The objective of this architect CAD software review is to provide insight about a few good architectural CAD packages out of the hugely crowded civil CAD market.
The cost of architectural CAD landscape design software may vary from free to several thousand dollars. However, I can say from my six years of CAD experience that professional users look for more than just the cost while purchasing such a package. They look for technical features and technical support equally, if not more, than the cost. On the basis of these three factors, the following packages stand out from the crowd.
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○ Features:
– Virtual building: It allows the architects to create a 3D virtual building and all the necessary drawings and documentations (like BOM, etc.) are generated automatically from that.
– Renovation: The latest version of the application makes the partial or total “renovation” projects easier by adding the renovation status in all its BIM elements.
–
Teamwork Technology: It allows the whole team to work on different aspects of the same project.
○ Suitable for:
– Large projects.
○ Drawbacks:
– This is not one of the easiest software package to operate; it requires training.
○ Cost:
– Around $6000-$9000.
○ Features:
– Construction modeling tool: Modeling tool to capture the design intent and generate various drawings and documents of the project later on.
– Point cloud tool: It allows getting the laser scan results of the old buildings to BIM. By this process, renovation projects become easier.
– Conceptual energy analysis tool: This cloud based tool helps architects estimate the energy consumption by the building they are designing.
– Citrix Ready: This tool helps collaborating remotely located team members working on the same projects.
○ Suitable for:
– Large projects.
○ Drawbacks:
– This is also not one of the easiest software applications to operate; requires training.
○ Cost:
– Around $6000-$9000.
○ Features:
– Design tools: Roof tools, BOM tools, auto dimensioning tool, framing tool, kitchen & bath design tool, electrical and HVAC tool.
– 3D modeling tools: 3D modeling, rendering, and 3D virtual tour recording.
– CAD tools: Generating the drawings and layouts, allows import of AutoCAD drawings, can convert CAD object to architectural object.
– Terrain and landscaping tool: It can import GPS or terrain data and produce 2D or 3D model of the terrain; it also allows setting north pointer to define seasonal settings.
○ Suitable for:
– Large sized projects where a single person is working dedicatedly on single tasks.
○ Drawbacks:
– Not suitable for collaborating multiple team members on a same project.
– No resellers outside USA.
○ Cost:
– Around $3000-$3500.
○ Features:
– Automatic 3D model creation: It can generate 3D model of the building from accurately sealed floor plans.
– Home wizard: This tool allows user to use the existing building style templates or create new ones.
– Design tools: It has automatic roof generation, foundation, and other advanced tools.
– Automated building tools: This tool allows you to create a building design by accepting default standard best practices.
– Quick start guide: This guide will guide the user to get step-by-step help for any type of building project.
– Design tools: Roof tools, BOM tools, auto dimensioning tool, framing tool, kitchen & bath design tool, electrical and HVAC tool.
– 3D modeling tools: 3D modeling, rendering and 3D virtual tour recording.
– CAD tools: Generating the drawings and layouts, allows import of AutoCAD drawings, can convert CAD object to architectural object.
– Terrain and landscaping tool: It can import GPS or terrain data and produce 2D or 3D model of the terrain; it also allows setting north pointer to define seasonal settings.
○ Suitable for:
– Mid-sized projects where single person working dedicatedly on single tasks and user is not an architect.
– DIY home enthusiast.
○ Drawbacks:
– It can open only limited numbers of drawing sheets.
– Not suitable for collaborating multiple team members on a same project.
– No resellers outside USA.
○ Cost:
– Around $900-$1200.
○ Features:
– DWG compatibility: It is compatible with Autodesk DWG files without any data loss. Not only DWG, it is compatible with all the Autodesk API and commands.
– Drawing productivity: This tool is capable of creating 2D and 3D models efficiently. Due to IntelliCAD ActiveX, the drawings and model can be integrated with other office documents.
– Affordability: It is a commercial grade CAD program with a very affordable price.
– Open Source: Source code is available for modification.
○ Suitable for:
– Users familiar with AUTOCAD.
○ Drawbacks:
– Lack of support.
– Advanced features like collaboration tools, scanning tools are missing.
○ Cost:
– Around $120-$600.
These are the few examples of Architect CAD landscape design software quite popular among a range of architectural users. Depending upon the size and nature of project, if you don’t find what you need among these, you can find some other applications suitable for you.
