Software for architects in 2023 (explained in 3 levels)

[@ShowItBetter]

The first 1,000 people to use the link will get a 1 month free trial of Skillshare: skl.sh/showitbetter06221 Digital Collage Course: skl.sh/3FoiaoB

[@patrick-resendiz]

What a well constructed and pleasant video to watch! I make a part time living doing renderings and find that the combination of Chief Architect, Blender and D5 Render along with Davinci Resolve are all I need. It’s amazing the tools we have to create today. I was doing renderings 15 years ago right out of college and it was a different world.

[@ShowItBetter]

wow that's an interesting setup! Do you think Blender is a must know for visualizers or architectS?

[@patrick-resendiz]

@@ShowItBetter For most Blender is probably not mandatory. For me I find Blender much preferable to Sketchup because it handles Collada files by default which is my preferred export method from Chief and can handle complex geometry way better than Sketchup. Plus the decimate modifier is amazing for reducing poly count on furniture models so I can stage and render an entire home in a single file under 100 mb generally.

[@LyDoi365]

Was kinda worried when I realized I don't know any of the beginner programs but was so relieved with the rest of the video. Usual work flow: -sketch up for the base modeling (+an immense amount of plugins) -Vray if I have time to render stills + Materialize to create custom material maps (AO, normals, bump, diffuse, etc) -AutoCAD for drafting -Lumion for videos -Photoshop for post production -Illustrator for compiling I also dabble in Escape and blender but I just started that so I don't use it in a professional settings.

[@ShowItBetter]

wow! You are way above average!

[@MaryannLogan]

Feel the same

[@kernstorge]

What helped me a lot in my productivity as an architect was getting to know your channel. Thank you!!

[@aramer25]

same here XD, I agree

[@ShowItBetter]

Thank you! Really appreciate it 😁

[@UHStudio]

Good video, and nice to see Blender is mentioned - it's one of the best architecture concept design software. However, as a practicing architect, knowing a 3d software is much more essential than knowing BIM software. BIM can be learned on the job - many firms offer courses, so it's not something students should stress too much about, especially at entry level positions. No one expects you to know Revit on day 1 of the job after graduation. Yet, being able to grasp a concept from sketch or instructions into 3d, and visualise it is absolutely essential. Additionally - Affinity Suite (affinity designer, affinity photo, and affinity publisher) is excellent, cheaper, and more capable alternative (for architects) to Adobe. Many big firms are starting to use Affinity more than Adobe

[@ImNotFreddie]

A bit of a relief actually. I’m a second year architecture student and really good at creating and designing with 3D modeling softwares like Rhino. And then using photoshop, illustrator and render softwares to create diagrams, renders and collages. I use AutoCAD for 2d drafting like details but I’m not the best with BIM softwares. I did smaller simple projects with Archicad and Revit but I fear I should be much better and be able to create complex projects with it.

[@ap3008]

In my country, ArchiCad is most used as a BIM tool...but internationally, Revit is most used, especially in English speaking countries. I personally am used to ArchiCad and I love it, aside of some imperfections of the sofware. It is getting good updates though, year by year. ArchiCad is 3000+ euro for licence...quite expensive. I think I am going to have to learn Revit as well...just to expand my opportunities. This is such a useful video for someone who is looking to upgrade it's skills. So, thank you so much!

[@ShowItBetter]

Thanks for the insight!

[@izoyt]

where are you from?

Two months ago, I replaced Premiere Pro with Davinci Resolve, Photoshop with Affinity Photo, and Illustrator with Affinity Design, I think that was the best decision for me. I recommend those.

[@NaqhTeam]

This video is to the point, love it man 🔥

[@ShowItBetter]

thanks!

[@cazwalt9013]

I use these softwares: Modeling: Revit Sketchup and Blender. I used to use AutoCad but I don't anymore. Visualization: Enscape and Vray I used to use lumion too but I hated it. Presentation: Photoshop and Illustrator I'm going to learn In-desigin in the future.

[@ankulaypoulay60]

Lumion's interface is horrendous... I'd rather make something a little less pretty with TM or take more time in Vray. Wonder what are the pros of learning blender when you already know Revit and SketchUp?

[@ShowItBetter]

yes, curious to read that answer as well, what do you use blender for specifically

[@cazwalt9013]

@@ShowItBetter I do animation as a hobby plus I find it useful to add details to my models using blender than sketchup because it has more advanced modeling tools

[@cazwalt9013]

@@ankulaypoulay60 blender for details plus I do animation as a hobby

[@MrWanted000]

I also use blender but for modeling and rendering. I used to use 3dsmax but I switched to MacBook Autocad and rhino for drafting Photoshop and powerpoint for presentations

[@javis9950]

This is a skill share ad with extra steps. PS: there was some useful information within thank you.

[@ShowItBetter]

haha

[@IXDl]

Great video, very clear. In the course of 15 years of searching, I was very greedy for every new software that could become perfect in everything, but ... there is still no such thing. At one time I thought that a bunch of Revit and 3ds max - that's it! but... still not )) Rhinoceros+GH for CADwork got very close. I really like the blender with its hot keys, eeve render, sculpt and development dynamics, but unfortunately there is no such thing as a referral link with updated data in different formats. Houdini. I do not know any architect who would use it. But I'm wondering, it took a couple of years to start doing work tasks confidently, often overcomplicated setups, wasting time on parametrics, but very satisfying when it actually works. And most importantly, there is the houdini Engine for Unreal as a reason to bother with Houdini at all. Unreal. Waiting for a render seems to be a thing of the past, but to be honest setting up a scene in the game engine is often much more time consuming than making a nice static render. At the moment, I settled on the pipeline - Rhino + Revit for the site, general layout, general geometry, a grasshopper for working with data tables, separate assets and data are procedurally processed and the overall model is assembled in Houdini, then visualization in Unreal. The beauty is that at any time we can return to any stage of work and make changes. Not every time I have the patience to do it all, but I'm still looking for the perfect workflow))) The other side of the fact that you know a lot of software is throwing from one to another, when colleagues are sitting on the other side in their sketchup and their it suits))

[@ShowItBetter]

wow! thanks for your insight!

[@ivanshipilov4265]

It all depends on what tasks you need to solve. Sometimes simpler tools are enough to get the job done. If labor costs are not expedient, then they are not needed. At one time I worked in Revit, but one day I returned to Autocad. Autocad, SketchUp and D5 were enough. Why Autocad? Because there you can simply do what is not required to be done difficult. Dozens, hundreds of options for the layout of equipment, technical solutions - Revit does not allow so much, Autocad - easily. There are always hundreds of meetings and approvals before something is visualized or given a ready-made solution. Partners do not always work in the software we use. Therefore, you have to build your workflow so that everyone is satisfied and no one loses efficiency.

[@rbasket8]

Yo soy estudiante y apenas llevo un año probando programas, lo que suelo hacer es: Papel, esbozos. AutoCAD y SketchUp simultáneamente. AutoCAD para finalizar e importar 2D del modelo 3D de SketchUp. Illustrator para montar láminas. Sé utilizar Photoshop para arreglar cosas si hace falta. Y sé hacer renders con VRAY (principiante) aunque no suelo hacer. Este año quiero empezar a utilizar Rhino y Grasshopper, que ya se utilizar más o menos aunque no lo he usado para proyectos. Un saludo desde 🇪🇦

[@harrisonj.vimalchandar6221]

Here I'm using Archicad + Sketchup ( Ornamental sculpting & furnishings ) + Lumion ( both for images & Videos) + Photoshop for image processing + Adobe primiere pro for video processing.....also in Adobe after effects.... For architectural sculpting I'm trying to adapt it to blender..... But one thing for sure.... Nothing works like freehand sketching for unique creations....

[@ShowItBetter]

completely agree!

[@emeQve]

forgot to mention the one that may be most important of them all and feared by many of us... Excel....

[@ShowItBetter]

haha yes! it was mostly architect exclusive software but there should be another list with non exclusive

[@taufiqabdurrahman5906]

awesome content !

[@ShowItBetter]

thanks Taufiq!

[@eastudio-K]

Right now I’m pretty much doing recap-revit-twinmotion-premiere Only use autocad when I have to set up and import into revit Would love to swap twinmotion for. UE5, but steep learning curve, all it takes is to get started on it off course Also have not used dynamo that much, but have some items that I use it for

[@ShowItBetter]

yes! I´d also like to take a dab at UE5, very curious

[@SuSan-tc9ng]

I am glad I found this video...thank you so much for your explanation... I have been panicking over which one one to learn since my 1st year uni. Now I found the answer.❤

[@ShowItBetter]

Glad it was helpful!

[@sanghamitrapaul8395]

I did learn Revit, CAD(basics), Illustrator, Indesign and Sketchup. Thanks for the info I need to updrage to Enscape and it will complete

[@ShowItBetter]

Nice!

[@MTheoOA]

Love the video man, great one. I do well with Sketchup, but all the plugins you need to do it right, and you still will see some imperfections in the model (if you try to find it), so, i'm tying to migrate to Rhino, but all that curve complex problems can be pretty difficult. As a student, all this softwares can be pretty overwhelming.

[@ShowItBetter]

Although the learning curve with Rhino is a but steeper, it’s worth it :)

[@MTheoOA]

@@ShowItBetter For sure, Sketchup is not near powerful as Rhino, but it's so practical depending on the type of architecture! Both together can be really something.

[@curtismcmillan7255]

Keep going with Rhino!. Once you get over the initial learning curve bump it's a swiss army knife - just focus on using solids and blocks. It can function as a drafting tool, 3D modeller, parametric scripting tool, environmental analysis tool, 3D printing tool, or a database query tool with Grasshopper and some Python. It can perform these functions in a way that is interoperable with BIM software and CAD tools in a workplace - so you can deal with both all kinds of architectural firms. And you can buy a license once and never have to pay a subscription fee again!

[@MTheoOA]

@@curtismcmillan7255 Thanks! I'm trying haha. Seems an incredible tool. I will learn grasshopper for later, it's too complicated for now. But it's good to know they can work with BIM too. GL!

[@bleekky]

sketchup, Autocad : done AI, PS, In : done Ae, Premiere, PPT: done rendering software: done additional: C4d, Keyshot, Zbrush, Capcut, Adobe Audition (done)

[@Cinema.Intellect]

Works well!! DANKEEE

[@yassinekhadar852]

"choose what's better for your pocket "... laughs in jack sparrow

[@ShowItBetter]

lol

[@paulspaltman2340]

Excellent overview again, thanks! It really covers the whole area of the architectural profession. Well, maybe these Ipad sketching software like Morpholio could be added to the list. And I realize that my skills are overall very good, except for the Adobe part. One way or the other working with Photoshop always seems like a struggle. InDesign works great for basic layout, but I don't even scratch the surface of what is possible. And Illustrator is also still waiting to be explored by me. Not a day without learning!

[@ShowItBetter]

thanks Paul! you´re right, I had not considered table sketching software!

[@anissina3988]

Love your content man Keep it up 💥

[@ShowItBetter]

Thanks!

[@jameswamburu6383]

Very Informative. The real question is, will the Client pay for all of this?

[@BoWSkittlez]

I love how Adobe has the monopoly on category 3! Goes to show just how many essential products they make

[@kristiblido3229]

while i generally like longer, more detailed content, especially since im an architecture student, i will say, this was a fire vid. great software selection and very precise categorizing.

[@ShowItBetter]

glad you liked it! I also like making both styles of videos. Creating the categorization was a bit tricky but insightful at the end

[@LillianIngram-vb6jd]

i like your comment

[@NHSSHINOBI]

This video offers immense benefits to students, especially considering that some schools may not even introduce them to certain essential software tools. I do a lot of self-guided learning and have learned most or these, no thanks to my university. Skillshare is slimy though, I would do my research before signing up.

[@ColmeiaCuriosidades]

I liked how you modeled and rendered FAUUSP, but changing the envoirment :)

[@ShowItBetter]

haha thanks! yes, it was more of an exploration but FAUSP is super tropical haha

[@krypt2k25]

I use like 10 softwares on my workflow but i love to do it even though it gets messy sometimes 😂

[@ShowItBetter]

😂😂 Same here!

[@Daniel-ub7fp]

grande esteban sigue así , buenos videos bro.

[@ShowItBetter]

gracias!

[@anagsimtedlafset3244]

The video i needed!

[@ShowItBetter]

glad you liked it Anagism!

[@bellousow2607]

Wonderful job bro

[@ShowItBetter]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@paryagolgoun606]

Thank you for amazing and helpful videos🙏🙏

[@maximlisogora1216]

In Ukraine most of all we use SketchUp+Archicad+InDesign. Visualization in Corona or Vray for picture and Lumion for movie

[@marysketch4772]

I don't understand why you use both SketchUp and Archicad. Is SketchUp just for conceptual work? Thanks.

[@maximlisogora1216]

@@marysketch4772 yes. I am using sketchup for conceptual. But many architects use only archicad. In my opinion, Revit is better but its difficult to switch

[@ShowItBetter]

Nice workflow!

[@maximlisogora1216]

@@ShowItBetter thanx) you have a great channel

[@markclay2338]

awesome Vid!

[@ShowItBetter]

Thanks Mark!

[@1uzair]

very well explained

[@ShowItBetter]

Glad you think so!

[@bluedog101c]

U forget t mention t computing power. Using dynamo as a student crashed my pc several times

[@ShowItBetter]

yes! that is for another video!

[@sondamvula]

Great advance Steven 😄

[@ShowItBetter]

Thank you!

[@aramer25]

Hermano no enterremos al Autocad, el abuelito aún puede dar sus golpes😅Bromas a parte, gran video!

[@abdullamansib120]

You should have mentioned Unreal Engine.The latest version has everything you need even 3d modeling tools.The realtime photorealism and virtua lreality walkthrough renderings its offering is the best in industry that no other software can provide.I think UE5 overrides most of these softwares with its immense possibilities in visualization industry

[@likha360]

I dont think unreal engine for 3d modeling for architects. Its only good for rendering. In architecture we need software that is quick and user friendly.

[@SaiKrishna-ne4lc]

Can you show it better ? Steven - Of course !

[@ShowItBetter]

yesssss always!

[@deganimateus]

Please do an tutorial teaching how to extract good drawings an diagrams from Revit!

[@ShowItBetter]

thanks for the suggestion Mateus!

[@antoniiocaluso1071]

the MOST-affordable 2/3D CAD-software is...ta daaaa... ActCAD ! From a 72-year old CAD-Designer/builder since '82. Pretty pictures are what we called "eye-candy" :-) We we actually BUILD with, and make one money, is...ta daaaaa... PLANS. Want excellent plans, forget the ugly "subscription madness". ActCAD is a lifetime license for...$199-$399 (2023). Imagine how much more Creative and Productive a young Designer becomes without fretting over...how to pay for the software. Or, as often typical, how to "pirate" it ! Be honest :-) your welcome, kids! Prosper lifelong!!!

[@deviolet2109]

Thanks for add Indonesia subtitle, yass 👌

[@ShowItBetter]

you're welcome!

[@tommegg8486]

I definitely recommend learning blender, useful for a lot of complex and repetitive modelling work with it's geometry nodes. Plus the material preview viewport is a blessing for interior work.

[@viggopaulman]

Hey Steven, my 9-year pro skills in SketchUp and Enscape match Max/VRay users but no company wants to hire me because they only want 3Ds Max users. SketchUp is so unpopular in Germany. Should I stop applying to archviz companies and start my own? This is so unfair. . . ☹

[@ShowItBetter]

I know arch viz companies that work entirely in sketchup and enscape and create really good images. Meaning, it´s possible to be an arch viz artist with whatever software you want to use. Having that said, companies cant accomodate each employee depending on the software they each use, they have to meet those requirements. So if you really want to enter in those offices, well learn 3d max. Im sure its a complex program to learn and it will take you some time, but if you have strong image making skills (texturing, modeling, composition, color) then you can adapt easily.

[@viggopaulman]

@@ShowItBetter Thank you so much Steven! It's very encouraging to hear that companies use SU and Enscape. Is there a way to get in touch with you through a DM? I'd like to find out more please.

[@mr.moon24]

Can you teach how to use illustrator to do presentations

[@ShowItBetter]

I don´t think so, I always use Indesign for presentations!

[@mr.moon24]

@@ShowItBetter sorry I meant those kinda massing representation of how ideas are put together in illustrator

[@lennartuecker]

I think its a big mistake not to mention Affinity as an alternative to the Creative Cloude in "2023". ;) But overall nice summary tho!

[@ShowItBetter]

I have to explore more of it, thanks for the recommendation!

[@AlterEgo-x4d]

Hey thanks so much for your video! One question, are there any easy and fast to use apps for non-architects to design and maybe even do some modelling? Like for instance, inShot app to edit video on your phone? Thanks so much.

[@Schjoenz]

Just learning photoshop is pretty heavy. How much more learning AI, ID, and all those software for different workflow? It could take me 10years before becoming a decent professional. What if I only have 1-2 years? Is that possible or doable? I'm an IT by the way, and I already know how to use adobe software you mentioned but I still want to learn architural software to design my own custom house (not to become an archetic).. I just started using Sweet Home 3D last week to create floor plan and I think this is the only software I need. I need think I need your comments on this.. Any comment is welcome. TIA.

[@ShowItBetter]

Hi there! Learning architecture software can definitely seem overwhelming, especially with everything else you have going on. The good news is, you don't need to become a professional architect to design your own custom house. Sweet Home 3D is a great tool for creating floor plans and basic designs, and you can use it to experiment and iterate until you're happy with the result. As for learning other software, it really depends on your goals and how much time you can dedicate to learning. If you're just looking to design your own house, you may not need to learn every software out there. However, if you do want to explore more advanced design techniques, there are plenty of online resources and tutorials to help you learn. Just take it one step at a time and don't be afraid to experiment and have fun with it!

[@Pantekovich]

A question, can you do drafting on Revit as well or you still need AutoCAD to do it?

[@guloofficial4740]

Blender vs 3dsmax your choice?

[@ShowItBetter]

I don't know either! But I would love to learn Blender!

[@damnman7226]

To be an architect you need to be able to design not use software (unless you want to be a software person at the company)

[@ShowItBetter]

You´re right, you dont want to necesarily become the software person. But if you cant use software how will you be able to integrate into teams? Learning software does not exclude learning design, and learning design does not exclude learning software. Maybe learning different software can give you even more tools to express your design ideas :)

[@honhatquang598]

If you were a graduated student, would any company hire you if you don't know any industry standard software? Knowing some industry standard software (just basic level) is your first step to get into the industry. Then you will be learning design and other things along the way.

[@MH-fs3lf]

bruh how can you design if you don't know how to use architectural software? using tracing paper?😂

[@gerrysnatabraja]

wait, sketchup is intermediate?

[@ShowItBetter]

this is more of a general perspective, maybe for the sketchup genius who can master it better than any other, it´s not that intermediate :)

[@gerrysnatabraja]

@@ShowItBetter hahaha, I didn't know that's the general perspective, because my peers usually starts from sketchup and then switch to revit/archicad

[@tskipura]

wanna know if Corona renderer is better than Vray if possible maybe you can answer me? thank you

[@ShowItBetter]

it really goes down to preference! Some say Corona has a better interface, and a bit more intuitive. But you'd have to try them out for yourself

[@informationiswealth3514]

CAN WE GET A BETTER VIDEO THAN THIS WELL ,OF COURSE

[@ShowItBetter]

haha probably

[@ramudzulimutandari8632]

🤣this is what I need when I search for things

[@henryglennon3864]

And remember kids, in the United States, Revit may be the industry standard; but it's also luke-warm diarrhea.

[@reubennelson4086]

Wdym can you explain? I'm new to Bim. Which one do you prefer?

[@henryglennon3864]

@@reubennelson4086 I learned BIM on ArchiCAD, but use both it and Revit daily on different projects. Revit is unbelievably badly designed and optimized as software. Any given task takes three or four times the mouse clicks, and it effectively can't be used for 3D modelling in the way you can in SketchUp, Rhino, or Blender. There's absolutely no consistency in the way tools work, and the parametric, relative object hosting system end up moving things around on their own volition, unless you lock everything, which is a pain in its own right. It's so bad, there's a cottage industry of third party plugins just to make Revit borderline effective.

[@ShowItBetter]

😂 what I've heard most do is work with rhino with no limitations, then with grasshopper and other plugins, formalize the design in revit

[@henryglennon3864]

@@ShowItBetter Up here in the States, most companies don't use Rhino, unless they're large enough to have separate DD and CD teams, since you can't produce CDs in Rhino, and transferring Rhino models into Revit doesn't reliably work, and requires specialized knowledge.

[@reubennelson4086]

@@henryglennon3864 thanks for answering. I'm a 3rd year student (COVID batch) and we had a 3 day course on archicad. But most of my seniors persuaded me to use Revit instead because it's superior hahaha. Can you suggest some of the more important plugins that would make my life easier?

[@riccia888]

In short focus on fundamentals not tools

[@واقعگرایی]

Skp is better or revit???

[@ShowItBetter]

they are completely different :)

[@allesasmart]

it would help if you said the names of the 3,

[@ShowItBetter]

which 3?

[@user-yo7fx2xn8m]

👆It could only be the architect - architecture or science for my personality.

[@tach4473]

North America uses Rhino but doesn't teach anywhere 😮

[@zhraa2601]

Can you get better than this? Of course! watch Show It Better tutorials ;)

[@ShowItBetter]

haha yesss!

[@Ran-c7d]

Vectorwoeks

[@ShowItBetter]

nice!