IT courses 'could help consumers design their own homes'

18:02 14th October 2009

Taking a home study course in Computer Aided Design (CAD) could inspire consumers to give their house a makeover.

CAD programmes are becoming more accessible as software prices fall, according to an IT expert.

Tim Bates, product manager at Eleco Visualisation Software, said his firm had received interest from a wide range of customers: "We've had all kinds of people, from ones wanting to do self-builds, new-builds, right the way through to extensions, loft conversions, and (also) very basic renovation projects."

An exhibit of CAD home design software at the Grand Designs Live show in Birmingham last month was aimed at consumers rather than professional architects or designers.

It allowed users to design a three-dimensional model of their own home, complete with textures and accurate measurements.

Written by Paul Jarvis

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