35 tools

Software

The tools used across the design process, from the first sketch to the final board. What each is for, what it runs on, how it's paid for, and whether students get it free.

All stages 2D drafting & CAD BIM & documentation 3D modelling Computational design Rendering & visualisation Structure & performance Coordination & collaboration Graphics & presentation

2D drafting & CAD

Drawings: plans, sections, details and working drawings.

AutoCAD

Autodesk

The long-standing standard for 2D drafting and DWG drawings, with 3D tools.

Runs on: Windows, Mac
Pricing: Subscription
Students: Free education licence

autodesk.com

BricsCAD

Bricsys (Hexagon)

DWG-compatible CAD for 2D drafting and 3D modelling, with a BIM edition.

Runs on: Windows, Mac, Linux
Pricing: Perpetual licence or subscription

bricsys.com

DraftSight

Dassault Systèmes

2D drafting and DWG editing for people who mainly need drawings.

Runs on: Windows, Mac
Pricing: Subscription

draftsight.com

LibreCAD

LibreCAD community

Free, open-source 2D CAD for plans and simple drawings.

Runs on: Windows, Mac, Linux
Pricing: Free and open source

librecad.org

BIM & documentation

One building model that produces the drawings, schedules and quantities.

Revit

Autodesk

BIM for architecture, structure and MEP: one model for drawings, schedules and coordination.

Runs on: Windows
Pricing: Subscription
Students: Free education licence

autodesk.com

Archicad

Graphisoft (Nemetschek)

BIM built for architects, from early design to construction documents.

Runs on: Windows, Mac
Pricing: Subscription or perpetual licence
Students: Free education licence

graphisoft.com

Vectorworks Architect

Vectorworks (Nemetschek)

2D drafting, 3D modelling and BIM in one, popular with architects and landscape designers.

Runs on: Windows, Mac
Pricing: Subscription
Students: Free student licence

vectorworks.net

Allplan

Allplan (Nemetschek)

BIM for architecture and engineering, strong in structural detailing and reinforcement.

Runs on: Windows
Pricing: Subscription
Students: Free student version

allplan.com

Tekla Structures

Trimble

Constructible models for steel and concrete structures, down to fabrication detail.

Runs on: Windows
Pricing: Subscription
Students: Free through Tekla Campus

tekla.com

3D modelling

Massing, form-finding and design models.

SketchUp

Trimble

Quick, intuitive 3D modelling for massing, interiors and design studies.

Runs on: Windows, Mac, Web
Pricing: Subscription
Students: Education pricing

sketchup.com

Rhino

Robert McNeel & Associates

Precise freeform NURBS modelling for complex forms, facades and fabrication.

Runs on: Windows, Mac
Pricing: Perpetual licence
Students: Education pricing

rhino3d.com

Blender

Blender Foundation

Free 3D suite for modelling, rendering and animation.

Runs on: Windows, Mac, Linux
Pricing: Free and open source

blender.org

3ds Max

Autodesk

3D modelling and scene building, a long-time favourite for architectural visualisation.

Runs on: Windows
Pricing: Subscription
Students: Free education licence

autodesk.com

Computational design

Scripts and visual programs that generate and test design options.

Grasshopper

Robert McNeel & Associates

Visual programming inside Rhino for parametric and generative design.

Runs on: Windows, Mac
Pricing: Included with Rhino

grasshopper3d.com

Dynamo

Autodesk

Visual programming for Revit: automate tasks and drive designs with logic.

Runs on: Windows
Pricing: Free and open source, included with Revit

dynamobim.org

Rendering & visualisation

Images, walkthroughs and real-time views for clients.

Enscape

Chaos

Real-time rendering that runs inside Revit, SketchUp, Rhino, Archicad and Vectorworks.

Runs on: Windows, Mac
Pricing: Subscription
Students: Free education licence

chaos.com

V-Ray

Chaos

Photoreal rendering for 3ds Max, SketchUp, Rhino, Revit and more.

Runs on: Windows, Mac
Pricing: Subscription
Students: Education pricing

chaos.com

Corona Renderer

Chaos

Photoreal rendering for 3ds Max and Cinema 4D, known for being easy to set up.

Runs on: Windows
Pricing: Subscription

chaos.com

Lumion

Fast renders and animations of buildings in their landscape.

Runs on: Windows
Pricing: Subscription
Students: Free student licence

lumion.com

Twinmotion

Epic Games

Real-time visualisation built on Unreal Engine, with live links to design tools.

Runs on: Windows, Mac
Pricing: Free for students and smaller firms; paid above that
Students: Free

twinmotion.com

D5 Render

Real-time ray-traced rendering with a large library of assets.

Runs on: Windows
Pricing: Free community edition; Pro subscription

d5render.com

Unreal Engine

Epic Games

Game engine used for interactive walkthroughs, VR and high-end visualisation.

Runs on: Windows, Mac, Linux
Pricing: Free for architecture and visualisation

unrealengine.com

Structure & performance

Structural design and climate, daylight and energy analysis.

ETABS

Computers and Structures, Inc.

Analysis and design of building structures, widely used for multi-storey buildings.

Runs on: Windows
Pricing: Licence

csiamerica.com

SAP2000

Computers and Structures, Inc.

General structural analysis and design, from bridges to industrial structures.

Runs on: Windows
Pricing: Licence

csiamerica.com

STAAD.Pro

Bentley Systems

Structural analysis and design for steel, concrete, timber and more.

Runs on: Windows
Pricing: Subscription

bentley.com

Ladybug Tools

Free Grasshopper plugins for climate, sun, daylight and energy analysis.

Runs on: Windows, Mac
Pricing: Free and open source

ladybug.tools

ClimateStudio

Solemma

Daylight, glare and energy simulation inside Rhino.

Runs on: Windows
Pricing: Subscription

solemma.com

Coordination & collaboration

Clash detection, review and sharing models across the team.

Navisworks

Autodesk

Combines models from every discipline to find clashes and plan construction.

Runs on: Windows
Pricing: Subscription
Students: Free education licence

autodesk.com

Autodesk Construction Cloud

Autodesk

Shared documents, design review and coordination for the whole project team.

Runs on: Web
Pricing: Subscription

construction.autodesk.com

Bluebeam Revu

Bluebeam (Nemetschek)

PDF markup, measurement and review of drawings, alone or in shared sessions.

Runs on: Windows, Web, iPad
Pricing: Subscription

bluebeam.com

Speckle

Open-source platform for exchanging and versioning model data between design tools.

Runs on: Web
Pricing: Free and paid plans

speckle.systems

Graphics & presentation

Boards, portfolios, diagrams and post-production.

Photoshop

Adobe

Image editing for render post-production, collages and site photos.

Runs on: Windows, Mac
Pricing: Subscription
Students: Education pricing

adobe.com

Illustrator

Adobe

Vector graphics for diagrams, drawings for presentation and branding.

Runs on: Windows, Mac
Pricing: Subscription
Students: Education pricing

adobe.com

InDesign

Adobe

Layout for portfolios, boards, reports and books.

Runs on: Windows, Mac
Pricing: Subscription
Students: Education pricing

adobe.com

Figma

Collaborative design in the browser, handy for boards, diagrams and decks.

Runs on: Web, Windows, Mac
Pricing: Free and paid plans
Students: Free education plan

figma.com

Newer tools, from startups

Generative design, site analysis, estimating and more: see what startups are building for architects and builders.

See startups →

Platforms, pricing and student access are from each maker’s website and can change; check there before you buy.