I'd like to start drawing up a house, shed, studio and pool design to fit an odd shaped block. Ideally I'll also like to be able to model solar radiation for the given location. Happy to pay for a good a package if anyone has recommendations?
I won't be doing structural design, I just want to layout everything to maximise views and make efficient use of the available space.
Select to expand quoteBuster fin said..
Paper.
Pencil.
Ruler.
Eraser.
and then
pen
white out
photo copy
but then I got a Cad Soft which took 4 times longer at first
Been using Auto Cad for a long time. Try getting a student version as it's way cheaper
also check out Draftsight, i have been mucking around with the basic package, looks like AutoCad and seems to work much the same.
it's cheap.
Select to expand quoteknot board said..
I'd like to start drawing up a house, shed, studio and pool design to fit an odd shaped block. Ideally I'll also like to be able to model solar radiation for the given location. Happy to pay for a good a package if anyone has recommendations?
I won't be doing structural design, I just want to layout everything to maximise views and make efficient use of the available space.
It sounds like what you want to achieve is space planning rather than detail design and while I have never used it I would say Sketchup would be the way to go. Keep things simple at first with your designs and just use simple geometric shapes and do lots of different concepts. Do as many simple concepts as you can and do the silly designs that you think wont work you will be amazed at how a design can be developed from out of the box thinking. Then walk away from the designs for a few days to clear them from your head and remove any bias thinking you have built up in them. Think draw and think, constantly consider new layouts types of designs and shapes and eventually the design will slowly start to feel good and tick all the boxes and when that happens you will know that this design is the best outcome because you have put in the effort to prove it.
I have been designing for close to 40 years from the drawing board through to high end CAD systems and I will say the most important part of the process is in the concept design stage. At no point can you save more money that playing with the design, the decision at this point can save you the most money and give the best outcome. The further you move through the project the less saving can be made and the more chance costs can escalate.
I still concept design in 2D rather than 3D as its simple and quick almost like sketching freehand so don't get caught up in the need to try 3D.
Good luck with it.
Seriously if you are good with your hands sketch a few rough layouts and try making a scale model out of thick cardboard, prob a lot easier and cheaper than trying to learn to get the same result in CAD with no prior experience with it.
Thoughts on the OP getting some advice at some stage from an actual architect?
I get that most people with decent spatial and design intellect can understand the layout requirements or solar passive energy principles and can draw these things up. But Could be an opportunity lost for the OP though doing it solo since some times we don't know what we don't know, if you know what I mean. 
And I don't mean one of those architects that wants to put their "mark" on something, but more the practical approach... anyone done a self build this way?
Select to expand quotemazdon said..
Thoughts on the OP getting some advice at some stage from an actual architect?
I get that most people with decent spatial and design intellect can understand the layout requirements or solar passive energy principles and can draw these things up. But Could be an opportunity lost for the OP though doing it solo since some times we don't know what we don't know, if you know what I mean.
And I don't mean one of those architects that wants to put their "mark" on something, but more the practical approach... anyone done a self build this way?
Do not ask for an architect, we have bad experiences with them on this forum.
Just sketch, note or plagiarise your house ideas. Take it to the builder you want to use and they will do you up something decent that fits your budget and will get building approval. They may even do it for free if you are building with them.
Most basic one is Homestyler allows 2d renders into 3D can do your layouts then take to drafting and they can use to do the actual plans to standards.
iv used bluebeam revue for drafting Drawings for council planing approvals. It's not 3D or a Cad program.
Select to expand quoteTonyAbbott said..mazdon said..
Thoughts on the OP getting some advice at some stage from an actual architect?
I get that most people with decent spatial and design intellect can understand the layout requirements or solar passive energy principles and can draw these things up. But Could be an opportunity lost for the OP though doing it solo since some times we don't know what we don't know, if you know what I mean.
And I don't mean one of those architects that wants to put their "mark" on something, but more the practical approach... anyone done a self build this way?
Do not ask for an architect, we have bad experiences with them on this forum.
Ha! I didn't even think of that... fair point 
Yes, plagerise and aim to get something for free. The lazy attitude that resulted in a 4year court battle for myself and ended with a copycat factory owner loosing $$$ because he didn't understand copyright or value the process of design. But hey, if you can get something for nothing it is worth every cent.
Select to expand quoteMarsbars said..
Seriously if you are good with your hands sketch a few rough layouts and try making a scale model out of thick cardboard, prob a lot easier and cheaper than trying to learn to get the same result in CAD with no prior experience with it.
Who said I had no CAD experience? I just want advice on good software for knocking up a 3D model of house and outbuildings.
I will look at Sketchup and Homestyler thanks guys.
Next I was hoping to ask who's had good or bad experiences going Owner Building ?
Select to expand quoteknot board said..
Who said I had no CAD experience? I just want advice on good software for knocking up a 3D model of house and outbuildings.
I will look at Sketchup and Homestyler thanks guys.
Next I was hoping to ask who's had good or bad experiences going Owner Building ?
I owner built a house and fully renovated three houses in the past. I drew up the plans on paper and got a draftsman to get the plans ready for council on each occasion.
I have played around with different CAD packages but getting plans ready for council is a bit beyond my skill level with drafting.
My advice is get a draftsman to draw the plans and you will have less hassles with council (a small price to pay)
Select to expand quotemazdon said..
And I don't mean one of those architects that wants to put their "mark" on something, but more the practical approach... anyone done a self build this way?
I tried to get a local architect to draw up some council plans for extending a deck and adding a roof to it. When I rang him, I told him I already knew exactly what I wanted to do and just wanted the plans drawn up for council, which he said he was fine with. When he came over, all he wanted to do was talk about alternative ideas, all of which would have been a lot more expensive and less functional. The whole thing was a waste of time, and in the end, I didn't even get him to draw up the council plans because he was simply incapable of listening to what I wanted.
