Software's to Learn for Architecture Students

Nowadays there is plenty of software available in the market and every time when you meet with your seniors or batchmates they have a bundle of advice for you on the selection of software to learn in the architecture field. But before following anyone's advice or getting influenced by good quality 3D render images you must try to answer some of the questions?

1) what is the purpose or main function of the software?

2) In which particular assignment the software is going to help me?

3) what is the need and demand of my field (architecture) or you can say what is trending or maybe futuristic demand in terms of software skills in the architecture field?

So as I said there is plenty of software available so what should be our criteria as architecture students to select the software for learning.

Being an Architecture student for the first few years you will do manual drafting to understand the basics after that you require software that can help to fulfill the need for fast drafting in that list we have some fast drafting software.

1) AutoCAD

2) ArchiCAD

both the software is well known for their drafting capacities how ever their higher or latest version support 3D modeling and realistic rending but the main use of this software is for drafting purposes because for 3D modeling and realistic rending there are far better options are available in our list that is easy to learn also. 

Once you are done with the development of your drawing the next task is the development of 3D models by using software in this section there are so many options available and the selection must be based on the final outcome.

So if the purpose is to develop a speedy 3D model or you can conceptual model then in this list Google Sketchup is the better option with some plugins like V-Ray for rendering as learning SketchUp is very easy or you can say it can be learned in one day itself so it has a strong hand if the purpose is to just get quick modeling and realistic renders.

Now in this list, our second option is Revit Architecture but before you start learning this software please clear the myth that Revit is only a modeling software. Revit architecture is a BIM software and if your main target or focus is on BIM the only you should do the modeling on Revit otherwise you can go for other handy options as doing modeling in Revit is a time taking the job with mentioning all the details and specifications so if your target is BIM than you must go for Revit Architecture. 

Another option in this list is for those students who are looking for a career in the animation industry or an expert in modeling. this software is the boss of all the modeling software i.e. 3DS MAX  this software is highly complicated and flexible for various tasks from modeling to animations. suggesting this software to the students is quite difficult for me as it takes more time to learn and similarly you have to put more time to develop the models but the quality of the product is quite high as compared to other software.

In this list, another option which has is the boss of all the modeling software i.e. MAYA 3D Modeling & Animation So the question is shall we go for this software in this case my answer to you is quite similar to the previous one if you are looking or want to develop your career as an animation designer or comprehensive or industrial modeler then this option is okay for you otherwise leave these options.

In the modeling section, my last and final consideration is for Rhino which is nowadays trending due to the feasibility to work on a parametric design approach as well as a generative design approach this particular tool is in high demand in good architecture offices, and they are also required to do your further design-based research in at PG & Ph.D. level. So Learning Rhino is a good option considering its futuristic viability of all the sections academic as well as practice for architecture students it's better to learn this software.

Now we had find the software for our two tasks drafting and modeling so let's move to another task that is mostly in every design project you have to do. i.e. presentation drawings basically presentation drawings are the rendered version of architectural drawings that can be done either manually or by using various tools in this list our top ranking tool is Adobe Photoshop which is a must for an architecture student to learn this software. some alternatives are also available in the market with similar features but my suggestion for the students to go with photoshop it will help them not only during academic time but also during practice also. so any recent version of photoshop will a good option for you.

Lastly, Microsoft Office, especially the advanced version of MS Word, Excel & PowerPoint are mandatory for you to learn during your academics, so these are some of the suggestion based on my personal experience rest is your choice you can opt for any selection based on your interest and need of the profession. In addition to that, there are plenty of plugins for modeling software for various purposes like Dynamo for Revit architecture to develop generative design and grasshopper for Rhino software. 

With this, i am ending my article,