Chief Architect



 

Architectural Design and Visualization Software

  • Create detailed Floor plans, Elevation views and Cross-sections
  • Visualize and design with 3D models and virtual tours
  • Choose from over 10,000 Library items including CAD Details and name brand manufacturers
  • Use automated building tools, like Automatic Framing and Roof Generation
  • Create cost estimates with the built-in Material Lists
  • Generate complete Landscapes and Site Planning designs
  • Use powerful CAD tools to create custom details
  • Produce detailed, professional Blueprints and Plan Sets
  • With our User’s Guide and step-by-step Training Video you can design your first house in 30 minutes



Chief Architect is the industry leader for residential architectural design. Create a design for your client by placing and arranging walls, windows, doors and architectural objects generating 3D models in minutes. Use the floor and space planning tools to communicate the design principles and make sure you understand your client’s expectations. Chief Architect is a great consultation tool to ensure the right design and illustrate a 3D model of the completed project before construction begins. In this version of the software you can create photo-realistic renderings that uses the latest Ray-tracing technology. Ray-tracing includes reflections and radiosity, providing the most realistic images available in the CAD software market. Create 3D renderings to display your portfolio of work to current and prospective clients.

 


Chief Architect was designed from the ground up for residential architectural design. With our Getting Started Guide, you can design your first house in 30 minutes out of the box, guaranteed. Chief Architect enables you to communicate and illustrate a 3D model of your project
 
FEATURES:

Powerful and Easy
When your design is completed in Chief Architect, information can be imported to AutoCAD® with DWG/DXF files, or you can create the full working drawings and blueprints directly within the program, and it’s made easy with great features like One Click Auto Dimensioning! When the design is finalized, use the Materials List and Schedule of Materials to create an estimate or a bill-of-materials. Finally, all the design information can be used to provide the plan and CAD details necessary for the builder, sub-contractors and building process. Chief Architect is a great tool for the architect to provide a cost effective design that accurately communicates the project before construction begins. Establish more business, be more productive, and ensure more satisfied customers with Chief Architect on your next design project.

Visualization

  • Glass House™ View provides a fully translucent view of the interior and exterior simultaneously

  • Material Painter™ allows you to apply materials to individual objects in 3D or Render views. For example, spray the counter top with Granite, change the cabinets to Cherry Wood, or paint the walls with your favorite color

  • Create a virtual look and feel of the design before it is built with actual colors, wallpaper, flooring, furniture, windows and window treatments

  • Define your own custom lighting with shadows, attenuation and intensity


Glass House™ View provides fully Translucent Views




Floor and Space Planning with Doll House™ View


3D Models / Design Tools

  • Produce the most photo-realistic images available in the CAD software market with Chief’s Ray-Trace Renderings with reflections and radiosity

  • 3D editing in all 3D views, including Render View. Edit cabinets, windows, doors, framing, etc. Expanded 3D editing includes the ability to copy and paste objects in 3D

  • Create a virtual walk-thru of the design within the program or with a standard VRML file that can be emailed or posted on a web site

  • Take individual pictures of the design that can be saved in any image format

  • Fully customizable cabinets: backsplash, appliances, countertop, drawers, rail, doors, shelves, toe-kick, custom moldings and millwork

  • Need to show how the project will look on the client’s lot? Create Plot and Perimeter Plans on flat or hillside lots, import or set elevation points to automatically generate a 3D model of the actual terrain

 
   

Floor / Space Planning

  • The Build House Wizard™ provides a quick way to layout adjoining rooms. A great initial client consultation tool

  • Use the 3D Views and Models to help communicate and illustrate the finished project to the client

  • 3D editing in all 3D views, including Render View. Edit framing, electrical items, windows, doors, cabinets, etc.

  • Doll House™ View, provides a very effective overview tool for floor and space planning



Plan Sets and Blueprints

  • Layout, Printing & Plotting

  • Built-in PDF print driver – no need for a large format printer

  • Multiple Layers and Layer Sets – easily mask layers to create the view you need

  • Electrical, HVAC and Plumbing tools

  • Plot and Perimeter Plans

  • Terrain Modeling, Landscaping Tools and Site Planning Tools

  • ICC – Residential Code Checklist

  • Time Tracker™


Powerful Building Tools

  • Cost Estimating with Materials List

  • Automatic and Manual Roofs: Curved, Hip, Gable and More

  • Advanced Roof Tools: Auto Dormer™ and Auto Roof Returns™

  • Choose from various styles of roofs for Dormers

  • Material Schedules: Windows, Doors, Cabinets and More

  • One-Click Auto Dimensioning™

  • Built-in wall types with layers like ICF walls; design custom walls types

  • Advance stair tools for curved, flared, split, straight and more

  • House Wizard™ to quickly layout plans or for space planning

  • Automatic and Manual Building Tools for: Framing, Roofs, Stairs, Cabinets, Floors, CAD Details, Electrical and More

 



Powerful CAD Tools

  • Visual CAD Snaps™

    • Endpoint, Midpoint, Center, Quadrant, On Object

    • Tangents (Endpoints, Midpoints, Quadrants)

    • Perpendicular (Endpoints, Midpoints, Quadrants)

    • Orthogonal (Endpoints, Midpoints, Quadrants)

    • Points/Markers

    • Intersection

  • Over 1,000 Built-in CAD Details

  • "CAD-to-Walls" Import; import an AutoCAD®, DXF or DWG map the layer and automatically get a 3D model

  • One-Click Cross Sections & Elevations

  • Color and Black & White Elevations

 

Kitchens & Baths – Custom Cabinets

  • Parametric Cabinets – Over a 1,000 Styles or Choose from the Built-in Cabinet Library

  • Create any custom cabinet including curved cabinets

  • Curved Cabinets and Cabinet Hardware

  • Block cabinets and other like objects together to create architectural blocks – great for kitchen islands

  • Over 10,000 Library items – import your own or create them yourself

  • Symbol Import Wizard™ Import DXF/DWG/OBJ/3DS Free Bonus Library downloads – name-brand and generic

  • Use the Material Painter™ or Color Chooser™ to set exact colors, material and textures for your design





Deck & Landscaping Tools

  • Automatic deck framing

  • Customize deck planking and materials

  • Choose from a variety to deck railing styles

  • Set the north pointer and define seasonal settings for realistic shadows

  • Complete set of terrain tools – easily import terrain data

  • Over 2,000 Landscaping Plants – 2D and 3D

  • Complete Plant Encyclopedia™, with detailed information about each plant including integrated Hardiness Zone Maps

Click here for information regarding Upcoming Seminars

To receive more detailed information about Chief Architect or any of the other CAD/CAM programs offered by our Technical Education division, please contact a member of our sales staff.