Most popular 3d modeling software for architects

Your choice must suit your needs and be suitable for your work setup. Each piece of software has something different to offer. With this list, we will choose ten of the best on the current market. Further, we will explain why you should consider each one. Since its creation in , Rhino 3D has become one of the most popular tools for architectural design. Users can enter drawings or physical models into the software. From there, Rhino can create 3D models and provide documentation for the design.

You can even scan real-world data into the newer versions of the software. Beyond that, Rhino offers all of the tools a designer needs to edit designs. Beyond the base models, you can create animations and professional renders. It is also one of the most flexible design packages around. Designers can translate solid objects and surfaces into the software. It even allows you to work with point clouds and polygon meshes. People with programming expertise can adjust the Rhino workspace. Using RhinoScript, they can create their own plugins.

Further, you can export Rhino designs into the real world using 3D printers or laser cutting. The building information modelling BIM concept is key in modern architecture. It relates to the development of sustainable buildings. In a world where environmental awareness is at an all-time high, sustainability is high on the agenda for many clients.

The software focuses on providing the tools for effective BIM. Its key feature is automation. Changes you make to your model get recorded throughout the project. The software coordinates these changes to ensure you create complete projects that consider BIM at every turn.

As such, if you make a change in the 3D view, those changes reflect across the plan, elevation and section views. The same goes for changes you make in any other view. The software offers automation elsewhere. For example, it allows you to create libraries of parametric objects. You can access these objects across all designs to quickly implement common models into your project.

Revit Architecture also allows for greater teamwork. You can schedule separate project elements to ensure they get completed on time. The software also allows you to pull in team members from multiple disciplines into the project.

All of this while keeping the core concepts of BIM at the forefront. Many architects favour SketchUp because of its real-world applications.

Google purchased SketchUp in Though it has since sold the company, Google implemented a lot of useful features. For example, you can pull topographical images from Google Maps into SketchUp. The same goes for satellite images. The key benefit of SketchUp is its price. You can download SketchUp for free. It may lack some of the features of other software packages.

Still, it provides enough to help you create professional models. However, the base package has most of the exporting features turned off.

Even so, this offers you flexibility. You can choose the features that suit your project. Thus, you only invest in what you need. The cost makes it ideal for students and those operating on slim budgets.

Many use SketchUp to get to grips with 3D modelling before moving onto other software. Speed is also a key aspect of SketchUp. You can create simple 3D models quickly. With the right features, you can even create complex models ready for presentation.

V-Ray is not a standalone design software. It is actually a plugin. Its purpose is to create realistic rendering. This allows you to show off your 3D models as they would look in the real world. This makes V-Ray ideal for those who need to add that extra spark to their designs.

The software offers access to stunning textures. Further, its colour palette has few rivals. This means you can use light and shade to your advantage with V-Ray more so than most other design software. This software allows to create complex and very accurate models. It has a practical collaborative environment, as the cloud version of this software is now available. SketchUp is known to be an intuitive program and one of the free CAD software available.

It can be used for anything when it comes to 3D modeling, and architecture is not an exception! It is a great drawing tool, and it will certainly help you to be productive and creative with your 3D architectural designs.

Obviously, you can use SketchUp for 3D, but it is also ideal for scaled and accurate 2D drawings. It is known to be quite similar to AutoCAD, which is perfect to create structured designs for architecture. Mainly used in the video games industry, this software is also used by architects for previsualization.

If you need a little help, we also have a tutorial to help you with the creation of your 3D models for 3D printing with 3DS Max. CorelCAD is a great 3D tool to create and edit your project. You can use it to work on both quick 2D sketches and advanced 3D designs. It can totally be used as an architecture design software. Using this program, you can totally export your designs in an STL format and use it to 3D print models. Solidworks is a 3D modeling software mainly used by engineers.

It can be a great solution if you need a 3D software for a project, and you just want to create a quick design. But it is possible to design a building and get a good overview of your architectural projects thanks to the various functionalities of Solidworks.

Check out our Solidworks tutorial to prepare your file for 3D printing. We hope that this Top 11 helped you to find the best 3D modeling software for architecture that will help you to give life to your ideas and all of your architectural projects. If you want more information on how 3D printing in the architecture industry can help you go further take a look at our blog post about 3D printing for construction and architecture.

If you want to 3D print a model of your architectural work, you can upload your 3D file on our online 3D printing service. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to hear about the latest 3D printing technologies, applications, materials, and software. Forgot your password? Don't have an account? Register now.

Connect with Google. Connect with Facebook. Sign Up. To know more about how Sculpteo processes your personal information, you can check the privacy policy. See all categories.

Introduction Why should you use a CAD software for architecture? Top 16 of the best 3D modeling software for architecture in Why should you use a CAD software for architecture? Choosing the right 3D architecture software.

What are the best CAD software for architecture? Related Topics. What is Design for Additive Manufacturing? Return to Top.

Get the latest 3D printing news delivered right to your inbox. It is great for intermediate users who want to generate 3D models quickly. With this 3D modeling solution, you can create a mesh that can be further refined in sculpting tools like ZBrush.

Price to Upgrade: It is a completely free and open-source 3D modeling software, you can support the community through your contributions.

SketchUp 3D modeling software is popular among graphic designers, PreViz designers, and 3D printing enthusiasts. It supports 3D printing, and there are many free extensions to increase its capabilities.

This 3D designing software is great for visualization and planning in architectural, urban planning, interior designing, construction, and other similar projects.

You can also upgrade to SketchUp Pro or Studio version. There is a day trial for premium versions. For personal use, it is free. You can also get SketchUp free version for educational use if you are eligible.

However, the upgraded versions offer desktop support. You can simply start with a sphere or stone block and then use brushes from ZBrush to design whatever you want.

There are options to add, subtract, pinch, inflate, smoothen, or polish the organic model. You can export the model for 3D printing or share it with others in iMage3D format. Price to Upgrade: You need to register to get the free license for non-commercial use.

Daz Studio is a 3D art creation software used by beginners and professionals to create high-definition 3D art. With a simple UI, it makes animation and rendering simple. It has a smart content library to quickly build custom scenes and characters. You can export images and videos that you want. Whatever you create is owned by you, royalty-free, and you have the option to sell it.

Price to Upgrade: It is a free 3D rendering software, but certain utilities like exclusive contents and characters are available with paid version only. Daz Studio membership plan starts at INR Hexagon is a free subdivision-type 3D modeler that contains all the tools to create detailed and unique 3D models, which can be later imported into Daz Studio for rendering. It has an intuitive interface and can be used for tasks like posing, modeling, morphing, animating 3D content when used with Daz 3D.

You simply create a Daz Studio account to get started. It is a great option for graphic artists. Price to Upgrade: It is free but generally used in conjunction with Daz Studio. You can get a subscription starting at INR Wings3D is an open-source, easy-to-use advanced subdivision modeler written in Erlang. It has a customizable UI, support for lights and materials, and a wide range of modeling tools.

You can easily build an underlying form from polygons and generate a smoothed shape by subdividing the mesh. There are different viewing modes like smoothed preview, orthographic, wireframe, and perspective.

Price to Upgrade: It is an open-source and completely free 3D rendering software for use in both personal and commercial projects. If you are looking for 3D design software for beginners, TinkerCAD is one of the best options because of its simple interface. Just by combining primitive shapes like solids and holes, new shapes can be created. You can access Custom Shape Generators if you want more options. It has options to design structures using Lego bricks.

It can also be used for electronics and coding. It has become popular as a 3D printing software among teachers, kids, hobbyists, and designers to create models. Price to Upgrade: This free 3D modeling software provides all features without any need to upgrade.

Autodesk 3DS Max is a 3D modeling, rendering, and animation software used for modeling interiors and objects, animating characters, creating game assets, visualizing architectural renderings, and so on. It offers a user-friendly experience and intuitive controls. You can scale your workflow with automation and focus more on the creative aspect. This 3D drawing software has an extensive plugin system for adding third-party modules.

Pricing: The annual subscription is priced at INR 96, It offers a day free trial. Subscription Model: You can get a monthly subscription, yearly subscription, or a subscription paid every 3 years. You can still install and run the software on macOS, but Autodesk will not offer technical support or troubleshooting help.