Chief Architect Lite Version

Summary Features

Powerful Building & Design Tools

• Automatic Roofs: hip, gable, shed, saltbox, gambrel, gullwing, half-hip, mansard – with the manual roof tools, create any style including curved roofs
• Automatic and Manual Dormers
• Materials Lists for Cut, Buy and Lineal materials for cost estimating and bidding
• Dimensions for One-Click Auto Dimensioning™, End-to-End, Interior, Point-to-Point and Angular
• Advanced Stair & Ramp tools for curved, flared, split and straight
• Automatic Framing. Define hand Framed or Truss framed roofs and floors
• Electrical and HVAC tools
• Smart Objects (BIM) windows, cabinets, doors, framing have properties and behave intelligently in the design
• Elevation and Cross-Section tools
• Powerful CAD tools for details and custom shapes, includes a catalog of architecturally correct details

Kitchen & Bath Design Tools

• Create any style of custom cabinet including shaped, framed- and frame-less with the Cabinet Designer™ tools
• Select from a library of thousands of custom door and drawer styles, cabinet feet, pilasters, hardware, wood species and colors
• Group cabinets, fixtures, appliances & accessories to create architectural blocks for items such as a kitchen island or even an entire kitchen. Save to the Library for future use – a great time saving feature!
• CAD tools to add Section and Wall Elevation details

3D Design and Modeling Tools

• Seamless and simultaneous editing in 3D perspective, 2D plan and elevation views
• 3D views for elevations, overviews, cross-sections and framing
• Material Painter™ – apply colors, materials and textures from any image or website
• Advanced Framing tools for Truss and Hand Framed roofs and floors
• Produce Schedules for Trusses, Cabinets, Windows and Doors
• Define platform heights, ceiling styles and wall layers
• Manually edit individual wall framing details to produce framing schedules

Powerful CAD Tools

• CAD Solids – produce slabs, shapes, custom countertops, and other architectural objects or CAD details.
• CAD Drawing tools for lines, polylines, splines, arcs, sun angles and shapes
• Align, Distribute, Copy, Replicate, Reflect, Extend, Fillet, make Parallel and several other CAD tools for precision and productivity
• Draw custom CAD details, access built-in CAD details, import DXF files
• CAD-to-Walls tool imports an AutoCAD^® file and provides mapping for layers
• CAD tools to detail Cross Sections & Elevations

Plan Sets and Construction Drawings

• Create construction documents with the Layout tool. Send any view to the Layout. Define the scale and link to the drawing to update as your design changes.
• Multiple Layers and Layer Sets – mask layers to create the view you need
• Create Detailed Plan Sets: Site Plans, Floor Plans, Framing Plans, Electrical/ HVAC Plans, Section Details, Structural and Foundation Plans, Room Finish Schedules, Elevations and 3D Perspectives
• Use a PDF print driver to print to any size paper

Site Planning, Terrain, Deck & Landscaping Tools

• Terrain Modeling, Landscaping Tools and Site Planning Tools
• Terrain Elevation Lines and individual Terrain Elevation Points
• Terrain Feature tools for Hills, Valleys, Flat Areas and more to modify the terrain attributes
• Import Terrain or GPS data and quickly produce the 2D and 3D terrain detail
• Set the north pointer and define seasonal settings for detailed shadow overlay
• Automatic and Manual deck framing; customize deck planking and materials