Introduction
Interior design software is now commonly used for 3D visualisation. Before the 1980s, interior designers used to put down their ideas on paper by drawing. Both the drawing part and the explanation part to clients presented immense challenges to interior designers. All these changed in the early 1980s when AutoCAD was introduced. Architects, engineers, and even Interior Designers found a way to draw precise 3D drawings by using design software. Now popular interior design software like SketchUp is widely used by designers for 3D Visualization. As per a study by the Institute of Indian Interior Designers, the use of 3D visualization increases client approval rate by 42%.
The Best Software and Tools You Will Learn in an Interior Design Course
1. AutoCAD Interior Design Software
AutoCAD is among the most popular interior design software widely used by the interior design community. In the early 1980s, when it first came up, the software was primarily used for 2D visualizations. Constant software updates have now made it a great 3D visualization tool.
Interior design courses of top institutes comprehensively cover all the aspects of AutoCAD. The extensive library collection of this software provides designers with plenty of design choices. AutoCAD reduces design measurement errors by an impressive 99%, making it a pivotal tool for designers.
2. SketchUp Interior Design Software
SketchUp Interior Design Software has taken the design community by storm since it arrived in 2000. The easy user interface of this software is the main reason behind the success of this software. The load time of SketchUp for 3D Models is faster than all other design software.
Interior Design courses of the top institutes now take a practical approach to teach SketchUp. As the software has a huge 3D visual library and plug-in support, the instructors focus more on the practical part of the software. Interior designers report 90% greater work efficiency due to the easy interface of the software.
3. Autodesk Interior Design Software
Autodesk is another popular interior design software known for providing high quality rendering. Quality rendering is important because enhanced 3D visualizations can spike the client approval rate. The software can easily connect with any cloud device, which speeds up the design process.
Almost all the top interior design institutes cover Autodesk along with AutoCAD and SketchUp. Autodesk is best for space planning for complicated spaces. The Building Information Modelling feature of the software helps interior designers to prepare 3D models for any space. In terms of precision, also Autodesk is 16 times more precise than Sketchup.
4. Revit Interior Design Software
Revit is one of the most comprehensive interior design software. It is one of the very few design software that is built on the Building Information Modelling Technology. This allows the designers to create a comprehensive 3D visualization plan for the entire building. Right from the materials to the finishes of the future home, it can all be visualized perfectly by using Revit.
Modern interior design courses extensively teach Revit software. To create symmetrical interior design, Revit is widely used by interior designers worldwide. The software comes with an advanced parametric modelling feature. So when a designer makes a change in one part of the design, it automatically gets reflected on other related parts of the design.
5. Adobe Photoshop Tool
This discussion will remain incomplete without the mention of Adobe Photoshop. Though not particularly an interior design software, the tool is now widely used by interior designers across the globe. The tool is often used in combination with other design tools rather than in isolation.
Once the interior designers have used tools like SketchUp to create a 3D visualization of design they may like to enhance the quality further. This is the primary reason why Adobe Photoshop is used by designers; it enhances the graphic visualization further. Experts of the Indian Institute of Interior Design have confirmed enhanced visualization is the key to generate a greater client approval rate.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most popular interior design software you will learn in an interior design course are AutoCAD, Sketchup, Autodesk, Revit and Adobe Photoshop.
Yes, Interior design software like HomeByMe and Floor Planner are free to use.
As per many veteran interior designers, SketchUp and Autodesk 3D Max are best for advanced interior design 3D modelling.
The best interior design software to create floor plans is AutoCAD and Revit.
Adobe Photoshop is primarily used by interior designers to further enhance the 3D visualisations created by using other interior design software.
Enscape, V-Ray and Lumion are the most preferred interior design software for rendering.