SOFTWARE COMPARISON & General Tool Overview: CHIEF ARCHITECT PREMIER CHIEF ARCHITECT INTERIORS HOME DESIGNER PRO

IN THIS SOFTWARE COMPARISON, I Will SHOW YOU THE MAIN DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CHIEF ARCHITECT PREMIER, INTERIORS AND HOME DESIGNER PRO.

I’m using Premier and Interiors X12 and Home Designer Pro 2021in this example.

Essentially, all 3 are the same software, with Premier being the full version, and Interiors and HDP having various limitations.  The interface in each looks the same, and the tools function the same.  If you are learning on 1, you will be able to use either of the others.

My intent here is not to show every single difference, because there are a lot of subtle small differences.  This is meant to be a general overview, to show the major differences, and help you decide which version will work for your needs.

Which one you choose to work with will depend on several factors that you’ll need to asses and decide on.  One will be your budget, how much can you spend on the software.  Another will be your deliverables.  What do you need to provide to your clients? Are you providing full sets of construction documents, or 3d modeling only? You’ll also need to assess your work load and work flow.  Do you take on a lot of projects, and need to have a very efficient workflow?  Or are you just taking on 1 project, and you can afford to work more slowly. All of these factors will play into your decision, so take a look at what each one can and cannot do, and see what fits best for you. 

I will link to the product software comparison PDFs below.

There are workarounds for the limitations, but you have to consider your time and workflow. 

PC or MAC?

It does not matter if you’re using a PC or a MAC, the programs will work the same on either.  I use a PC, so if you are on a MAC, just make note of the keyboard shortcuts using Control vs Command.

Pricing

(*Pricing as of January 2021, not including any discounts or sales.)

Chief Architect Premier $2995 or rent for $199 per month

  • Professional Software
  • All program capabilities

Chief Architect Interiors $1975 or rent for $199 per month

  • Professional software
  • Some limitations

Home Designer Pro $495 or rent for $59 per month

  • DIY Consumer Version
  • Can upgrade to Premier with $500 credit
  • Good for 1 project or learning. Can be very time consuming for a professional
  • Good for conceptual drawings, not needing construction documents or permitting

Reviewed in the Video

Open New Plan

Plan Templates

Toolbars

  • Default
  • K&B
  • Terrain
  • MEP
  • Space Plan

Plan View Sets

  • Layer Sets
    • HD
      • Tools-Display Options

View Options

  • Library Browser
  • Project Browser
  • Layers
    • Tools-View-Layer Display Options
    • No Layer Sets in HD
    • HD won’t read CA custom layers

Build Walls

Room Types

Floors

  • Prem-30
  • Interiors-10
  • HD – 5

Dimensioning

  • CAP accurate to 1/128
  • No NKBA AutoDimensions – HD
  • No Auto Elevation dims – hd

Text & Annotations

CAD Tools

Lighting/Electrical/HVAC

  • HD limited

3d

Camera Views

  • Perspective
  • Isometric

Exterior options

  • Interiors
    • No terrain, foundations, roofs, fences, roads, sidewalks, retaining walls
    • No exterior plants

Materials

  • New Materials
  • Match Properties

Custom Models

Rendering

Quick rendering options

  • HDP
    • No Squiggle line, Painting or Duotone
    • No Photoreal Raytrace
    • No Tech lines over Watercolor
    • No Camera Default sets
    • No shadow intensity control

Full Render Options

Export Options

  • Export 3d STL or DAE

File Sharing

  • HD can open CA, but cannot save
  • HD won’t read CA custom layers

Layout

  • Prem
    • 1000 pages
    • Multiple layouts open at once
  • Interiors
    • 200 pages
    • Multiple layouts open at once
  • HDP
    • Only 1 page allowed
      • Multiple page doc must be multiple files
    • Cannot edit line views in Layout
    • Cannot rescale views sent
    • Cannot re-link views
  • Time Tracker

Official Chief Architect product comparison for Premier vs Interiors

Official Chief Architect product comparison for Premier vs Home Designer Pro

THIS LESSON IS PART OF MY CHIEF ARCHITECT TRAINING COURSE FOR BEGINNERS.
YOU CAN FIND ALL OF MY TRAINING, MENTORING AND COURSES HERE: HTTP://DESIGNERANNILEE.COM/TRAINING
ANNILEE B WATERMAN IS A CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL BUILDING DESIGNER AND REGISTERED INTERIOR DESIGNER WITH OVER 30 YEARS OF COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN AND GRAPHICS EXPERIENCE.