Any home builder or interior designer needs advanced 2D Floor Plan Software to assist in his daily tasks and ensure seamless communication with his contractor. There are some vital features to look out for in any 2D Floor Plans Software to ascertain smooth workflow and quick results.
Benefits of Using a 2D Floor Plan Software
In the current world, floor plan software has become a powerful sales tool. It enables landlords to make a convincing pitch to their buyers. A captivating, complete digital view of the property clears any uncertainties regarding the infrastructure and fully satisfies them.
Floor plan software provides you with vivid visualization of property you might be willing to purchase/sell. It provides users with a detailed view of the interiors, including rooms, hallways, gardens, and terraces.
However, it is crucial to understand that not all software live up to the bar. Very few carry the perfect array of features that’ll accurately suit your needs. Let’s discuss such features in detail.
Essential Features
1. Roof Construction
One of the most crucial aspects of 2D Floor Plan Software is advanced tools that enable the user to design roofs as per their desire. This feature even allows rooftops with complex layouts to be easily mapped out using the software. You can customize the roof’s interiors by choosing the attic dimensions, adjusting the ceiling slope, and insert downspouts and chimneys. Roof shape can also be decided from multiple options: gable end, hipped end, and ridged roofs. Once the roof has been defined, you can add details about timber construction and rafters. Under normal circumstances, roof construction’s an extensive task that is almost impossible for a non-specialist with no knowledge of architectural designs to pull off. However, reliable software applications make it easy with a user-friendly interface.
2. Customize Floor Dimensions and Layout
A software application must allow the users to view the entire floor plan of their property on the screen before they remodel their house. Through landscaping functions, users can modify layouts, set specific dimensions for rooms, fix area and volume, increase/decrease the total number of rooms, and insert pillars, walls, and chimneys. Without a 2D floor plan, it can be challenging to maintain the same accuracy in infrastructure and design that the property owner wants. The best software allows users to fully view the floor plan with surface area tables, framework layout, and clear boundaries of individual rooms, corridors, balconies, and outdoor lawns.
3. Print Scaled Blueprints of 2D Floor Plans
Once the floor plan has been designed and decided upon, it is vital to print out a correctly scaled blueprint to hand over to the construction workers/architect as they begin work. Moreover, in cases where you are selling the property, a blueprint gives buyers a clear idea of the estate before they purchase. Most software automatically scales your floor plan after it has been finalized and the file is ready for download. After making a few changes (if required), you can print out the blueprint.
4. Room Designs, Footnotes, and Technical Symbols
A good 2D floor plan software lets you add further details to the blueprint like the color of the walls, furnishings that are going to be made, and interior design. It is a significant feature as the extra details enable contractors to understand better your vision regarding the house’s architectural design. You can also add footnotes regarding room names and highlight particular floor plan elements (for instance, glass/waterproof/cement walls) that you want your contractor to pay specific focus to. The addition of technical symbols indicating air conditioners, water inlets, and electric lines makes your contractor wary while building the house.
5. Design Multi-layer Elements
Multi-layer elements refer to walls, ceilings, and floors. You can choose to design the specific layers of these elements and do in-depth customization. This feature is available in advanced SketchUp alternatives – the premier 3D design software. It hugely benefits the user as they can decide the thickness and building component, add extra layers and choose each layer’s location within the framework. After the walls/ceilings/floors have been defined, you can get a clearer view of them with the boundaries of all the layers done in every structure.
6. Model Windows, Doors, and Gates
Generally, the software allows users to pick from a wide assortment of window types. These include windows with single or double casements, no grills/bars and additional decorative embellishments, or simply standard windows. Before you select one type, a preview pops up on the screen, allowing you to analyze its dimensions and features. Moreover, construction aids or auxiliary lines can be used to construct via intersection points and parallel extensions. You can also specify the exact measurements of the window’s frame and its sill height and mention the direction in which it would be facing.
Similarly, you can also choose what type of doors and gates you would like to insert – mahogany wooden doors or double-swinging glass ones? With the help of construction aids, it becomes easier to position the widgets of doors on the floor plan. Don’t forget to state the size in the properties dialog box!
7. Transform 2D Floor Plans to 3D
Today, property owners allow clients to have a 3D view of the house/apartment to understand better the infrastructure, interior design, and furnishings. It helps save time as clients do not have to visit the property physically and can make decisions from their homes’ comfort. However, creating 3D plans is taxing and often complex with most software. An excellent software application allows you to convert 2D Floor plans to 3D with a simple click. It is an extraordinary feature as it ensures the best results and saves all the needless hassle!
8. Built-in Catalogs of Floor Plans and Collaborative Options
Software with an extensive built-in catalog of floor plans offers immense guidance to home builders. It means that you do not have to start from scratch and can use any floor plan from the catalog as a reference to begin with. Simultaneously, software should also allow users to save their floor plans so they can tweak them in future projects and utilize them again.
Multiple members of different teams can share ideas, frameworks, and test floor plans through collaborative options. It builds a team spirit and gets work done in less time.
