Rhino
Rhino is a commercial 3D computer graphics and computer-aided design (CAD) application software developed by Robert McNeel & Associates.
Rhino can create, edit, analyze, document, render, animate, and translate NURBS curves, surfaces, and solids with no limits on complexity, degree, or size. Rhino also supports polygon meshes and point clouds. Its accuracy and flexibility makes it possible to students to explore and build their ideas without having to spend much time learning “CAD”.
Blender
Blender is the free and open source 3D creation suite. It supports the entirety of the 3D pipeline—modeling, rigging, animation, simulation, rendering, compositing and motion tracking, even video editing and game creation.
ArchiCAD
Archicad is a software tool for architects working in the architecture-engineering-construction (AEC) industry for designing buildings from the conceptual phase all through to the construction phase.
It is a BIM software developed by GRAPHISOFT, enabling architects to work in a BIM (Building Information Modeling/Management) environment.
FreeCAD
FreeCAD is an open-source parametric 3D modeler made primarily to design real-life objects of any size. Parametric modeling allows you to easily modify your design by going back into your model history and changing its parameters.
Vectorworks
Vectorworks is a design software that delivers a flexible and collaborative design process to architecture, landscaping and entertainment professionals. Explore the possibilities of BIM and beyond while benefiting from the freedom to design in 2D or 3D with a suite of intuitive, flexible tools.
3DS Max
Autodesk 3ds Max is a professional 3D computer graphics program for making 3D animations, models, games and images. It has modeling capabilities and a flexible plugin architecture. 3ds Max also features dynamic simulation, particle systems, normal map creation and rendering.
Enscape
Enscape 3.0 – Real-time visualization and virtual reality with just one click. 3D rendering for Revit, SketchUp, Rhino, ArchiCAD & Vectorworks. Enscape uses OpenGL 4.4[2] and Vulkan and provides photorealistic representations of the underlying CAD models.
Lumion
Lumion is an architectural rendering software that makes it easy to convey how your projects will translate into real-life experiences and emotions. Embed life, color and texture into all of your technical renderings, and make lively plans, sections, elevations.
These are some of the software that every architecture student should start learning, (just in case your teachers never teach you this) (they most likely won’t haha), so start practicing, “practice makes perfect”!
