How to Use Live Home 3D for Advanced Interior Design

Key Takeaways:

• Use Live Home 3D to improve your design skills with pre-designed house and interior samples, including kitchens, bathrooms, and living rooms.
• You can apply realistic materials from a library of over 2,100 options and achieve natural lighting by setting location, time of day, and cloud cover.
• Furthermore, the software allows you to create detailed terrain using elevation tools, design driveways, and plan gardens.

How to Craft Detailed 2D Floor Plan Layouts

1. Open Live Home 3D to start a new project, then set the desired scale.
   
2. Afterward, click the ruler to adjust the measuring unit for the project under the Project setting option and select the desired unit in the Measurement Units drop-down.
   
3. Next, build walls by clicking the Building icon and using the Room tool for quick room shape outlines or the Straight Wall and Arc Wall tools for more complex layouts.
   
4. If your project has multiple stories (basement, ground floor, first floor), add them using different layouts.
5. When creating walls, avoid creating openings for doors and windows, as ceilings and floors are automatically generated when you enclose an area.
6. You may add doors and windows by clicking the Object Library icon, selecting Doors or Windows from the drop-down menu, and dragging and dropping them onto walls.
   
7. The 2D view also contains other vital tools like drawing custom floors, ceilings, and openings. Use them the same way as adding walls by selecting the tool and dragging it across the canvas.
8. You can adjust sizes, dimensions, and other settings on the right pane.
   
9. You can also name the spaces by clicking on the dimension, entering your desired name, and clicking out. Use the text tools on the right to make text settings accordingly.
   
10. Live Home 3D also allows you to use strokes, hatch patterns, and colors to fill home spaces to make the shapes and spaces clear.
    
11. You may replicate an existing floor plan by tracing it using the app tools.
12. Live Home 3D also lets you import an image of a blueprint you already have.
    
13. Once completed, you can export the finished work.
    

How to Navigate Through 3D Interior Designs

Live Home 3D lets you move around in your building via the 3D view of your designs. The following steps will guide you:

1. After creating a 2D floor plan view of your design, click the View Mode icon and select 3D View to enter the fully immersive 3D environment.
   
2. Then, use the basic movement controls to move around the design.
3. The controls include the following:
   • WASD Keys: Similar to many video games, you can use the WASD keys on your keyboard to control your movement within 3D space.
     • W: Move forward
     • A: Move left
     • S: Move backward
     • D: Move right
   • Mouse Look: Click and hold the mouse button and drag your mouse to rotate your viewpoint within the 3D space to look around your design from different angles.
   • On-screen Navigation: Use the on-screen navigation arrows (forward, backward, left, and right arrows) displayed directly in the 3D view to create movements, mimicking the WASD key functions.
     
4. Quickly jump to specific areas of your 3D space using the Camera Properties option to access the Predefined Cameras.
   
5. Use the mouse scroll wheel to zoom in and out of your design accordingly.
6. Additional features Walk, Fly Around, and Look Around to adjust your viewpoint to position you at a certain location.
   

How to Use Ready-Made Design Samples

Live Home 3D simplifies your design process by providing a library of ready-made samples. The following steps will help you leverage these pre-built elements to create stunning 2D-floor plans:

1. Locate the library category on the Library panel by the left of the Live Home 3D interface.
   
2. You should see sections for Furniture, Doors, Windows, Sofas, Appliances, etc., in the drop-down of the Object Library.
   
3. Click the search icon to access the search bar within the library panel and use keywords to find specific sample types. Most samples include a thumbnail preview.
   
4. Then, drag it from the library panel and drop it directly onto your 2D-floor plan.
   
5. To resize, click the element on the design, click the Object Properties icon, and set the appropriate parameters to adjust its size or adjust the surrounding box.
   
6. You can also use the Flip and Rotate tools to change the element’s orientation.
   
7. Some samples offer additional customization options. Right-click the element and examine the context menu for options like changing its material, texture, or color.
8. Finally, feel free to mix and match by combining furniture samples from various categories to create unique and functional room layouts.

How to Customize Spaces with Extensive Libraries

Live Home 3D allows the personalization of your interior design projects with its extensive materials, furniture, and object libraries. The following contains some tools within the library:

• Furniture Collection: The Object Library contains several pre-designed furniture categorized by type, e.g., sofas, chairs, tables, etc.
• Material Options: The Materials Library contains several materials for walls, floors, roofing, and wood.
• Decorative Items: The Object Library also contains decorative items like lamps, plants, and artwork to enhance your space.

Use the following steps to add the items:

1. To add items such as furniture, click and drag the items from the library onto your floor plan, then release them to place them.
   
2. Then, use the corner handles to resize and rotate and flip tools (circular arrow icon) to adjust orientation.
   
3. To add a wall covering, click a wall on your floor plan, then drag a material from the Materials Library onto the wall to apply it.
   
4. Repeat this step for other surfaces to create a cohesive look.
   
5. Drag and drop items from the Objects Library tab to the desired space to add decorative objects.
   
6. Furthermore, you may use the search bar to find specific furniture pieces, materials, or objects quickly.
   
7. Right-click frequently used items and click Add to Favorites to add them to your favorites list for quicker access.
   

How to Shape the Landscape with Elevation and Garden Planning

Live Home 3D Pro allows you to imagine designing your dream garden with hills, curves, and amazing plants. The three elevation tools—Elevation Line, Elevation Spline, and Elevation Point—allow you to create an uneven ground surface, such as a slope or terrace.

The app lets you create your landscape and plan your garden in the following ways:

1. Build your landscape: Use the easy-to-use tools mentioned above to shape your garden with slopes, terraces, and pathways.
2. Plan your garden: Choose plants from a big library and even add your own photos to see how your garden will look.
3. Pick your plants: Drag and drop flowers, trees, and bushes on the 2D plan view to design your perfect garden, wild or formal.
4. Add extras: Decorate with benches, greenhouses, bridges, and more to make your garden special.
5. Create paths: Design walkways and paths to easily wind through your garden.

How to Import 3D Assets from Various Formats

When importing 3D assets, Live Home 3D provides a built-in library of 3D models, which you can access directly. Additionally, it incorporates the Trimble 3D Warehouse™, a vast online repository of millions of 3D models.

If you can’t find what you need in the app or the Trimble 3D Warehouse™, you can import your own 3D models. Live Home 3D supports the several formats, including the following:

• Autodesk 3D Studio (created in Autodesk® 3ds Max®)
• Autodesk FBXCOLLADA
• Wavefront OBJ
• Sweet Home 3D
• Google Earth KMZ
• 3D Image (a regular graphic file that generates a 3D Image object)

The Mac version of Live Home 3D offers additional import formats:

• Trimble SketchUp™
• Collada Zipped
• Ogre XML

To import a model, do the following:

1. Click the Hamburger button, then click the Import option.
2. If the file is available on Trimble 3D Warehouse™, click the From Trimble 3D Warehouse™ option.
   
3. Otherwise, select the From File option.
   
4. Finally, select your 3D model.

How to Simulate Natural Light with Geolocation and Time Settings

Live Home 3D allows you to design realistic lighting by simulating natural light based on your project’s geographic location and time of day.

You can set it up in the following way:

1. Open the Light Properties tab in the Inspector, then ensure you expand the Environment section.
   
2. Then, select the predefined time using the appropriate buttons for Morning, Day, Evening, or Night.
   
3. To set a custom time, select the Custom button (it looks like a clock) and set the desired time.
   
4. In the Geolocation section, you may also specify the geographic location by choosing the time zone or the name of the nearest city.
   
5. Finally, adjust the Cloudiness using the slider to change sky conditions.
   

How to Show Perfect Walls and Roofs in 2D Side View

Live Home 3D has a special view to fine-tune your walls and roof design. This view shows them from the side, making it easier to adjust. Here’s how to use it:

1. Select a wall or roof segment, then click the 2D Elevation View button in the toolbar.
   
2. Then, drag and drop intended objects from the library into your project.
   
3. Use drawing tools to create niches, openings, and wall panels directly in the 2D Elevation view.
4. Rectangular shapes and polygons are both supported. Activate the relevant tool and draw your desired object.
5. Finally, right-click an object’s contour to select Edit Contour from the context menu. Modify the shape as needed.

How to Create Stereo 3D and 360° Videos and Images

Live Home 3D offers outstanding features for creating immersive experiences, including stereo 3D and 360° content:

Stereo 3D Videos

You can create stereo videos with Live Home 3D, adding depth and authenticity to your designs. The resolution differs:

• Pro Edition: Up to 2048p (4096 x 2048).
• Standard Edition: Up to 720p (1440 x 720).

360° Videos

• Export your projects as 360° videos, letting viewers examine the interior from any angle.
• Resolutions available:
  • Pro Edition: Up to 1024p (4096 x 2048).
  • Standard Edition: Up to 720p (2880 x 1440).

Stereo 3D 360° Videos

• Merge stereo 3D and 360° views for an even more immersive experience.
• Resolutions:
  • Pro Edition: Up to 1024p (4096 x 2304).
  • Standard Edition: Up to 720p (2880 x 2880).

Additionally, you can export your models to 360° panorama JPEG images, providing a feeling of being inside the interior.

How to Produce Ultra HD Interior and Exterior Walkthroughs

Live Home 3D specializes in producing ultra HD interior and exterior walkthroughs. The following ways explain how:

1. Export Options:
   • You can export projects as floor plans, screenshots, 3D models, and videos.
   • You can also export movie tracks to high-quality, ultra-HD video files at 3840 × 2160 and 60 FPS.
2. Camera Settings:
   • The app allows you to enjoy advanced video camera settings, allowing more freedom and creativity.
   • You can also achieve higher-resolution results that are appropriate for commercial purposes.
3. Snapshot Sharing:
   • You can share snapshots with resolutions up to 16384 × 16384 Pixels.
   • You can also create breathtaking Ultra HD video walkthroughs and 360-degree panoramas with resolutions up to 8192 × 4096 pixels.

Tailor Complex Architectural Elements

Live Home 3D offers flexibility for customizing architectural elements but might not be ideal for super intricate designs. Here’s a breakdown:

Strengths

• 2D Elevation View: This view lets you see walls and roofs from the side, making it easier to adjust heights, add windows and doors, and even create custom built-in features with drawing tools.
• Object Library: While not for super complex elements, the library provides a good range of pre-made windows, doors, and other architectural details you can drag and drop into your design.

Limitations

• Limited 3D Editing: While the 2D view offers some customization, complex 3D manipulation of elements might be difficult.
• Focus on Pre-designed Objects: Live Home 3D excels at placing and arranging pre-made objects rather than creating entirely new, highly detailed architectural features from scratch.

Design on the Go or at Home

The powerful and easy-to-use home and interior design software Live Home 3D caters to various devices. The following captures its compatibility whether you’re at home or out and about:

• Windows: Live Home 3D is compatible with Windows operating systems for desktops or laptops.
• Mac: It also runs seamlessly on macOS 10.15 or higher. Whether you’re using an Apple silicon or an Intel processor, Live Home 3D has you covered.
• iOS and iPad: For those who enjoy designing on the go, Live Home 3D is available for iPhone, iPad, and iPad Pro. Ensure you have iOS 13 and higher or iPadOS.