Question for Architect Majors...

<p>Alright, this is somewhat random, and not sure if the correct place to ask this, but whatever.</p>

<p>Anyway, I'm really interested in learning how to use an architect computer program where I can design things myself. Where can I find these programs? How much do they cost? And here's some information pertaining what I'd like the program to do:</p>

<p>I need a program that is well suited for beginners (I have slight knowledge in writing up blueprints from a high school class, but that's it). I want to make blueprints to a few things (mainly for fun, although when I'm older I want to build a house, so I'd actually use this to base my house off of) and be able to see the model in 3D.</p>

<p>I'm not sure what is out there, because I don't have much backround knowledge on this (other than I think CAD programs are something like this?), so I need help.</p>

<p>If anyone has information on this, or can give me some link, I'd be very grateful. Thanks.</p>

<p>ArchiCAD <a href="http://www.graphisoft.com/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.graphisoft.com/&lt;/a> is good, easy to learn, but a tad expensive (really, they all are). You can <em>design</em> by hand, and I would encourage this. Too many people get caught up in what the computer can do, instead of what they can do. Don't start out directly in a computer program. Sketch, model, think.</p>