Software Review: HGTV Home & Landscape Platinum Suite
January 17, 2009 by Jennifer Chait
Filed under Home & Living
Over the last two weeks, we’ve intermittently been looking at HGTV Home & Landscape Platinum Suite software. I’ve discussed…
- All the basics of this home software.
- Exterior features, such as building a home and landscaping.
- Interior design and remodeling features.
Software pros:
Amazingly in-depth feature rich software. Everything you need to design and decorate almost any sort of home (minus green – see below).
Pretty easy to use. There’s a learning curve, but nothing I think anyone will have any trouble with. Plus there’s a massive 700 page user manual included, plus online help, plus a help guide in the software itself. You can use this software with just a little bit of practice.
Good software with no icky weirdness. I’ve gotten plenty of software to review in my time, not to mention all the software I buy myself, and every single time I hate having to worry – is this going to kill my computer? What the heck are they going to try and sneak onto my computer? You know? This software was not sneaky at all, it was a fast download, and I had ZERO issues with it. Plus it loads fast right away when you want to use it – no waiting.
Great price. Right now this software is on sale for a super deal – $79 (with a $20 rebate). Considering you could use this software for so many projects for the rest of the time you own a house, and that this software will help you avoid costly interior and landscaping mistakes; I think it’s an awesome deal.
Free technical support and a 90 day money back guarantee.
Things I LOVED:
The landscaping capabilities were amazing. Gravels, dirt types, millions of plants, trees, flowers, veggies, and herbs, plus almost every outdoor accessory imaginable.
The lighting feature. I talked about this in the interior post, but the lighting feature rocked. Big time.
It’s fun. This software is not only very useful, but fun and relaxing. If you’ve got a major crush on houses and design like I do, you will adore this software. It’s way chill to sit around and play with houses.
Software cons:
Only available for Windows XP or Vista. I like PCs, but so many of my pals are on Mac, it seems like they need a Mac version.
Not enough sustainable building features. This was my biggest issue with the software. I looked and maybe I missed it, but I didn’t find features like solar panels, solar tunnel lights, rain barrel set up, turbines, alternative bathroom fixtures (think composting toilets) and so on. I also didn’t see capabilities to plan things like cob or other alternative structures. The last time I helped to build a house, we built green. If I build another, it’ll have better, more advanced green features (my goal would be off-grid). In any case, this software is missing some key green building features. It’s still useful, I’d still buy it, but it would be nice to have more sustainable features.
NOTE: One feature of this software is that you can go online and pull ideas you might want to use, which might be a fix for this green con above. This software has the possibility of creating green exteriors and interiors, I just think it should be more present.
Overall score:
Five out of five happy faces. I would have given this software six out of five (a bonus point) if it had more green features. Overall based on features, price point, ease of use, and the major fact that it didn’t screw with my laptop, it earns 5 happy points and a high recommendation from me.
Learn more about HGTV Home & Landscape Platinum Suite
I agree. When will more companies recognize us cool Mac people?
Wait, so are you saying Mac users are cool? Actually, it does seem like all the cool cats at the coffee shops are on Macs. Maybe I should get one too. Of course then I’d have limited software options. Just like you
I’ve got all the software I need.
I tried the software last weekend – I was positive surprised by the features. Great deal for that price.
I bought this program because of the “10,000+ home plans to get you started” advertised on the box. I found my house on one of the 10,000 plans. It would take me years to re-create this design and all the details. But guess what? The cost to download it? About $800! You have to buy the ENTIRE construction blueprints! THere is ABSOLUTELY NO WAY (I checked with tech support of both the developer and the marketing agent) to buy the simple layout for the purpose of landscaping and interior design (the PURPOSE of the software!), which I don’t have the skill to re-create on this software, even given 1000 hours! I’ve already spent weeks trying to re-create the sample design that is sitting on their website, and it’s pathetic and discouraging–and I’m not new at computers. All the fun is gone for me.
I purchased the software with one particular thing in mind – redesigning. It is easy to use as a painter. However, I was shocked into realty thinking that I could actually upload a digital image of my room, and insert actual items into the picture from the software library or any other accessories to show clients the layout and selections from a picture of their actual room. The advertising on the website and software package give a false sense of digital functionality. In that aspect I was highly disappointed. Otherwise, I love it so far. Since that was my main focus, I am contemplating returning the software altogether unless someone has a fix or suggestion as to what I might be doing incorrectly.