1. FloorPlan Pro
FloorPlan Pro is one of the leading 3D interior design software developed by TurboCAD, designed to offer a comprehensive solution for both home and interior design. FloorPlan Pro is a professional and powerful software available on both Windows and Mac. The design program is extremely intuitive and easy to navigate. It also includes the QuickStart feature, a simple way to create various design layouts and scan or track your own floor plans.
FloorPlan Pro is the perfect tool for both beginners and professionals. This 3D interior design software comes with powerful features that help you visualize your designs. It provides precise, automatically generated 3D designs, customizable drawing styles, and a layout tool that lets you apply the same style across multiple objects. FloorPlan Pro also includes a library with thousands of furniture pieces and fixtures, including many real-life branded products. You can simulate interior lighting with precise controls over ambient light, shadows, opacity, and radius.
Key Features:
- Powerful software, designed for professionals
- Highly intuitive and user-friendly
- Features advanced tools for visualizing interior designs.
Website: https://floorplanner.com/


2. SketchUp
Formerly known as Google SketchUp when it was owned by Google between 2006 and 2012, SketchUp is a popular 3D modeling tool and one of the most beginner-friendly software options for interior design. This renowned 3D graphic design software for PC comes with a comprehensive set of drawing tools and basic geometric shapes, allowing users to create usable designs across various industries. Additionally, it enables users to export 3D models to different formats for use in other design and drawing software.
SketchUp models can be exported in multiple file formats such as DWG, DXF, 3DS, OBJ, XSI, VRML, and FBX. The software also supports exporting images in JPG, PNG, TIF, TGA, BMP formats, as well as videos in MOV or AVI formats, making it easy to share designs online or send them to friends.
However, due to its basic nature, interior designers may face challenges when working with complex surfaces and visualizing intricate 3D models using SketchUp. The rendered images may lack the smoothness, sharpness, and detail seen in more advanced software like 3Ds Max. Despite this, the software is relatively easy to learn, allowing users to master it on their own.
Key Features:
- Precision drawing with the ability to work with cutting planes.
- Accurate drawing, measuring, editing, rotating, and scaling of shapes.
- Easy integration of pre-made or custom models into your designs.
- Ability to insert 2D and 3D images compatible with your drawings.
- Real-time sun and shadow effects.
- Simulate camera positioning.
- Extend functionality with Ruby programming language add-ons.
Website: https://www.sketchup.com


3. TurboCAD
TurboCAD is a well-known tool for creating interior design drawings. This software allows you to design in both 2D and 3D, enabling quick processing of sample objects, realistic image rendering, and powerful design drafting. It features a variety of color filters, along with 3D visualizations of object surfaces. With this tool, users can easily create realistic, smart drawings in no time, with detailed imagery for architects to provide optimal design solutions.
The application TurboCAD helps create detailed graphical drawings with precise lines and planes. Users can also measure dimensions directly on the device. The software also includes automatic resizing to match object dimensions, making it easier to edit designs.
Key Advantages:
- Supports both 2D and 3D interior design drawings.
- Offers architectural tools for marking and annotations.
- Diverse library of pre-made models for easy integration into designs.
- Supports multiple export file formats.
Website: https://www.turbocad.com


4. Autodesk 3Ds Max
Autodesk 3Ds Max is one of the earliest and most user-friendly 3D rendering software tools, developed by Autodesk. This software is widely used by interior design students as well as professional designers. It offers incredible tools for modeling, simulating, and visualizing interiors. Despite its advanced features, it is easy to get started with and learn. It comes with a vast array of functions and supports various flexible architectural plugins from third-party applications.
Autodesk 3Ds Max allows for precise texture mapping in your designs. In addition to its standard mapping tools, the software now includes all the features required for perfect modeling accuracy. Furthermore, it offers more flexible options for relaxing, UV averaging tools, and automatic texture distortion reduction. When combined with other features like the Show Edge Distortion function, texture mapping becomes much simpler and more efficient.
Key Advantages:
- Preferred by professional designers.
- Accurately renders the three-dimensional space of objects.
- Built-in lighting and rendering features like mental ray for realistic image rendering.
- Fast UVW mapping templates for efficient texture creation in various views such as wireframe, full, or shaded.
- Offers perfect pixel-level control over models.
Website: https://www.autodesk.com/products/3ds-max/overview?term=1-YEAR&tab=subscription


5. Planner 5D
Planner 5D is an intelligent interior design software that offers users the ability to design 3D spaces online for free. It allows easy selection of various items within the app for designing, making it perfect for both professionals and DIY enthusiasts. Launched in 2013, Planner 5D has continually expanded its features, providing users with a complete design toolkit for a variety of spaces.
The software lets users create 3D designs with various objects and materials, from basic furniture to more specialized items. The design feature lets users visualize the results in 3D mode, helping to evaluate the layout and structure of their space. The object and material library is constantly updated with a wide selection of items, including tables, chairs, beds, shelves, and decor. Once the design is complete, users can easily share and export their project in multiple formats.
Key Advantages:
- Simple, user-friendly interface.
- Allows users to explore 3D models of their space.
- Diverse library of design objects and templates.
- Suitable for all skill levels.
Website: https://planner5d.com


6. Autodesk Revit
Autodesk Revit is another powerful product from Autodesk, designed for the architecture and construction industry. Unlike other software intended for interior designers, Revit offers more advanced techniques for construction professionals. It's a Building Information Modeling (BIM) tool that allows experts to digitally design buildings and models, providing a consistent and collaborative approach. Revit enables rapid creation of highly accurate plans and model components. To succeed as an interior designer, creativity alone isn't enough; mastering advanced tools like Revit is essential.
Autodesk Revit consists of three main modules:
- Revit Architecture: Tailored for architectural designers and construction professionals.
- Revit Structure: Designed for steel and concrete detailing, improving installation accuracy and enhancing the construction process through linking structural design with detailed modeling.
- Revit MEP: Specialized for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, helping engineers manage detailed drawings and designs.
Key Benefits:
- Specialized software for construction engineers.
- Built on BIM, using a model-based process for planning.
Website: https://www.autodesk.com/products/revit/overview?term=1-YEAR&tab=subscription


7. Homestyler
Homestyler is an intuitive interior design software featuring a comprehensive library of essential design elements. It simplifies the process of creating layouts by offering tools for adding doors, windows, furniture, flooring, and other accessories. Unlike AutoCAD or Revit, Homestyler has a user-friendly interface, making it ideal for beginners. The online community also provides a platform for interior designers to share their work, express their ideas, and collaborate on innovative and creative interior designs.
Homestyler allows you to seamlessly switch between 2D and 3D views, navigating your design from a top-down perspective or as if viewed by a virtual visitor. With this software, you can create realistic 3D images with customizable lighting and export your designs in DWG format. Additionally, Homestyler offers tools to design the surroundings of your house, such as rocks, gravel, grass, water, and more. It’s regarded as one of the best 3D home design tools for both professionals and beginners.
Key Features:
- Advanced 3D graphics for designing homes and landscapes.
- Wide range of interior and exterior items to choose from.
- Shopping view mode to estimate material costs.
- Exports designs in DWG format.
Website: https://www.homestyler.com/


8. Autodesk AutoCad
A major success from Autodesk, Autodesk AutoCad is one of the most essential yet complex software tools in interior design. Despite its complexity, AutoCad remains highly popular and is widely used in architectural and interior design firms, making it a must-learn software for interior designers. Known for creating detailed 2D floor plans, AutoCad boasts unique library tools that have made it one of Autodesk's most successful products.
Moreover, AutoCad 3D offers excellent animation tools (though less commonly used in Vietnam) and allows for the creation of visual models of interiors, helping identify areas that may be lacking. The software’s tools are perfect for creating precise design plans. Autodesk AutoCad enables you to easily draw objects with accuracy and detail using tools for adjusting dimensions and alignment, minimizing errors and improving design accuracy. When creating designs, you can use AutoCad’s scanning tools to calculate the amount of material needed for production, making it easier to manage production processes and estimate costs.
Key Features:
- Provides ready-made templates for various fields.
- Offers customization options for users, including architecture and interior design drawings.
- Supports multiple platforms: Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS.
Website: https://www.autodesk.com/products/autocad/overview?term=1-YEAR&tab=subscription


9. Blender
Blender is not only recognized as a highly professional 3D design software but also as a powerful tool for engineers to create smart interior designs. Users can preview, beautify models, and export them in highly compatible formats for both Windows and MacOS. Currently, the software is entirely free and widely used for both personal and commercial purposes.
With an open-source design, anyone can enhance the software’s functionality based on their individual needs. This is one of the key factors driving its continuous development and the addition of new features. As of now, Blender continues to improve in terms of performance optimization and feature enhancement. The software can handle complex projects with relatively low system resource requirements compared to other 3D interior design software. It offers a wide range of features, including modeling, adding effects, animation design, compositing, and rendering.
Key Benefits:
- Fast video rendering and creative 3D modeling.
- Preview and beautification of models with high export compatibility.
- The software is completely free to use.
Website: https://www.blender.org


10. Chief Architect Premier
Chief Architect Premier is a 3D design software tailored for home builders, architects, and interior designers. Chief Architect 3D is designed to facilitate home and interior design with tools such as automatic roof, foundation, framing, dimensioning, construction timelines, and materials lists. It is a top-rated software for professional interior designers and architects.
The software's technology simplifies the interior design process. As you draw walls, the program simultaneously creates a 3D model. Ceilings and floors are automatically generated, and the software continuously updates the materials list in sync with the design. Chief Architect Premier offers the fastest real-time rendering for interior designers. In addition to visualizing designs with images, it also allows for artistic 3D renderings like sketches and watercolors.
Key Benefits:
- 3D interior and home design software for professionals.
- Powerful design and construction tools.
- 3D library with supporting tools.
Website: https://www.chiefarchitect.com

