Abstract:
A method enables online purchase of customizable home construction plans. The method includes accessing a web based software package, customizing the home, and ordering the construction plans. The software package is a second aspect. The software allows the consumer to select different predefined features and add them to a stock floor plan. The selection of different features enables the customization of the home plan. The features selected are displayed to the consumer through a series of layers. The layers are superimposed on each other according to a predefined logic so that the consumer views what the home actually will look like rather an amalgamation of pieces. When the consumer is satisfied with the customized plan, the consumer orders formal plans and construction plans are sent to the consumer.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a technique for a consumer to generate customized design drawings and purchase a full set of construction drawings from the customized design drawings, preferably over the Internet. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Over the last decade, new homebuyers and builders have concentrated on lowering the initial cost of a new home and on preserving that home&#39;s resale value. These buyers and builders are not interested in having their new home be an individual expression of their personal taste, nor are they willing to pay for custom architectural plans. The houses which people actually buy or build have become increasingly standardized and conform to a small number of classic stock plans and types. However, people still want to make small changes to these stock plans so that the house fits their perceived needs. 
     These trends have fueled the growth of the stock plan industry that sells pre-drawn construction drawings at a fraction of the cost of custom plans drawn from scratch. Traditionally, these plans are generally hand-drafted drawings that are fixed entities and cannot be easily modified or customized to suit the buyer. In the past, if a consumer liked a set of plans, but wanted to make a few changes, it was easier to throw out the old drawings and start over. 
     However, advances in computer aided drafting (CAD) technology have revolutionized the architectural industry. CAD technology has provided new tools for the production of architectural plans. In the computer era, a few mouse clicks can create a new set of plans from an existing set. Individual sets of plans can be customized by including different layers or features that can be turned on and off as required. A new process of selecting a stock plan is now possible where the buyer literally designs their own home by first choosing a basic style and plan and then choosing the specific architectural features they prefer. 
     Many new and innovative CAD design applications have been marketed to homebuyers. These products produce a generalized design and floor plans, but most do not contain the tools necessary for drawing a fully detailed, dimensioned, and annotated set of construction drawings. Such drawings are a necessary part of any contract for construction. The products that do contain these tools, such as AUTOCAD® are generally too complicated or time consumptive for a lay person to use for home design. 
     Additionally, the advent of virtual landscapes and buildings in computer games and other computer related simulations are similar in some regards to home design, but these layouts are not necessarily true to the laws of physics, and certainly have not been rendered in sufficient detail to allow home construction therefrom. Furthermore, virtual buildings are also not something that a casual consumer would be able to create in a short amount of time given presently available tools. 
     Finally, the emergence of commerce over the Internet, and more specifically over the World Wide Web, has received much attention of late. One of the end results of this emergence is the reduction of the consuming populace in many physically distant localities into one relatively homogenous community, with both a standardization of price and expectation from the consuming body. 
     Thus, there remains a need for a computer based program accessible over the Internet that would allow a casual consumer to create a customized variation from a stock floor plan, and secure therefrom construction drawings that would enable the consumer to build their customized home. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The needs of the prior art are addressed by a method enabling the online purchase of customizable home construction drawings. The method includes accessing a web based software package, selecting and then customizing design drawings of the home, and ordering the construction drawings derived from the customized design drawings. A software package is a second aspect of the present invention. The software allows the consumer to select different predefined features and add them to stock design drawings to create customized design drawings. The features selected are displayed to the consumer through a series of stacked layers. The layers are superimposed on each other according to a predefined logic so that the consumer views what the home actually will look like rather than an amalgamation of pieces. When the consumer is satisfied with the customized design drawings, the consumer orders formal construction plans and these construction drawings are sent to the consumer. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of the computer network through which the present invention may be accessed; 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram of the software modules of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is an exemplary screen shot from the software of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  shows a number of exemplary layers as used by the software of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a flow diagram of the method of the software of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 6A &amp; 6B  are exemplary drawings showing how a conflict could be resolved; 
         FIG. 7  is an exemplary partial view of the construction drawings generated by the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a flow diagram of the method of use by the consumer; 
         FIG. 9  is a flow diagram of the method of use as seen by the provider; 
         FIG. 10  is an exemplary flow diagram illustrating the software of the present invention in use by an ordinary consumer. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention is particularly contemplated as being a web based commerce solution to the desires of consumers to purchase customized construction drawings. The invention has two principle aspects, namely the software that enables the creation of customized design drawings and the method of vending customized construction drawings derived from the customized design drawings to the consumer over the Internet. For full understanding of these two aspects, reference is made to the accompanying drawings. 
     Specifically,  FIG. 1  shows in a block diagram format a host computer  10  including a memory  12  having software  20  stored thereon. There are three principle ways that the host computer  10  may be utilized by a consumer  14 . Host computer  10  may be accessed directly by a consumer  14 A through a conventional input/output interface such as a keyboard, monitor, and mouse. This may occur for example when a consumer  14  visits the physical location of a builder or designer&#39;s office. While not numerous, these walk in consumers do provide an important source of revenue, and should be accommodated. 
     Alternatively, a consumer  14 B may use a remote computer  16  with direct dial in access such as over a modem. Consumer  14 B would instruct his remote computer  16  to call the host computer  10  and provide appropriate log in information or other desired access information to establish a connection as is well understood. 
     Finally, a consumer  14 C may use a remote computer  16 A to access the Internet  18 , such as through an Internet Service Provider, such as BELLSOUTH.NET®, GTE.NET®, or the like. Specifically contemplated would be accessing the World Wide Web with a web browser and from there accessing a web page hosted by the host computer  10 . The web page would act as an interface for the software  20 . Also contemplated are the consumers  14  who operate their own Internet gateways complete with their own Internet servers. 
     Host computer  10  may be a personal computer with a microprocessor therein, or may be a dedicated network server or the like as needed or desired. Memory  12  may be a hard drive, CD-ROM, optical CD, floppy disk, or other form of computer memory as is well understood in the field of computers. Software  20  may be written in any appropriate code as needed or desired. It should be appreciated that in all embodiments, personal access, direct dial-in, or Internet web access, the consumer  14  is preferably presented with a uniform interface with which to use the software  20 . As operating systems and application software continue to merge, it is contemplated that the consumer interface in all embodiments will emulate or in fact be a function of a web browser, although this is not specifically required by the present invention. It is contemplated that the remote computers  16  and  16 A will be personal computers with the appropriate communications software, although as WEB-TV and other existing services attempt to shift the need from client processing power to server provided processing power, the present invention accommodates such alternate devices as well. As will be described below, software  20  may be distributed or located at a unitary site. 
     A brief overview of the general functions of the software  20  will be helpful for understanding of the invention. An exemplary version of the software  20  is better seen in  FIG. 2 , which depicts some of the modules of the software  20  in block format. Software  20  may include a central processing module  22 , an input module  24 , a display module  26 , a memory access module  28 , and a layer library  30 . 
     Processing module  22  receives input from the input module  24  and displays end results with the assistance of the display module  26 . It should be appreciated that the input module  24  receives and interprets commands from a keyboard, a mouse, or other input devices as needed or desired. Further, the input module  24  should have the capacity to receive commands locally at the host computer  10  or from a remote computer  16  or  16 A. Thus, there may be the appropriate communications software included within the input module  24  if needed. There should additionally be modules within the memory access module  28  designed to write files to memory ( 28 A) and load files from memory ( 28 B). Depending on the particular memory  12  used with the host computer  10 , different drivers may be required, but such is considered well within the ordinary skill of one in the computer arts. 
     Additionally, the processing module  22  may be conceptualized as containing a layer selection module  32  and a conflict checking module  34 . These will be explained in greater detail below, but essentially receive the input from the input module  24  to determine the layers selected by the user from the layer library  30  and then determine if there are conflicts therebetween that need to be resolved prior to display by the display module  26 . 
     Display module  26  generates a visual representation of the home being designed along with a graphical user interface (GUI) that allows the consumer  14  to customize the home. An exemplary screen shot  40  is seen in  FIG. 3 . It should be appreciated that the screen shot  40  is sized according to the monitor on which it is displayed and with a suitable color palette. In the preferred embodiment, the screen shot includes a fixed field  42  that includes a logo indicia  44  and a plurality of links to other aspects of the invention such as a “home” link  46 , an “info” link  48 , a “design your own” link  50  (presently displayed in the active fields), a “design gallery” link  52 , and a “resources” link  54 . Further, the screen shot  40  includes one or more active fields  60  with scroll bars  62 . 
     The “home” link  46  takes the consumer  14  to a first page of the web site (not shown) that may have a quick promotional advertisement of the provider of the web page with appropriate indicia to make a positive first impression. This would also presumably be the first web page that the consumer  14  would see when reaching the site through the World Wide Web. The “info” link  48  takes the consumer  14  to a page (not shown) that has contact information about the provider of the web page, a brief tour of the services provided by the provider of the web page, and the like. The “design your own” link  50  is displayed as screen shot  40  and allows the consumer  14  to create customized design drawings as will be detailed below. The “design gallery” link  52  takes the consumer  14  to a page (not shown) that allows the consumer to browse a number of different homes that have already been designed by other consumers of the software  20 . The “resources” link  54  takes the consumer  14  to a page (not shown) that provides information about builders, home improvements, and links to other web sites that may be helpful to consumers of the software  20 . 
     In the particular screen shot  40 , a first active field  64  includes a list of commands  66  that the consumer  14  may manipulate to customize the design drawings. These commands  66  correspond to options or features on the home as will be detailed below. A vertical scroll bar  62  allows the consumer  14  to peruse many more commands  66  than are shown. A second active field  68  shows a front exterior elevational view  70  of the home being customized and also an interior floor plan view  72  of the home being designed. It is expected that the two views  70  and  72  will be too large to be seen easily on one screen so, scroll bars  62  allow the consumer  14  to see the desired view  70 ,  72 , or portions of both as needed or desired. Views  70 ,  72  are the design drawings that are customized by the consumer  14 . 
     Commands  66  may be implemented by the software  20  or by functions of the consumer&#39;s Internet browser. Suitable methods may include check boxes, radio buttons, pulldown menus, or a field allowing direct data entry. The following comprise a list of exemplary commands that could be within the list of commands  66 .
     The existence and size of a garage (none, one, two, three, or more)   The location of the garage doors (front, side, or rear)   The base plan size (regular, compact, or extended)   The size of the master suite (regular or expanded)   The number of bedrooms (one, two, three, four, or more)   Fireplace (none, steel, brick)   Deck (rear, yes, no)   Bay window in living room (yes, no)   Bay window in breakfast room (yes, no)   French Door between the living room and family room (yes, no)   Bedroom side windows (yes, no)   Nine foot family room ceiling (yes, no)   Main roof (gable end, hip)   Main roof dormers (yes, no)   Wing dormers (yes, no)   Flush Roof Gables (no, small, wide, center, off-center left, off-center right)   Flush Gable upper window (round, half-round, single, round top)   Projected bay (no bay,  2  story bay, with second floor overhang, with columns)   Front door (standard, w/transom window, w/fanlight window, w/pediment trim, recessed)   Projected bay upper window (none, half-round, round)   Window over entry (single, double, archtop, palladian)   Porches (none, full width, full w/cross gable, two story, gable roof, balcony roof)   Reverse plan (switches left/right orientation of plan)   Change Siding Color   Change Roof Color
 
This list is not meant to be exhaustive, but rather exemplary, and other features may be added as developed or requested by the consumers  14 . Additional commands such as “save,” “delete,” “new,” “save as,” “calculate area,” and “order plans” may also be enabled through buttons, links, or other appropriate command entry methods.
   

     The “calculate area” command in particular allows a consumer  14  to determine the square footage of the home currently being displayed. This is helpful when making comparisons between different design drawings. 
     Front elevational view  70  and interior floor plan view  72  are provided and modified by the contents of the layer library  30 . As better seen in  FIG. 4 , layer library  30  includes a plurality of layers  36 , only a few of which are actually shown. There is a base layer  36 A that represents the core front elevational view of the house, and then a plurality of option or feature layers  36 B– 36 D. For example, feature layer  36 B shows the chimney for a fireplace that may be added to the house. Feature layer  36 C shows a base garage addition. Feature layer  36 D shows a hip roof as opposed to the gable end roof of the default home. It should be appreciated that there are a plethora of feature layers  36  each showing a feature that may be added to the house or substituted for a previously existing element. Not only should the feature layer  36  add the element, but it should also add any appropriate shadows to the front elevational view  70  of the house. In general, each layer  36  contains one feature version although more than one layer  36  may combine to form a feature version. Opaque drawing elements may be positive images or masking areas which block out a portion of the layer(s)  36  below. For example, layer  36 D would include masking areas  38  to mask portions of the roof in layer  36 A. While not shown, layers  36  also exist for the interior floor plan view  72 . While not concerned with the shadows, these floor plan layers must be aware of how the walls of the plan view  72  are changed by any selection made from the list of commands  66 . Further, different features may change the effective area of the home, thereby generating a true need for the “calculate area” command. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the layers  36  are created as individual drawings that can be hand-drawn or computer generated. These drawings are translated or scanned into a common graphical file format such as EPS, JPEG, or GIF. 
     With that overview of the software  20 , a more detailed analysis of the steps that the software  20  performs is shown in  FIG. 5 . Software  20 , when initially accessed, will display the home web page (block  100 ). Further, the software  20  may display the other web pages if the appropriate links  48 ,  52 , or  54  are chosen (block  102 ). However, the area of interest for the present invention is after the selection of the “design your own” link  50  (block  104 ). 
     After receiving the selection of the “design your own” link  50 , the software  20  displays an intermediary screen (not shown) asking for the selection of one of a number of styles (block  106 ). Thus, the screen asks whether an architectural style such as Colonial, Cape Cod, or Contemporary is desired. After receiving an indication as to the desired style, the software  20  displays another intermediary screen (not shown) asking for the selection of one of a number of sample designs (block  108 ). Each sample design, amongst the available options displayed, conforms to the chosen style and is composed from a particular base design drawing to which a traditional or typical set of features has been added. Each base design drawing is one of a limited number of predetermined core plans. Each core plan has a unique configuration. All base design drawings and core plans are stored in memory  12  and may comprise a plurality of feature layers  36 . 
     After the sample design has been selected, software  20  then displays the front elevation view  70  and the floor plan views  72  of the chosen design (block  110 ) together with the list of commands  66 . Thus, a reasonable approximation of screen shot  40  is presented to the consumer  14 . Software  20  then receives instructions to add features to the design drawing (block  112 ). List of commands  66  is divided into discrete subgroups representing a type of feature, such as two or more different types of roofs. When a particular command in a discrete subgroup is entered, software  20  is preferably programmed to deselect other features within the subgroup (block  114 ). Thus, two or more features from any given subgroup, such as a gable roof and a hip roof, cannot be selected at the same time. Conflict checking module  34  then looks for conflicts with other features from different subgroups (block  116 ). For example, the expanded master suite is built over the garage, and you cannot have an expanded suite unless you have a garage. Selection of the master suite option without first selecting a garage will result in a screen message to the consumer  14  describing the conflict and explaining how it will be resolved. 
     Upon resolution of any conflict, or if no conflict is present, the layer selection module  32  determines the appropriate layers  36  which will be added to the elevation and floor plan views  70 ,  72  (block  118 ). The updated stack of elevation layers  36  are combined and displayed (block  120 ) and the updated stack of floor plan layers  36  are combined and displayed (block  122 ). 
     One way in which the information within the processing module  22  could be organized is shown in Table 1. Another name for this table is the Feature Matrix. 
                                                         TABLE 1                   Feature               1 Flr. Plan   2 Flr. Plan   Elevation               Base Plan   Set   Feature   Version   Notes   image layer   image layer   image layer   Conflict   Action                   Colonial A   Garage   no garage   c-ga-n-01                               ″   ″   2-car   c-ga-2-01       c-ga-2-01-1   c-ga-2-01-2   c-ga-2-01-e   c-ms-x   Show c-ga-2-02               garage       ″   ″   2-car   c-ga-2-02   with   c-ga-2-01-1   c-ga-2-01-2   c-ga-2-01-e   c-ms-r   Show c-ga-2-01               garage       expanded                       master suite       ″   ″   3-car   c-ga-3-01       c-ga-3-01-1   c-ga-3-01-2   c-ga-3-01-e   c-ms-x   Show c-ga-3-02               garage       ″   ″   3-car   c-ga-3-02   with   c-ga-3-01-1   c-ga-3-01-2   c-ga-3-01-e   c-ms-r   Show c-ga-3-01               garage       expanded                       master suite       ″   Garage   Doors   c-gd-s-01       c-gd-s-01-1           Doors   face side       ″   Garage   Doors   c-gd-f-01       c-gd-f-01-1           c-ga-3   Show c-gd-s-01 and           Doors   face front                           print “Doors for 3-                                           car garage must face                                           to the side.”       ″   Master   Regular   c-ms-r-01           Suite   suite       ″   Master   Expanded   c-ms-x-01                   c-ga-n   Show ms-r-01 and           Suite   Suite                           print “The expanded                                           suite is not available                                           without a Garage.”                    
This feature matrix is a relational database containing data about the style and version of the house (base plan), the sets to which each feature belongs (feature set), a list of the basic features, (feature), the different versions of each feature that may result from logical exceptions with other features (version). Other columns identify the layers  36  to apply to the floor plan view  72  (1 Flr. Plan image layer &amp; 2 Flr Plan image layer) and the correct elevation layer  36  (elevation image layer). The processing module  22  reads the entire combination of selected features in the feature matrix to determine if an exception is found to a particular feature. If an exception is found, the matrix will determine the correct version of the feature to display. Exceptions include logical exceptions and graphical exceptions. A logical exception occurs if a selected feature cannot coexist with a previously selected feature. For example, an upper gable window cannot occur if there is no upper gable selected. Selecting both of these options at the same time will cause a logical exception. A graphical exception occurs when a selected feature will coexist with a previously selected feature, but must be modified to do so. For example, the full porch feature must be notched to fit around a projecting bay window, thus requiring a different version of the feature. This can be seen in  FIGS. 6A and 6B  wherein the example front elevation view  80  includes a full porch  82  in  FIG. 6A , but with the addition of the bay window  84 , the porch  82 A ( FIG. 6B ) must be notched with a notch  86 . In practice, two layers  36  exist for the different versions of the porch  82 ,  82 A.
 
     Once the correct version layer  36  for each feature has been determined, the matrix describes the physical actions to be performed for that version (action column). These may include one or more of the following actions. First, the consumer  14  may receive an informational message on the display. A typical message might state that their selections have resulted in a conflict and describing how the conflict has been resolved. Second, software  20  may reset various form options without alerting the consumer  14 . Third, software  20  may define the correct graphic layers  36  required to display the feature version. Alternatively, a “design helper” may be activated to assist a user resolve the conflict. These sorts of assistants are well understood and in effect as a form of artificial intelligence for the software. 
     While not shown, it is possible to generate three dimensional views, including a walk through of the home based on the chosen plan and the commands  66  chosen. Another command would allow the consumer  14  to rotate the perceived view of the home such that the consumer  14  has a better understanding of the true appearance of the home. Also while not shown, it is possible to provide sectional views of the home at predetermined or consumer determined positions. Buttons or command links may be enabled to effectuate this functionality. Note that the plan, section, elevation, three dimensional views, and other design images are composed of many different graphic layers  36 . Each specific combination of layers  36  will create a unique image. 
     The layers  36  are placed into the display module  26  that allows them to be stacked in the proper order and turned on or off as instructed by the processing module  22  based on the feature matrix. The display module  26  contains separate sets of images for each view of the house, such as floor plans, elevations, or three dimensional models. 
     To allow the consumer  14  to place an order, it may be required that they must first register or otherwise create an account with the host computer  10 . Then when the consumer  14  is satisfied with the order, the customized design drawings may be saved through the use of an appropriate command entry. When saved, the drawings are linked to the account, such as by a pointer. The account may include name, address, other contact information, potentially payment information, age, income, and the like as needed or desired. The user account may serve several functions. First, it may provide valuable information about the users of the present invention. This demographic information may be marketed subject to the appropriate privacy laws, used internally to determine what would make the web site more appealing to certain demographic sections, or other purpose as needed or desired. E.g., if the average annual income is on the order of $500,000, more upscale designs may be added to web site to cater to these customers who may be able to afford larger houses. Second, the user account allows a user to be linked to a saved design. This allows later orders to be sent to the correct individual. Third, repeat visits by consumers  14  are encouraged as they do not have to start from scratch each time they visit the site. They may merely call up saved designs and modify them until satisfaction is achieved. 
     When the consumer  14  is satisfied with the end result, he may click on the order command with his mouse pointer and order the construction drawings associated with the customized design drawings he or she has created with the software  20 . This generates a set of construction drawings  90  such as are shown in fragmented form in  FIG. 7 . Construction drawings  90  include details  92  that enable a builder to build a house that the consumer  14  custom designed. It should be appreciated that there would be many pages of construction drawings  90  that may include electrical schematics, plumbing schematics, and the like. These are preferably coded to meet all regulatory building codes and meet filing requirements with local authorities. In the preferred embodiment, the construction drawings  90  are managed in a format similar to the layers  36  of the elevational view  70  or plan view  72 , but are not displayed to the consumer  14 . Alternatively, construction drawings  90  representing all of the different permutations of commands  66  may be pre-generated and stored in memory  12 . Thus, when the order is placed, processing unit  22  evaluates all the options selected and through a look up table or the like locates the desired construction drawings  90  and creates a hard copy or electronic copy for delivery to the consumer  14 . Note further, the construction drawings  90  could exist as hard copies and the processing module  22  merely generate a reference number and the original construction drawings  90  could be physically copied, such as by a photocopier or the like for shipping to the consumer  14 . 
     Software  20  can be delivered to the consumer  14  by developing a stand-alone version for installation on the consumer&#39;s computer  16  or  16 A. Software  20  may include files for layers  36  used to create views  70 ,  72  and construction drawing sets used to create construction drawings  90 . Alternatively, the construction drawings  90  might be purchased separately from an outside source. Software  20  preferably functions through an interaction between the host computer  10  and the consumer&#39;s computer  16 ,  16 A. This remote access may also have multiple embodiments. In a first embodiment, the feature matrix, the layer library  30 , and the display module  26  form an Internet web site that is located on the host computer  10 . A client computer  16 ,  16 A accesses this site over the Internet  18  and individual web pages convey different information. A second embodiment would provide a shell program that is resident on the consumer computer  16 ,  16 A but with instructions to access the layer library  30  and other features of the software  20  on the host computer  10 . This embodiment is well suited to including a communications module at the consumer computer  16 ,  16 A such that the communications module contacts the host computer  10  automatically. When a consumer selection is made in either of these two embodiments, the browser software on the consumer computer  16 ,  16 A performs an initial logic check and the resulting selections are sent on to the host computer  10 . Host computer  10 , and particularly the processing module  22  of the software  20  processes these selections and the correct layers  36  are determined. The display module  26  creates the images from these layers  36  and translates them into an Internet compatible file format such as a GIF or jpeg. The image files are retransmitted to the consumer computer  16 ,  16 A over the Internet  18 . When the consumer  14  is satisfied with the final design, matching construction plans  90  may then be ordered over the Internet  18 . 
     Armed with this powerful software tool a home plan seller is well positioned to take advantage of the commercial opportunities available on the Internet. There are a number of ways conceptually to think about the methodology behind the invention. The method as seen from the point of view of the consumer  14  is shown in  FIG. 8 , wherein the consumer  14  initially accesses the software (block  150 ). As noted above, this may be done directly at the host computer  10 , through a remote computer  16  with a direct dial in access, or through a computer  16 A that access a web page through the Internet  18 . Further, the software  20  may include components resident on the remote computers  16 ,  16 A as needed or desired. Consumer  14  may at this point create a user account or log in to a previously created user account (block  151 ). Consumer  14  chooses the basic style (block  152 ) such as Colonial, Cape Cod, Contemporary, or the like. Then the consumer  14  chooses one of a select number of sample designs (block  154 ). Consumer  14  then customizes the design drawings (block  156 ) through the appropriate commands on the list of commands  66 . Consumer  14  may then view the customized design drawings including floor plan view  72  and elevational view  70 . Upon satisfaction with this design, it may be saved (block  160 ). While not explicitly shown, the consumer  14  may also view sectional or three-dimensional views of the home as needed or desired. Consumer  14  may then order the construction drawings  90  that would enable building of the home represented by the saved version (block  162 ). Whether receiving the construction drawings  90  through the mail, a shipping courier, or through some electronic transmission, the consumer  14  then receives the construction drawings  90  (block  164 ). It should be appreciated that the particular order of many of the commands need not be in the order indicated by the flow chart of  FIG. 8 , but rather can occur in a nonlinear fashion as the thought occurs to the consumer  14 . In particular, the account creation and/or log in need only occur sometime before saving is performed in block  160 . Likewise, a number of different design drawings may be saved and compared one against the other by the consumer  14  as needed or desired. 
     From the provider side, the method is almost a mirror image of the aforedescribed method. However, the provider side method is set forth explicitly with reference to  FIG. 9 . The process begins when the software  20  is accessed by the consumer  14  (block  200 ). The provider may then allow the consumer  14  to create an account or log in to a previously existing account (block  201 ). Software  20  receives a request for a basic style (block  202 ) and then receives the request for the sample design (block  204 ) which is then displayed to the consumer  14 . Software  20  then receives command  66  or tool instructions as the design drawings are customized by the consumer  14  (block  206 ). As the commands  66  are manipulated, the software  20  continues to update and display the customized floor plan view  72  (block  208 ) and the customized elevational view  70  (block  210 ). Save to memory module  28 A saves a final version (block  212 ) upon proper command by the consumer  14 . Ultimately, the software  20  will receive an order for construction drawings  90  from the consumer  14  (block  214 ). While heretofore relatively unmentioned, the end goal of the provider of this software  20  is to profit by selling construction drawings  90 . Thus, provision for payment and accounting associated with the order must be performed (block  216 ). This may be done by the method disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,960,411, which is hereby incorporated by reference, or other conventional ways to facilitate e-commerce as is well understood in the art. Finally, the construction drawings  90  must be delivered (block  218 ). This may be accomplished by shipping, mailing, or electronically sending as needed or desired, or as requested by the consumer  14 . Again note that the precise order of events need not occur as linearly as indicated, but rather the present flow charts are provided as examples. In particular, the account creation and/or log in to previously existing accounts may occur at any time prior to the save step of block  212 . 
     While the above examples have been at a fairly abstract level of analysis, it may be helpful to go through one example to better understand the present invention. A flow chart of this example is seen in  FIG. 10 . The process begins when the consumer  14  accesses the software  20  as previously described (block  300 ). Consumer  14  clicks on the “design your own” link  50  and subsequently selects a style (block  302 ). Consumer  14  then chooses a sample design (block  304 ) and stretches it by choosing an expanded version of the sample design (block  206 ). Consumer  14  is faced with a number of options through the list of commands  66 , but initially decides that they want a fireplace, so the appropriate check box is clicked and a fireplace is added (block  308 ). Not happy with merely that change, the consumer  14  adds a gable (block  310 ) and a gable window (block  312 ), although the default round gable window is satisfactory to the consumer  14 , so no changes are made to that feature. Consumer  14  subsequently adds a porch (block  314 ) and decides that the fireplace looks out of place, so removes the fireplace (block  316 ). Consumer  14  then decides that they want a different number of bedrooms and the corresponding change is made (block  318 ). With more bedrooms, more bathrooms are needed, so the consumer  14  adds an extra bathroom (block  320 ). Consumer  14  lives in the north and desires a garage, so a garage is added (block  322 ). Consumer  14  then decides to remove the gable and gable window (block  324 ). Removing the gable alone creates a prompt that the gable window must also be removed. Satisfied with these results, the consumer  14  then generates a three dimensional view of the house (block  326 ) and rotates (block  328 ). Consumer  14  is happy with all these results and saves the design drawing. Subsequently, the consumer  14  orders the construction drawings  90  and provides appropriate financial information such that the provider may be paid for the construction drawings  90 . The provider then delivers the construction drawings  90  to the consumer  14  and eventually a home is built according thereto. 
     The present invention may, of course, be carried out in other specific ways than those herein set forth without departing from the spirit and essential characteristics of the invention. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all changes coming within the meaning and equivalency range of the appended claims are intended to be embraced therein.