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Vectorworks vs Arnold

Vectorworks logo

Vectorworks

Software

Design software for the AEC industry

From
$29/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Arnold logo

Arnold

Software

Advanced Monte Carlo ray tracing renderer

From
$29/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Vectorworks the Internet Archive's capture of Vectorworks' products page on 12 December 2019 named seven distinct editions and add-on modules, Architect, Landmark, Spotlight, Fundamentals, Designer, Vision, and the Braceworks/ConnectCAD add-ons, each with its own 'Buy Now' link, but no price figure appeared on the page itself.; Arnold the Internet Archive's capture of Autodesk's Arnold overview page on 30 December 2022 stated a subscription can be installed on up to 3 computers or devices, though only the named user may run it on one machine at a time, and includes access to the 3 previous major versions.
  • They diverge on capability: Vectorworks covers BIM modeling, Arnold covers Ray tracing.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Vectorworks and Arnold actually diverge.

Attributes where Vectorworks and Arnold differ
AttributeVectorworksArnold
PlatformsWindows, MacOSWindows, MacOS, Linux
Founded19851998

Identical on both: starting price ($29/month), pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Vectorworks

  • BIM modeling
  • 2D/3D design
  • Documentation
  • Rendering
  • GIS integration
  • Entertainment design
  • Landscape tools
  • Lumion

Only in Arnold

  • Ray tracing
  • GPU rendering
  • Production shading
  • OSL
  • Denoising
  • Maya
  • 3ds Max
  • Houdini

Both cover

  • Cinema 4D
  • License management
  • Windows support
  • MacOS support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Vectorworks

  • Building designnot Arnold
  • Landscape designnot Arnold
  • Stage designnot Arnold

Arnold

  • Film productionnot Vectorworks
  • Animationnot Vectorworks
  • VFXnot Vectorworks

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Vectorworks

  • The Internet Archive's capture of Vectorworks' products page on 12 December 2019 named seven distinct editions and add-on modules, Architect, Landmark, Spotlight, Fundamentals, Designer, Vision, and the Braceworks/ConnectCAD add-ons, each with its own 'Buy Now' link, but no price figure appeared on the page itself.

Arnold

  • The Internet Archive's capture of Autodesk's Arnold overview page on 30 December 2022 stated a subscription can be installed on up to 3 computers or devices, though only the named user may run it on one machine at a time, and includes access to the 3 previous major versions.

Pricing, plan by plan

Vectorworks

$29/month
  • Architect$2495/month
    • BIM
    • Architecture tools
  • Landmark$2495/month
    • Landscape design
    • GIS
  • Design Suite$3295/month
    • All modules combined

Arnold

$29/month
  • Arnold$360/month
    • Standalone renderer

Which should you pick?

Choose Vectorworks if

  • You need bim modeling.
  • You work on Windows, MacOS.
  • You also want 2d/3d design.
Vectorworks review

Choose Arnold if

  • You need ray tracing.
  • You work on Windows, MacOS, Linux.
  • You also want gpu rendering.
Arnold review

Questions people ask

Is Vectorworks or Arnold better?
Neither clearly leads. Vectorworks starts at $29/month and Arnold at $29/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Vectorworks or Arnold?
Vectorworks starts at $29/month and Arnold at $29/month.
Does Vectorworks or Arnold run on more platforms?
Vectorworks runs on Windows, MacOS. Arnold runs on Windows, MacOS, Linux.
What is Vectorworks best used for?
Vectorworks is most often used for building design, landscape design, stage design. Of those, building design and landscape design are not what Arnold is typically brought in for.
What can Vectorworks do that Arnold cannot?
Vectorworks covers BIM modeling, 2D/3D design, Documentation, Rendering. Arnold covers Ray tracing, GPU rendering, Production shading, OSL. Both handle Cinema 4D, License management, Windows support, MacOS support.
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