Conceptual Massing

Professional NURBS surface modeler used for complex massing, parametric design via the bundled Grasshopper visual-scripting environment, and computational architecture; one-time license with native DWG, DXF, and IFC export.

C1 5/5 reflects the $995 one-time license with a trial, C4 4/5 reflects 3DM, DWG, DXF, IFC-via-plugin, STEP, IGES, OBJ, FBX, STL, and SKP exchange, and C5 5/5 reflects SketchUp, Revit via Rhino.Inside.Revit or IFC, V-Ray, Enscape, Lumion, and Grasshopper interoperability. Firm-size fit is solo to growing.

Cloud-based AI platform for early-stage urban design, massing, and microclimate analysis.

C2 4/5 and C4 5/5: Autodesk documents APS API access plus IFC, RVT, and glTF support, and the integration stack includes Revit, Civil 3D, Autodesk Tandem, Esri ArcGIS, and Zoneomics. Firm-size fit is small-team to growing.

Free, open-source 3D creation suite used by architects for parametric massing via Geometry Nodes, photorealistic Cycles rendering, and Python-scripted design automation; runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

C1 5/5 reflects the free tier, C2 3/5 reflects CLI and Python bpy automation, and C4 5/5 reflects BLEND, FBX, OBJ, glTF, GLB, DXF, STL, USD, and COLLADA workflows. Integrations include Unreal Engine, Unity, and Substance Painter; firm-size fit is solo to small-team.

Cloud-based, code-first generative design and space-planning platform where architects and engineers build, share, and run custom parametric "Functions" via an open-source C# BIM SDK (Elements) and CLI, plus a space-planning product (Hypar Space) for rapid test-fit and layout generation, exporting to Revit, IFC, and glTF.

Push-pull 3D modeler used by architects worldwide for massing studies, site context models, and client presentations; available as a web app, iPad app, and Windows/Mac desktop.

C1 5/5 reflects published pricing from $129/yr with a trial, C3 5/5 reflects the web, desktop, and iPad surface, and C5 4/5 reflects Revit, ARCHICAD, Lumion, Enscape, V-Ray, and Trimble Connect integrations. Exchange includes SKP plus DWG, DXF, IFC, FBX, OBJ, STL, and DAE, while C2 1/5 reflects no public CLI or MCP surface; firm-size fit is solo to growing.

AI-powered generative/schematic design platform for architecture firms that converts a firm's own prior Revit design assemblies into reusable 'Design Catalog' components (puzzle pieces), then arranges and morphs them to fit a new building footprint and unit mix, producing a coordinated, construction-document-ready native Revit BIM model (LOD 300-350) synced bidirectionally back into Revit.

C1 4/5 reflects the free community tier plus self-serve paid tiers, C4 4/5 reflects RVT round-trip and IFC export, and C5 4/5 reflects the Revit, Grasshopper, and Miro integration set. C2 2/5 reflects the absence of public developer docs for the vendor-claimed API surface.

Cloud-based early-phase urban planning, site feasibility, and generative design platform that connects spatial design with GIS data, financial modeling, and AI-driven analysis for developers, architects, and planners.

C1 4/5 reflects the usable free tier plus the self-serve Core entry, C2 3/5 reflects the documented Workspace API and JavaScript SDK, C4 4/5 reflects IFC and DWG export, and C5 3/5 reflects the Revit, ArcGIS, and Rhino integration set. Firm-size fit spans solo to growing.

AI platform for property feasibility analysis, zoning compliance, and automated permit review for AEC and real estate.

C2 4/5 reflects the public API with API-key auth, and C4 3/5 reflects JSON output. This placement is the zoning and feasibility surface rather than a model-authoring stack; firm-size fit is solo to small-team.

Free, open-source parametric 3D CAD modeler with a dedicated BIM Workbench that reads and writes IFC, STEP, and DXF; scriptable via Python; suitable for budget-constrained solo architects who need IFC interoperability without a subscription.

C2 3/5 reflects CLI plus the Python API, C4 5/5 reflects FCStd, STEP, IGES, IFC, STL, DXF, OBJ, DAE, and SVG exchange, and C5 4/5 reflects Revit via IFC and BricsCAD via DWG/DXF interoperability. RF4 and C3 2/5 reflect the steeper community-supported adoption path, and firm-size fit is solo.

SketchUp extension for rapid parametric urban massing with real-time FAR, height, and zoning-compliance feedback for urban design. Imports DWG floor plans and OpenStreetMap/GIS context and syncs data with Excel (LiveSync). Public subscription pricing (per seat, floating license) with a free non-commercial plan; runs only inside SketchUp.

C1 4/5 reflects published subscription pricing plus a free non-commercial plan, and C4 4/5 reflects DWG import with XLSX LiveSync. C2 2/5 reflects no documented API, CLI, MCP, webhook, or scripting surface beyond the SketchUp plugin workflow.

AI-driven site layout and unit-mix generator for residential and mixed-use development feasibility.

C1 4/5 reflects public pricing, and C4 4/5 reflects DXF, CSV, glTF, SKP, and PDF coverage. The documented surface is a residential site-layout and unit-mix workflow with Revit, AutoCAD, SketchUp, Zoneomics, ESRI, and Rayon integrations.

AI-assisted floor plan optimizer for multi-family buildings that scores layouts against daylight and area KPIs.

C5 4/5 reflects Revit, Rhino, Grasshopper, ArchiCAD, and Autodesk Forma integrations, while C1 3/5 reflects a freemium entry point. The documented file surface is RVT and 3DM, and firm-size fit is solo to small-team.

Cloud-based AI-powered collaboration workspace for architecture and design teams, offering sheet review, live 3D model streaming from Revit and Rhino, AI visualization/rendering, and real-time markups and comments in a browser-native infinite canvas.

The conceptual-massing placement is limited to early-stage visualization around streamed Revit and Rhino models rather than parametric or generative massing. RF2 caps C2 because no public API, CLI, or MCP is documented, and C5 4/5 reflects the Revit, Rhino, Grasshopper, and Dynamo integration set.

Web-based medical space-and-equipment planning system for healthcare facilities -- provides a cloud-based BIM platform with 2,100+ MILSTD 1691 medical equipment objects, pre-built room and department templates, and direct links to the Department of Veterans Affairs and DoD Defense Health Agency Space and Equipment Planning System (SEPS) data via APIs; bi-directional sync with Autodesk Revit, Graphisoft ArchiCAD, and SketchUp through the free ONUMA plug-in; exports COBie and IFC; 30-day free trial available with self-serve sign-up; made by ONUMA Inc.

C1 4/5 reflects published pricing from $58 per user per month plus a free Viewer, while C4 4/5 reflects IFC and COBie export. The conceptual-massing placement is healthcare space and equipment planning with Google Earth, ESRI ArcGIS, and VA/DoD SEPS integrations; C2 2/5 reflects no publicly documented CLI or MCP despite REST and BIMXML APIs.

Direct-modeling CAD tool built for iPad and Apple Pencil with Windows and Mac desktop apps; exports STEP, DWG, OBJ, and FBX for AEC handoff; suited for conceptual solid modeling and client presentations on the go.

C1 4/5 reflects the freemium model with a free Basic tier and $299/yr Pro, C4 3/5 reflects STEP, DWG, OBJ, FBX, STL, IGES, DXF, USDZ, and 3MF exchange, and C5 4/5 reflects KeyShot and SolidWorks-via-STEP handoff. C2 1/5 reflects no documented public API, CLI, or scripting surface, and firm-size fit is solo to small-team.

Parcel-level zoning intelligence and real estate feasibility platform combining a patented zoning rules engine with 3D scenario planning -- ZoneIQ enables real-time development capacity analysis for any parcel or assemblage, including zoning allowances, density, setbacks, and allowed uses; offers a Zoning Data API for programmatic access.

The conceptual-massing placement is the ZoneIQ zoning-envelope workflow rather than a full BIM authoring stack. C2 4/5 reflects the Zoning Data API, C4 3/5 reflects PDF and JSON output, and C1 3/5 reflects the free trial plus paid report pricing.

Suite of AI design tools for Revit and SketchUp -- AI rendering (Veras), auto-documentation (Glyph), generative design (Morphis), and file interoperability (Helix); now part of the Chaos ecosystem.

The conceptual-massing placement is tied to Morphis plus the documented Revit and Autodesk Forma integration path; C2 3/5 reflects no public API, and firm-size fit is solo to small-team.

VR and AI-assisted conceptual massing tool that lets teams sketch and review 3D designs in mixed reality.

The conceptual-massing placement is Arkio's push-pull VR or AR modeling surface with IFC, .obj, .glb, .gltf, .dwg, and .stl coverage. C5 4/5 reflects Revit, Rhino, SketchUp, Archicad, Unity, and Autodesk Construction Cloud integrations, and RF2 caps C2 because no public API, CLI, or MCP surface is documented.

A browser-based, AI-assisted design platform that takes architects from concept and massing through BIM-ready models with export to Revit and Rhino.

This placement is based on the same browser workflow exporting RVT, IFC, DWG, FBX, PDF, and SKP into downstream authoring tools; C3 4/5 reflects browser-based onboarding, and C5 3/5 reflects the Revit and SketchUp connections plus planned Allplan and Vectorworks links.

A browser-based, multiplayer BIM platform for early-stage architectural design, combining massing, metrics, boards/presentation, and real-time collaboration.

C3 3/5 reflects browser-based onboarding, and C4 4/5 reflects IFC and DWG import plus OBJ, FBX, STL, GLTF, GLB, and 3DM exchange. The documented integration surface is a Revit add-in for exporting masses downstream.

SaaS that turns an address into zoning-validated 3D massing with multi-parcel unit-yield and density comparison for pre-acquisition feasibility. Self-serve with a public pricing page: $99/month base for unlimited site screening and zoning analysis, plus feasibility credits from $299/site for 3D modeling and exports to BIM platforms. GUI web app with no public API. Based in NYC.

C1 4/5 reflects the public self-serve pricing page at $99/month base, and C3 3/5 reflects access for solo and small-team use. RF2 keeps C2 1/5 because delivery is a GUI web app with no public API.

Browser-based AI generative massing and urban-planning tool with ROI and liveability analytics that ingests GeoJSON site context and exports IFC for BIM (connects to Revit and Archicad). Founded 2019; used by Jacobs, AECOM, and Takenaka among others, with government deployments. Enterprise/government custom pricing plus an academic and early-access waitlist; no public self-serve price and no public API.

C4 4/5 reflects GeoJSON import plus IFC export with Revit and Archicad integrations. RF1 keeps C1 at 1/5 because pricing is enterprise/government custom plus waitlist with no public pricing, and C2 1/5 reflects no public API, CLI, MCP, webhook, or scripting surface.

AI floor plan generator that produces multiple residential layout options from a program brief.

C1 2/5 despite freemium pricing, C2 2/5 with no public API, CLI, or scripting surface, and C4 3/5 with DXF, DWG, and PDF output. Firm-size fit is solo to small-team.

AI homebuilding platform that generates permit-ready construction documents, 3D sales visuals, and plan-based estimates from a single design model -- covers the full design-to-construction lifecycle for production homebuilders, with generative building design, automated estimating, and shoppable 3D showrooms.

The conceptual-massing placement is residential plan generation from marked-up PDF inputs rather than open-format massing exchange. RF1 and RF2 keep C1 2/5 and C2 1/5, and C5 3/5 reflects the ECI MarkSystems and US LBM integrations.

AI generative-design platform that produces optimized site, floor, and parking plans with pro-forma financials for early-stage real-estate feasibility, exporting to Revit (RVT), AutoCAD (DWG), and Excel. Enterprise/quote-gated with no public pricing and no public API; delivered as a GUI web app.

C4 4/5 reflects RVT, DWG, XLSX, and PDF export from generated site, floor, and parking plans, while RF1 keeps C1 1/5 because access is enterprise quote-gated with no public pricing. C2 1/5 reflects delivery as a GUI web app with no public API.

Browser-based laboratory planning platform for pharma, biotech, diagnostics, and life-sciences teams -- builds collaborative 3D digital twins of lab layouts, workflows, and automation systems so stakeholders can test equipment placement, throughput assumptions, and room-change scenarios before construction or relocation work is executed.

The conceptual-massing placement is browser-based lab layout and workflow planning rather than general BIM or CAD authoring. RF1 and RF2 keep C1 2/5 and C2 1/5 because pricing is quote-only and no documented API, CLI, or MCP surface is published; C4 2/5 reflects only documented PNG export.

Web app (a Build AI module) that walks site setup through AI massing, feasibility (NOI/IRR/NPV/DSCR/Cap Rate), and a bill of quantities to an exportable PDF proposal. Localized for Japan (coverage/FAR/slant-plane zoning) and Mongolia; UI in Mongolian/Japanese/English/Korean. Sales-led with no disclosed pricing and no public API.

The conceptual-massing placement is the site-setup-to-massing workflow with PDF proposal export. RF1 keeps C1 at 1/5 because pricing is sales-led with no disclosed pricing, C2 1/5 reflects no public API, CLI, MCP, webhook, or scripting surface, and C4 3/5 reflects IFC import plus PDF export.