Homestyler is a new 3D Design platform from Autodesk offering a free and highly accessible CAD tool to the public, ideal for visualisation and refurbishment planning.

Developed in the Autodesk Labs as a test-version previously called Project Dragonfly, Homestyler has now been launched publicly, enabling quick and visually crisp designs to be created, and interestingly, shared through the HomeStyler MyDesigns portal (requiring an account registration at no cost).

A short series of video introductions are available here on the Autodesk YouTube Channel for your perusal.

The availability of the MyDesigns platform is pretty interesting, which would allow the sharing of designs between remote collaborators and client groups, the downside being the risk of a continuously changing model between all the parties involved -the expertise of planning and specification being somewhat undermined.

The other curious aspect of HomeStyler is the added link directly to product manufacturers and suppliers.  The shift from generic to specific (branded) CAD modelling is an increasingly prolific practice, in fact I imagine most designers and specifiers probably always have had preferred catalogues mentally projected through their projects (preference of quality, style and reliability being pretty important), but the proliferation of these increased networks and accessibility (much like Productspec's MyProjects in New Zealand) is an exciting and curious new shape of the industry.

My concern about these platforms is the deterioration of design quality at the hands of the unqualified.  To make a crude analogy, would we so readily download MyDefence ("Law Suits Made-Easy!") or FacialStyler ("2D and 3D Facial Remodelling for the everyday reconstructive planning and visualisation")?  My worries about the flippancy that these platforms introduce to designing spaces are somewhat dissipated by the hope that any substantial design would need the engagement of a professional designer, but I can envisage an erosion of some fundamental ideas about how we arrange spaces -HomeStyler descriptions that begin: "With no training required..." get me on edge a bit, but then how arrogant is it to deny that people know best about how to shape their homes?  It's a tender one.  That description continues: "Users can create floor plans with drag-and-drop rooms, doors and furnishings; easily experiment with finishes and visualize design ideas in 3D with a single click; and easily share designs with friends, family and professionals to get their feedback."

In New Zealand at least we can join this to a fairly extensive network of DIY technologies and educative sites (all industry sponsored or developed), The Drawing Board is targeted at home renovation, predominantly using case studies whilst making clear the role of the 'expert', Right House (developed by Meridian) focuses on environmental and energy design tips, and NZ Wood offers technical and quality data for a range of domestic-scale projects in the form of quite decent How-To Guides.

In order to avoid being undermined, the building industry and design professions need to intellectually and practically consume these services -not in the form of antagonism or bitchiness, but with an expanded field of knowledge and practice in mind.