ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN SOFTWARE

Autodesk software empowers you to bring your architectural designs to life. 

Rendering of the BIM City Westside Hospital data set illustrating a structural view.

What is architectural design?

Architectural design is a discipline that blends technical and creative design to create buildings or structures that are not only safe and durable, but attractive and useful. Architects typically create architectural designs by understanding the space, what it is to be used for, and creating a functional structure for the space. Architectural design encompasses many phases of the design process from schematic design and design development to construction of the structure. Autodesk provides the technology to help with all aspects of the design and collaboration process.

Types of architectural design software

  • Rendering of a 2D factory layout with an overlay of 3D factory content

    2D architectural design software

    Create, edit, and annotate 2D architectural drawings (floor plans, landscaping layouts, etc.) more quickly and with greater precision.

  • Rendering of a house with a city backdrop

    3D architectural design software

    Visualize your architectural design in 3D and create realistic models with materials, textures, and automated tools.  

  • Building with experimental, quasi random accumulation of volumes and balconies.

    Rendering software

    Generate immersive photorealistic renderings to experience how architectural designs will perform in context for project reviews.

  • 3D visualization of a construction project

    BIM software

    Use an intelligent 3D model-based design process to more efficiently plan, design, construct, and manage buildings.

Design software for architects

  • Powerful BIM and CAD tools for designers, engineers, and contractors, including Revit, AutoCAD, Civil 3D, Autodesk Forma, and more

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  • Software for 2D and 3D CAD. Subscription includes AutoCAD, specialized toolsets, and apps.

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  • Plan, design, construct, and manage buildings with powerful tools for Building Information Modeling.

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  • 3D modeling, animation, and rendering software for games and design visualization

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  • Reality capture and 3D scanning software and services

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  • BIM 360 is a construction management platform that connects, organizes, and optimizes projects from design to construction.

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Architectural design apps

Discover architecture software apps that keep you connected wherever you are, while helping bring your architectural designs to life on your mobile device.

  • Architects using AutoCAD in a mobile environment.

    AutoCAD mobile app

    Extend AutoCAD software beyond the desktop. Easily view, create, edit, and share DWG™ files on your iOS or Android device.

  • A360 Collaboration for Revit in use

    A360 mobile app

    Share, view, and comment on 2D and 3D DWG™, DWF, Navisworks, and Revit software files.

  • Architectural engineer using BIM 360 on a job site

    BIM 360

    A unified app for the next-generation BIM 360 platform with the ability to access all architecture project documents and execute construction workflows.

  • Sketch in 3D, anywhere, and design on an iPad with clients, on site, or anywhere inspiration strikes

    FormIt

    Conceptualize, analyze, and share early building design concepts digitally, anywhere ideas strike.

View of the cover of “The Benefits of Using the Architecture toolset in AutoCAD” study

Benefits of the AutoCAD Architecture toolset

The Architecture toolset brings dramatically increased productivity and significant time savings to common AutoCAD architecture design tasks.

See how customers are using architectural design software

  • Lobby of Moxy Osaka Honmachi

    WISE LABO 

    Moxy hotel blends fun and interior design with AutoCAD LT

    Discover how Tokyo-based Wise Labo blends fun, inspiration, and AutoCAD LT for the design of the Moxy Hotel in Osaka.

  • Exterior view of the Alea Homes Project

    CANO Y ESCARIO 

    Redefining housing with Cano y Escario Arquitectura

    Using BIM method and Autodesk solutions, the Cano y Escario practice has been a key agent in this redefinition of residential architecture.

  • Interior rendering of the second largest mall in Africa

    BOOGERTMAN + PARTNERS 

    How to build one of the biggest malls in Africa

    Working in a fully integrated BIM environment using Revit, Navisworks & BIM 360 Glue B + P rose to the challenge of delivering the 2nd biggest mall in SA.

Architectural design software resources

FAQs on architectural design software