go |
| | | | ahead and get the cheaper software. Keep in |
| You should look at deck design software as a | | | | mind that you probably won't be able to |
| simple way to get a general idea of how the | | | | upload pictures of your own accessories or |
| addition of a deck and other outdoor | | | | exact wood grain, but these features are |
| accessories will compliment your house and | | | | generally wrought with bugs in the software |
| yard. For the most part, all of the deck | | | | that has these types of features. |
| design software that is available, just like | | | | |
| the interior decorating software out there, | | | | As long as you know that deck design software |
| is neither foolproof nor exact. | | | | is to be used merely as a visualization tool, |
| | | | you'll probably appreciate the added |
| Most deck design and interior decorating | | | | perspective that such software is able to |
| software have problems with aligning things | | | | provide. |
| exactly. And many times users are | | | | |