Architecture is a large field, and on any given architectural project, you need a range of software for different elements. So what’s the best software for architecture? We take a look at the best tools that can help with architectures design, presentation and documentation.
Architect? Here is a list of the best software to design beautiful and elegant architectural projects. Architecture is not only an art but also a science. Here we will help you choose the best software based on different aspects such as budget, complexity of the model and compatible with major operating systems (like Windows).
Foyr Neo
Foyr Neo is an web based all in one Interior Design Software for Architects and Interior Designers. Developed by Foyr, Neo is a powerful software that is used to create 2D floor plans, furnish and customize designs in 3D mode, create or upload 3D models and generate professional grade photorealistic renders in less than an hour owing to their proprietary cloud based rendering engine.
ArchiCAD
ArchiCAD is an architectural CAD software developed by Graphisoft. This Open BIM (Building Information Modeling) is a complete tool for architects, allowing you to do 3D and 2D drafting, visualization, or building modeling. Thanks to ArchiCAD and all its functionalities, you can handle all the aspects of the engineering and design work. It is particularly advanced in the field of visualization, as it offers architects high quality and photorealistic architectural rendering. This CAD software is also known for its ability to store large amounts of information in your 3D models. It can be used to design buildings and interiors as well as urban areas. This software provide a wide-range of design tools specially made for architects, and interior designers.
Revit
Revit is a software for BIM (Building Information Modeling), developed by Autodesk. This powerful tool is essential if you’re working in the architecture sector, as all its features are specially made for architects. It will help you to create perfect architectural designs. Any buildings and infrastructures can be designed and managed thanks to Revit Autodesk. A big advantage of this modeling software is its collaborative aspect: any coordinator can access centrally shared models to work on it. Collaborative designs are a good way to improve collaboration with your colleagues. And, most of all, avoiding rework will help you to save time.
Image: https://www.autodesk.com/campaigns/revit-lt
Revit is a BIM software developed by Autodesk. It enables both 2D and 3D architecture software modeling, rendering, and construction. The best feature of Revit is its collaborative aspect. It ensures that the whole team working on the project has access to the process of designing and updation. This helps in the smoother execution of the project and saves time. Revit is also compatible with AutoCAD, which we’ll be discussing later on.
Sketchup
Sketchup is a top-rated architecture software that enables architects to plan the entire workflow of a project. It has a variety of rendering functions like drawing, animations, and photographs. In addition, it has a comprehensive library with over 2 million downloadable sketches. It has a user-friendly interface and comes with a vast marketplace of extensions. It has an added feature of a 4D virtual reality in architecture.
Sketchup is understood to be an intuitive software and one of the unfastened cad software programs available. It genuinely assists you to be effective and creative along with the 3d architectural designs. It’s possible to create walk through’s and flyovers with SketchUp, which may be beneficial in your architectural initiatives if you have to show them to the clients. Manifestly, we can use SketchUp for 3d, but it’s also best for scaled and accurate 2d drawings.
Read also – Top 10 SketchUp Alternatives for Designers
FreeCad Arch
FreeCad Arch is a free 3D architecture software that allows architects to design 3D objects of any size. It has a BIM modular software and it lets workbenches (software that allows data sources to connect to design models) dedicated to a particular field to be mounted onto the core application. FreeCad comes with “wizards” that make it easier to design windows, stairs, and roofs, along with material specifications. In addition, you can import and export files in multiple formats.
AutoCAD Architecture
AutoCAD has been in the market since 1982 and is an AutoDesk product. This 3D architecture software has been a favorite among architects, and it has certainly kept up with the times. AutoCAD has an excellent rendering function, as well as features for 2D drafting and drawing. It is compatible with Revit, and the 3D architecture software allows collaboration so that different people working on the project can communicate and work as a team.
Advanced by Autodesk, the AutoCAD structure can be very useful on your architectural initiatives as it permits you to do each 3d and 2d layout. You may be able to create realistic fashions with a mixture of solid, surface, and mesh modeling equipment. Autocad structure is likewise beneficial for 2d drafting and drawing. As for Revit, and all the Autodesk software programs, this 3D software program lets you collaborate easily with other people working on an identical project.
Read also – Architectural Tools & Software
Dynamo
Dynamo is another AutoDesk architecture software. It is an open-source software that can produce designs based on given parameters. With this intuitive tool, architects and designers can build 3D design models in a graphic interface. Dynamo also has a unique feature called the Dynamo Studio, where designers and architects can test for sound dynamics in a given space.
It enables more advanced designs, as architects can get deep primary data insights and analyses. Dynamo comes in both free and commercial packages, and the software’s features can also be integrated with Revit.
TAD
TAD is a free BIM architectural software that was first released in 1989. The TAD developers felt the need for specialized software for architects, as they believed that the other applications in the market were offering engineering solutions rather than architectural ones. Thus, TAD is used to design the concept of a building rather than solving the nitty-gritty of how to construct a building down to its last brick and screw.
It gives holistic solutions and incorporates the designing elements from scratch. TAD comes up with advanced 3D architectural design software updates regularly.
- Cedreo
Cedreo is a web-based 3D home design software that enables construction and remodeling professionals to draw floor plans and create 3D renderings in a matter of minutes. Users can easily draw 2D and 3D floor plans, customize home indoors and outdoors in a few clicks with more than 7,000 3D objects, and generate construction drawings and photorealistic renderings. Cedreo offers a wide range of time-saving features to quickly create, render and share project visualizations: one hour is all it takes to draft a complete home project, without complicated tools or a design degree.
Using Cedreo, construction professionals save time, shorten their sales cycle and close more deals. They can manage project designs without having to go back to the engineering or CAD department, and help clients better understand design intent before construction begins.
- AutoCAD Architecture
Developed by AutoDesk, AutoCAD Architecture can be very useful for your architectural projects as it allows you to do both 3D and 2D design. It is a complete tool, practical for 3D modeling and for visualization thanks to its good rendering. You will be able to create realistic models with its combination of solid, surface and mesh modeling tools. AutoCAD Architecture is also useful for 2D drafting and drawing. As for Revit, and all the AutoDesk software, this 3D software allows you to communicate easily with other people working on the same project.
Chief Architect
Chief Architect is a CAD software created for architecture professionals, to obtain 2D and 3D rendering. This software architecture design is easy to use, with a good learning curve. If you don’t have 3D modeling skills, this Chief Architect software will be helpful, especially if you have a home design project. The interface is really intuitive and the software offers smart building tools. It will create the 3D structure and generate automatically the building system of your project. Moreover, you can export 360° panorama renderings that can be shared with your clients.
- All Plan
This 3D architecture software is developed by Nemetschek and only working with Windows, perfect for your architecture patterns. This BIM solution allows working on 2D and 3D designs quite easily. Its design tools will enable you to work on drawings, conception, topography. It can be used as well for simple and complex geometries.
Vectorworks Architect
Vectorworks Architect could be your new architecture design software, allowing you to go from conceptual design to BIM models. This software offers all the features you need, step by step, to make your architectural structure using 3D modeling: Precision drawings, creative and site modeling, algorithmic designs, everything can be done using this 3D program. You can totally use to create your graphics and presentation.
Conclusion
There are few ways to make a presentation. One way is the old-school hand drawn sitemap, which can be sent to your clients. Another way is to use a free architectural program and create a pretty 3D website mockups and export it as an image file and send that to your clients.