Software comparison

Suitable for

Self-builders

Home improvers

Renovators & remodellers

DIY enthusiasts

Builders

Property developers

Designers

Architects

Architectural technologists

CAD technicicans

Planning departments

Easy-to-use CAD tools

Interactive dialogue boxes and tool options

Multi-layered walls inc. cavity walls, timber construction

Save your own wall constructions to library

Layering function for adding wall hatchings and wrapping detail around windows/doors

Fully customisable building elements for walls, windows, doors, skylights, roofs, stairs, beams, dormers, balconies, ceilings, columns, chimneys

Different stair types including flexible staircase designer for defining all elements of the stairs, balustrades, risers, treads, construction type

Universal stair tool for defining own outline/shape of staircase

Explore the inside & outside of your building with our 3D walkthrough function

Landscaping tools for marking out plot, paths, ponds etc and for setting height levels

Terrain brush for fine ground detailing

Library containing 1,000's of furnishing objects, textures & materials

Load additional objects from Sketchup 3D Warehouse

Add realism with 3D textures

In-line measurements in 2D & 3D for directly modifying selected elements

Set geographic position through Google Maps

Set time of day and simulate lighting effects

Add 3D model to Google Earth to view in situ on the correct plot

3D textures and bump-mapping capabilities

Instant elevation viewer

Break apart 2D elevation & section views for further editing

Display 2D cross-section of building

Display 3D cross-section of building

Plan Element mode for generating library of elevations, building cross sections, individual plan views & drawing details

Plan Element mode for modifying elevation & section views quickly with advanced drawing and editing tools

Easily remove unwanted detail on elevations and section views with the hide line feature

Standard Plan mode for producing planning applications

Advanced Plan Layout mode for producing planning applications, building regulations, working drawings, site plans, plumbing/heating/electrical layouts

Detailing tools for working and building control drawings

Includes 240 CAD detail blocks for the most common building regulation requirements

Editable construction detail drawings for loft conversions, foundations, floors, walls, roofs, timber frame, drainage, windows & doors, internal works, structure etc.

Trace over existing paper copy or image of a plan with our Scan Assistant

Large selection of dormers

Advanced dormer editor

Extensive range of windows & doors including bi-folds

Manual and automatic generation of roofs

Merge/trim multiple roofs together to create complex structures

Room height line display

Convert basic 2D shapes to 3D objects

Timber construction display in roofs

Extended timber display detail in roofs

Advanced timber construction editor

Timber construction display in walls & floors

Automatic text display of construction element properties

Create multiple buildings in same project

Modify wall levels at varying heights

Add individual material areas to wall

Live real-time rendering

Large database of construction elements

Supports metric and imperial measurements

Import and Export DXF/DWG files

Exchange project-related data via the IFC BIM interface

STL export for 3D printing capabilities

Other supported 3D formats include 3DS, DAE

Compatible with Twinmotion

Save project to PDF

Export design to 3D object for anyone to view in our free standalone o2c player

Save design to image file (JPEG, BMP, PNG, TIFF, GIF

Publish/email project file, floor plan, 3D image and 3D object of building directly to your client, builder and anyone else involved in your project

Compatible with Microsoft® Windows® 11, 10, 8, 8.1 or 7

Support

Interactive help, tooltips, manuals

Technical, installation and activation support

Access to online tutorials

Support packages available

Online training available