I used to look at this website for guidance, direction or education in using Turbo Floor Plan. The more I read it the more I am disappointed that users of this site are contaminating it for regular users of TFP by interjecting other design program "stuff"..... I don't access this site to learn about Envisioner, TurboCad, Pro-Architect, etc... I only have and intend to only have access to TFP (that I regularly update), and don' t require any cross-pollination from the other programs. If people want to show the work they have done in the other programs, they should access that programs forum, not infiltrate the TFP forum....
Just sayin'........
I understand your feelings but in fact Envisioneer and ProArchitect are not actually different programs at all but the same 3D program with different names. Files from each program can be used in the other programs because they are the same, look the same and work the same, so it does not really matter which one you use. Where the difference lies, is that ProArchitect adds to TFP the ability to produce proper printed plans and so does Envisioneer in an even more details manner. I think some ProArchitet and Envisioneer users visit the TFP website with their 3D questions because the TFP site is probably more active and because the 3D component is the same, then the solutions work in all programs so everyone benefits (since we all learn from other's questions). Don't think that because a question talks about ProArchitect, that it does not apply to TFP - it almost certainly does and any solution or suggestion provided will also work in TFP.
TurboCAD is slightly different in that it is developed by IMSI who sell TurboFloorPlan, but many TurboCAD users actually use TFP to quickly create the 3D model and then produce the paper plans in TurboCAD. TurboCAD has a very active forum but users cannot get this 3D help from the TurboCAD forum as TurboCAD does not have the ability to so easily create 3D architectural models. In earlier days both programs were bundled together. Some also validly use TurboCAD to create other items to use in TFP (furniture etc.). In fact many of the objects in the TFP catalogue were originally created in TurboCAD and other 3D programs. Personally I like to keep the programs separate and I will create any furniture etc that I need in TFP itself.
Just recently there have been a few more questions and apparent differences between the programs because Envisioneer has had a new version released but the new versions of ProArchitect and TFP are not yet available, so the new functionality is not there yet either. The Envisioneer update is always first and the others follow. They should be available shortly and then the 3D part of the three programs will essentially be identical again, the only real difference being the names.
Allan
If there is so much identical between these programs, why is there a need for three? Couldn't we best be served if more resources were placed on one "combined" program, rather than three?
In fact there are more than 3. There are at least 3 other versions of Envisioneer at prices of about $20 to $2,500 and several others with different names made for different companies, in tha same way as TFP is made for IMSI.
For the most part they are all identical in the 3D modelling but when it comes to 2D plan drawing that is where the vast differences occur, as reflected in the prices mentioned before. The top version of Envisioneer is produced for professional builders and architects, while TFP and other much cheaper versions, are aimed at individuals planning their own home, home extensions or redecoration.
Essentially all the resources are directed at the top version of Envisioneer and we benefit from a few of the upgrades that it receives if they affect the 3D part of the program. Obviously having just one 'combined' program would be much more expensive than the average home owner could afford.
Allan
Quote from: wisoak on February 08, 2013, 11:12:00 AM
If there is so much identical between these programs, why is there a need for three? Couldn't we best be served if more resources were placed on one "combined" program, rather than three?
Sellers have a multi-tiered sales approach with different features and price points . . . which is a big benefit to users and seller as the program is priced to use for the featured desired.
I could not afford to pay $2K+ for my uses. Yet those that need all the features can purchase them. This is a very common selling approach.
Cars are sold the same way; by a base model with no features or buy the luxury model with all the goodies (at a much higher price).
Makes good sense to me. And we all benefit from shared help. Envisioneer does have its own forum and I go there too and learn stuff for TFP but ignore stuff that does not apply to me.
Doug.S