Finally, working with three panes (furniture, 2-D plan, and 3-D image) on a small screen (MacBook Pro) was limiting. In truth, I am only now tapping in to the different ways to walk-thru a layout in 3-D. Another was getting used to how the 3-D rendering could be 'tweaked' to give the best view. I appreciate that this restriction is lifted in the paid version. One issue that I faced was the lack of enough furniture in the free version.
The program had all the tools that I needed. I could even design a foyer that was wrapped in a three-segment staircase to a second floor. I could switch between the 2-D layout and the 3-D rendering quickly. I could layout the floor plans quickly on hand the dimensions to the exterior house plan and/or the interior rooms.
This program worked very smoothly to do exactly what I needed in an easy manner. Sweet Home 3D is the one that stuck with me. I tried this and Live Interior in a 'quick and dirty' test. In the process of moving to different locations, I had to plan furniture placements for an apartment and a house.
Pros: smooth, intuitive, appropriately-featured, freeĬons: adjusting the view on the 3-D image can be cumbersome, working in three panes can be overpowering on small screen
