Architectural cad software

SoftCAD 3D Lite 1.16 is a great way to test-drive one of SoftCAD's Design solutions. With over 60,000 downloads to date SoftCAD 3D Lite 1.16 has been used in a wide variety professions including multi-media graphic design, web graphics, architecture, Interior design, furniture design,

SoftCAD 3D is an intuitive, highly versatile, award-winning 3D architectural modeling program that lets you design and plan everything from furniture to landscapes to complex buildings and even entire cities.

Its many tools boast an amazing depth of editing sensitivity.

ArchiCAD 13 revolutionizes BIM collaboration with its active BIM server based next-generation Teamwork solution. ArchiCAD 13 also delivers mission critical productivity improvements to further polish its best-in-class BIM design and documentation workflow.

ArchiCAD 13 introduces the GRAPHISOFT BIM Server - a first of its kind solution for model based team collaboration. Industry-first Delta Server technology reduces network traffic to a minimum for instant and reliable data-exchange both within the office and over the Internet.

Speed
In ArchiCAD 13's collaborative environment, long waiting times for server synchronization are a thing of the past. The leading-edge Delta Server technology dramatically decreases network traffic. The same technology makes BIM projects accessible through standard Internet connections from virtually anywhere in the world.

Data Safety
Data corruption due to network or hardware failure is a major concern for CAD/BIM Managers: a single faulty computer literally can ruin the work done by the whole office. But the BIM Server's robust system architecture ensures the integrity of the BIM project at all times. Any data errors from malfunctioning components are blocked, preserving the project's integrity on the network.

Workflow
ArchiCAD 13's new Teamwork, with on-demand element access and server-level conflict management, combines the flexibility of 2D workflows with the coordination power of the model-based world. Companies can utilize their workforce much more efficiently with a dynamic and centrally controllable design workflow.

ArchiCAD SE 2009 for small architectural offices. ArchiCAD STAR(T) Edition 2009 is based on the industry leading Virtual Building technology of ArchiCAD 12 but its feature set is tailored to the needs of small architectural practices.

ArchiCAD STAR(T) Edition 2009 contains all the necessary tools to create the Virtual Building model from which the entire architectural documentation is derived. It also provides the latest DWG-DXF and IFC 2x3 interfaces for file exchange with external applications.

Originally software for Computer-Aided Design systems was developed with computer languages such as Fortran, but with the advancement of object-oriented programming methods this has radically changed. Typical modern parametric feature based modeler and freeform surface systems are built around a number of key C (programming language) modules with their own APIs.

A CAD system can be seen as built up from the interaction of a graphical user interface (GUI) with NURBS geometry and/or boundary representation (B-rep) data via a geometric modeling kernel. A geometry constraint engine may also be employed to manage the associative relationships between geometry, such as wireframe geometry in a sketch or components in an assembly.

Unexpected capabilities of these associative relationships have led to a new form of prototyping called digital prototyping. In contrast to physical prototypes, which entail manufacturing time and in the design.

Today, CAD systems exist for all the major platforms - CAD systems like QCad, NX provide multiplatform support including Windows, Linux, UNIX and Mac OS X; ArchiCAD and Vectorworks work on both Windows and Mac OS X, but not on Linux; and, for example, AutoCAD works on Windows only. For more information on OS compatibility, see Comparison of CAD editors for AEC, Comparison of CAD editors for CAM and Comparison of CAD editors for CAE.

Right now, no special hardware is required for most CAD software. However, some CAD systems can do graphically and computationally expensive tasks, so good graphics card, high speed (and possibly multiple) CPUs and large amounts of RAM are recommended.

The human-machine interface is generally via a computer mouse but can also be via a pen and digitizing graphics tablet. Manipulation of the view of the model on the screen is also sometimes done with the use of a spacemouse/SpaceBall. Some systems also support stereoscopic glasses for viewing the 3D model.

Computer-Aided Design is one of the many tools used by engineers and designers and is used in many ways depending on the profession of the user and the type of software in question. There are several different types of CAD. Each of these different types of CAD systems require the operator to think differently about how he or she will use them and he or she must design their virtual components in a different manner for each.

There are many producers of the lower-end 2D systems, including a number of free and open source programs. These provide an approach to the drawing process without all the fuss over scale and placement on the drawing sheet that accompanied hand drafting, since these can be adjusted as required during the creation of the final draft.

3D wireframe is basically an extension of 2D drafting. Each line has to be manually inserted into the drawing. The final product has no mass properties associated with it and cannot have features directly added to it, such as holes. The operator approaches these in a similar fashion to the 2D systems, although many 3D systems allow using the wireframe model to make the final engineering drawing views.

3D "dumb" solids (programs incorporating this technology include AutoCAD and Cadkey 19) are created in a way analogous to manipulations of real world objects. Basic three-dimensional geometric forms (prisms, cylinders, spheres, and so on) have solid volumes added or subtracted from them, as if assembling or cutting real-world objects. Two-dimensional projected views can easily be generated from the models. Basic 3D solids don't usually include tools to easily allow motion of components, set limits to their motion, or identify interference between components.

3D parametric solid modeling require the operator to use what is referred to as "design intent". The objects and features created are adjustable. Any future modifications will be simple, difficult, or nearly impossible, depending on how the original part was created. One must think of this as being a "perfect world" representation of the component. If a feature was intended to be located from the center of the part, the operator needs to locate it from the center of the model, not, perhaps, from a more convenient edge or an arbitrary point, as he could when using "dumb" solids. Parametric solids require the operator to consider the consequences of his actions carefully.

Some software packages provide the ability to edit parametric and non-parametric geometry without the need to understand or undo the design intent history of the geometry by use of direct modeling functionality. This ability may also include the additional ability to infer the correct relationships between selected geometry (e.g., tangency, concentricity) which makes the editing process less time and labor intensive while still freeing the engineer from the burden of understanding the model's design intent history.

These kind of non history based systems are called Explicit Modellers. The first Explicit Modeling system was introduced to the world at the end of 80's by Hewlett-Packard under the name SolidDesigner. This CAD solution, which released many later versions, is now sold by PTC as "CoCreate Modeling"

Draft views are able to be generated easily from the models. Assemblies usually incorporate tools to represent the motions of components, set their limits, and identify interference. The tool kits available for these systems are ever increasing; including 3D piping and injection mold designing packages.

Mid range software are integrating parametric solids more easily to the end user: integrating more intuitive functions (SketchUp), using the best of both 3D dumb solids and parametric characteristics (VectorWorks), making very real-view scenes in relative few steps (Cinema4D) or offering all-in-one.

Top end systems offer the capabilities to incorporate more organic, aesthetics and ergonomic features into designs (Catia, GenerativeComponents). Freeform surface modelling is often combined with solids to allow the designer to create products that fit the human form and visual requirements as well as they interface with the machine.

For the quickest and least expensive (it's free) CAD home design software, turn to Google's SketchUp. Downloads are available for both Windows and Mac computers, and the program gives you a chance to play around with CAD software to design anything-a city, building, home, room, garden bed or even a kitchen stool. The software has an easier learning curve than its counterparts and allows you to immediately visualize your project in 3D.

If you're looking for floorplans or landscapes and interior design templates, go to Google SketchUp's 3D Warehouse. It has hundreds of crowd-sourced designs and ideas that you can download and modify. Once you're done, you can share or upload your designs to 3D Warehouse, save the files or print them out. It's also a good place to start if you just want to familiarize yourself with CAD software.

"SketchUp is the finest (and most innovative) tool available for anyone designing anything from coffee pots to skyscrapers."
- McCall & Associates

SketchUp Release Notes

Read the release notes below to discover the latest features, improvements, and bug fixes in SketchUp.

Google SketchUp 8 - Maintenance 1

Released 1/12/2011
To get the latest version of SketchUp 8:

Windows: Choose Help > Check for Update
Mac: Choose SketchUp > Check Web for Update
SketchUp

The following issues have been fixed:

Shadows:

The shadow bug has been fixed! Previously, when the eye was in shadow, artifacts that look like inverted shadows could show up over all or part of the screen and annoying flickering could show up during animations.
The "shadow strings" bug has been fixed too. Previously, shadows could show string-like artifacts. There is now a Shadow Strings Fix toolbar which allows you to toggle on and off a fix for this issue.
Push Pull and Follow Me:

The Follow Me cursor is now correctly shown when using the Follow Me tool with pre-selected items.
The Follow Me cursor is now correctly shown when activating the Follow Me tool via a keyboard shortcut.
The Context menu items are now complete when activating the Push/Pull or Follow Me tools and right-clicking on an entity.
(Mac only) Previously, certain shortcuts weren't respected while using the Push/Pull tool. This issue has been fixed.
Image export:

(PC only) In this release, Windows users should be able to export images at a higher resolution. Export capabilities still depend on your computer environment but are now consistent between Mac and Windows machines.
When exporting images with the camera.aspect_ratio set to a non-default value, block-like artifacts could be seen in the exported images. This issue has been fixed.
Performance:

In this release, SketchUp is now built using the /Largeaddressaware property on the PC. This change allows SketchUp to potentially allocate/address more memory on 64-bit machines. (Note: 64-bit users must have at least 1.89 GB RAM to see any improvement, and improvement is only noticeable in areas where memory was a limiting factor (e.g exporting images).
Outliner (Mac only):

Previously, when working in Outliner and selecting or editing entities, non-selected entities might expand or contract. Additionally, after scrolling in the Outliner, sometimes choosing an entity would select a different entity than desired. Both of these issues have been fixed.
Search now works properly after minimizing and restoring the Outliner.
Component and group names should now be visible in Outliner results after doing a keyword search. Found items are shown in red.
The Rename context menu on the Outliner > Details menu works as expected and allows you to rename components and groups.
Previously, when renaming a component by single clicking on the name in the Outliner, you couldn't see the text as you typed it. You should now be able to see the text when renaming components or groups via this method.
Add Location:

(Mac only) Previously if you launched the Add Location dialog, kept it open, and then closed the SketchUp model, the Add Location dialog would no longer open. This issue has been fixed.
Previously when navigating to a location and then taking a snapshot, the maps portion of the dialog re-sized in a way that was visually jarring. We have improved the appearance of the dialog in this case.
Animation:

In some cases, animations exported on the Mac in SU8 were not as smooth as they were in SU7.1. The underlying issue has been fixed.
(PC only) You are now able to select a codec other than the default.
(PC only) Estimated file size is now correct (previously it was reported always as 0).
3D Warehouse:

Previously, uploading large models to the 3D Warehouse might fail. You should be able to upload models up to 10MB.
(Mac only) Previously, when you searched in the Components browser and then clicked on a results link for the first time, you were sometimes brought to the wrong model in the 3D Warehouse. This has now been fixed and clicking on links should always bring you to the correct model.
Outer Shell:

When performing Solid tool operations on coplanar geometry where some of the geometry is on a hidden layer and some is not, geometry could incorrectly be removed. This issue is now fixed and the Solid tools ignore the hidden geometry in this specific case.
Toolbars:

Previously, when adding new Ruby toolbars and relaunching SU, existing Ruby toolbars could unexpectedly reposition themselves and Restore Toolbar positions would not restore toolbars to their original positions. This issue has been fixed. (Note: it is still possible for Ruby toolbars to become repositioned when deleting plugins.)
Scenes:

Geometry will not disappear when generating scene thumbnails in a model where hidden layers were created via Ruby.
(Mac only) Scene thumbnails are only created if the Scenes dialog is open.
(Mac only) When creating a scene via the View menu the scene thumbnail is now created immediately.
Match Photo:

Previously, when opening a model or creating a new matched photo scene, the active scene was not selected causing confusion as the settings shown in the Scenes panel could differ from the settings of the active scene. This issue has now been fixed.
Localization:

(Mac only) When using the "Save as" context menu for a component, the model will now be saved even when saving to a folder with international characters.
Many translation fixes for localized versions of SketchUp.
EPix:

Five separate fixes for EPix export including correctly exporting similar-looking materials and materials that matched the background color, exporting the default front face color, and exporting edges correctly.
Ruby:

The View.pick_helper(x,y,aperture) method now respects arguments passed to it allowing the Bezier.rb and BZ tool plugins to work again.
Over ten fixes for Ruby issues and a few new methods for Ruby developers. Please see the SketchUp Ruby API site for details.
Crashes:

We've resolved some of the top SketchUp crashes (as determined by our Bug Splat and BreakPad data). SketchUp should be more stable now.
Other:

(Mac only) On machines where Arial Bold and Arial Italic fonts were missing or corrupted, the Components dialog could be blank or unresponsive. This issue has been fixed and the Components browser should now work even in this case.
Images correctly hide when editing components with "hide rest of model."
Walk tool no longer bounces when walking.
Measurement toolbar works as expected when in the top toolbar.
The customizable Standard Views tool palette no longer shows cryptic numbers for the tooltips.
Watermarks behave as expected during scene transitions and when switching to a Matched Photo scene.
The full text is visible for Entity Info for components or groups.
Launching SketchUp by dragging and dropping a model to the SketchUp.exe now does a proper validity check.
Previously, after switching scenes, the ground plane/edge effects and shadows over a background matched photo image degraded/flashed as you moved the mouse over the model. This flashing occurred until the model was modified. This issue should now be fixed.
Known issues

The shadows strings fix will, in some models, make shadows look better, but in other models, may cause different kinds of shadow artifacts to show up. Because of this, the shadows strings fix is implemented as a toggle button on the new Shadow Strings Fix toolbar and is turned off by default.
(NVIDIA graphics cards only) Users with NVIDIA cards are more likely to see the "shadow strings" bug reported above, especially when the eye is in shadow. Toggle on the Shadow String Fix to work around this issue.
(PC only) If you have an English operating system set to a different language, you may have problems with Microsoft's .NET installation dialog box. In this case we suggest installing .NET separately then restarting your SketchUp installation.
LayOut

The following issues have been fixed:

Preserve Scale on Resize - we worked on preserving scale to handle typical user workflows in a more efficient way.

LayOut now rescales SketchUp models after editing.
When editing a SketchUp model, "Preserve scale on resize" should be automatically disabled.
Setting the scale of a model no longer changes the style back to the style seen in the "Last saved SketchUp view."
DWG/DXF export bug fixes:

Dashed lines scaling is improved in export to DWG/DXF. (Note: if you're planning on viewing your export in Model space, you'll want to export to model space; if you're viewing in Paper space use that export instead.)
Fixed three bugs affecting DWG/DXF Unicode character export.
Rotated entities in scaled DWG/DXF export are place correctly.
Export scale is correct when exporting to DWG/DXF model space.
Metric scaling should be the correct scale.
(Mac only) Previously, when exporting to DWG/DXF for the first time the page range of "All" wasn't honored. This has been fixed.
(Mac only) Lines break on a space when possible for DWG/DXF export.

Full data here: http://sketchup.google.com/support/bin/static.py?hl=en&page=release_notes.cs&r

The Virtual Building%u2122: ArchiCAD stores all the information about the building in a central database; changes made in one view are updated in all others, including floor plans, sections/elevations, 3D models and bills of material

Open design collaboration: ArchiCAD presents workflow solutions that help bridge the different requirements for BIM models between architects and the various engineering disciplines of the AEC industry. Model mapping, element classification, IFC reference model version tracking and change management support help the coordination between architects and engineers become a smooth and automatic process.

Intelligent Objects: ArchiCAD's intelligent building elements like doors, windows, and columns understand and react to their environment. This accelerates work, makes the management of the project easier and allows you to design instead of draft. Even working from drafted lines, arcs and splines, the Magic Wand can create intelligent building elements.

The ability to think and work 'live' in 3D: You can design and edit the model in 3D view, navigate in real time to check the design, and hold interactive design sessions with clients.

Instant visualization: ArchiCAD's rendering tools are simple to use; no expert knowledge is required to product stunning results. VR presentations and animations and can be generated directly in ArchiCAD.

Efficient documentation: Construction documents and files can be derived automatically from the Virtual Building model. The interactive element schedules and Bills of Material can be quickly generated and always reflect the current state of the building model. Dimensions are both automatic and associative. Automatic labeling and enhanced Detail Tools ease tedious drafting work.

Hassle-free layouting: The Layout Book lets you layout material from different sources with the freedom of using a variety of plotters and printers. Automatic page numbering and master pages save you time and the direct connection ensures document integrity - all changes to the Virtual Building are automatically updated on the layout.

Clear communication: ArchiCAD's TeamWork makes sharing your project with colleagues easy. Distribute documents to clients and consultants in several CAD standard formats or use the Web for review and mark-up. Changes can be easily merged back into the project.

Architectural design software
Alibre design 12
ArchiCAD 13
ArchiCAD STAR Edition 2009
Architectural cad software
Architectural drafting software
Architectural drawing software
Architectural rendering software
AutoCAD Architecture 2010
AutoCAD Civil 2010
AutoCAD Land Desktop
AutoCAD LT 2010
AutoCAD Map 3D
AutoCAD MEP 2010
AutoCAD Raster Design
AutoCAD Revit Architecture Suite
AutoCAD Revit Structure Suite
AutoCAD Visualization Suite
Autodesk 2010 Products
Autodesk 3ds Max 2010
Autodesk 3ds Max Design 2010
Autodesk Building Solutions
Autodesk Buzzsaw
Autodesk Civil Engineering
Autodesk Collaboration
Autodesk Design Review
Autodesk Ecotect Analysis 2010
Autodesk Maya 2009
Autodesk Media and Entertainment
Autodesk Navisworks
Autodesk Navisworks
Autodesk Revit Architecture 2010
Autodesk Revit Structure 2010
Autodesk Robot Structural
Autodesk Visualization Suite
Chief Architect 10
Chief architect 9
Chief architect 9.5
DesignWorkshop
FTP Download Auto cad 2010
Lightscape 3.2
MacDraft 5.6.6
PowerCADD 8
ProgeCAD 2009 Professional
SmartDraw 2010
SoftCAD 3D
ViaCAD PRO