Show HN: HomeCat – Design your backyard office

(myhomecat.com)

40 points | by dearilos 2 days ago ago

25 comments

  • dearilos 2 days ago ago

    We just got the hug of death. Fixing it - sorry about that! You can clone this scene and start designing from it for now https://myhomecat.com/scene/classic-cottage-137134ef

    Edit: back up and working now!

  • foopod 2 days ago ago

    Americentrism? Code compliant where? I tried my place in New Zealand, but the address isn't recognized. I couldn't find anywhere on the site what countries/regions are accepted.

    • ajb 2 days ago ago

      To be fair it's going to be nontrivial to implement all the codes everywhere. In some cases it's going to be impossible for an app like this to judge - In the UK, for example, there are "permitted development" rights which allow certain things (like a garden office or other outbuilding) without going through a bureaucratic process. But while some of the rules are easy to automate (eg, must be less than 2.5m high) some are not. For example, the UK allows building over 50% of the garden[1]. But if it was just measurement based, you'd be able to build over 50%, then 50% of the remaining 50%, etc etc. So the rule is "50% of the original garden". That's going to be difficult for an app like this to find out.

      [1] it's slightly more complicated than this

      • foopod 2 days ago ago

        Oh yeah, not suggesting they try to handle everywhere on Earth. But it would be nice if supported countries/regions was listed somewhere.

        • wink a day ago ago

          I mean the page is in English and they used $ for the currency, how many countries could they really target? /s

    • dearilos 2 days ago ago

      What province/state/territory in NZ? I can add it in. We just research the code compliance stuff manually so we couldn't cover the entire world but I can add your case in.

      • trainingonme 2 days ago ago

        The UK doesn't seem to work, either. (Tried postcode and town)

        • dearilos 2 days ago ago

          I can add this in too. Sorry, it might take a bit of time!

          • barryvan a day ago ago

            Any chance of Western Australia? This looks like a really useful tool and I'd love to give it a proper go here...

            • dearilos 20 hours ago ago

              Heya I'd love to help! Could you shoot me a note to my email in my bio? I didn't see a way to reach out from your profile.

  • saastown 10 hours ago ago

    3D design of backyards look great!! Did you use three js for the 3D effects? As recently I built 3D town and have used Three js, and want to take this forward.

  • hedgehog 2 days ago ago

    There's something funky with the renderer, it looks like perspective is wrong. All vibe coded?

    • dearilos 2 days ago ago

      Can you link your scene? It's possible there is an edge case.

      • hedgehog 2 days ago ago

        The one you linked here in the comments.

        • dearilos 2 days ago ago

          I think you might be talking about how the camera uses orthographic rendering? This article explains it well https://manual.keyshot.com/keyshot11/manual/cameras/lens-set...

          • hedgehog 2 days ago ago

            That's a good reference for what orthographic rendering is, but if you look at the rendered scene it's definitely not orthographic. Parallel lines in the model converge towards the camera when the model is viewed from an angle.

            • rendaw a day ago ago

              I think it's an optical illusion. It looks weird to me, but comparing it with various objects I have I do feel like they're parallel.

              Specifically the roof edge vs base edge, the back of the roof vs the front of the roof.

          • xnx 20 hours ago ago

            Probably better to use perspective as the default like Sketchup.

  • xnx 20 hours ago ago

    Site doesn't list prices without logging in (boo!), but I saw $50/plan.

    • dearilos 20 hours ago ago

      Yes - we only charge for the building plans. So it's $50, but you get to revise as many times as you want. Others have found this really useful for zoning/HOA/permit approval so far.

      Everything else like designing, materials lists, code compliance - we intend to keep free.

  • toyg 2 days ago ago

    Hijacking a bit, sorry: I already built the space, but I just filled it with old, mismatched, clunky furniture. Is there some sort of designer site where I could play with furniture, apart from Ikea?

    • dearilos 2 days ago ago

      We actually do want to do more complex interior, and let you add furniture from any catalog. Can I email you on your profile about this?

  • richstokes 2 days ago ago

    Doesn’t load.

    • dearilos 2 days ago ago

      Just noticed this - fixing now!

  • pablogancharov 21 hours ago ago

    [flagged]