1. What is SoftPlan?

SoftPlan is a complete residential design program created to help its users create house plans in a fraction of the time taken to draw by hand or using a conventional CAD package. Using the information created by the user in floorplans and roof plan, SoftPlan automatically generates elevations, cross-sections, 3D-perspectives and a material take-off.

2. Can SoftPlan open and use drawings from other programs like AutoCAD?

SoftPlan can import any drawing created in AutoCAD in the DWG file format used by AutoCAD.  Drawings for construction details, site plans, floor plans, elevations or other DWG drawings open automatically in SoftPlan.  In addition, any drawings created in SoftPlan can be exported to the AutoCAD file format as well.  This file conversion system allows full cross-platform compliance.  For example, SoftPlan construction documents can be sent to engineers or architects using AutoCAD, and vice versa.   In addition to DWG files, SoftPlan can import or export drawings in many other file formats including DXF, BMP, JPG, TIF, TARGA and PCX.

3. What type of computer does SoftPlan require?

SoftPlan can be run on any current generation PC which is 100% IBM® compatible and uses the Windows® XP or VISTA operating system along with an Intel® or equivalent processor. SoftPlan is not compatible with the Apple® Mac OS®, including when used on a computer with an Intel processor. In addition, configurations such as terminal or server operating systems as well as the Linux and Sun® Solaris™ operating systems are not supported. It is also possible to run SoftPlan on those earlier versions of the Windows operating system which are still supported by Microsoft®.  Here are some additional technical details:

• SoftPlan is a 32-bit application. It can be run on the Windows XP or VISTA operating system.
• SoftPlan will take advantage of dual core and hyper threading processors to increase the performance of its SoftView 3D module.
• For SoftPlan to achieve maximum performance, the video card should have a minimum of 256 Mb of memory and must fully support the DirectX-9 standard.
• A minimum of 256 Mb of system RAM is required, with 1 Gigabyte as ideal.
• A CD-ROM drive is required for software installation.
• A USB port is required for the SoftPlan copy protection device.
• A 100% Microsoft compatible mouse is required.
• A minimum of 40 Gb of free hard drive space is recommended.
• A tablet PC can be used but SoftPlan does not make use of any tablet specific input features.
• SoftPlan does not endorse any particular vendor or model of computer or accessory.

4. How often do updates come out?

SoftPlan issues two types of updates, with the first of these being new versions. New versions are quite large and incorporate many new features. Purchase of these new versions is optional, and a charge does apply. From time to time, SoftPlan will release updates between the release of new versions. These updates often include minor adjustments and can be downloaded free of charge.

5. How can I see SoftPlan?

Design In-House LLC will send a complete demonstration package to you upon request. Just call 1-800-793-7238 and a demonstration disk, brochure and sample drawings will be sent out directly. Personal service in the software industry is almost unheard of. However, at Design In-House LLC we know that it is difficult to evaluate software over the phone and through the mail. For this reason we will be happy to arrange for a fully trained representative, with computer in-hand, to visit your home or office, provide a comprehensive demonstration of our software, and then help you evaluate the ways in which SoftPlan can benefit your company. Just call our office at 1-800-793-7238 and ask for this FREE DEMONSTRATION.

6. Why is using SoftPlan better than a general CAD program or drawing by hand?

When drawing by hand corrections and changes such as reversing a plan, adding rooms, substituting one opening for another, even changing one wall system for another, you need to redraw the entire plan or use sticky pages to cover mistakes. CAD programs automate the corrections and modifications process, but CAD programs are created for engineers and computer power-users, and they take a long time to learn how to use. SoftPlan is created as an industry specific program designed to automate the drawing process for residential and light commercial plans. As a result, the SoftPlan commands are in the language of the trade. Using SoftPlan, you draw walls, windows, doors, slabs, ceilings, roofs. With CAD, you draw lines, poly-lines, offsets, distals, vectors, mid-points, Z-axis offsets—none of which have anything to do with building trades.
 

7. I’m not very computer savvy, will this work for me?

If you can open an e-mail or play a computer game or move a mouse and click on an object on a computer screen, you have just about all the PC skills you need. SoftPlan was not created for computer power-users. We often tell our new users that if you know how to build or how to design - you already know how to use SoftPlan. While PC power-users appreciate SoftPlan’s elegant user interface, your Knowledge of the residential building or design industry is far more important than your computer skills.
 

8. What can you tell me about SoftPlan's 3D?

A to-scale three dimensional rendering of your model appears at your request instantaneously during any phase of the drafting process. SoftPlan allows you to apply countless textures to three dimensional surfaces - e.g. hardwood, carpet or tile to floor surfaces; brick, siding or stucco to exterior wall surfaces; etc.. To bring your model to life, various lighting, which casts incredible shadows and reflections, can be added. Sunshine, representative of various daytime hours, is easily simulated. Even create exterior or interior spotlights, lamps, and overhead lighting - it's all available, and nothing short of amazing! 3D views are generated in different modes such as Wire Frame, Hidden Line, Shaded, and a Textured 3D. The Textured 3D shows different surfaces such as brick, stone, siding, shingles, etc. Click Here for examples of SoftPlan's 3D rendering.

9. There are several CAD programs. What's the difference?

You are probably looking at several programs ranging in price from $750.00 to $3500.00. Keep in mind that programs towards the lower end of this price range will likely be quite easy to learn and use, but will not provide the ability to complete highly detailed working drawings. Most of the programs towards the upper end of this price range are going to allow you to complete working drawings, but not with any ease of use. At $2985.00, SoftPlan is the only program that provides an easy to use interface with the ability to complete highly detailed working drawings, 3D renderings and material take offs. If price is truly an issue, at $985.00 SoftPlan Lite is the program for you. SoftPlan Lite is created from SoftPlan, meaning that we have taken SoftPlan and simply turned off several features. We have studied the other software packages in this price range, and equipped SoftPlan Lite with all of the features in these competitive programs plus a few more. If you do find someday that you need the additional features available in SoftPlan, your SoftPlan Lite purchase can be applied towards an upgrade to the full program at any time!

10. What kind of output device do I need?

SoftPlan can print in a number of different ways to any size or scale depending on the output device being used. Some customers do all of their printing in-house while others prefer to print on small format printers at their office and take their larger printing needs to an outside service. SoftPlan can print to any printer or plotter device that utilizes Windows® drivers. Whether connected to the computer directly or through a network, the current print driver simply needs to be installed to match the output device. Likewise, if creating printer files to be printed at another location such as a print shop, the driver that matches the output device simply needs to be installed on the system operating SoftPlan. To use this feature, you need to call the print shop and ask what make and model of plotter will be used. The print shop may supply a driver to you, but they will most likely direct you to the web site for the plotter manufacturer where you can download and install the correct driver for the plotter as directed by them. Once installed, print as usual but select the new plotter from the list and select the 'print to file' option. By selecting the 'Print to File' option when printing from SoftPlan, a file is created that can then be copied to the printer at the remote location. Some print services now prefer to use PDF file format to print drawings. These files can be created using the reView module from SoftPlan and taken to the print service to be output. Using the same reView module, a file can be authored with print capabilities and sent to the print service. By downloading and installing a free version of the reView Viewer from our web site, the print service can then print the files directly from the reView Viewer.

11. Can I scan drawings into SoftPlan?

A drawing cannot be directly scanned into SoftPlan. A scanner creates a raster image, a series of dots that form an image. SoftPlan only understands vector drawings, drawings formed by lines. To bring a scanned image into SoftPlan, it would have to be converted to a vector based file. This is a long process that requires additional software and would, in almost all cases, take longer than reproducing the drawing in SoftPlan.

12. Is SoftPlan expensive to own or operate?

SoftPlan costs a lot less than AutoCAD, yet SoftPlan includes 3D modeling,  automatic elevations and sections, and a materials takeoff package.  Each of those included modules if purchased as standalone applications by third party vendors would cost thousands.  Unlike other companies who charge monthly fees for technical support,  SoftPlan never charges a dime for technical support—ever.   Version point upgrades (e.g. 14.2 to 14.3) are always free.  Finally, if you need to add additional users with AutoCAD or other vendors like Chief Architect or CADSoft, you’d pay full price for each added user.  SoftPlan charges a small  fee for each added user in your office, and they each have the same privileges as you do.  In general, Softplan pays for itself in two projects or less.  So, buying an inexpensive program like AutoCAD LITE or some other similar CAD program because they seem to cost less…actually costs you more.
 

13. How long will it take me to learn SoftPlan?

SoftPlan is written in the language of the trade and it is extremely easy to learn with its very intuitive commands. Most new users report that within a day or two, they can layout the typical floorplan. Within a couple of weeks, they can do a full typical project. By six weeks, they have learned the bulk of the program. And those times are based upon using the program just two or three hours a day. Compared to the typical CAD program’s learning curve of six months to a year, it’s easy to see why SoftPlan is the building industry’s first choice standard.
 

14. Will SoftPlan run on the Windows Vista Operating System?

Versions 12 and Earlier
Windows Vista is not recommended for Versions 12 and earlier which were developed before its release and are not fully compatible.

Important Information About SoftPlan Keys (SoftPlan versions 12 or earlier) and the new Windows VISTA:

USB Keys and Parallel Port Keys for SoftPlan version 12 or earlier (or old beige Sentinel parallel port keys) may not function under Windows VISTA. Users of such keys will need to download and install the latest key driver available here, or swap their keys for the new USB keys.

Activator Keys- Windows Vista will not run any version of SoftPlan that requires a black, blue or yellow parallel port key known as an Activator key. Versions that use these keys have been retired and are no longer supported. See Policy for Retired SoftPlan Versions.