Engineering and art software
KIOSKedia courses in visual arts are creative labs that train professionals in graphic, media design, video design, sound design, animation, CG animation, photography and illustration.
The Top Design Software for Architects
Which Pieces of Software Will Make Your Designs Stand Out?
Digital design software is crucial in the modern architecture sector. Clients expect to see more than concept drawings, blueprints, and physical models. They want to see virtual representations that offer more detail. With 3D modelling, you can design interiors and populate your buildings. With some, you can even adjust lighting effects and account for how external forces will affect a building.
Beyond this, design software automates common processes. This allows you to save time. You can get designs to clients quicker and enjoy a more efficient workflow. Still, you won’t experience these benefits if you choose the wrong software. 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.
Rhino 3D
Since its creation in 1998, 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. Because of this, the software is usually favored by those who don’t want to spend a lot of time learning about the complexities of computer aided design (CAD).
Revit Architecture
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.
That’s where Revit Architecture comes in. 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.
Sketch Up
Many architects favor Sketch Up because of its real-world applications. Google purchased Sketch Up in 2006. 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 Sketch Up. The same goes for satellite images.
The key benefit of Sketch Up is its price. You can download Sketch Up 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 Sketch Up to get to grips with 3D modelling before moving onto other software. Speed is also a key aspect of Sketch Up. You can create simple 3D models quickly. With the right features, you can even create complex models ready for presentation.
V-Ray
V-Ray is not a standalone design software. It is actually a plugin. You can use it with Archibald and Sketch Up. 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 color 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.
Designers across many industries use V-Ray in their work. Beyond architecture, it has proven ideal for video game design and CGI rendering for film and TV. Coming back to architecture, V-Ray is all about placing clients in a visual space. It helps them see what your designs will look like once they’re built. Further, designers benefit from an extensive resource library to help them take their base designs to another level.
AutoCAD
There is some disagreement about how useful Maya is when it comes to architecture. Some argue that it is too general a design software. They note that it doesn’t have many of the tools that more dedicated pieces of software benefit from. However, this lack of constraints is often useful to designers.
Maya proves perfect for exploring concepts that stretch further than what other types of software allow. It offers you more freedom in your work. This fosters innovation in design. Many use Maya to come up with new ideas before transferring their Maya models into other software. It is this freedom that has led to Maya gaining acceptance in the architectural sector. You can even download additional tool sets specific to the industry.
Many who are new to 3D modelling also use Maya as a teaching tool. It allows them to get to grips with the core concepts of creating 3D models without dealing with the constraints of specialized software. Its tutorials prove very useful. Further, Maya has a large community around it. This makes it easier for designers to get help if they start struggling with their work.
Archi Cad
Many point to Archi CAD as offering everything a designer would need. It proves useful in creating both 2D and 3D models. Further, you can integrate several other software packages into it. A common favorite is pulling V-Ray into Archi CAD. This allows designers to create photorealistic models. Even those who do not integrate V-Ray into Archi CAD can create realistic models. The new versions of Archi CAD feature Cine Render for creating lifelike models.
Archi CAD’s main feature is its user-friendly nature. You can learn the basics of the software with minimal effort. This has made it a favorite with students and those just starting out in architecture. It offers a time-effective way to create detailed models. As such, it is great for projects where time is a factor.
Grasshopper
Grasshopper allows architects to use parametric design to improve the efficiency of their workflows. So what does this mean for you? Well, Grasshopper has several tools that help you automate menial tasks. Consider the software’s use of variables. In most design software, you will need to copy and paste basic elements, such as lines, if you wish to use them again. Some software use matrixes to reduce the time this tasks take. Even then, it is often annoying. Grasshopper’s use of variables makes such actions easier. You only need to enter a number into your variable to create the desired number of elements.
Better yet, you can create modules centered on these common tasks. Over time, Grasshopper allows the designer to create a full library of previously used ideas and elements. You can access these modules with the click of a mouse.
