It was early September a couple of years ago. I had done my usual weekly shopping and after putting away the groceries and freshening up. I sat at my desk to catch up on the work of the day.

At this point in time, our kitchen was a typical 70s kitchen. I guess is was typical. I’ve seen others like it (often before remodeling), and it typifies the kitchen that only one person works in: a nice square space with the breakfast bar that separates the whole of the kitchen from pretty much everything else. At the lower left corner (see the sketch) was a small opening where one person at a time could make their way into the active area. It looked something like this (rough sketch):

Original Kitchen Layout

The crazy thing was that when one person was looking into the refrigerator, the other person was locked out because the space between the refrigerator and the “breakfast bar” was so tiny. We must have bumped or waited for each other to get by that space 9000 times over the years.

When we first moved in, the “arm” was set up as a breakfast bar, about 12 inches lower than the other counters, further setting up a disastrous obstruction along the pathway between the 2 doors if chairs had been set along it, as I believe was the original designer’s intention: One person working in the kitchen, everyone else sitting at the breakfast bar scarfing food. Now if that isn’t a 50s image, I’m not sure what is (even though it was built in the 70s). So one of the first things we did after moving in (along with removing about what seemed like 40 fluorescent lights above the hanging ceiling and replacing them with 2 incandescent bulbs) was to raise that breakfast bar up so at least it would be usable counter space.

Anyway, to continue with the story… I was working away at my desk in my office and my husband was working away in his office. My office is farther from the kitchen, and generally I can’t hear much of anything that’s going on in there, unless it’s rully loud. OTOH, my husband has ears like a bat. So he was hearing “me in the kitchen washing vegetables.” He didn’t think twice about it, although I don’t usually wash vegetables right after I bring groceries home (but that’s another story). So then it was dinner time and time to start fixing. (We do this together, unlike the 50s).

First thing was the noise, yes, like someone washing vegetables, but a lot louder and steady, a hissing-rushing sound, not really like someone washing veggies. And then we saw it. About 2 inches of water over the entire kitchen floor.

F0r what happened next… stay tuned.

Be sure to let us know what you’d like to hear about. And as soon as I figure out how, I’ll set up a form here so you can join our mailing list.

I have some ideas I’ll be bringing forth before too long for more tips and tricks and clever ways you can use Ez-Architect.

For example, we designed a wondrous kitchen island with Ez-Architect. I’ll share it with you, too. Maybe you’ll want to build one yourself.

Anyway, since we’re in the software business, we knew we needed something for ourselves and also for others to complete the home. What’s a beautiful home, or remodeled home without something nice going on outside.

And if you’re not already remodeling and maybe not yet a devoted fan of Ez-Architect, then you might want to consider cleaning up the eyesore that is your yard for the sake of your neighbors, if not for yourself. After all, who looks at my front yard besides me when I drive in: my neighbors. As I look around, most of them keep a pretty nice front piece, so why shouldn’t I? But I insist that it’s got to be easy. I’m just not any kind of expert when it comes time to figure out what to put here, how it might look now (or in 100 years). For example, we have some amazingly beautiful trees that have intertwined themselves into each other that are spectacular in the spring, when one is blooming and the other is green, and they’re jaw-droppingly beautiful when the fall weather comes, when the other one turns a thousand variations of gold, and the bloomer is now green. Now who figured out how to put them together for such a gorgeous result 30 years ago when they first landscaped the yard when the house was built? Or was it just a lucky accident that resulted from a weak plan, or total lack of knowledge. I’m sure “real” landscapers wouldn’t put those two trees so close together. But I praise whoever did it back then, for whatever reason they did it!

Anyway, we found a wonderful little program that makes the work of the outside so easy to plan. It is soooo easy. Easy as 1,2,3! Well, one through five anyway. You do it with photographs. Everyone has some kind of camera these days. Snap some photos of the outside of your house (or building, for that matter). Install the software, tell it where you live so you know what plants will live, plop in some landscape elements including sidewalks, pathways and stuff, then save, print the plan, and print a shopping list. If you’re curious, you can read more. Or if you’re hot to order such a cool program, jump right in.

Here is what’s the same: Ez-Architect requires a key whether you purchase the “full version” or the key alone. In both cases you’ll download the demo and then enter the key.

Here’s the difference:

• If you buy the key, you’ll need to download the demo as a separate activity from here.
• If you buy the full version, you’ll get a link to the same demo download with your receipt. You’ll still need to download the demo via the link, install it and then enter the key.

It all adds up to the same thing. Many people like to try out the demo first, as no purchase is required. Once they decide they want to save, export and print, and do other functions that the key unlocks, then they simply purchase the key and input it under the Help menu. No additional installing is needed.

Note also, that if you do purchase the full version and have any trouble with the link, you can always download the current demo version of the program at any time. You just need to make sure you have your key to turn it into the full version.

Note also that we do not provide a CD or any type of physical version of the program. We strongly recommend that you burn your own CD as a backup, and add a file with your key information so that when you get a new computer or hard drive, you’ll have everything you need (the program file and the key) so you can install and fully use Ez-Architect once again .

Earlier versions also have sharing capabilities, but not all the formats that are available  in version 5.

Create your plan and save it as a regular Ez-Architect file (*.aad). You must do this if you want the to be able to modify your plan at any time in the future.

First find out what type of files your recipient is able to read. You can have them choose from:

• bmp
• jpg/jpeg
• png
• tif
• emf
• wmf
• PDF

Most internet users can download Adobe reader to read a PDF file, as this is a common and easy way to share information. There are also free graphics programs that can read pretty much any type of graphics file. So this may also be a useful option, depending on whom you’re working with.

Go to the Export menu under File. A save dialog will open. Save your file in an export format that your recipient can read, and save it where you can find it later on your computer. Use your email program and send the file as an attachment. Once your recipient  receives the email, s/he can open the attachment and peruse your work.

This feature is especially useful if you are a professional and need to easily share your design ideas to your client. If you are doing collaborative work can share, get feedback, modify, share again etc.

Ez-Architect is so easy to use (and inexpensive), that you can also suggest that your clients and collaborators get a copy of their own. Then they can modify your designs and send them back to you and you can continue the exchanges back and forth until you’re ready to finalize a plan.

If you haven’t upgraded to Ez-Architect 5, you can do so by following this link.  You will need your Serial Number/Pin Code from a previous version before you can upgrade. If you need help finding your code, click here.

]]> http://4homedesign.wordpress.com/2011/10/17/easily-share-your-ez-architect-plans/feed/ 0 4homedesign http://4homedesign.wordpress.com/2011/09/10/soon-you-will-be-able-to-re-access-your-key-automatically/ http://4homedesign.wordpress.com/2011/09/10/soon-you-will-be-able-to-re-access-your-key-automatically/#comments Sat, 10 Sep 2011 21:29:51 +0000 4homedesign http://4homedesign.wordpress.com/?p=373 ]]> I’ve been working on setting up a database that will include all Ez-Architect users and their keys. You’ll be able to enter your unique identifying information and have your key emailed to you automatically. And although we “beg” you to print and keep electronic copies of your key and your download file, many of you never get organized enough to do it, so your computer crashes, or you get a new one and suddenly you have no key.

This will automate the process, which previously required human intervention (mine). You’ll be able to get your key (by email) within a few seconds of entering your identifying information.

We will also start using this for upgrade ordering criteria. Currently all you need is a key; soon you will need your key and your identifying info in order to upgrade.

If you’ve gotten a new email address, or forgot which one you used to order, you can notify us of the change (through the new form), and we’ll update the database file.

Let me know if you have any suggestions.

Opportunity knocks

What to do. It was actually an easy decision. Cover the skylight hole with the new roof. But then we have this big “well” in the ceiling. I didn’t know what else to call it since ceilings don’t usually have “holes” up to the roof. Anyway, “ceiling well” seemed as good a descriptor as any.

The obvious isn’t always the best

Initially we decided to just have the hole insulated appropriately and add ceiling board and texture. Although this is not a bad solution, it wasn’t a beautiful one. It wasn’t interesting and it was boring.

Add a Mobile

We decided to put a mobile in the well. Add power, lights, fans, whatever it would take to highlight it. We found a wonderful mobile that delights us every time we walk through the hall. It’s lighted itself and we only had to add a small fan to keep it active.

I bet you’d like to see it. I couldn’t resist shooting it day and night, as it gets more dramatic as the daylight wanes.

Now isn’t that a LOT better than an old glaring skylight?

I just did a little remodeling project and used Ez-Architect. With a good plan to start with–it made the whole project go seamlessly. I didn’t add an extra room but you may want to build one. We even did some landscape improvements and plan to do more this summer.

I used Ez-Architect for my design plans for Windows. If you’re a Mac user (I’m not) you can use MacDraft  PE, or MacDraft Professional for floor plans and house plans. Or if you want to redesign your interior (on the Mac), its Interiors or Interiors Professional that will provide you with all the tools you need.

And for Landscaping, you’ll want to use a really fun program called Landscape Vision (Windows) where you can take photographs of your current “design” and then use the software to make changes. Easy and fun.

Read more about Landscape Vision here

More about Ez-Architect here

and MacDraft and MacInteriors

MacDraft Professional Floor Plan

So don’t delay any longer. You can make a gorgeous space, inside or out.

Who doesn't want a place like this?

]]> http://4homedesign.wordpress.com/2011/08/12/you-still-have-time-for-that-summer-project/feed/ 0 4homedesign landscape vision Ez-Architect Solar Floor Plan MacDraft Professional Floor Plan Interiors Professional Room Plan http://4homedesign.wordpress.com/2011/08/08/upgrading-from-ez-architect-4-to-ez-architect-5/ http://4homedesign.wordpress.com/2011/08/08/upgrading-from-ez-architect-4-to-ez-architect-5/#comments Tue, 09 Aug 2011 01:06:56 +0000 4homedesign http://4homedesign.wordpress.com/?p=356 ]]> If you haven’t already upgraded to the latest version of Ez-Architect, it’s time to do so.

Here are some tips for managing the upgrade:

1. Back up all of your plans to a different location on your computer (and make an external backup if you don’t already have one).
2. Back up any and all of your custom Library objects to a different location (and also make an external backup of these).
3. Uninstall Ez-Architect 4.
4. Install Ez-Architect 5 as administrator.
5. Enter your new Ez-Architect 5 key. Ez-Architect 4 keys will not work with Ez-Architect 5.

You cannot keep two different versions of the program on the same computer.

If you haven’t already upgraded, you need your Ez-Architect 4 key to get the special upgrade price.

Start here to enter your key and proceed to the upgrade order form.

If you have lost your Ez-Architect key, start here to fill in the Ez-Architect retrieval request form. Please provide all the details to help us more easily find your old key. THIS TIME, print out your order ON PAPER and store it where you can find it along with a copy of the downloaded file (for that time when you get a new drive, or a new computer–you’ll have everything you need to re-install).

For the feature details of Ez-Architect 5, look here.