3D Software for Exhibitions

If you ask exhibition teams what 3D software they use, you’ll get many answers.

We all sit between architecture, industrial design, and graphics, so our software world is mixed. But after a while, you start to notice the same names coming up. Three in particular:

> SketchUp
> Vectorworks
> Rhino

SketchUp is great for quick thinking: laying out galleries, checking sightlines, making rough models. Many projects begin in SketchUp before moving on. And it isn’t expensive.

Vectorworks is a reliable for documentation. You can keep floor plans, elevations, sections, and models all in one place. Many teams use it as their main drawing tool. Pricier.

Rhino is often for custom modeling, though my office uses it for just about everything. It’s helpful for sculptural elements, curved walls, and CNC-cut parts. Similar to Vectorworks in price.

NOT on the list:

> AutoCAD/Revit: Expensive and complicated. Most exhibition teams don’t use them. Architects who design exhibitions might.

> CADTools: An Adobe Creative Suite plugin with limited capabilities, despite the promising name.

> AI tools (Nano Banana, Midjourney): Now used for some steps in the process, but not all. More on AI soon.

Here’s the thing:

Exhibition design isn’t a one-3D-software profession, and many teams use several. For most, SketchUp, Vectorworks, and Rhino are the big three.

Use something else? Hit REPLY and LMK!

Warmly,
Jonathan

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MtM Word of the Day:
CAD, or Computer-Aided Design. Specialized software used to create precise architectural-style digital drawings and 3D models. CAD facilitates detailed planning of exhibition layouts, display cases, and architectural elements, allowing designers to visualize, modify, and communicate design concepts efficiently.