Home Design Software by SoftPlan - SoftPlan EDU Teacher Reviews

"SoftPlan is so user friendly ..."

"As a teacher I want to engage my students as quickly as possible, with SoftPlan my students are actually drawing floor plans their first day in class. SoftPlan is so user friendly that the students don't get bogged down learning hundreds of commands. As their instructor I can spend my time teaching the subject of architecture rather than a software system."

Tim Williams - Show Low High School

"The real excitement begins with its detailed modeling capabilities that allows students to seamlessly move from two dimensional drawings to 3D exterior and interior rendered models."

Today's students are a very visual generation who need to see results quickly to stay focused and interested. SoftPlan's ease of use and short learning curve allows both the teacher and the student to concentrate on the product rather than the process. With SoftPlan's comprehensive set of drawing tools, producing two-dimensional design, or working drawings is smooth & efficient. But the real excitement begins with its detailed modeling capabilities that allows students to seamlessly move from two dimensional drawings to 3D exterior and interior rendered models.

I have tried many other architectural CADD programs over the years and still find SoftPlan to be the best tool in my high school classroom setting. Not only do our Technological Design classes use it, but our Building Construction classes are beginning to realize how easy and useful a tool it is to plan, design, and create material take-offs and pricing for the structures they build for the community. Integrating with other areas of the school have included business studies (as part of student business plans), and drama (set design).

Our student achievements with SoftPlan have continued to build over the years and we have earned numerous medals at the Skills Canada provincial and national skills competitions. In the twelve years of the Canadian Skills Competitions, our students have been awarded six national medals. This past school year in skills competitions, our students earned gold, silver & bronze at the board level. This clean sweep was vindicated with a gold medal at the Ontario competition, and silver medal at the Canadian competition. Not a bad way to get a high school credit - thanks SoftPlan!

Norbert H. Axtmann, Technological Design Instructor
Acton High School - Halton Board of Education

"SoftPlan has helped my architectural drawing students with increased productivity, accuracy and interest."

SoftPlan has helped my architectural drawing students with increased productivity, accuracy and interest. We have worked with other professional programs and have found that SoftPlan is more versatile and easier for students to learn. The symbols and details libraries are extensive and easy to use. We spend less time constructing elements and more time discussing design considerations in class. Plans, elevations, sectional views and material lists can be generated quickly, which helps to hold the student's interest.

An added feature that students are excited to use is the 3D modeling component. Materials, cameras and lighting can be used to develop stunning renderings. We are also able to export flawlessly to DXF format in order to take our plans into a 3D rendering and animation program. From there we can develop walk-throughs and real-time animation. 3D allows the students to practically "walk" into the home they designed.

Jim Chronister, Technology Educator
Central Dauphin School District: Harrisburg, PA

"The students have done more drawings with SoftPlan in the first two weeks then what they would have normally done in 8 weeks with another architectural CAD software package"

We have only had SoftPlan for a short while this semester. The students have done more drawings with SoftPlan in the first two weeks then what they would have normally done in 8 weeks with another architectural CAD software package. I also found the software to be very affordable to get stations set up in our lab. The regional sales staff was great to work with. They spent over two hours giving me a web demo of the software and answering questions as they showed me how the software worked. If you want your students spending time using software and not spending all their time learning to use the software then this is a package you will want to get for you cad lab.

Michael Jordan, Assoc. Prof Drafting and Design
Dalton State College

"SoftPlan EDU is the best architectural software "tool" on the market today."

SoftPlan EDU allows me to teach Architecture, not CAD. Students in my Architectural Design Drafting course begin to draft floor plans the first day of the school year. With other software packages the students would have to wait until the second semester or longer! SoftPlan EDU is the best architectural software "tool" on the market today.

Scott Thomas, CD Architectural Design Drafting Instructor
Deer Valley Unified School District and Phoenix College.

"SoftPlan has become an integral part of my curriculum... I find it easy to teach, and the students find it easy to learn."

SoftPlan has become an integral part of my curriculum...I find it easy to teach, and the students find it easy to learn. Being able to draw systems instead of just lines really helps the students understand their work. The 3D feature also lets the students see how the project comes together.

Jim Gronski, York County Schools

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