Essential Software Every Architect Must Know

1. Drafting Software

AutoCAD: Industry-standard for 2D drafting and detailing. AutoCAD is a must. It’s very intuitive software, and with practice, you’ll be a pro at it in no time.

Revit: A 3D modeling software also used for creating construction drawings, service drawings, and Building Information Modeling (BIM). According to my knowledge, it’s not as common in India yet, but outside India, Revit is widely used.

2. 3D Modeling Software

SketchUp: User-friendly and great for conceptual modeling. SketchUp remains one of the most-used software in offices even now. I’d suggest learning the basics as a good starting point. Personally, I don’t like SketchUp for making highly detailed models, but I use it for rendering purposes and setting views. OR

Rhinoceros (Rhino): Great for freeform modeling, and the Grasshopper plugin makes it even more powerful. It’s much easier to create complex, detailed models in Rhino. OR

Blender: Also a 3D modeling tool, ideal for conceptual modeling and visualizations. I’ve just started exploring this one. There are so many things it’s compatible with, like AR and VR tools. Blender is also great for renders, motion graphics, animation, and walkthroughs. If you have time on your hands, learning Blender can be a game-changer.

3. Rendering Software

Disclaimer: I’ve only used Enscape and V-Ray—and not very extensively—but I wanted to share what I’ve learned about some popular rendering tools.

From my experience, all of them are intuitive and easy to use. Honestly, whichever you find easy to work with is the best option for you. Sometimes, even being proficient in just one software can be enough. That said, it’s always good to explore multiple options:

1. V-Ray: Excellent for creating views, sectional perspectives, and high-quality renders. OR
2. Lumion: Great for walkthroughs, lighting effects, animations, and 3D renders. OR
3. Enscape: Perfect for creating real-time walkthroughs. OR
4. Twinmotion: Known for its photorealistic rendering capabilities.

4. Post-Processing, Presentation and Composition Tools

Adobe InDesign: The best tool for creating layouts, portfolios, and presentation boards. Whether it’s your portfolio, panels, or booklets of your work, InDesign is indispensable.

Adobe Illustrator: Ideal for graphics, diagrams, and drawings. Rendering drawings in Illustrator is incredibly easy and looks amazing. It’s also great for improving line weights and creating polished visuals.

Adobe Photoshop: The classic must-have. For image and drawing editing, as well as post-production work, Photoshop is your best friend. I mainly use it for editing model pictures and rendering drawings.

5. Group Projects

Sketchbook: A handy tool for quick digital sketches and hand-drawn concepts. I often use it for sample rendering, concept sketching, rough layouts, and even full renders. It’s a great tool if you know how to make the most of it. OR

Procreate: The paid, feature-packed sibling of Sketchbook. It offers more brushes and Photoshop-like features but in a simpler app interface. It’s especially useful for people interested in graphic design, logo creation, or poster-making. It’s incredibly versatile and a fantastic tool to know.

Miro & Figma: For collaborative work, Miro (limited to 3 free boards) and Figma are lifesavers. These platforms let you dump information, sketches, and images all in one place, and multiple people can collaborate on them simultaneously.

Bonus Tip for My Readers!

Use NOTION for organizing your life—it’s a game-changer. From managing lists and Excel sheets to linking Figma boards and more, you can store anything and everything in Notion. It takes some effort to set up initially, but once you’ve done that, there’s no looking back. Trust me, you’ll love it. The best part? It’s free.

This list might feel overwhelming at first, but don’t worry. Pick one software at a time, start with the basics, and gradually build your skills. Let me know in the comments which ones you’ve already tried or are planning to learn. Happy designing!