- Author : Cresire
- AutoCAD Softwares, CAD Softwares, Rapid Prototyping
Top CAD Software for Architectural Applications – Read this blog to know about all AutoCAD software including Rapid Prototyping Services apps.
Perhaps, there’s a need to point out that technological advances have made construction engineering much more effortless.
Thanks to the innovative architectural CAD programs, architects have transitioned from manually drafting design models to creating designs in either 2D or 3D.
With various CAD architecture software, architects can now visualize and further boost the efficiency and productivity of design processes. Here, we will examine the best CAD software for architectural applications.
Best CAD Modeling Software for Architecture Applications
Today, there are several workable CAD architecture software you can apply for simple to complex CAD building designs.
While these innovative offerings offer effective design solutions, note that each has different applications, benefits, and limitations.
AutoCAD Architecture
AutoCAD Architecture (ACA) is one of Autodesk’s most popular architectural CAD programs. It offers an architectural on-premise solution, providing users with automated tools and functions to design or draft quality architectural projects with fewer errors.
In addition, ACA offers a complete toolset for faster 3D BIM Modelling and Visualization due to its exceptional interpretation capabilities.
You can also create graphic models with many solids, objects, and surfaces. Aside from this, ACA also incorporates 2D drawing and drafting to meet critical dimensions. Therefore, with ACA’s features, you can create different wall, door, window, and floor plans.
AutoCAD Architecture ranks among the best you can choose from if you need top-flight CAD architecture software for your building designs.
Revit
Revit is another top Autodesk software used for various architectural applications. Autodesk Revit is distinctive software for Building Information Modelling (BIM).
Note that BIM integrates detailed digital representations managed in an open cloud platform for real-time collaboration. Unsurprisingly, this CAD software is ideal for architects, landscape architects, structural engineers, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineers, designers, and contractors.
It allows these wide-ranging designers to interact while they work towards drafting and designing high-quality CAD building designs.
Architects can also create prototype designs they can easily export in STL format for 3D printing. Besides, teamwork or collaborative design projects saves time and reduces the need for potential rework.
AutoCAD Civil 3D
If you work in the architectural sector, then AutoCAD Civil 3D is another top CAD software you should look out for. This CAD software also comprises the features and benefits of AutoCAD Architecture mentioned above.
Additionally, you can link AutoCAD Autodesk Revit if you need to redraft and perfect your CAD building designs. But, keep in mind that AutoCAD Civil 3D software applies more to civil engineers and technologists as it is mainly used for civil 3D designs.
ArchiCAD
Graphisoft developed ArchiCAD as an architectural CAD program. Like Autodesk Revit, ArchiCAD is a BMI tool. It comprises a complete toolset for architects to handle almost aspects of engineering and design work due to excellent functionalities.
It allows you to conduct 2D and 3D drafting, visualization, or building modeling. Further, experts use ArchiCAD for visualization due to its high-quality and photorealistic architectural rendering.
You will discover that ArchiCAD is highly credited for its ability to store a large amount of data in a 3D model.
MicroStation
MicroStation is a 3D CAD software developed by Bentley Systems which applies in architectural and engineering industries.
MicroStation has BMI features, and this inbuilt collaboration on an open platform makes project management easier for users. You can also leverage this software to create conceptual models for architectural structures. In addition, MicroStation provides all the features you need to create 2D and 3D vector graphic objects.
Expert architects also use it to visualize design models to study and revise all the design details, ensuring it is error-free.
Cedreo
Cedreo is a web-based 3D home design software for home builders, interior designers, contractors, remodelers, and real estate agents. It allows you to create and draw complete conceptual design presentations within a few hours.
With Cedreo, users can quickly draw 2D and 3D Floor Plans, customize home indoors and outdoors and generate construction drawings and photorealistic renderings in a few clicks with more than 7,000 3D objects from its extensive library.
In fact, it is estimated that some construction professionals spend an hour or less drafting a complete home project with this special CAD architecture software. Therefore, Cedreo helps most architects save time, shorten the sales cycle, and close more deals.
SketchUp
SketchUp is a free CAD architecture software, thus justifying its popularity. SketchUp saves time as it is easy to use, especially for beginners. This architectural CAD program is also ideal for 3D modelling, but some also use it for scaled and accurate 2D drawings.
SketchUp has simple drawing features, and a vast library of customizable objects called the 3D warehouse. You create different design projects and store them, which can come in handy in cases when you need to show your architectural projects to your potential clients.
So if you’re a beginner planning to design and print a 3D model of your architectural work, we suggest you start with SketchUp.
Preferred Rapid Prototyping Applications in the Architecture Sector
To a large extent, several industries leverage Rapid Prototyping Services to create CAD designs and prototypes before fabricating them into physical forms, and the architecture sector is no exception.
Hence, in the architecture sector, rapid prototyping techniques allow architects to analyze architectural concepts and designs to the required expectation before construction starts.
The most frequently used software for Rapid Prototyping includes SketchUp, AutoCAD, SolidEdge and Solid Works. Take a look at some preferred applications of Rapid Prototyping in the architectural sector below:
Industrial Design and Models
Every architectural project indeed begins with a concept or an idea. Thus, in the early design phase, rapid prototyping using SolidWorks helps engineers examine diverse concepts and compare them to others.
Afterwards, the architect transforms the selected design into 3D models. In contrast to previous hand-made models, these modern presentation models assist architects in assessing all the critical features of intricate models that will be replicated on the final product.
Moreover, these fundamental prototype model helps architects to communicate their ideas to their clients and save time and cost in mass production settings.
Buildings and Structures
Rapid Prototyping also widely applies to buildings and structural designs in the architecture industry.
CAD architecture software such as AutoCAD allows experts to develop concrete 3D plans of structures like houses, office spaces, bridges, stadiums, flyovers, etc.
Besides, this application is gaining popularity as a solution to the rampant housing crisis.
Arts
Fine arts are not just paintings; architecture is strongly associated with the art world. It comprises complex structures like statues and sculptures.
Frequently, SketchUp is applied in creating abstract designs for the rapid prototyping of these artworks. It also allows artists to visualize complex frameworks’ interior and exterior parts and manipulate their dimensions to ensure perfect design.
Conclusion
This article comprehensively examined the Best CAD architectural software for creating designs, visualizing, and other diverse applications.
Nowadays, architects and engineers in various fields can apply these architectural CAD programs to create simple to complex structures, including houses, flyovers, bridges, stadiums, etc.
However, each CAD software has its pros and limitations that you must carefully examine to ensure you select the right program for your architectural project.
Tags :
- archicad, architecture applications, autocad architecture, autocad civil 3d, autocad softwares, cad modeling software, cad softwares, cedreo, microStation, prototyping services, rapid prototyping, rapid prototyping 3d printing, rapid prototyping applications, rapid prototyping services, revit, sketchup
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