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Chief Architect
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, United States
What it is
Chief Architect Premier is 3D software for residential and light commercial design, remodeling, kitchens, baths, and interiors. As users draw walls and place architectural objects, it builds a 3D model and produces materials lists and construction documents such as site plans, framing plans, sections, and elevations. Materials lists can include quantities, unit and labor costs, markup, and project costs, and update as the design changes. Presentation tools include realistic and artistic renderings, 360-degree views, virtual tours, and walkthrough videos. Its 3D Library includes fixtures, appliances, millwork, furnishings, and manufacturer-specific products. Premier imports and exports AutoCAD DXF and DWG files and imports formats including OBJ, SKP, STL, and DAE. The As-Built app uses LiDAR on supported iPhones and iPads to create room models for remodeling. Models can be shared or embedded on web pages and viewed in free iOS and Android apps; cloud storage holds up to 99 models unless a larger plan is purchased. The listed plan costs $229 a month.
For and against
For
- Creates 3D models as walls and architectural objects are placed.
- Produces construction documents and updating materials lists.
- Supports 360-degree renderings, virtual tours, and walkthrough videos.
- Imports and exports AutoCAD DXF and DWG.
Against
- Costs $229 a month.
- Trial disables saving, printing, exporting, and virtual tours.
- Internet access is required for installation and license authentication.
- Cloud storage holds up to 99 models without a larger plan.
The verdict
Premier connects residential design, documentation, estimating, and visualization in one 3D workflow. Its trial restrictions, internet requirements, and monthly cost are worth checking against project needs.
Who it suits
Chief Architect Premier suits people designing residential or light commercial spaces, including remodeling, kitchens, baths, and interiors. Its estimating lists, construction documents, and visualization tools support design and project presentation workflows.
Plans and prices
Chief Architect Premier
Includes software upgrades, premium catalog downloads, priority technical support, and Chief As-Built plan import
Read 2 Oct 2026 · chiefarchitect.com
Chief Architect Premier
Includes software upgrades, premium catalog downloads, priority technical support, and Chief As-Built plan import
Read 2 Oct 2026 · chiefarchitect.com
On the record
- Building tools
- As users draw walls and place architectural objects, the software creates a 3D model, materials lists, and construction documents such as site plans, framing plans, sections, and elevations.chiefarchitect.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Company
- Chief Architect, Inc. is privately held, headquartered in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, and says its software began in 1992.chiefarchitect.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Design catalog
- Its 3D Library includes thousands of objects such as fixtures, appliances, millwork, furnishings, and manufacturer-specific products.chiefarchitect.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Estimating
- Materials lists can include unit costs, markup, labor costs, quantities, and project costs, and update as the design changes.chiefarchitect.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- Chief Architect imports and exports AutoCAD DXF and DWG files and imports several 3D formats, including OBJ, SKP, STL, and DAE.chiefarchitect.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Internet requirement
- Internet access is required for installation, license authentication, deactivation, video and catalog access, with license authentication required once every 14 days.chiefarchitect.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Mobile scanning
- The As-Built app uses LiDAR on supported iPhones and iPads to create room models that can be imported into Chief Architect for remodeling.chiefarchitect.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Chief Architect Premier is 3D software for residential and light commercial design, remodeling, kitchens, baths, and interiors.chiefarchitect.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Security and privacy
- The company says it protects information to industry standards, does not sell personal information, does not store credit card numbers, and uses a PCI-compliant payment processor.chiefarchitect.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Sharing
- 3D Viewer models can be shared or embedded on web pages and viewed using free iOS and Android apps; the cloud account stores up to 99 models unless a larger storage plan is purchased.chiefarchitect.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Support
- Priority support is available for X17 and X18; versions X14–X16 have paid per-incident support for $125, and X13 and earlier are ineligible.chiefarchitect.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Supported desktop systems
- Premier runs natively on Windows 10 or 11 64-bit and supported Macs; the listed minimums include 16 GB RAM, and Mac support requires Apple M1 or newer.chiefarchitect.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Trial limits
- The trial does not expire, but saving, printing, exporting, and virtual tours are disabled.chiefarchitect.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Visualization
- The software supports realistic and artistic rendering, 360-degree renderings, virtual tours, and walkthrough videos.chiefarchitect.com · read 2 Oct 2026
