(originally posted in Punch Premium by mistake, though I expect it applies there as well).
I have never given a review of less than 4 stars that I can recall. I don't review things I don't like. In this case I'm making an exception. Why, because I think people need to be warned about what has happened to Punch! which used to be a product with promise. This is a reply I gave to a facebook person who used to work within the Punch organization and explained it had been sold and got rid of its best programmers, I had to buy it to open old design files that would no longer open. But I regret I was forced to do so. This is the reply I gave to one former user who once worked for the Punch organization before it was sold and, according to her, they got rid of their best programmers,"
" That's so sad, they were on their way to having a really first class product back when I got my first copy (Pro-platinum v. 4). It wasn't the best of most complete, but adequate for simple designs. That was, 15 years ago. Now, v20, a much bigger program, with promise but... Really junk, so many features and functions not working, hard to find or use, deliberately requiring work-arounds, and so on. I don't need to tell you.
But worst of all, their user manual is so incomplete, often telling you things you can do without a word about how to do them, or where exactly the tools are to be found to do them (some of which don't seem to exist). You can look forever with no luck (I'm still looking for the 'Control Toolbar' to group items - the manual just says 'open the control toolbar tab', but I find I don't have any such tab, nor is it hidden inside other tabs, etc. Or, try make an object in one of the "power tools", then find the only way to export the object it to your plan is to copy/paste it. When you do, and if you need to modify it, no way. The properties sheet only gives a couple of basic parameters. You have to go back to the ('insulated') power tool and do the modifications there and then copy again. And what the hell, does 'do you want to link to...?' mean, when closing one of those tools? Even the quick start can't be reentered to, say, add another room to your plan. Stupid oversights like that, rulers that are hard to grab and manipulate, zooms that uncenter your drawing and you have go looking for it, and on and on.... And everything on their webpages stinks of trying to sell you another product (or their ebook training manual for another $50, which I wouldn't trust at all given the bad user manual and other training video guides (more than half of which are missing on their website).
It's just a marketing scam for selling more junk as far as I can tell. They should be ashamed of themselves and what they've done to this product. We used have forums that were very active and answered any kind of question, and free downloads of thousands of every imaginable material and object, many of them uploaded by users. All that is gone, ruined. Shame on them and Broderbund or whomever bought Punch out. Punch should never have sold - quickbucks don't make good products or good customers. I'm going to give the a one-star Amazon review. People should be made aware. There are any number of other good CAD, design products that act in good faith. This isn't one of them.
Thanks for reading my rant. Sorry, But every time I open it and find something else wrong I get pissed. Can't help it."
Punch! Home & Landscape Design Professional v20 [Download]
3.5 | 10 ratings
Price: 199.99
Last update: 08-22-2024
About this item
Create new home designs, kitchen renovations, bathroom updates and landscapes or use professional designer quality layouts that you can drop into your projects.
The Professional Series contains a wealth of tools and top features, perfect for the Designer, Contractor and serious DIY person who wants to design a new home, landscaping, renovate, remodel and more.
New tools, improved drawing methods, easy-to use interface and dynamic search tool makes it easy to design your project and find the materials you need.
Choose from contemporary to modern style home plans from coast to coast, as well as thousands of materials textures, furnishing, and accessories to complete your 2D and 3D designs. Tips for "Building Green" are included with a selection of green objects and materials.
Includes how-to video tutorials, user forum and free technical support to provide help when needed.
The Professional Series contains a wealth of tools and top features, perfect for the Designer, Contractor and serious DIY person who wants to design a new home, landscaping, renovate, remodel and more.
New tools, improved drawing methods, easy-to use interface and dynamic search tool makes it easy to design your project and find the materials you need.
Choose from contemporary to modern style home plans from coast to coast, as well as thousands of materials textures, furnishing, and accessories to complete your 2D and 3D designs. Tips for "Building Green" are included with a selection of green objects and materials.
Includes how-to video tutorials, user forum and free technical support to provide help when needed.
Top reviews from the United States
red slider
I don't review things I don't like. In this case I'm making an exception
Reviewed in the United States on July 5, 2018Jim Lowe
Does not work with earlier version's work even though name is same.
Reviewed in the United States on July 20, 2020Online Buyer
Excellent app for home design
Reviewed in the United States on May 6, 2019
Online Buyer
Reviewed in the United States on May 6, 2019
Images in this review
Amazon Customer
iT WILL NOT WORK WITH WINDOW 10.
Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2020V. LeCroy
Terrible support and clumsy software
Reviewed in the United States on August 6, 2018