10 Free Architecture apps For Architecture Students

Devices such as PCs, palmtops, and smartphones are being rapidly integrated into the construction industry. As a result, there is a growing number of free architecture apps available for builders and architects.

In this article, we will introduce 10 of the top free architecture apps and software programs for beginners. These suggestions will help you narrow down your search to one or two options. Technology is revolutionizing the field of architecture, with innovations such as 3D printing and touch-screen drafting boards frequently in the spotlight.

However, there has also been a significant shift in the way architects use software, especially in terms of designing and managing projects while on-the-go.

Best free Architecture Apps

1. SketchUp

SketchUp is a set of subscription products that comprise SketchUp Pro Desktop, a computer program for 3D modeling with a broad range of applications, including architectural, interior design, industrial and product design, landscape architecture, civil and mechanical engineering, theater, film, and video game development.

Trimble Inc. owns the program, which is available as a web-based application called SketchUp Free and three paid subscriptions: SketchUp Shop, SketchUp Pro, and SketchUp Studio. Each subscription offers additional functionality.

The program allows users to create drawing layouts, render surfaces in various styles, and place models within Google Earth.

2. AutoCAD

AutoCAD is a commercial software application used for computer-aided design (CAD) and drafting. It is developed and marketed by Autodesk, and was initially released as a desktop app in December 1982, designed for use on microcomputers with internal graphics controllers. Prior to AutoCAD, most commercial CAD programs were run on mainframe or minicomputers, with individual CAD operators working on separate graphics terminals. AutoCAD is also accessible as a mobile and web app.

AutoCAD is widely used in various industries, including architecture, engineering, project management, graphic design, city planning, and other professions. In 1994, it was supported by 750 training centers worldwide.

3. Shapr 3D CAD modeling

Shapr3D is a 3D CAD application that operates on the cloud, allowing engineering and architectural firms to create geometric models on self-intersecting surfaces through complex calculations. The application is compatible with iPad and Apple Pencil, providing designers with the ability to snap, guide, and auto-complete shapes on a customizable grid.

Another noteworthy aspect of Shapr3D is its use of the Siemens stack, which includes Parasolid’s modeling kernel, HOOPS for data exchange, and D-Cubed for constraint management for sketches and direct modeling capabilities. With its stable platform, users can easily download the app onto their iPad Pro and start using it as a straightforward CAD tool. This app’s user-friendly nature has been previously noted.

4. RoomSketcher

RoomSketcher is a user-friendly app for designing floor plans and homes, intended for both professional and personal purposes. It offers an easy-to-use tool for creating and modifying floor plans and home designs.

The RoomSketcher App is a powerful and easy-to-use floor plan and home design software that you can download onto your computer or tablet. It comes with a variety of impressive features to suit your needs for floor plans and home design, making it ideal for creating floor plans and 3D home visualizations for real estate and home design clients. You can choose to draw floor plans yourself or have the app do it for you. Whether you are marketing real estate projects or planning a remodel, the RoomSketcher App is the perfect solution for you.

5. Magicplan

Magicplan is an efficient on-site tool that can enhance your company’s productivity. It offers a simple-to-use mobile solution for sketching, reporting, and estimating, which empowers your employees to work from anywhere. Our goal with magicplan is to simplify your life and help you save money.

With magicplan, you can instantly generate and share floor plans, field reports, and estimates through a user-friendly application. This way, you can accomplish more tasks while in the field.

Here are some of the features you can enjoy with magicplan:

• Measure and sketch interior plans in 2D and 3D.
• Create field reports that include photos, 360° images, notes, custom forms, and markups.
• Generate estimates using your mobile device.

6. Floor Plan Creator

The Floor Plan Creator enables users to move rooms and symbols using their mouse, or precisely set their sizes and distances numerically. This allows for high precision work to be completed on a mobile device on location, and later finished on a computer at the office. The project can be viewed in 3D with as many floors as needed, and the camera can be positioned freely. The software allows for the creation of detailed and precise floor plans which can be viewed in 3D or printed to scale. Users can even add furniture to design the interior of their home.

The program also allows users to bring their floor plan with them while shopping to check if there is enough space for new furniture. There are two versions of the program available – a native Android version and an HTML5 version that runs on any computer or mobile device.

Projects can include multiple floors with rooms of any shape, as long as the walls are straight. Existing plans can be imported and used as templates. Additionally, the software automatically calculates room, wall, and level area, perimeter, and symbol counts. Symbol libraries include doors, windows, furniture, electrical symbols, and fire survey symbols. There is also a user symbol library, where users can store rooms, symbols (also grouped), and labels for quick reuse.

7. Autodesk FormIt

Autodesk FormIt is a 3D sketching software that allows you to capture your best design ideas. You can create your concepts anywhere, whether on desktop or tablet, using a mouse or stylus. With sketch-to-BIM workflows and native Revit integration, you can easily go from concept to execution.

Additionally, you can sketch in material context and gain insights with site and analysis workflows in InfraWorks, as well as perform energy analysis in Insight Energy Analysis within the AEC Collection.

8. SmartDraw

SmartDraw is a web-based tool for creating diagrams that teams can use to collaborate on flowcharts, organization charts, mind maps, project charts, and other business visuals. It is the only diagramming application with an intelligent formatting engine, which means that when you add, delete, or move shapes, your diagram will automatically adjust and maintain its arrangement.

SmartDraw’s intelligent formatting engine works in conjunction with designer templates to produce professional-quality diagrams automatically. This combination of features makes it easy for anyone to create high-quality diagrams, regardless of their design experience.

9. Dropbox Paper

Dropbox Paper is a collaborative document-editing service that Dropbox developed. It originated from the company’s acquisition of document collaboration company Hackpad in April 2014, was officially announced in October 2015, and launched in January 2017. It is available as a web application and mobile apps for Android and iOS.

In the official announcement post, Dropbox Paper was described as “a flexible workspace that brings people and ideas together. With Paper, teams can create, review, revise, manage, and organize – all in shared documents.” The reception of Dropbox Paper has been mixed. While critics praised its collaboration functionality, including immediate content availability, the ability to mention specific collaborators, assign tasks, write comments, editing attribution, and revision history, it received criticism for the lack of formatting options and editing features.

Although reviewers appreciated the minimal user interface, they noted that the lack of a fixed formatting bar and missing features present in competitors’ products made Dropbox Paper seem like a “light” tool. Dropbox Paper received particular praise for its support for rich media from a variety of sources, with one reviewer noting that Paper’s support for rich media exceeds the capabilities of most of its competitors.

10. Room Planner

Buying new furniture can be a stressful process, involving measuring available space, car trunks, and the furniture itself, as well as navigating furniture stores and crowds of people. Wouldn’t it be easier if customers could see how furniture will fit before buying it? Fortunately, there is a solution: the 3D Room Planner.

A 3D Room Planner is an innovative tool that allows customers to plan layouts for their homes, offices, or any empty space they want to fill. It enables them to visualize how furniture will look and fit in the space before making any purchases or renovations, giving them the confidence to shop without worrying about returns or costly mistakes.

Moreover, merchants, e-shops, and anyone selling products online can also benefit from a 3D Room Planner. This article will discuss the benefits of using a room planner and provide examples of what they can do. It will also offer some tips on how to use these tools effectively to get the best possible experience.

Compiled by Lofty Scholars