Broderbund Delivers 3D Home Architect Deluxe — Latest, Greatest Version of the Number One Home Design Software; Most Powerful Version Yet of Category-Leading Home Design and Visualization Tool

Business Wire, May 15, 1997

NOVATO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 15, 1997--Broderbund Software, Inc. (NASDAQ:BROD), the leader in home productivity software, announced today that it is shipping 3D Home Architect Deluxe(R), the flagship product in the company's 3D Home Series(TM) line of award-winning home design software. The newest, most powerful version of 3D Home Architect (R), the Deluxe edition features interactive 3D editing that allows users to view and make changes in both 2D and 3D simultaneously. The new version also incorporates an automatic roof designer and the ability to view multiple levels of a floorplan in 3D and expanded interior design features.

In tandem with the release of 3D Home Architect Deluxe, Broderbund is also delivering 3D Home Architect, a value-priced version that will fill a need for fast and easy home design, remodeling and additions.

"This enhanced version of 3D Home Architect Deluxe ensures that Broderbund will remain the leader in home design software," said John Baker, vice president of home design at Broderbund. "The powerful 3D visualization tools and multi-story design capabilities that we've added will be welcomed by home users and architects alike. These features, coupled with the 3D Home Series' recognized ease-of-use, are a winning combination."

The strength of 3D Home Architect Deluxe is immediately evident when the user begins drawing the floorplan and room dimensions, the first step in the design process. With a click of the mouse, walls snap together and square-up automatically through Broderbund's unique SmartParts(TM) technology. Doors, windows, cabinets and fixtures can all be added, removed or repositioned in the same easy fashion. Once a basic floorplan is established, a room can be viewed in both 2D and 3D at the same time, with any changes reflected immediately.

Included in 3D Home Architect Deluxe is the ability to create cabinet soffits, window muntin bars, shutters and gables over doors and windows. A complete symbols library is incorporated to assist in the layout of electrical and plumbing systems.

Powerful Visualization Tools

3D Home Architect Deluxe incorporates several methods to allow the consumer to visualize exactly what has been incorporated into a design. An easy-to-use camera tool allows a 3D view of any room from any perspective.

The Plan Overview provides a bird's eye view of the entire project, or only the rooms and walls without a roof. PlanCheck(TM) allows the user to conduct a room-by-room inspection to avoid potential problems. Finally, the user can admire the home's exterior in full 3D to see what the structure will look like from any vantage point.

To help get a project off the ground, 3D Home Architect Deluxe includes an expanded library of single and multiple story sample plans to provide inspiration. A plan can be started from scratch or a sample plan can be used as the basis for a custom home design.

A particularly powerful and unique feature of 3D Home Architect Deluxe is the automatic roof designer that generates standard roof styles or allows the user to design a custom roof. Through the use of the simple 3D Home Architect Deluxe interface, a user can add dormers, chimneys and skylights with just a few keystrokes. Once the design is complete, 3D Home Architect Deluxe will generate a materials list for the project. With the spreadsheet tool that is included, users can easily calculate the total amount of materials required for a project -- from adding a door to building a new home.

As the consumer moves from the design and planning stage, there are a variety of helpful tips available in 3D Home Architect Deluxe. Included in the tips section are video clips from "The Home Pro" and libraries of articles from American Homestyle magazine. With these resources, the do-it-yourself home builder can feel confident that their plans result in projects that are as safe and practical as they are elegant. After the floorplan is complete, the consumer can decorate each room with 3D Home Interiors(TM), the new interior design software from Broderbund. It's easy to import a room from 3D Home Architect Deluxe into 3D Home Interiors to design every aspect of your new dream home.

Pricing And Availability

3D Home Architect Deluxe and 3D Home Architect will be available in retail stores in June 1997 for street prices of $49.99 and $29.99 respectively.

Hardware Requirements

3D Home Architect Deluxe requires Windows 3.1 or Windows 95, a 33Mhz 486DX or faster processor, 4MB RAM for Windows 3.1 or 8MB for Windows 95, 16 MB hard disk space, 2x CD-ROM drive or faster, SVGA monitor/display card 640x480, 256 colors, thousands and millions of colors supported, Windows compatible sound device. 3D Home Architect requires Windows 3.1 or Windows 95, 20Mhz 386SX or faster processor (486 recommended), 4MB RAM for Windows 3.1 or 8MB for Windows 95, 6MB hard disk space, 2X CD-ROM or faster, VGA monitor/display card 640x480, SVGA 256 colors recommended, Windows compatible sound device.