Hello, all.
I've recently downloaded the trial version of v14 Pro, and have yet to be able to use the program. I've also scanned the on-line help / support and have found nothing to help. So, I'm posting here - hopefully someone here can offer some advice!
I'm an engineer with a degree in AET and my wife and I would love to design our home someday. This program looks to be the way to go! But I wanted to try it out ahead of time. Anyway, I've attached a document displaying the error messages I get when running the program. It seems to install fine, but won't run properly. I appreciate any help!
Hi, Welcome to TurboFLOORPLAN and the Forum.
I am not a techo, so I have no immediate answers but do have some questions and comments based on the error messages that may help others to diagnose.
First step would probably be the free installation support contacts, as this will get you to the technical people. Most of us here are just users.
Normally they would want to know the PC specs, operating system etc. The style of the dialog boxes on the messages look different to any I have seen on Win2000/XP but these can often be customised of course. I presume it is not Windows7(?)
Not sure about the "quick keys" but it does not sound important.
Obviously it could not find the catalog which is essential. Try closing the house builder wizard and go to File/Catalogs/Open Catalog. If they were installed, then a metric and imperial catalog should be there and it may just be a matter of selecting one. If there are none there, try a Windows search for BDB files - they may be somewhere else. (Did you use the default settings during installation or choose folders yourself?) Settings/Program Settings/General lists where all the various folders that it uses are located.
It will not work until it can find the catalog of items, so that is an essential. You obviously got as far as the House Builder wizard so hopefully just finding the catalog may solve the problem.
It is an ideal program for working out a house design and visualising it, but not really designed for 'official' plan printing. It will be great fun to use and gives impressive results (see the forum Gallery).
All the best with it.
Allan
Thanks, Allan. I'm actually using Vista, which is why the error dialogue boxes appear to be a bit different.
I'll try your suggestions, they at least point me in the right area for help, which is something I was having trouble finding before.
The price seems extremely reasonable for how powerful this program is and the high-quality results / renderings you can obtain, so I sincerely hope I can get this to work ... maybe it's a Vista thing ...
There have been a number of Vista questions, so you may want to try a forum Search on "Vista" and you may pick up some other tips. I don't use it myself so can't throw much light on it. I wonder how Windows7 will go??
Yes it is very powerfull - never ceases to amaze me the things it will do. Double-click 'everything' in the dialgo boxes - you will be amazed at the level of detail you can go if you want, even to the thickness, pattern and colour of lines on the plan and even the direction of the weave of your own fabric on your own lounge suite!
Use the right click on elements too, lots of other options there.
You can also make other things that are not there too with a bit of imagination. A few links to some examples in this post.(http://forum.turbofloorplan.com/index.php/topic,805.0.html (http://forum.turbofloorplan.com/index.php/topic,805.0.html))
In getting started, it is a good idea to go to Settings/Program Settings and read through each tab. It has all the default settings. You may not want to change anything initially, but, if you are familiar with what can be changed to suit the way you work, then at least you know they are there. Also become familiar with the Settings/Building Locations as these control all the vertical measurements of the 3D model. If you have multiple floors then study the image there to understand how to calculate the height of each floor level.
Hope you get it working soon - then you will start having fun! Your wife will too, trying every imaginable fabric on her new lounge suite!!
Allan
Allan-
Thank you for the tips. I did get the program working (the catalogs were installed in a location other than the default so I just had to update some program settings to point to the right folder). I've been at it for many hours, so much so that it's easy to lose track of time. This is quite a difference from the drafting board I so fondly remember from years past!
I will definitely purchase this program. Quick question for you, or anyone else for that matter, the "high-res" renderings on the Turbofloorplan web page ... are those right out of the program? Or is there a supplemental program you have to run your project through to get such a beautiful picture (such as with 3ds Max and Brazil et. al.)?
Many thanks again for your assistance!
I cant speak for all of the images, but the ones I did that are on the website, displayed during the installation of V14 and posted in the Gallery section of this Forum, were definately done entirely in TFP and I am sure the ones done by Jack Zimmer were too.
It is capable of doing incredibly realistic renderings. Unfortunately there are a few bugs in that area but there are some easy workarounds. With minimal effort renderings like those in the Gallery are certainly possible.
Allan
While I completely agree TFP is fully capable of excellent renders and can be used "as-is",
sometimes it is more practical to achieve a certain effect or get a better result by using Photoshop or similar pixel photo program...to change contrast, heighten or reduce color(s), change apparent depth of field, etc.
Its often easier to finalize a render by adjusting a good render rather than tweaking the render parameters...especially if the final render takes an hour or more (for a large image and high quality and many lights).
I compare this to "adjusting" a photo image taken using a camera...to get a better result than the "snapshot"....not required but useful.
Also it is often useful to show a side-by-side "before" "after" image or to combine screen shots for an explanation...as seen often here in this forum.