Rendering/Architectural Design Software Suggestions

I've got a project coming up at the house that I need to submit to the HOA architectural board for approval, and what I'd like to do is present a quality render of what it will look like.

I want to do a driveway extension and resurface the rest of my existing drive to cover up that AWFUL pebblecrete.

I'm not in school anymore, so I don't have my licenses for AutoCAD or even 3DS Max, as those would be my go-to choices for software, and I don't trust cracked copies procured on the open seas of the Internet. I've tried FreeCAD, but I just couldn't get familiar with it (maybe I'm just stupid).

For those that have worked with similar projects in a similar dilemma, what was your solution?

Worst case scenario and I can do a real-time photochop, but the time invested to make it look good, I could do a high-quality 3D render in a fraction of that time. I've got plenty of CPU and GPU processing power, so I'm not worried about something that will stress out my desktop.

Hard to beat the learning curve and price of SketchUp.  It has tons of premodeled elements via the Warehouse.  There are also plenty of free add-on renderers if what SU gives is too basic for your tastes.

Oh! I completely forgot about SketchUp. I actually haven't used it since before its acquisition by Google, so around 2005? I do recall hear it changing hands yet again some years back. Might be worth a look, thanks!

It's owned by a company called Trimble now; not sure why Google sold it.  They hae a free web-based version, but I would look for a download of an older standalone free version.  I haven't really used the browser version but I've heard it is not quite as nice.

Actually, click here.  That's a legitimately free version of the 2017 SketchUp.

DropBox says that folder is empty, but I'll doing some looking around.

Weird.  There are 2 .exe installers in there from my view.  Sorry.

They are 150mb files, so maybe they weren't done uploading yet?

That might be the case; still registering as empty. I was looking at the actual site, and they want $99/yr for the "shop" version, and more for the "pro" version.

At any rate, I will keep an eye out on those downloads.

If you want to PM me an email address, I can send you a direct link.

PM Sent!