Architecture Computer Software Programs

Drawings remain the primary means by which architects communicate their ideas to clients, craftsmen, or within the design team. The way we create those drawings has evolved over time and is still evolving on a daily basis.

Each Architectural design software is targeted at different needs, and choosing the best one for you depends on many factors such as cost, compatibility with other programs, and the amount of time you are willing to spend on the drawing process. It depends as well on where on the design process are you – we probably all start sketching on paper, then move to architectural software. We even need Graphic Design Software to Illustrate Our Ideas and Design Process . Although you will only find the most suitable design software by being able to adapt and jump between them, here is a list of basic programs to increase your workflow and help you get from the first draft to the final presentation.

Architectural Design Software List:

1. SketchUp

3D Model: Fabian Dejtiar via SketchUp

We strongly believe that architects should start the conceptual phase in 3D. SketchUp allows the user to quickly and easily make 3D designs. It can be downloaded for free however many of its export features are disabled. Since Google bought its copyrights it has become extremely popular in terms of usability and cost. It is one of the easiest programs to understand but its simplicity also means that it has limited rendering capabilities.

However, it is still a powerful program to convey first ideas and it also offers an enormous component library, particularly for domestic architecture. Every object, surface, and material comes with its own unique texture, which is definitely a plus. Its biggest pro remains to date its user-friendly interface.

Read more:
1. 15 simple tips to easily improve your SketchUp skills
2. SketchUp Tutorials for Architects: The Most Useful Web Sites and Resources
3. 20+ Essential SketchUp Plugins for Efficient Modeling for Free Download
4. 50+ SketchUp Models of Construction Details for free download

2. Revit

Revit

Revit is the all-in-one software for 2D and 3D projects, that produces a total project output including modeling, rendering, and 2D construction documents. Instead of lines and circles, you can use actual walls, roofs, beams, columns, and other building components and also real-world characteristics of the physical building such as windows and doors.

It is compatible with AutoCAD, so it is pretty easy to insert a DWG file and use it as a trace reference to start shaping your model. One of its biggest advantages is that every change you make to the model is updated in all views, including plans and elevations. This reduces coordination and drawing time significantly.

Read more:
1. Is It Time to Change from AutoCAD to Revit? Check the Infographic
2. 21 Sites to Download Revit Families for Free
3. 30 Useful Websites for BIM Design Software Users

3.  3D Studio Max

3D Studio Max

Although 3DRhino is getting spread at an exponential rate, because of its parametric plugins and smooth modeling features. Yet, 3D Studio Max still the most popular software in the 3D market.  Since those primordial days of computer graphics and 3D Studio (software that was running under DOS), things have changed.

In just the last half-decade 3D Studio Max tools have found their way into far more areas of our work life than anyone would have imagined. It has modeling capabilities and a flexible plugin architecture and can be used on the Microsoft Windows platform. It is frequently used by video game developers, many TV commercial studios, and architectural visualization studios.

4. Cedreo

Cedreo

Cedreo is a 3D home design software for home builders, interior designers, and remodeling professionals. A simple and fast solution to help you increase your sales: one hour is all it takes to create a 3D floor plan and realistic 3D renderings. Design home plans on your own. With Cedreo, you can master the entire preliminary home draft stage and save valuable time by starting from previous projects, stored in your account, and ready to personalize for your clients. Used in commercial presentations, the 3D renderings allow your clients to easily picture themselves in their future homes.

Cedreo 3D rendering software is both powerful and easy to use. You can create photorealistic 3D renderings of a home with accurate lighting and surface shading to get lifelike images, in less than 5 minutes. This allows you to create appealing presentations easily to communicate your vision and help your clients visualize their new home faster than ever.

5. Autocad

AutoCAD

Actually, we don't recommend using Autocad anymore since Revit is rapidly replacing it in the market. Yet, Autocad is the old dominant player in the architecture software industry. It is so well known among students and professionals that it is unlikely to face any compatibility issues while transferring files throughout the design process. It produces purely representational drawings and usually is the stepping stone to 3D modeling software.

If you adjust the user interface to your preferences and start experimenting with layers and line weights, you will get a decent draft with standard drawing conventions and measurable construction details. Another version of AutoCAD that is created especially for architects, is AutoCAD Architecture. It has features that allow architects to do more efficient drafting, creating designs and documents familiar to them. It has the same platform as AutoCAD that makes it easier for experienced architects to understand.

Read more:
1. Top 50 AutoCAD Shortcuts Architects Need to Know
2. Free 30+ CAD Files for Stair Details and Layouts Available
3. Cad Mapper: Free CAD Files of any Area in the World

6. V-Ray

V-Ray

V-Ray is simply the best for realistic visualization. It is a plug-in that turns SketchUp and ArchiCAD into a nice rendering. The cleanest textures, darkest darks, and brightest whites amount to the most accurate representation of real-world conditions. If your aim is to put your clients in the spaces you are designing in convincing style, V-Ray is going to be your best option. Its extensive material library and resources provide a variety of options in lights, surfaces, and realistic textures to take your architecture design to the next level.

7. Photoshop

Photoshop

When creating renderings, whether it is a section, elevation or plan, knowing how to use Photoshop is absolutely vital. It is high-quality image-producing software, perfect for final renderings and touch-ups. With its familiar system of layers, you can give your rendering the atmosphere and style you want with very few alterations. It is used for image processing, adding textures, landscape, people, a sky, etc. It is also a great way to fix and edit scans of your work and create vignettes for the final presentation.

Read more:
1. Photoshop Architectural Rendering: 10 Photoshop Channels For Architects & Designers
2. How to Turn Your Architectural Drawings and Images into "Blueprints" on Photoshop? – Check the Video
3. Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator Shortcuts for Architects

8. InDesign

In Design

In Design is basically a layout program suitable for creating from booklets to large presentation sheets. You can arrange objects into presentable forms including text, shapes, and images, and is also good for document creation, such as resumes and portfolios. You can set up font types/sizes, page master pages with page numbers, helping increase productivity and document consistency.

The software also gives you the ability to package your files together and bring them with you so you can work at school or at home without the hassle of making sure you copy each separate file and take it with you.

Architecture Computer Software Programs

Source: https://www.arch2o.com/architectural-design-software/

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