Best Free and Open Source Architecture Software Solutions

About 77% architects believe that architecture software have had a major impact on the design industry

Long gone are days when architects used to prepare the designs and interiors on paper. With the world going all-digital today, there are plenty of free open source architecture software solutions available in the market. Architects today use these softwares to document, visualize, and create interior & property designs. Some of these softwares are quite expensive and burn a hole in the pockets. However, there are several free open source architecture tools available in the market that charge no fees from their users.
The article lists such top free open source architecture CAD tools along with a detailed overview and best features of each tool. Let us delve deep into the topic without wasting a second now.

Architecture Software Solutions are the tools used by architects to design the interiors of a home. These are based on smart building technology that makes it easier to create construction drawings, floor plans, 3D renderings, elevations, 360 panoramic etc.

Here is a list of the best open-source architecture software:

Blender

Blender is a free and open-source 3D modelling software. It is good for creating technical and architectural drawings – modelling, animation, rigging, simulation, motion tracking, rendering, compositing, 2D animation pipeline and video editing. It makes use of NPR techniques and similar procedures to create 2D models and render full projects which look similar to AutoCAD, Revit, ArchiCAD etc. Blender integrates other 3D graphic design programs and pipeline tools. It is normally in form of non-compiled Python Scripts which are essentially just text files.

Features of Blender

• This is suitable for high-quality digital animation, VFX, and game design on top of 3D printing.
• This software is suitable to be used for commercial as well as for educational purposes.
• It comes with the support of external libraries that are helpful in animation.
• It comes with a free license and a great set of tools for texturing and lightning.
• It has a very intuitive and easy to understand modelling workflows
• This architectural software is suitable for small businesses or for individuals that are low on budget.
• Its built-in cycles rendering engine gives an ultra-realistic rendering
• It also has a feature for storyboard

Sweet Home 3D

Sweet Home 3D is an open-source and free architectural design software. Users can create 2D and 3D previews, decorate and arrange their interiors, adjust the placement of various things in the house or office or the property that they are trying to create. This architectural drawing software allows importing and arranging furniture to create a virtual environment. It brings in one of the easiest and fastest ways to design the interiors of a location and show the 3D view. It lets users create detailed plans for separate rooms and the whole house, place furniture and various objects within, supporting the 3D model files at OBJ, DAE, 3DS format, ZIP files, KMZ files and many similar types. Importing is easy.

Features of Sweet Home 3D

• It is a cloud-based and on-premise interior design solution that is useful for creating 2D/3D house plans, update colours, texture, orientation, size of furniture and dragging and dropping things that are required.
• Sweet Home 3D helps designers and architects to draw house plans and arrange things virtually within the space.
• It allows drawing walls and rooms on one or more levels.
• It allows drag and drops doors, windows, furniture from a catalogue onto the plan.
• Users can update the colours, textures, orientation of the furniture and rooms.
• This software also enables giving a 3D view of all the changes.
• It allows for creating photorealistic images and videos with various light sources.
• Sweet Home 3D allows importing additional 3D models and exports the plan in various formats.

TAD

It is a platform with many components. This software comes with extreme querying capabilities and helps in getting objectivity from bubble-diagramming stages. It is based on building an information modeller.

Features of TAD

• This software helps users with iterative design architecture.
• It is composed of a flexible design system with add-ons extended functionality.
• It is composed of ‘Ardela’ which is a built-in language for creating architectural designs.
• This software comes with robust object orientation, offering a 3D view (draft).

FreeCAD

FreeCAD is an open-source model to create 3D and 2D figures. It comes with many components to adjust dimensions, extract design details, sketch geometry, change parameters, design real-life objects of any size, read and write many file formats like STEP, IGES, STL, SVG, DXF, OBJ, IFC, DAE and many others, workable on may platform like Windows, MAC and Linux.

Features of FreeCAD

• FreeCAD equips the users with modern Finite Element Analysis (FEA) tools
• It also brings in the experimental CFD, BIM, Geodata workbenches, Path workbench, a robot simulation module
• It allows users to study robot movements

SmartDraw

It is a diagram tool used to create architectural patterns, flowcharts, floor plans, mind maps, project charts, and business visuals. It appears in two versions – online and downloadable editions for Windows desktop. It offers a complete suite of templates, diagrams, symbols to design residential or commercial floor plans, organizational charts, electrical designs, CAD and engineering diagrams, landscape designs, app and suite mock-ups, network diagrams, wireframes etc. It also features easy file sharing and integrations with Confluence, Jira, MS Office, GSuite Apps, Trello, Box and more. It facilitates file storage, sharing, and collaboration and allows importing, editing, exporting Visio files (VSD/VSDX). This tool is available offline and online.

Features of SmartDraw

• It can be used to add photos and images
• Smartdraw has auto-adjusting to add, delete or move shapes
• It has an automatic formatting feature
• Smartdraw is available in 100 languages
• It has diagrams based on charts
• It features collaboration tools
• Smartdraw can be used to create and edit diagrams online
• It makes use of design themes

Archi – ArchiMate Modelling

ArchiMate Modelling is a free and open-source modelling toolkit to create ArchiMate models, patterns and sketches that can be used by thousands of Enterprise Architects across the world. It provides a low-cost solution for those looking to model interior designs. It is a standard that supports the description, analysis, and visualization of architecture within and across business domains.

Features of ArchiMate Modelling

• It supports the ArchiMate® 3.1 language
• Dynamic Viewpoints, The Visualiser, Hints View
• It works across platforms – Windows, Mac or Linux
• It comes with Sketch View
• Canvas Modelling Toolkit
• It as well features modelling, visualization, simulation and diagramming

SketchUp

SketchUp free architect software that can be used to visualize and create schematic designs to construct documentation, 3D and 2D architectural designs, interiors, landscapes, furniture etc. This architectural drawing software is designed to act like a Pencil tool for drawing more complicated 3D drawings. It can be used to draw plans, elevations, sections, build details and title blocks. It is used to design animations, images, videos, create flyovers, walkthroughs and much more.

Features of SketchUp

• Sketchup is designed for web
• It comes with unlimited cloud storage
• It is supported by a large community
• It features a desktop client and is accompanied by 2D documentation
• It is suitable for model viewing
• It can be used to optimize your workflow and create 3D Warehouse
• Sketchup enables making users realize the augmented and virtual reality through designs
• It can be used to bend geometry with a single click
• It can be used to create photo realistic 3D architectural renderings and custom extensions
• This architectural design software can be used to generate cost estimated and cultists by exporting reports directly from the model

VectorWorks

Vectorworks is free architecture software, which is good for open-source 2D and 3D modelling, created by Vectorworks Inc. It is an on-premise application providing extensive 2D drafting, BIM and rendering capabilities for your architectural and landscape design requirements. The tools and features aligned to it make it easy to use and flexible. It is good for designing and development presentations and construction drawings. It is good for freelancers, start-ups, SME’s and Enterprises.

Features of VectorWorks

• VectorWorks can be used for Project Management
• It is good for managing tasks
• VectorWorks can be used for BIM Modelling
• It is good for Documentation Management
• VectorWorks can be used for Drafting
• It is good for Visualization / Presentation
• VectorWorks can be used for 2D Drawing
• It is good for 3D Modelling
• It comes with a smart options display
• quick search
• VectorWorks Graphics Module Cache
• Smart Markers
• Materials
• Grade Object Improvements
• Structural Grids
• Excel Import/Export
• 3D Modelling Enhancements
• Project Sharing Server
• Railings and Fences
• Detachable Tab Palletes
• Duplicate Array and Move by Points
• 2D Graphics and Presentations
• NBS Chorus
• Enscape for VectorWorks
• Live Data Visualization
• GIS Improvements
• History-Based Modelling
• VectorWorks Graphics Module Improvements
• IFC Referencing
• List Browser Direct Editing
• Great Section Views
• Data Tag Enhancements

LibreCAD

LibreCAD is free and open-source 2D design software that enables users to produce accurate architectural designs, technical drawings, and other layouts. When LibreCAD was first launched in 2011, its goal was to offer a free and open-source substitute for CAD software. It is intended to function on a number of operating systems, such as Windows, macOS, and different versions of Linux.
LibreCAD is an easy-to-use CAD program for a novice that provides a wide range of essential functions for 2D drafting, such as drawing geometry, layer management, annotation, customization, and excellent file compatibility.
Features

• It is available in more than 30 languages
• Built-in advanced dimensioning and snapping tools
• Basic 3D modeling & remodeling tools for simple figures and shapes
• Easy & quick import/export DXF and DWG file formats
• Manage complex drawings with groups, blocks, and layers
• Cross platform support & file sharing, available on Linux, Mac, and Windows

RoomSketcher

RoomSketcher is a cloud-based program for iPad, Windows, and Mac users to draw floor plans and design their homes. This tool, which is available in English, Danish, German, Norwegian, and Swedish, is utilized by tech-savvy homeowners as well as manufacturers or retailers of fixtures, furniture, and accessories.

With built-in measurements and the ability to upload designs to serve as templates, the application can create clear, black-and-white 2D floor layouts.
For house design and remodeling projects, users can also choose 3D floor plans with branding, disclaimers, and texture changes.
Features

• Easy to use software to build house designs and create professional floor plans
• Instantly calculate the total area within the app, automatically and accurately
• Use an existing floor template or blueprint to draw your plan easily and quickly
• Easy one-click room & wall measurements, quick & accurate
• Draw walls and home designs that reflect real time image
• Access to a huge product library that includes furniture, plants, and other items
• Bookmark and save your favorite items, plans, colors, or furniture for future projects

Cedreo

Cedreo is a 3D software for designing homes that enable users to generate a full conceptual design presentation, including 2D and 3D floor plans and interior and exterior photorealistic 3D renderings, in only two hours with more than 7,000 customizable furnishings and materials.
Beautiful photorealistic 3D renderings may be produced by home builders to assist clients in visualizing projects before they are completed, improve communication, and increase sales. Users have the option of starting fresh with their designs or using and customizing earlier work.
Features

• Import an existing plan, dwg, or dxf file
• Model a land plot in 15-20 minutes
• Generate a scaled ground plan
• Draw intuitively and visualize instantly in 2D/3D
• Create cuts on your plan
• Preview different results simultaneously
• Download complete plants to scale
• Easily add dimensions and annotations

Selecting The Best Free And Open Source Architecture Software Solution

The choice of a tool to design the architecture/interiors of space should depend upon the value for money, ease of use, customer support, and features. Hope this list helps you in making the best selection. React out to us in case of queries or if you want us to add more to this list. If suggested software solutions don’t meet your business needs, it may be better to build custom software tailored to your firm or personal needs. You should hire an expert software developer from ITFirms’ list of top custom software development companies.

Top FAQs – Top Free Open Source Architectural Tools

What is an Open Source Architectural CAD Software?

An open source architectural CAD tool is a computer-enabled designing software that helps engineers, architects, and designers to visualize & build blueprints, models, remodeling, and 2D/3D architectures.

What are the benefits of Architectural CAD Software?

Some of the top benefits of using architectural CAD software include –

• Faster Renovations Designs
• Better Accuracy in Designs
• Enhanced Productivity
• Easy Design Previewing
• Manage complex drawings with groups, blocks, and layers
• Better Communications & Documentation

What are the top features of Architectural CAD Software?

Architectural CAD software aids architects in creating impressive designs using technology. Some of the top features of Architectural CAD tools include –

• BIM Modeling
• Design Templates
• Document Management
• Version Control
• 2D Drawing & Modeling
• 3D Drawing & Modeling
• Architectural Symbol Library
• Smart Designing Tools