Chief Architect is 3D architectural software for residential and light commercial design. Discover why millions of people use Chief Architect as the home design software product of choice for 2D and 3D design.

Building & Design Tools

Use powerful building and drafting tools to quickly create plans according to standard building practices and make the design process efficient and productive. Automatic and Manual Building tools allow you to create a variety of Roof styles, Stairs, Framing - both stick and truss, Schedules and Materials Lists for Cut, Buy and Estimating, Dimensioning, Cross-Sections, Elevations and CAD tools.

3D Design and Modeling Tools

As you draw walls, the program automatically creates a 3D model and supports full 3D editing. With Chief Architect, you can design in any view for seamless and simultaneous editing between 2D & 3D. Advanced rendering provides both Photo Realistic and Artistic styles such as Line Drawing and Watercolor. An extensive 3D Library of architectural objects and tools make it easy to detail and accessorize your designs so that styles, finishes and other product-specific design details can be accurately rendered.

CAD Tools for Productivity & Precision

Chief Architect has a powerful CAD software engine that includes tools for lines, polylines, splines, arcs and solids to produce objects that range from custom entry columns to a deck ledger detail. Quickly manipulate objects with multiple copy, align, reflect and replicate at specific intervals. A CAD-to-Walls tool imports AutoCAD® files and provides mapping for layers so you can quickly see the model in 3D. Draw custom CAD details, import as DWG/DXF/PDF, or choose from over 500 CAD details built into Chief Architect.

Plans Sets & Construction Drawings

3D renderings and virtual tours help you sell the project and construction drawings help you specify, permit and build. All views in your project - Floor Plans, Framing, Electrical, Section Details and Elevations have a user defined scale and link to a specific drawing that updates as your design changes. Layers control what displays for each of the drawing pages to help create professional detailed construction drawings.
Layout page of elevations

Site Planning, Terrain, Decks & Landscaping

Create site plans for single or multiple lots. Import terrain survey data or create with the Terrain Modeling tools - terrain data can then be used for a 2D site plan or viewed in 3D to show the specific topology. Road, Sidewalk, Hill and Valley tools provide added detail. For Landscaping, there's over 4,000 plants with detailed information about each plant including integrated Hardiness Zone Maps. Define a North pointer and seasonal settings for shadow effects and overlays. Decking tools include automatic and manual deck framing; customize deck planking and materials.

Computer System Requirements

PC Minimum

Windows 8 / 7 / Vista
2.4 GHz processor or Multi-Core Processor
2 GB of Memory (32 bit)
4 GB of Memory (64 bit)
Video Card:
- 1. Dedicated Video Card with 512 MB memory, e.g., NVIDIA or ATI
- 2. Integrated Graphics, e.g., Intel HD Graphics (driver needs to be 2012 or newer)
5 GB of available hard disk space
Internet Access *