Other architecture software options to consider Sketchup offers a free tier, although it has limited features. It might not be suitable for designing a building entirely, but it is an excellent tool for rapidly prototyping a design when it is still at a conceptual stage. The user-base has also contributed to an extensive object library, a vast resource of pre-constructed parts to drop into any project. The free release has made Sketchup very popular, generating a large and active community of Sketchup users on hand to help the inexperienced. After a few easy to follow tutorials, designers should be able to work rapidly to construct complex solid geometry using it. Originally a Google-backed project, Sketchup is now owned and developed by Trimble, who release a new version at least once a year.Īs a start point for anyone entering 3D modelling, Sketchup is as easy as CAD gets.
