Design 2021: Design like the pros now with the right software

Design 2021: Design like the pros now with the right software

Architect offices, kitchen studios, garden design , Interior design – in many professions it has become standard today to make 3D presentations. And since more and more people work in their home offices, it is also necessary to install suitable design software on the PC that enables both 2D and 3D designs. We explain what so-called 3D CAD software is, who needs it and what you can do with it.

Perfect design with 3D CAD software

When an architect has designed a house, he no longer presents it to the client as a drawing or as a cardboard model true to scale; he creates an absolutely realistic-looking 3D model on the computer. This can be viewed from all sides at the click of a mouse and the house can be entered virtually. A simple keystroke is all it takes and other doors are fitted, the roof is a different colour, an additional panorama window appears as if by magic. It is the same with the interior design. And even with Garden design 3D presentations are now commonplace. Garden novelties or home trends are made visible virtually as if they were „real“, making purchasing decisions and planning much easier. The customer sees what he or she is getting, and changes can be made at the click of a mouse. All this works with good 3D CAD software – this computer-aided technology for drawing, developing and designing replaces manual drafts and automates the process, which represents all objects three-dimensionally.

Two-dimensional vs. three-dimensional - the differences

Basically, every drawing is a two-dimensional model. It is flat, having only height and width as dimensions. 3D images, on the other hand, are three-dimensional, they increase the perception of depth and thus appear more vivid. 2D CAD software creates two-dimensional (flat) objects from given basic objects such as straight lines, circles, ellipses, etc. 2D images are made by drawing three drawings – front view, side view, top view – according to the rules of trigonometry The 3D CAD software builds up the same geometric objects in three-dimensional form. This allows, for example, sectional views and elevations, technical drawings, architects‘ drafts, interior designs or landscapes to be represented realistically in three dimensions.

3D techniques for the computer

With 3D CAD software, there are different approaches to creating 3D models. The three most common versions are:

  • Wire model: With this technique a very high transparency is possible. The wire model in the 3D technique requires only a short computing time.
  • Surface model: Visible surfaces are represented here as coloured, interconnected polygons. In order to work with a surface model, an edge model or a wireframe model must first be available, in which each individual polygon has its own colour.
  • Solid model: This technique, also called body model, creates 3D models with a very accurate approximation to reality.

Top 3D CAD software for professionals and beginners

There are numerous 3D CAD softwares based on different 3D techniques that are more or less user-friendly. Two of the leading software are:

This software from the manufacturer Avanquest makes it quite easy to create 3D plans of houses and facilities on a PC. The software has an integrated property planner and a topography editor. More than 2,700 prefabricated furnishings, whose details can be individually adapted, leave nothing to be desired. Not only doors and windows can be represented in a wide variety of designs, but also all sanitary and electrical installations, kitchen fittings and furniture. Fireplaces can also be built into the models and even, for example, a garden pool in various shapes and depths.

The professional tool for 2D drawings and 3D models convinces with extended mechanical and architectural functions and photo-realistic rendering. The user interface is variable, making it adaptable for lay users as well as professionals. With hundreds of drawing, editing, dimensioning and annotation tools, designs can be quickly rendered and transformed into impressive presentations.

Header image: © 4th Life Photography, stock.adobe.com


Financial software: 2021 all finances at a glance

Financial software: 2021 all finances at a glance

Online banking, bookkeeping, household accounts, retirement provision … with a suitable Financial software financial software, every cash flow can be organised and kept in view. With the new financial software packages, there is something for everyone. But the more functions you need (or want), the more complex the programme becomes. Here we explain the advantages of financial software for everyone and what you should look out for when buying.

What good financial software should be able to do in 2021

There are some programmes that can be downloaded free of charge from the internet. How secure they are and whether they can fulfil all the functions for somewhat more sophisticated requirements is another matter Real smart spenders use their financial software regularly. In that case, some functions are useful to keep track of your finances.

  • One of the most important functions is Multi-bank capability: With one click, you get access to all your accounts at different banks. The respective account overview can be viewed, printed and saved immediately. This makes home banking easy and convenient and allows you to keep track of everything.
  • Issuing transfer orders, standing orders or scheduling payments are usually no problem either.
  • With Asset management, which financial software offers, you have a quick overview of current accounts, savings balances, call money accounts, pensions, real estate and share portfolios
  • With this management, it is also easy to Financial planning organised. Programmes with this feature forecast the future development of assets on the basis of documented income and expenditure. This makes it possible to calculate when the loan will be paid off or the savings balance will have grown to the point where a larger investment can be made.
  • Highly functional financial software also includes Investment advice including weighing up financial risks. The software can assist in adjusting spending. Especially if there is less income or more expenditure than usual and planned
  • For many users, the function of a Tax preview with the Tax software is an advantage. For example, when it comes to deciding whether a major purchase should be made before the end of the year - or perhaps not until next year for tax reasons.
  • In terms of Tax return some financial software also has something to offer. If you meticulously record all income and expenses, take into account all tax-relevant movements of money in your accounts and get everything in shape once a year, you can save a lot of time and money. The tax return then almost takes care of itself.
  • Sophisticated systems make use of their reporting functions to Tax reports create tax reports. Individual entries are grouped into tax-relevant categories, meaningful transactions are automatically saved and gradually added up.

Which financial software is the right one?

This is one of the many questions that can only be answered with the usual „It depends …“ Namely, on what scope the financial software should have, what one regulates with it and how much it may cost. Whether the software should be suitable for private use or for companies also plays a role. WISO Mein Bürois particularly suitablefor non-professionals who would like to have one or two office functions in addition to the pure financial software . Here you can work with two instances at the same time. Practical: WISO My Office makes it possible to insert alternative items, e.g. in „Offers“, without their costs appearing in the total With the latest version of WISO My Office also allows you to plan scheduled transfers in online banking. More comprehensive and especially suitable for self-employed persons, companies or associations is Starmoney 9. The complete package can either be installed on a single workstation or used in a network with up to 25 clients. The planning and analysis tools work perfectly, and the financial software automatically recognises recurring entries It then assigns them to a suitable category. Of course, all entries can be changed and/or extended at any time.

Header image: © Andrey Popov, stock.adobe.com


Windows 10 Update: What can the new version do?

Windows 10 Update: What can the new version do?

And again there’s a new Windows 10 Update … You could almost get the impression that Microsoft sends a release to users every month. You can get confused and ask yourself: If I buy a new Windows 10, for example for my home office, what will the latest release do for me? Don’t worry – we’ll shed some light on this!

New Windows version, old Windows version - which one is installed?

Windows 11 is not on the horizon. Instead, regular updates will be made available to anyone who wants to buy Windows 10. The current release is called the October 2020 Update – or officially: 20H2 – and at first glance is „just“ a maintenance patch. The already announced „Windows 10 21H1“ will probably also be an update that mainly focuses on the maintenance service, while substantial innovations can probably be expected again in autumn with „Windows 10 21H2“. In order to take advantage of the update, one does not have to immediately install a new Buy Windows 10. Those who use the current 2004 version or the 1909 update of Windows 10, for example, for their Office software home office without any problems is on the safe side. Update problems such as a processor that is too slow, insufficient memory or too little RAM do not arise. The concern that the driver signatures may no longer work is also unfounded. To find out which Windows 10 version is installed, the following steps will help:

  • About the Start button to open the Start menu.
  • At "Settings" select the last item "Info" click on it.
  • Now all the information about the Windows 10 version appears.

Download Windows 10 Update - nothing easier than that!

Of course, it’s much more convenient to download the latest update than to keep buying a new version of Windows 10. And even non-professionals can do this in no time at all. However, the prerequisite is that the PC is prepared for the new update The most important element for this is that the computer is already updated to the May 2020 update. otherwise, 20H2 will be completely reinstalled as an operating system – and this can lead to annoying update problems, in the worst case even to a total system failure. Once the computer is ready for the release, everything usually runs smoothly:

  1. Click on "Settings" in the start menu
  2. "Select "Update and security
  3. "Click on "Check for updates
  4. Select the optional update "Functional update for Windows 10, version 20H2"
  5. Click on "Download and install"
  6. Restart the PC to activate.

Attention Older Windows versions perform a complete upgrade of the system for installation. The whole process will therefore take much longer!

New update - new features!

The 20H2 update offers new ways to customise your PC, increases security and holds some creative features Some interesting features are: Colour mode: under „Colours“ in the settings you can choose between light and dark mode. This makes it easier to work on the screen and is easier on the eyes. Tabs: Those who always open many tabs for websites will love this feature! Simply pin the most frequently used page to the taskbar, and by swiping the mouse you can then see and click on open tabs in the preview at a glance. Read aloud function: Use the screen magnifier to mark a section of text and select „Read aloud from here“. The text is then read aloud. Emoji keys: The key combination Windows + dot (.) is not only interesting for Facebook and Co. It opens the emoji area directly and makes posts, subject lines or email greetings look much friendlier. Cursor: Practical when reading, writing or correcting longer texts. Go to „Ease of use“ in the settings and click on „Text cursor“. The stroke is then coloured, making it easier to find.

Header image: © Tierney, stock.adobe.com