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DPChallenge Forums >> General Discussion >> Deck Design Software ??
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Showing posts 1 - 13 of 13, (reverse)
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 06/06/2011 01:15:47 PM · #1
Around 1997 I bought a boxed software from Chapters bookstore to design a deck. Thirty to fifty dollars. It also created a materials list. That software is long gone and probably incompatible with my laptop anyway. The deck turned out beautifully.

We're in a different house and I want to build a deck, but am having trouble finding software. I found Landscape, Deck & Patio Designer NexGen v2 for $50, but their description is sketchy, uninspired, and makes no mention of a materials list.

Anybody have any suggestions, Win7 64-bit compatible, for $50 or less?
 06/06/2011 01:30:01 PM · #2
If you can find the old software CD, don't discount the idea of loading the old software. It may take some doing to get it to load and run, but it may well be possible. You wouldn't believe some of the old sh!t I've run under Win7-64. The key is setting compatibility. It may be necessary to set compatibility on the installer, and then again on the executable once installed.
If it absolutely does not install and run directly under Win7-64, there is one other option; if you are running a version of Win7 that supports Virtual WinXP, you can fire up a virtual machine running WinXP and load the software. That is, assuming you can find the CD ;-)
 06/06/2011 01:33:04 PM · #3
I don't think the software made the move with us. I'm pretty sure I gave it away to someone in 1998. :-(
 06/06/2011 01:47:35 PM · #4
Bugger!
I feel your pain... that kind of software seemed to be popular in that timeframe, but I don't see nearly as much of those kind of titles anymore. I think the market for DIY-related stuff in general has waned, though recently there seems to be a resurgence of sorts.
 06/06/2011 01:52:27 PM · #5
Well, I have to say I was surprised by the results of a Google search for "Deck design software." There appear to be a number of products in the $30-$50 range. Interesting, since I rarely see them in brick & mortar stores. Though I have to admit that I don't frequent the software sections of brick & mortar retailers much. Almost all of my software is obtained online.
 06/06/2011 02:01:10 PM · #6
Originally posted by kirbic:
... have to admit that I don't frequent the software sections of brick & mortar retailers much. Almost all of my software is obtained online.

I found ONE at Best Buy... not compatible with anything later than XP, and the newer version is available online for the same price. I think software is updated so frequently that it's tough for brick & mortar stores to keep up, and why bother when most people probably just buy online now anyway. :-/ It peeves me off that they keep that stuff on the shelves, though.
 06/06/2011 03:41:20 PM · #7
I found a freebie here: //www.bighammer.com/deckdesigner.aspx, but it's pretty basic. I want to do a couple of step-down levels.
 06/06/2011 03:52:17 PM · #8
I worked at Autodesk for a couple years way back in mid 90's. We had DOS based retail products - Home, Deck, Landscape, etc., as well as Generic CADD and Autocad. I would think the apps would have gotten a whole lot better and easier since those days, but notsomuch.

Looking forward to a visual documentary of your project, Slippy. Be sure to include smashed thumbs, infected slivers and other graphic injury photos as well. ;-)
 06/06/2011 03:59:25 PM · #9
Originally posted by Art Roflmao:
I worked at Autodesk for a couple years way back in mid 90's. We had DOS based retail products - Home, Deck, Landscape, etc., as well as Generic CADD and Autocad. I would think the apps would have gotten a whole lot better and easier since those days, but notsomuch.

Looking forward to a visual documentary of your project, Slippy. Be sure to include smashed thumbs, infected slivers and other graphic injury photos as well. ;-)

My 9 year old daughter wants to help, and my 12 year old daughter is taking a wood shop class this year, so I'm planning on taking a supervisory role. That way it will be easier for me to hold my camera and get shots of them smashing thumbs and cutting off limbs. ;-)
 06/06/2011 04:09:28 PM · #10
good call! You are getting wiser as your children reach manual labor age. :)
 06/07/2011 05:56:45 PM · #11
bump
 06/07/2011 08:18:44 PM · #12
Have you looked for an online deck designing tool? This one says

Originally posted by TimberTech:
Your completed design includes a materials and cut list.


so might work out for you.
 06/08/2011 08:12:50 AM · #13
Originally posted by james_so:
Have you looked for an online deck designing tool? This one says

Originally posted by TimberTech:
Your completed design includes a materials and cut list.


so might work out for you.

Thanks, I'll check it out. But the first online freebie I found may do the trick, as The Wife has rejected my multi-level design for a more simple, single level design.
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