- Windows: In terms of hardware and operating system, it all comes down to your personal preference. High-end Apple and PC laptops are well geared to handle the challenges offered by the job. Windows 10 is arguably more user friendly as it supports a wide array of software but is exposed to more viruses than Mac.
- Best Architectural CAD Software for Mac. Explore these highest-rated tools to discover the best option for your business. Based on ratings and number of reviews, Capterra users give these tools a thumbs up. Select a product to learn more. AutoCAD Architecture, BricsCAD, SketchUp, ZWCAD, ARCHICAD, PaleBlue, Cad Cabin Home Designer.
Arcon Evo is not free software for architecture but can be said to be one of the best one in terms of features that it offers. It offers professional CAD tools for designing windows and doors in the 3D view, roof and floor plans and also customized stairs. The software is well supported by training. Browse and download a wide variety of award-winning video, audio, business, utility, or graphics software programs for both PC and Mac.
If you are a professional architect or an architecture student that is looking for ways to make your work in designing much easier, there are architectural design software that can meet all your needs. You can use these software to help you in your projects and even in starting to design your future home. These software can help you in making a 2D or 3D designs and mostly have automatic feature to make designing easier. They come in many types that suit the designer’s needs. There are even software that can be used by beginners and those who have little experience in architectural designs and some have sophisticated features that require an experienced architect to operate and understand the software. In this top 10 list, we feature the best architectural software that is easy to use and understand for all aspiring designers and students that are only beginning to explore the designing world.
10. Microstation
There are many people that use this software because of its stability when it comes to the platform that they can work on unlike other software. They also find it easier to use. There are some problems with using this software, it is its compatibility and it may cause some workflow problems to the user. Some of the images that are from an AutoCAD can’t be viewed in Microstation. This results in seeking help from an architect to do the bindings or do the necessary changes on your own.
9. SketchUp
After Google purchased the rights of this software, it software is now becoming popular and known to users. This software allows the user to quickly and easily make 3D building designs. Though the features that it has may be as sophisticated as you can find in other software, its price is reasonable especially if you don’t need a sophisticated software in the first place. This software is a great deal for students that are looking for software that can generate 3 dimensional designs in short amount of time and for people is just starting on their architectural careers.
8. Revit Architecture
This is a software is built for building information modeling or BIM, which is the key for a sustainable design. The changes that you will make will be automatically coordinated throughout the project that you are working in. This will help you in making a consisted and complete project. The features are easy to understand to help you start a complete, consistent and error free designs. You can you this software in Windows Vista and XP.
7. Softplan
This is easy to use software that you can use on all your designing needs. It also support building information modeling that gives a complete documentation, 3 dimensional designing capabilities, list of materials and real time cost estimate repots. The changes you will do on your design will automatically coordinated throughout the project that you are working on. This is the best choice when you are working on residential and commercial designs.
6. Autodesk Revit
This software works in ways that can that architects and designer needs. By doing so, this can make it easier for designers to make high quality designs that are accurate. This design software also support the building information modeling workflows which means that you can also get and analyze each concept, meet all your goals throughout the design, documentation and the overall construction of the project. This is a standalone application and is the best solution if you are looking for functionality. It also comes in different editions that have specific features that can meet all your design needs.
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5. Vectorworks Architecture
It may not be as simple to use as the other software, but through its complicity the designer can produce extraordinary results and generate exceptional projects. The long and sometimes frustrating hours that you will have in learning will all be worth it, especially when you can already make fast and unique designs after some time. This software also supports building information modeling. It is actually an easy to use application when you get used to it. It is the software that is suitable for those with experience and those who want to have the best results. It is not recommended for first timers in architectural design.
4. AutoCAD Architecture
AutoCAD Architecture is a version AutoCAD that is created especially for architects. It has features that allow architects to do a more efficient drafting, creating designs and documents that are familiar to them. They have the same platform as AutoCAD that will make it easier for experienced architects to understand. There is a free trial version that you can try before you purchase this product. This AutoCAD package is tailor-made for an architect that is enough reason to get this software.
3. Punch Software
This self-entitled America’s#1 Home & Landscape De sign Software is an application that combine NexGen power with the stunning realistic photographic quality from LightWorks that will allow the architect or designer to generate realistic and great residential designs on their own or for their clients. They have packages that can meet the architects’ needs when it comes to design. The software is compatible with Windows and though it is pricy, it can always produce the great results.
2. Chief Architect
This is professional design software that can help generate 3 dimensional designs. It has automated tools that can make home design and remodeling easy. This is the software that most architects prefer to use in 2D or 3D architectural design because it is easy to use and can still give the results that they want.
1. ArchiCAD
This is an all-in-one software that you can use in 2D and 3D projects. It can also be used by first time designers and architecture students. It is user friendly that first time designers and architects can easily maximize the software’s potentials. It also has almost all the features the other applications have, but they can never top the efficiency of this software.
School of ArchitectureFaculty of Architecture and Planning
This page provides tips on which software to use for a particular purpose and how to get started. Except as noted, software is available for both Mac and PC. In-house support for software is available from our Design Software Tutorials page and from the Computer Help Desk assistants.
Access to Lab Software in 2020-21
During the pandemic, you can access design software remotely. This includes Adobe Creative Cloud (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, etc.), ArcGIS Pro, AutoCAD, Rhino, Grasshopper, Ladybug, Honeybee, SketchUp Pro, VectorWorks, and V-Ray.
- For general information, refer to Dalhousie's Computer Labs and Software Access page.
- Dalhousie has three platforms for accessing software remotely: Software Download, RLab (Remote Lab), and VLab (Virtual Lab). To view a list of software on all three platforms, go to the Lab Software page.
- To download software, start at the Software Download page.
- For RLab: For Mac and Windows instructions, go to Remote Lab Access Tutorial. To save your files before you log out of an RLab session, upload them to your OneDrive account, which provides 1TB of free cloud storage. These instructions are also available in separate videos for Mac and Windows: RLab video for Mac and OneDrive video for Mac; and RLab video for Windows and OneDrive video for Windows.
- For VLab: Go to the Virtual Lab page and follow the instructions to access software on VLab1 or VLab2.
- For support, e-mail the university's help desk: support@dal.ca.
Dalhousie University also provides Microsoft applications in Office 365: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, etc. Go to my.dal.ca, log in, and click on the 9-square grid at the top left.
For video conferencing, refer to the Remote Communication page.
1. Graphic Design
Adobe Illustrator CC
Useful for: making drawings and graphic art; laser cutting
Available from Adobe; also on Arch-Plan lab computers (see above)
Tutorials: Adobe; Lynda (free access to Lynda with a Halifax library card)
2. Image Processing
Adobe Photoshop CC
Useful for: editing photos and images
Available from Adobe; also on Arch-Plan lab computers (see above)
Tutorials: Adobe; Lynda
3. Page Layout and Compositing
Adobe InDesign CC
Useful for: producing documents with images and text; process portfolios
Available from Adobe; also on Arch-Plan lab computers (see above)
Tutorials: Adobe; Lynda
Conceptboard (web-based)
Useful for: design process, desk crits, and online collaboration (with Zoom)
Available from: Conceptboard (Fall 2020 students have been enrolled in Conceptboard accounts for particular courses)
Tutorials: Conceptboard
4. 2D Drafting
AutoCAD
Useful for: 2D drafting, laser cutting
Available from: Autodesk (free)
Tutorials: Lynda
(For 2D drafting, see also Rhinoceros and VectorWorks below.)
5. 3D Modeling and Rendering
SketchUp
Useful for: 3D modeling, terrain mapping, site analysis, rendering, solar studies, rapid prototyping
Available from: SketchUp
Tutorials: SketchUp
Rhinoceros
Useful for: 2D drafting, 3D modeling, complex geometry, digital fabrication, rendering, solar studies, rapid prototyping
Available from: Rhino3D
Tutorials: Rhino3D
VectorWorks
Useful for: 2D drafting, 3D modeling, building information modeling (BIM), rendering, presentation drawings, solar studies
Available from: VectorWorks
Tutorials: VectorWorks
Revit
Useful for: building information modeling (BIM), 3D modeling, parametric modeling, producing drawing sets
Available from: Autodesk
Tutorials: Autodesk
6. Visual Scripting
Grasshopper for Rhino
Useful for: parametric modeling, physics simulation, hosting plug-ins for BIM, site and energy analysis, augmented reality projection, structural analysis (note: Mac version is not fully functional)
Available from: Food4Rhino
Tutorials: Grasshopper 3D; Modelab
7. Rendering
V-Ray
Useful for: 3D visualization and presentation renderings from SketchUp, Rhino, and Revit
Available from: Chaos Group
Tutorials: for SketchUp; for Rhino; for Revit
8. Energy Calculation
Matchbox (web-based)
Useful for: energy modeling
Available from: Matchbox
Tutorials: n/a
9. Website Design
Adobe Portfolio CC
Useful for: web hosting and design
Available from Adobe; also on Arch-Plan lab computers (see above)
Tutorials: Adobe
10. Digital Presentations
Best Architectural Software Programs
Keynote
Useful for: making digital presentations
Available from: Apple (free)
Tutorials: Apple; Lynda
11. Video Production and Editing
iMovie
Useful for: editing videos
Available from: Apple (free)
Tutorials: Apple;Lynda
Adobe Premiere Pro
Useful for: producing and editing videos
Available from: Adobe
Tutorials: Adobe
3d Software For Architects
12. GIS
Architectural Rendering Software For Mac
ArcGIS
Useful for: digital maps
Available on Arch-Plan lab computers (see above)