Stair Design Software

[gunter]

Hi, Looking for a computer software which will calcutatem maybe draw a stair design.
Thank You

[Rich]

The only thing I know of off the top of my head is Architectural Desktop - which is an add on to Autocad. I suppose there is probably a couple of the cheap Walmart software titles that can also do this but I've never used them (like 3d Home Architect).

[utahcutter]

My husband got my Punch! Professional Home Design Suite for a Christmas. (Trying like the dickens to like the program to make sweetie happy.) It has a feature that will draw up stairs, and it does a take off for you. You can find it at Best-Buy, around $70. I think it's a pain in the
$%# program to use. But if you're looking for something cheap, it might be the best of the evils out there. Also there is a program called Chief Architect. This is the best 3-d do it all program I have ever used, but last I checked it was around $700. I would stick with quality programs such as Auto-CAD, etc. if you can afford to pay for them. Then you may not feel like smashing you PC every couple of seconds.

[Rich]

I suppose I could create a calculator that will give the tread and riser lengths for a given floor to floor height. The problem is there is more intuition to designing a stair than just what a calculator spits out.. such as how long will it be and will it fit in the space provided. If it doesn't should you go with an L configuration... I suppose I could have a step by step process. Input the floor to floor height - here is your tread and riser lengths and it will be this long... does that fit with your current design? No? Ok would you like to consider using an L or U layout? Choose one - and input a little information about the width of the stair... blah blah blah.. output the information with lengths ABC that pertain to a standard drawing with lengths ABC shown. Could be done with a little up front information so the user knows what is going on.

[Sophist]

Yes Achitectural desktop will draw stairs creating a 3-d object but I find Cadd much more effective in 2-d for building stairs.

Once I have my overall rise and run it is very simple to generate a set of stairs in plan and elevation view to fit those constraints.

Of course you problably don't want to buy CADD.

What exactly do you want to achieve with the software?

Are you looking for designs for presentions or something that you can use for constructing the stairs?