Top Free Building Design and Building Information Modeling (BIM) Software - Page 2

Tekla Structural Designer

Tekla Structural Designer is an integrated 3D structural analysis and design software used by structural engineers working with multi-material buildings. It streamlines the entire design process by combining analysis and design into a single, seamless workflow, enabling engineers to deliver safe, efficient, and optimized designs more rapidly. Key Features and Functionality: - Unified Modeling Environment: Utilizes a single model for both analysis and design, eliminating the need for multiple software tools for structural engineering tasks. - Automated Loading: Features automated wind, snow and seismic loading tools and intelligent floor loading capabilities, simplifying the application of loads. - Fast and Comprehensive Analysis: 1st and 2nd order for Linear, Non-linear, Seismic, Buckling and Modal - Comprehensive Design Capabilities: Includes the design of reinforced concrete, steel, timber and masonry structures, including composite beams, with web openings, adhering to various international design codes. - Seamless BIM Integration: Facilitates effortless collaboration with other project stakeholders by integrating with BIM software such as Tekla Structures and Autodesk Revit, allowing for efficient model synchronization and data exchange. - Detailed Documentation: Automatically generates detailed design documentation, including calculation reports, material take-offs, and drawings, ensuring all project information is current and accurate. Primary Value and User Solutions: Tekla Structural Designer addresses the challenges faced by structural engineers by providing a comprehensive solution that enhances productivity, accuracy, and collaboration. By automating complex tasks such as load calculations and design iterations, it reduces manual effort and minimizes the potential for errors. The software's integration with BIM platforms ensures seamless communication between engineers, architects, and fabricators, leading to more coordinated and efficient project execution. Ultimately, Tekla Structural Designer empowers engineers to deliver high-quality, code-compliant designs more quickly, improving client satisfaction and project profitability.

Average Rating: 4.3/5.0

Total Reviews: 12

Vectorworks Landmark

Vectorworks Landmark is a design and Building Information Modeling (BIM) software platform for landscape architects and designers. It helps professionals take site and landscape projects from early concepts through coordinated documentation and final deliverables while balancing creative intent, constructability, and environmental performance. The platform brings terrain modeling, planting design, BIM, visualization, and documentation together in one intuitive interface. Vectorworks Landmark 2027 includes intelligent landscape objects, powerful plant and site databases, flexible documentation tools, and cloud-based collaboration with Vectorworks Cloud Services. New capabilities include the Volume Fill tool for quantifying spaces such as attenuation ponds and site-model low areas, simplified georeferencing via the Geolocation Setup Wizard, and AI-assisted visualization using Nano Banana models in the AI Visualizer. Vectorworks Landmark helps landscape professionals design resilient, data-rich environments more efficiently. It reduces manual rework by helping teams evaluate grading and site-volume impacts, streamline plant selection and placement, coordinate project information, and clearly communicate design intent—from conceptual landscape plans to detailed construction documentation. Vectorworks Landmark supports projects across every phase of the design process: • Phase 1: Pre-design — Every site designer’s process begins with a base file, and Landmark frees your workflow from there — whether you start from field measurements, surveys, GIS mapping, or drone-captured data, you’ll be able to work with an informed context plan and model to conduct pre-development analysis such as sun/shade, surface drainage, and slope. • Phase 2: Schematic Design — Bring your sketches to life by converting them to smart objects like hardscapes, landscape areas, plantings, and more. Landmark continuously supports your project through varying levels of detail, from 2D drafted concepts and bubble diagrams to 3D site modeling. This gives you the flexibility to use conceptual objects until you’re ready to specify your exact materials and easily update them with more accurate components as your design progresses. • Phase 3: Design Development — Count on Landmark to keep your projects current by referencing DWG, IFC, and RVT files and work through iterative changes from your collaborators. As your maturing projects gather more intelligence and data, you can use visual analysis to ensure your designed elements and their impacts on the site will be better performing. This data is also harvested through reports to capture the crucial calculations required by the client, contractor, and approving agencies. • Phase 4: Construction Documentation — Vectorworks Landmark’s sheet layers and customizable viewports allow you to make detailed construction documents that fit the needs of your design process. 3D data-driven design tools and a flexible BIM workflow allow you to seamlessly update and coordinate plans, elevations, sections, and any other details in your designs. Collaborate without compromise with a software that makes producing construction documents more efficient and less tedious.

Average Rating: 4.3/5.0

Total Reviews: 75

OpenBuildings Designer

OpenBuildings Designer is a multi-discipline building design application that enables BIM workflows to provide information-rich models for the design, analysis, simulation, and documentation of buildings. It incorporates OpenBuildings Designer computational design and energy services for building performance evaluation. OpenBuildings Designer immerses you in a 3D modeling environment and provides site content by referencing reality models. The application shares a catalog of design components across the project team. Built-in clash detection allows designers to coordinate building systems. The federated data approach to modeling and drawing management allows users to work on any size models simultaneously across distributed geographies. • Multi-discipline: Increase collaboration among architects, mechanical, electrical, and structural engineers with a shared set of tools and workflows • Interoperability: Integrate information you have from multiple formats and easily work on projects of any size • Information-rich deliverables: Clearly communicate your design intent with reliable deliverables that you can easily customize • Unrestrictive design environment: Model anything with total freedom from buildings with simple to highly complex geometry and designs • Building performance: Simulate buildings and predict the real-world performance of the asset quickly and with precision to explore various options for iterative refinement Explore 21-Day Free Trial - https://go.virtuosity.com/openbuildings-designer-free-trial-get-started

Average Rating: 4.3/5.0

Total Reviews: 16

Smartbuild PF

What Is SmartBuild Post Frame (PF)? SmartBuild Post Frame (PF) is a comprehensive, web‑based design system built specifically for post‑frame construction. The platform centralizes the entire design‑to‑proposal workflow, enabling users to create accurate 3D layouts and generate precise construction drawings in minutes. Every structural detail — from framing to roofing to siding — is automatically captured to ensure each quote is technically sound and ready for production. SmartBuild PF also includes integrated proposal tools, helping teams convert designs into sales‑ready documents quickly while improving accuracy, consistency, and operational productivity. How Much Does SmartBuild Post Frame Cost? SmartBuild Post Frame is a straightforward license‑based software platform built for sales teams, project managers, and anyone who needs to design buildings or generate proposals, outputs, and materials lists. A 'user' is defined as any team member who designs, quotes, or produces materials lists — typically sales reps, designers, and project managers. Many post‑frame suppliers and lumberyard chains choose to provide SmartBuild licenses to their contractor customers- some even at no cost ($0). The platform's overall pricing includes: License Cost: Average cost/user is around $7,300 Implementation Fee: $1,800 one‑time/company User Types: Sales team members, project managers, designers — anyone generating designs, outputs, or materials lists Bulk Licensing: When purchasing 5 or more licenses, discounting may apply depending on volume and deployment needs Payment Plans: Payment plan options are available Disclaimer: Pricing references are based on publicly available third-party information and industry benchmarks. Actual costs may vary. SmartBuild Post Frame Integrations SmartBuild offers an open API access allowing users to create custom workflows, build custom tools, and connect the software to proprietary systems. Additionally, the software can integrate directly with several industry‑leading platforms, including: Paradigm by Paragon QB Metal Shop CSM Synergy StruxSure Plans IdeaRoom Who Is SmartBuild Post Frame For? SmartBuild Post Frame is ideal for a range of industries, including: Contractors Suppliers Sales teams Barndominium builders Is SmartBuild Post Frame Right For You? Builders often struggle with slow quote turnaround times and inaccurate material takeoffs, resulting in lost sales and lower profit margins. SmartBuild Post Frame solves these inefficiencies by automating the transition from a 3D model to a complete bid. Featured in Frame Building News and trusted by industry leaders like PROBuilt Buildings, this software ensures technical accuracy and professional client presentations. Still not sure about SmartBuild Post Frame? Give us a call today at 303-443-8033 for further guidance.

Average Rating: 4.8/5.0

Total Reviews: 8

BEXEL Manager

BEXEL Manager is a premium BIM solution providing the most comprehensive set of features for advanced 3D visualization, model data management, clash detection, automated QTO, cost management, smart scheduling, and progress monitoring. BEXEL Manager is an openBIM software that supports IFC file format certified by buildingSMART International. With extensive data analysis and reporting tools, BEXEL Manager empowers all project stakeholders to make informed data-driven decisions based on real-time data. BEXEL Manager serves all stakeholders involved in construction projects, fostering seamless communication and coordination. Whether you're an owner, general contractor, subcontractor, designer, construction manager, project manager, architect, or engineer, BEXEL connects every construction team member. By bringing together diverse roles and expertise, BEXEL ensures a unified approach to project management, enhancing efficiency and transparency across all project phases. 3D/4D/5D BIM software solution Visualization Model data management Clash detection Quantity takeoff 4D/5D Scheduling and planning 4D/5D Schedule optimization 4D/5D Construction simulation Cost estimation Cost optimization Progress monitoring Reporting Schedule impact analyses IFC file format support BCF file format support IDS file format support Power BI integration Custom integration with ERP and other systems and databases

Average Rating: 4.3/5.0

Total Reviews: 3

WIZZCAD

WIZZCAD accompagne les acteurs de la construction dans leur transformation digitale afin de les aider à construire des projets de qualité, en toute sécurité, dans le respect des délais et du budget. La solution SaaS BIM-Native WIZZCAD permet de digitaliser les processus métier tout au long du cycle de vie des bâtiments, des travaux publics et infrastructures industrielles à travers une plate-forme collaborative unique afin de gérer la conception, la réalisation et l’exploitation de projets de construction en 2D ou 3D.

Average Rating: 2.8/5.0

Total Reviews: 2

ArCADia BIM

Intended for architects and all who shape and create building forms. ArCADia-ARCHITECTURE contains specialized architectural functions and options to accelerate the creation of documentation, including: automatic cross-sections, automatic dimensioning or lists creation. Thanks to the BIM technology used, the designer creating the architectural design automatically receives a digital model of the building. Because to that, the design process can be controlled on the interactive 3D preview at all times. arcadiabimsystem.com

Average Rating: 4.5/5.0

Total Reviews: 1

BIMmTool

BIMm Solutions (Building Information Modeling measurement Solutions) GmbH has developed measurement solutions for creating as-built documentation in Archicad since 2011. It develops BIMmTool, an add-on that revolutionizes the use of point clouds in Archicad. It can import an unlimited number of laser scans and displays them in high resolution in the BIMmNavigator. BIMmTool offers automatic "easy-to-model" functions: the fast and effective creation of as-built documentation from the point cloud was never easier. BIMmTool helps you compare the point cloud with the model directly in Archicad: you can use the point clouds as a control and documentation tool even during the construction phase. The story- or cluster-based point cloud management makes it easier to handle even large point clouds. You can use Archicad's model view options to adjust the resolution of the point clouds in each view individually. BIMmNavigator works without a license; you can use Archicad as a point cloud viewer and share your as-built models, including point clouds, with other Archicad users. With the BIMmTool Pro version, you can generate orthophotos for easier modeling and printing of the point clouds and run delta analysis to detect deformations. BIMm goes beyond as-built documentation. It brings the Scan-to-BIM workflow to your fingertips and ensures the transformation of point clouds into high-quality BIM models. Architects, engineers, and contractors can use point clouds in their everyday Archicad BIM modeling and take advantage of the added value of point cloud technology in as-built modeling, construction documentation, and project management. They remain in full control during the construction phase by comparing their BIM models with the point clouds captured on site. BIMmTool makes Archicad a point cloud viewer, point cloud manager, and point cloud modeling tool. Whether new construction, renovation, refurbishment, or remodeling, BIM and measurement walk hand in hand. We have the solution!

Average Rating: 4.5/5.0

Total Reviews: 1

Giraffe

Giraffe is the platform for urban analytics. Connect people, projects, and data. Quick and Precise: Follow your instincts. Draw a massing in position in seconds. Smart and connected: Easily manage your assumptions and define custom metrics. Instant Analysis: As you sketch, Giraffe shows you up-to-date yields to assess your design. Collaborate Seamlessly: Work together in real time. See your team’s updates instantly. Supercharged workflows: Generative drawing tools automate tedious tasks.

Average Rating: 4.5/5.0

Total Reviews: 1

Rayon

Rayon is a collaborative space design software made for professionals working on floor plans every day. It is a web-based tool that supports various file formats, including DWG, DXF, PDF, and image files. It boasts a variety of use cases for the creative minds of the architectural industry including floor planning, mood boarding and the redlining of drawings. Rayon enables users to draw walls, add doors, annotate floor plans, and to store and reuse furniture blocks. Users can generate PDFs of finalised floor plans, calculate square footage, and create tables.

Average Rating: 4.5/5.0

Total Reviews: 2

SierraSoft Roads

SierraSoft Roads is a BIM software for the design of roads and highways The BIM functions of SierraSoft Roads allow you to produce, modify, share, and analyze road information models. Design and information modeling occur simultaneously with a strong optimization of activities and cost containment. In one product you have all the tools for design, policy control, information modeling and quantities calculation. SierraSoft Roads is a powerful software that allows you to integrate land surveying work, infrastructure design and construction within the processes, guidelines and tools used for BIM. Information exchange, information modeling, information analysis, and information verification occur through the functionality of BIM software extensions (SierraSoft BIM Modeling, SierraSoft BIM Exchange an SierraSoft BIM Checking) With SierraSoft Roads you can manage big quantities of data. Your projects will have no limits. SierraSoft Roads is international by nature and manages different languages (English, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, German, French) and several units of measure. You can choose different languages among interface, project data and printouts. So you can work in your favourite language and deliver your work in the language that your client wants.

Average Rating: 4.5/5.0

Total Reviews: 2

Aeries CARS

Aeries CARS™ is a database driven, electrical design, electrical engineering software, and construction management system that delivers streamlined automation to every step of the electrical engineering and electrical design processes. Beginning with a load list, creating the one line diagrams, wiring schematic, raceway model, bill of materials, accurate cable routing respecting the NEC, scheduling, and installation tracking with revision control for the field... this is a power-packed suite of electrical tools and automations.

Average Rating: 4.5/5.0

Total Reviews: 5

ArchiFrame

ArchiFrame is a structural design software that extends Archicad, transforming it into a comprehensive timber and steel framing tool. ArchiFrame enables architects and engineers to create detailed structures including roofs, walls, floors, frames, panels, and timber elements, all within a single Archicad model. It is suited for people working alone or in larger teams, and is especially suited for prefab timber construction. ArchiFrame streamlines the design process by combining 3D modeling, 2D elevations, semi-automated layouts, and material listings in one integrated environment. ArchiFrame also offers CNC output capabilities, allowing users to move directly from design to production without switching between multiple software platforms. ArchiFrame supports a lot of the major CNC machines and their formats (BVX, BVN, BTL, WUP, Hundegger, Weinmann, Randek, Essetre, and Stromab etc). Key features: Wood framing (wall, floor, roof) CLT Steel Element drawings Advanced joinery MEP penetration CNC We offer free support drop-in sessions at 13:00 CET every week, and there is an option for one-on-one training as well. In some markets our local resellers can also offer localised training packages.

ARCHITEChTURES

ARCHITEChTURES is a cloud-based platform that leverages generative artificial intelligence to revolutionize the architectural design process, particularly for multi-family residential buildings. By integrating AI, it enables architects and real estate developers to generate optimal building designs in minutes, significantly reducing the time from initial concept to schematic design. This innovative approach allows users to focus on enhancing architectural quality while the AI handles quantitative aspects, ensuring designs meet specified criteria efficiently. Key Features and Functionality: - AI-Assisted Design: The platform's AI system generates real-time design solutions based on user-defined criteria, facilitating rapid iterations and refinements. - Cloud-Based Accessibility: Accessible through any internet browser without the need for installations, providing flexibility and ease of use. - Comprehensive Project Data: Offers detailed insights into project metrics, including area calculations, cost estimations, and compliance with regulatory standards. - BIM Integration: Generates Building Information Modeling (BIM) solutions and project data in real-time, which can be downloaded in standard formats like DXF and IFC. - Manual and AI-Assisted Editing: Combines manual project modeling with AI optimization, allowing users to adjust designs to meet specific requirements. Primary Value and User Solutions: ARCHITEChTURES addresses the challenges of time-consuming and repetitive tasks in the early stages of architectural design. By automating these processes, it reduces design and development time by up to 99%, enabling faster decision-making and project turnaround. The platform ensures optimal designs that adapt to user requirements, enhancing efficiency and reliability. Its integration with BIM standards and user-friendly interface makes it a versatile tool for professionals in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry, from freelancers to large enterprises. Ultimately, ARCHITEChTURES empowers users to design better buildings faster, improving productivity and profitability.

ARCHLine.XP

We deliver design software solutions for architects, interior designers and furniture makers. ARCHLine.XP LT - Solid 3D CAD/BIM product at affordable price ARCHLine.XP Professional - Large-scale 3D BIM software for architecture ARCHLine.XP Live - Easy-to-use archviz animation software