I just found out about your site in the ASID ACCESS Spring 2007 issue. I wish I had known about you over a year ago when I first went back to school for interior design! You have everything a student and professional could possibly want. - Karen Neapolitan
Last month in January’s Software Survey Results: What’s On Your Hard Drive?,we revealed the results of December’s Software Survey. We sought answers to the questions, “What software is being taught in design programs?” and “What’s actually being used by design professionals?” Both during and after the survey, we received several comments from students, educators and professionals telling us that they were not familiar with some of the software packages mentioned, so in this issue of TECHNO POP, we’ve started the process of breaking it all down for you.
Hey, there’s a lot going on in the world of design – changing codes and regulations, new manufacturers and materials, etc. For the former, there are continuing education classes and municipal building officials to keep you up-to-date. For the latter, there are showrooms to visit and sales representative to call on when you need to be educated on the latest and greatest (if you’re lucky). Too bad this is not the case with computer software. In that regard, you’re pretty much on your own.
To help sort things out, we’ve put together a chart that presents a simplified categorization of the various software packages cited in January’s Software Survey Results: What’s On Your Hard Drive? So if you’re looking for a new CAD package or wondering who on earth Maya is (hint: we’re not talking Maya Rudolf or Maya Angelou), this may help you out. It’s not a comprehensive list of every package out there, but it does include the packages listed in response to the survey.
AccuRender (plug-in for AutoCAD), Autodesk VIZ (formerly 3D Studio VIZ), Autodesk 3ds Max (formerly 3D Studio Max), form-Z, Maya, SketchUp
Image Manipulation
Adobe Photoshop, CorelDRAW, Jasc Paint Shop Pro
Presentation/Page Layout
Adobe Acrobat, Adobe InDesign, Microsoft, PowerPoint, Microsoft Publisher, Microsoft Word, Quark Xpress
Database
FileMaker Pro, Microsoft Access
Workflow Management
Design Manager, FastLook, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Project
Lighting Design
AGi32, Lightscape Viewset
Kitchen/Bath/Bedroom Design
CADKIT, Planit
General Office Productivity
Appleworks, Microsoft Office (Excel, Word), Quickbooks
If you have had extensive experience on any one of these software packages – whether prevalent or obscure – we’d love to hear from you so that we can spread the word. Opinions and reports can be anonymous if requested (we don’t kiss and tell), but shout it out at contact@plinthandchintz.com. We look forward to hearing from you.
To bridge the gap between the student / educational community and the professional / manufacturer community of the interior design world, and not to die of boredom while we do it.
Shop Through Us
When you enter Amazon through our humble little website, a wee portion of your purchase – no matter what you buy – helps to keep PLiNTH & CHiNTZ up-n-running. The best part: It doesn't cost you anything extra and it helps us keep your access to PLiNTH & CHiNTZ free.
Benjamin Moore is pleased to announce their Annual HUE Awards, which honor interior designers and architects who masterfully and innovatively use color consistently throughout their work. Each of the honorees in the four categories will receive a HUEY sculpture plus a $5,000 cash prize. There is no fee to enter, and submissions will be accepted between April 15, 2013 - Friday, July 12, 2013. GO HERE to learn more and to enter.
Enough Said T-Shirts
Created by a couple of Milwaukee interior designers with a quirky sense of humor, a healthy dose of sarcasm and a heaping serving of caring. Check out Enough Said to find fun t-shirts with a message.
Home 
Hip & Cool 
taught in design programs?” and “What’s actually being used by design professionals?” Both during and after the survey, we received several comments from students, educators and professionals telling us that they were not familiar with some of the software packages mentioned, so in this issue of TECHNO POP, we’ve started the process of breaking it all down for you.
