Chief Architect Software
{{Infobox company
| name = Chief Architect, Inc.
| logo = Chief-Architect.png
| logo_size = 200px
| type = Private
| location = Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, U.S.
| industry = Computer software
| products = Chief Architect / Home Designer
| homepage = [https://www.chiefarchitect.com chiefarchitect.com] / [https://www.homedesignersoftware.com homedesignersoftware.com]
}}
Chief Architect Software is a developer of 3D architectural home design software for builders, interior designers, architects, and DIY home enthusiasts.{{cite web|title=About Chief Architect Software|url=http://www.chiefarchitect.com/company/aboutchief.html|publisher=Chief Architect, Inc|accessdate=11 May 2012}} Chief Architect uses BIM tools to create a 3D model of the structure and automatically generates all of the building systems of the home.{{cite web
|url= http://www.cadalyst.com/aec/bim-goes-residential-aec-insight-column-3746
|title= BIM Goes Residential
|publisher= Cadalyst
|date=July 1, 2008
|accessdate=February 15, 2012}} For the professional architectural and building market, it publishes the Chief Architect product line. For the consumer DIY market, it publishes the Home Designer product line.
Chief Architect Software is located in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, United States.
Chief Architect was first released in 1992 as 3D computer graphics software product that ran on an early version of Microsoft Windows Version 3.1.{{cite web
|url= http://www.windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/history
|title= A History of Windows
|publisher= Microsoft
|accessdate= February 22, 2012
|url-status= dead
|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120218202214/http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/history
|archive-date= February 18, 2012
|url= http://www.nj.com/hunterdon-county-democrat/index.ssf/2012/02/innovation_and_design_in_readi.html
|title= Innovation and design in Readington Middle School
|publisher= NJ.com
|date=Feb 9, 2012
|accessdate=February 17, 2012}} Chief Architect Software has been reported to be easy to use (in comparison to other 3D CAD packages) for 3D home design, and thus provides a valuable tool in the hands of builders, contractors and homeowners who have traditionally lacked the skills to run complex CAD software.{{cite web
|url= http://www.builderonline.com/software/chief-architect-95-makes-3-d-cad-easy.aspx
|title= Chief Architect 9.5 Makes 3-D CAD Easy
|publisher= Builder Magazine
|date=January 2004
History
File:CAD of House Plan from Design to Build.jpg
Chief Architect software is a privately held Company founded in 1981{{cite news|last=Butler|first=Joe|title=Software Puts the Home Design Process in Everyone's Hands|newspaper=The Press|date=December 2006}} in Palo Alto, CA. Initially the Company was named Advanced Relational Technology, Inc. (ART) and developed relational databases. The Company's founder, Jack Simpson, a physics PhD from Stanford University, was a native of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho and relocated the Company to Coeur d’Alene in the early 1990s. At that time, he changed the business from database software to home design software. In 2005, the name of the Company name was changed to Chief Architect, Inc.
Chief Architect software was initially created for home design due to Simpson's frustration in designing by hand. Finding that intuitive residential design software did not exist, Simpson created Chief Architect - a tool to design homes. Chief Architect's first version of this professional 3D CAD home design product line was officially sold as version 2.0. New versions released over the years with key automated building features to help improve the process for residential design.{{cite web
|url= http://www.cadalyst.com/aec/chief-architect-95-fills-niche-2480
|title= Chief Architect 9.5 Fills Niche
|publisher= Cadalyst
|date=April 1, 2004
|accessdate=November 27, 2011}}
In 1993, the Company licensed a simplified version of the software to Broderbund for sale in the retail / DIY market.{{cite book |last1=Simpson |first1=Jack |title=To Build a Life: A Life with No Decisions |date=27 June 2021 |publisher=JWS |isbn=978-1737232704 |page=223 |url=https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1737232707}} The Company ended its relationship with Broderbund in 2002 following the release of 3D Home Architect 4.0. In 2003, Chief Architect signed a license agreement with Meredith Corporation to license the name Better Homes and Gardens.{{cite news|last=Rafter|first=Dan|title=Clicking Through the Big Picture|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=8 January 2005}} The Company used Better Homes and Gardens Home Designer as the successor to 3D Home Architect. In 2009, the Company replaced Better Homes and Gardens name with Home Designer.
In February 2014, the Company released its first macOS compatible version for the professional design market. This release is engineered in a way that allows users to run a single license on either a Mac or Windows computer and most notably, there is file compatibility when moving a plan between operating systems.{{cite web
|url= http://www.builderonline.com/computers/chief-architect-introduces-mac-compatible-x6-software.aspx|title= Chief Architect Introduces Mac-Compatible X6 Software|publisher= Builder
|date=December 8, 2013|accessdate=February 23, 2014}}
In June, 2016 the Company released the Chief Architect 3D Viewer mobile app for iOS and Android.{{Cite web|url=https://apps.apple.com/us/developer/chief-architect/id520677645|title=Chief Architect Apps on the App Store|website=App Store|language=en-us|access-date=2019-10-11}} This app allows users to experience 3D models generated in the Chief Architect desktop software to help visualize the design before construction has begun. The app features a virtual reality experience without use of a headset.{{cite web
|url= http://www.builderonline.com/products/home-technology/virtual-reality-without-a-headset_o|title= Virtual Reality without the Headset|publisher= Builder |date=June 17, 2016|accessdate=March 14, 2018}}
Products
; Professional Home Design software
: Chief Architect Premier, Chief Architect Interiors - compatible with PC and Mac
; DIY / Consumer Home Design software
: Home Designer Professional, Home Designer Architectural, Home Designer Suite - compatible with PC and Mac
; Mobile App Home Design software
: Chief Architect 3D Viewer - compatible with iOS and Android