The best compatibility with AutoCAD

Unlike other BIM Architectural Software, IDEA Architecture uses DWG as its native file format and includes features to convert the 3D BIM objects into simple vectors that can be further viewed and modified in AutoCAD®. You can therefore freely share 2D or 3D files with most of CAD users. 

An Architectural project requires tens if not hundreds of 2D drawings to show the building and all its characteristics. IDEA Architecture will help you to generate them in a few clicks and keep them updated in real-time.

Floor Plans, Cross Sections, Elevations, Perspective Views

In IDEA Architecture you just need to create each floor plan either in 2D or 3D view. Then the software will help you to create all the different views you need and add them to the Project tree on the left.

Print them as in Autocad

These 2D views will be extracted from the 3D and our Architectural Software will keep them updated while you modify the project. You save a lot of time while you would have to have created all these drawings by hand and manually updated if you were using a CAD Software like AutoCAD® or 4MCAD.

Using our AutoCAD-like environment you can define layouts and add on them whatever you like using the CAD features such as a drawing detail of the roof or an annotation.

Share them with CAD users

All these drawings are in DWG and you can convert the BIM objects into simple vectors and blocks if you want to share them with non-BIM users. CAD Software like AutoCAD® or 4MCAD cannot read BIM objects because they don't have a BIM technology but using our feature "Screen drawing" you can send them DWG files they will be able to read and modify.

You will be able to create videos like if you were walking inside or outside your building. You can also attach 6 background images to create a 360° background and show your project on site. 

Photorealistic Rendering with IDEA Architecture

In IDEA Architecture you will find a complete set of feature for photo-realistic rendering and work out the materials, lights, background... Several quality levels are available to define all these parameters before performing the full Optical rendering to get the highest quality. 

Import/Export with Google Earth

Background images can be extracted from Google Earth and Google Street view and you can export you project to show it in Google Earth. 

Render with External Rendering Software

IDEA Architecture's in-built rendering features will satisfy most of your needs but if you want to collaborate with rendering experts or simply use your favorite rendering software, it is good to know that you can export to .3ds or Collada format or use the DWG format. As a result you will be able to use rendering software like V-Ray® or Artlantis® to create breathtaking images of your project.

 

BIM

Feel the power of BIM Software for Architectural Design

4M is a pioneer of BIM with a complete suite of BIM Software for Architecture & Engineering initiated in 1993. The 4M BIM Software are reknown by experts to be the BIM software offering the easiest migration for AutoCAD users as they are the only ones to use DWG as their native file format and an AutoCAD-like look-and-feel.

BIM Design in IDEA Architecture

IDEA Architecture's advanced BIM technology will increase your productivity. Using our smart 3D modelers and libraries of 3D BIM objects you will be able to draw much faster and easier.

You just need to work on the floor plans either in 2D or 3D view and our BIM Software will generate the 3D Model. Next you will extract all the 2D drawings you need from this 3D BIM model and IDEA Architecture will keep them updated in real-time.

Bill of Materials

The BIM information can also be extracted to create a Bill of Materials showing the quantities and surfaces of the various objects you created in the building. This file can be further edited in Excel to for example calculate the cost of your building.