I picked up one of those cheap 3D Architect CD-ROM's about six months ago. The program was awkward, so I never really used it. I just took another look at it, and realized that it is a wonderful resource for architectural objects for Poser. Hundreds of 3DS furniture files, and many nice textures, as well. The program is "3D Virtual Reality Architect". It cost me about four bucks at OfficeMax or someplace. I'm going to go build my figures a nice home.

Cage. I thought I would mention a program I bought, years ago, and have used only a few times. It is called Virtus. It has a bunch of pre-made models of furniture, and architectural structures. I was planning to use Virtus to build some rough designs of interiors, and exteriors, that I could later use in Poser, or even in Bryce. However, I am so out of touch with Virtus that I don't even know if I can save it's models in a format compatible with Metacreations products. I will search for the Virtus CD, load the thing up, and relearn it's commands. If anyone is a Virtus master, speaketh.

Now y'all know why I have so many 3D architect programs...great source of not only objects but textures and fabrics. Kate the Interior Design nut

I almost bought 3D Home the other day but thought better of it, afraid I might not be able to use the 3D models in it.. Question to you Kate, what 3D Architectural program do you use or recommend? ~Cindy

Yeah! Are there any really good ones out there?

I would like to know too. I have developed several interesting characters, but couldn't do much with them. Lack of props mostly. Thanks

I'll have to keep an eye open for that one too :) I must admit, the thought of architectural 3D programs never crossed my mind. If you're looking for (massive) amounts of furniture you could try the Ziggy3d/WhiteCrow3d double CD. Paul

My two favorites are the Sierra Home Architect 3.0 and FloorPlan 3D. Both have good rendering engines and will export in dxf format, both allow you to upload your own textures and images in bmp format and FloorPlan 3D also allows the import of furniture and other items in 3DS format. I haven't tried importing any poser characters into FloorPlan yet, but that's on my list of things to do. Also, 3D Home Interiors from Broderbund has an awesome selection of materials in jpg format and does beautiful renders of interior settings. The only problem is that it doesn't import or export and you can only do one room at a time, but it could be very useful for those who wanted to create rooms with Canoma. Kate

Great!.. Thank you Kate... I've seen both products, but there were so many 3D Architectural programs to choose from my head was spinning..This helps out tremendously.. =)

I use FloorPlan 3D and 3D Home Architect .. FloorPlan 3D is much easier to use for designing things, but 3d Home Architect has more models and textures to use. I tried importing 3ds into FloorPlan and didn't have much luck trying to get things scaled to match the program. Haven't tried a Poser figure yet. EdW

Hey. what about poor old "Virtus"? Everyone seems to be politely killing "Virtus" with trumpet-like indifference. DOES ANYONE OUT THERE USE THE "VIRTUS" ARCHITECTURAL SOFTWARE? HAS "VIRTUS" BIT THE DUST? HAS "VIRTUS" BEEN GIVEN THE BUM'S RUSH?

Fonseca, I can't even FIND Virtus anymore. I don't know what's up with that program. Kate

Thanks Kate. A few years ago I went stark raving mad and bought the $400 dollar version of Virtus. Of course my computer wasn't up to it's "virtual world" capabilities, so I shelved Virtus Gigantico, and kicked myself. I was planning to use it again when I purchased a faster computer. Oh, the plans of Mice and Men. How much (in dollars) are the architectural programs you mentioned? I am not going to pay $400 again for any software. Once bitten, twice shy, or shysterd There used to be a Virtus website. They even had a contest page. The computer world changes too quickly. My poor Virtus; consigned to the cyberspace junkyard, along with my $400 dollars. Tora!, Tora!, Tora!: zeraW!, zeraW!, zeraW!. Fonseca the Wombat

All 3 of the programs I use are in the $40-$60 range. I'm married to one of those cheap fellas grin so I tend to keep my software packages below $100 whenever possible. Kate

Hey Kate I one of those cheap fellows myself. I'm still using a 165 megaherzt computer. You can't get any cheaper than that. My second, and even cheaper/slower computer, went on the "Fritz" today, and I had to erase it's hard drive. I didn't lose any important files but I wasted 4 hours trying to fix the bloody thing. Is your husband as cheap as all that? All I need, now, is a cheap (lowdown) wife. Virtus has a website. They are still making their architectural software, and they even have downloadable demos. (Just add animal crackers and your all set.) El Cheapo Grande

Downloaded the virtus demo, haven't played with it yet. You want cheap? Hubby is so cheap that all three of our computers were built using spare parts scrounged from the trash bin where he works. I upgraded mine from there, but that's what I started with. And I'm still using the 17" monitor he confiscated from the trash bin there (ok so it has a little screen burn...I can live with faint [F5=StartRun] [F6=StartSeqRun] [F8=Stop] across the bottom of the screen where I don't look anyway grin) and you think 165 MHz is cheap? Sweetie, the computer we let the 8yr old use is only 100MHz...now THAT'S cheap! Kate (who got her new nifty 400MHz machine by trying to upgrade the old 100 - seems that's as high as it would go..hehe)