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On the record · read 2 Oct 2026 · 16 facts

Chief Architect

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What it is

Chief Architect Premier is residential and light-commercial design software for new layouts, remodeling, kitchens, baths, and interiors. Drawing walls and placing architectural objects builds a 3D model while generating materials lists and construction documents, including site plans, framing plans, sections, and elevations. The lists can track quantities, unit and labor costs, markup, and project costs, with figures updating when the design changes. For presentation, Premier offers realistic and artistic renderings, 360-degree views, virtual tours, and walkthrough videos. Its 3D Library contains fixtures, appliances, millwork, furnishings, and manufacturer-specific products. It imports and exports AutoCAD DXF and DWG files, and imports OBJ, SKP, STL, and DAE models. The As-Built app uses LiDAR on supported iPhones and iPads to create room models for remodeling. 3D Viewer 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 expanded. The trial does not expire, but saving, printing, exporting, and virtual tours are disabled. Premier is offered at $229 a month, billed monthly, and a separate pricing note gives a starting price of $1,995/yr.

For and against

For

  • Creates 3D models alongside construction documents and materials lists.
  • Materials estimates can include quantities, labor, markup, and project costs.
  • Includes realistic, artistic, 360-degree, tour, and walkthrough visualization.
  • Imports and exports DXF and DWG files.
  • LiDAR room scans can be imported for remodeling.

Against

  • The trial disables saving, printing, exporting, and virtual tours.
  • Full desktop support requires Windows 10 or 11 64-bit or a supported Mac.
  • Mac support requires Apple M1 or newer.
  • Cloud account storage holds up to 99 models without a larger plan.

Who it suits

Premier suits homeowners and design professionals planning residential or light-commercial spaces who need both 3D layouts and construction documents. It can also suit remodeling projects that begin with a LiDAR room scan from a supported iPhone or iPad.

Getting started

  1. Visit the Chief Architect website.
  2. Choose the Premier paid plan or begin the free trial.
  3. Install Premier on a supported Windows PC or Mac.
  4. Connect to the internet for installation and license authentication.
  5. Use the As-Built app on a supported iPhone or iPad to scan a room, then import the model if needed.

Limits to know

The trial does not expire, but saving, printing, exporting, and virtual tours are disabled. The cloud account stores up to 99 models unless a larger storage plan is purchased.

The verdict

Choose Chief Architect Premier if your project needs detailed residential or light-commercial planning, construction documents, and cost-aware materials lists in one design workflow. Look elsewhere if you need to save or export work during a trial, or if your computer does not meet the supported desktop requirements.

Questions

Is there a free plan or trial?

There is no free plan. A free trial is available and does not expire, but it disables saving, printing, exporting, and virtual tours.

How much does Premier cost?

The listed Premier plan is $229 a month, billed monthly. A separate pricing note says pricing starts at $1,995/yr.

Which platforms are supported?

The listed platforms include Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. Premier runs natively on Windows 10 or 11 64-bit and supported Macs; Mac support requires Apple M1 or newer.

Can Premier exchange files with other design software?

It imports and exports AutoCAD DXF and DWG files, and imports OBJ, SKP, STL, and DAE formats.

Can I share 3D models?

3D Viewer 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 expanded.

What internet access does it require?

Internet access is required for installation, license authentication, deactivation, video, and catalog access. License authentication is required once every 14 days.

Facts 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
Founded
1992chiefarchitect.com · read 23 Sept 2026
Headquarters
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, United Stateschiefarchitect.com · read 23 Sept 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