Architectural Software Features
"Chief Architect is a wonderful tool to help architects visualize their designs, allowing easy modeling that surpasses the capabilities of the other CAD programs I’ve worked with."
–Sarah Susanka, AIA
Not So Big House Author
3D Architectural Design Software
Chief Architect – Full
Perfect for Architects looking for photo-realistic 3D renderings along with accurate and detailed construction documents. Design more efficiently with Chief Architect. Learn More
Residential & Light Commercial Design
Chief Architect is a perfect architectural tool for residential and light commercial design to help the client see the design before construction begins. Often the most challenging issue with designing is communicating your ideas and helping the client visualize the finished project. Chief Architect enables the Architect to communicate and illustrate a 3D model of the project reducing frustrations, unknowns and uncertainties. Improve client communication with photo-realistic renderings, quickly incorporate changes and design realistically for your client’s needs with Chief Architect software on your next project.
Design & Visualize with Your Clients
Quickly Generate Automatic 3D Models
3D & 2D Design & Modeling Tools
Kitchens & Baths – Interiors & Exteriors
- Turn concepts into realistic 3D models in minutes
- Show your clients what the design will look like in 3D or with a virtual tour before you begin construction
- 3D models are automatic – to see a view, simply point-and-click the camera. Save any view as an image to email or print
- Advanced 3D tools: Raytrace, Glass House™, Doll House™, 3D Cross-Section Elevation Slider™ and many more
- Design in both 3D and 2D simultaneously
- Choose from over 10,000 Library objects to make your designs realistic and match the client’s criteria – easily import name-brand objects
Automatic & Manual Building Tools
- Use the powerful built-in Automatic and Manual Building tools to make the most of your design including: walls, windows, foundations, framing, stairs, decks, CAD, electrical and more
- Automatic Dimension Tools – click to place automatic dimensions or manually place dimensions
- Automatic and manual roofs: hip, gable, curved and more
- Advanced roof tools: Auto Dormer™ and Auto Roof Returns™
- Automatic framing for walls, foundations, decks and roofs
- The House Wizard™ provides a quick way to layout rooms – great for client consultations
- Materials Lists and cost estimating – Chief Architect maintains a complete model as you design and automatically generates a Materials List in spreadsheet format
- Material Schedules: windows, doors, cabinets, electrical, finish, fixtures and furniture
Powerful Design & CAD Tools
Customize Windows, Doors & Cabinets
Over 10,000 Items – Import Your Own!
- A complete CAD tool set, including the Visual CAD Snaps™ to highly customize designs
- Choose from a Library of over 500 CAD Details – customize or import new Details
- Import DWG/DXF/3DS/OBJ/SKP files
- Use the CAD-to-Walls tool to import 2D files and automatically generate 3D models – AutoCAD® compatible
- Design realistic kitchens and baths in 3D, dropping in parametric cabinets, changing styles, adding custom countertops, flooring and more
Plan Sets & Construction Documents
- Use the Layout tool to produce detailed, professional Plan Sets with framing, elevations, cross-sections, 3D overviews, and more
- Layouts are synchronized with your design – change the floor plan, it automatically updates in the Layout
- Use the Layer Sets to turn on and off layers to create the exact view for your Plan Sets
- Control line weights and styles, set scale, select built-in architectural fonts, choose colors and more
- Choose from over 1,000 built-in CAD details, import your own or create custom details
- Print anywhere – desktop, large format printers or use a PDF print driver
Interior & Exterior Design Tools
- Material Painter® – point-and-click colors, materials and textures for all your design elements – roofs, siding, flooring, countertops and more
- Color Chooser™ – easily create custom colors from photos
- Use the Final View™ or the Raytrace View™ for photo realistic images – email, print or place on your website
- Define natural and man-made lighting and incorporate with your designs
- Develop lighting plans using fixtures and independent editable light sources
- Artistic Rendering Techniques – Watercolor, Squiggle Line Drawing, Technical Illustration and more.
- Download name-brand manufacturer catalogs.