Not sure which IMSI Design product or variant fits your project? Start here.
Choose home-design software when your main goal is to lay out rooms, remodel a house, arrange interiors, or plan a garden using guided tools and 3D visualization. Choose general CAD software when you need exact technical drawings, mechanical parts, manufacturing data, detailed geometry, or broader file exchange.
Decide whether you need 2D drafting only, general 3D design, or advanced professional modeling. This single choice usually eliminates many unsuitable variants.
Not automatically. An entry-level variant may be easier and less complex, but it can become limiting if your planned project needs 3D modeling, multiple floors, detailed rendering, specialized file formats, or professional documentation. Buy for the project you expect to complete, not only for your current skill level.
You need 3D if you want to visualize a finished space or object, create prototypes, prepare models for 3D printing, produce rendered images, check fit and clearances, or view a design from multiple angles. If you only create plans, diagrams, schematics, or construction details, 2D may be sufficient.
Choose a perpetual license if you want continued use of the purchased release without an ongoing term. Choose a term license if you prefer access for a defined period and value included updates or services during that period.
No. The right variant is the least complex one that includes every feature your project genuinely requires.
No. DWG support helps with exchange, but complex objects, custom fonts, external references, materials, constraints, or application-specific data may not transfer exactly. Test representative files when compatibility is essential.
Yes, especially for professional or long-term use. Open a representative file, try the main tools, confirm printing and export, and assess performance on your own computer.
No. Software can help you develop, visualize, and communicate a design, but it does not automatically verify structural safety, code compliance, planning approval, constructability, or professional liability requirements.
Choose TurboCAD when you need a broad Windows or Mac CAD platform for professional 2D drafting, 3D modeling, architectural work, mechanical design, rendering, or extensive file exchange.
Choose DesignCAD when you want approachable, general-purpose Windows CAD for 2D drafting or accessible 3D work.
Choose FloorPlan when your work centers on homes, rooms, remodeling, interiors, gardens, decks, and residential visualization.
Choose it for guided residential and landscape planning, especially when you want to combine floor plans, furnishings, materials, outdoor areas, and 3D visualization in one workflow.
Choose ViaCAD for accessible precision drafting and 3D modeling across mechanical, architectural, woodworking, invention, product, and 3D-printing projects.
Choose SharkCAD for advanced professional solid, surface, mesh, manufacturing, visualization, and engineering workflows.
Choose Architect 3D when you want a consumer-friendly program for planning, furnishing, decorating, landscaping, and visualizing a house or apartment.
FloorPlan, Punch! Home & Landscape Design, and Architect 3D are the most direct choices.
TurboCAD, ViaCAD, and SharkCAD are the main candidates. DesignCAD can also handle many general projects.
Use a 3D-capable variant of TurboCAD, DesignCAD, ViaCAD, or SharkCAD.
TurboCAD Designer, DesignCAD Express, and ViaCAD 2D are the clearest 2D-focused choices.
Designer is 2D-focused. Deluxe, Professional, and Platinum add 3D and progressively more advanced tools; TurboLux rendering is included from Deluxe up. Platinum has the broadest native MCAD translation (CATIA, Inventor, SolidWorks, Solid Edge, Creo, NX) and IFC support. See the TurboCAD for Windows product comparison.
A distinct Mac-native product family, not a port of the Windows version. Designer covers 2D; Deluxe adds 3D; Pro adds advanced drafting, solids, surfacing, and rendering; Platinum includes the broadest Mac feature set (PowerPack, Precise Model to Sheet, GD&T, file referencing, STEP/Rhino 3DM import). See the TurboCAD for Mac product comparison.
DesignCAD 2D is 2D-only; DesignCAD 3D Max adds 3D modeling, rendering, and animation. See the DesignCAD product comparison.
Express and Instant Architect suit simple, guided projects. Deluxe adds broader 3D inspection and home-design tools. Pro adds 3D Cutaway, detailed deck construction, and (with the LuxCore plug-in) PBR materials and high-resolution rendering. See the FloorPlan for Windows product comparison.
A separate product line from the Windows version, with its own variant structure (the higher Mac variant supports up to six floors, the lower up to four). See the FloorPlan for Mac product comparison.
Architectural Series supports up to 20 floors and the full set of advanced building, rendering, and systems-planning tools; Professional is close behind; Studio, Essentials, and Express are progressively more limited. See the Windows product comparison.
A separate product line from Windows with its own comparison chart, release cycle, and system requirements. See the Mac product comparison.
ViaCAD 2D is 2D-only. ViaCAD 2D/3D, ViaCAD Pro, SharkCAD, and SharkCAD Pro add 3D, with feature-based modeling and a history tree from ViaCAD Pro up, and the most advanced tools (clash detection, sheet-metal design, native MCAD translators) in SharkCAD Pro. See the ViaCAD and SharkCAD product comparison.
Express and Silver suit simpler home projects; Gold, Platinum, and Ultimate progressively add multi-floor support, DWG/DXF import, advanced topography, and (in Ultimate) the exclusive LightWorks rendering module. See the Architect 3D product comparison.
A perpetual license normally lets you continue using the purchased release after the purchase period ends. Future major versions, upgrades, cloud services, support, and maintenance may not be included unless stated separately.
A term license permits use for a defined period, often including updates or services during the active term, and normally requires internet access for activation or periodic verification.
A perpetual license is often the best fit for occasional projects. A term license can be better when the project is temporary or current updates matter more.
Choose a clearly authorized multi-seat, volume, or network arrangement. Compare named-user versus device-based activation, concurrent-use rules, and renewal costs. Do not share a single-user license unless the license terms expressly allow it.
Many licenses permit deactivation and transfer, but the process and number of allowed activations vary. Review the license policy before replacing hardware.
Do not assume so. Windows and Mac products are often sold and licensed separately, and their features may differ.
Basic AI help may be bundled for a limited period in some current products, while professional AI features, image generation, or advanced assistants may require a separate subscription or plug-in.