List of the Top 7 Structural Engineering Software for Mac in 2025

Skanect makes it easy to create vibrant, color-rich 3D models of various subjects, including objects, people, and entire rooms, all while being budget-friendly and user-friendly. By converting your Structure Sensor or Structure Core depth sensor into an affordable 3D scanner, Skanect enables the quick generation of 3D meshes from real-world settings in just a few minutes. Dive into the fascinating world of 3D scanning today! In contrast to conventional techniques, Skanect captures high-density 3D data at an impressive speed of up to 30 frames per second. You can seamlessly move around with your Structure Sensor or Structure Core to collect a diverse range of perspectives, resulting in a real-time 3D mesh. The platform includes various predefined setups designed to accommodate multiple scanning scenarios, ensuring versatility for different applications. Sharing your 3D models online is incredibly simple, allowing anyone to jump into 3D scanning without needing professional expertise! Furthermore, by leveraging consumer-grade 3D cameras such as the Structure Sensor and Structure Core, Skanect greatly lowers hardware costs compared to previous 3D scanning methods. This technological advancement opens doors for a broader audience to delve into and interact with the world of 3D modeling, fostering creativity and innovation. Whether for personal projects or professional use, Skanect provides the tools necessary to bring your 3D visions to life.

VisualSFM is a convenient application that facilitates the creation of 3D models using a technique known as structure from motion (SFM). This software integrates components from several previous projects I've been involved with, such as SIFT on GPU (SiftGPU), Multicore Bundle Adjustment, and Towards Linear-time Incremental Structure from Motion. By utilizing multicore parallel processing, VisualSFM significantly boosts the speed and effectiveness of processes like feature detection, feature matching, and bundle adjustment. Furthermore, for achieving dense reconstruction, it effectively incorporates Yasutaka Furukawa's PMVS/CMVS toolchain, which enhances the quality of the final output. The combination of these diverse tools and methodologies positions VisualSFM as an invaluable asset for individuals working on 3D reconstruction endeavors. Whether you are a novice or an expert, this application provides the resources necessary to streamline the modeling process.

The Braceworks® add-on for Vectorworks Spotlight provides a seamless solution for professionals in design, production, and rigging to evaluate the load-bearing capabilities of temporary structures. This groundbreaking module not only improves safety but also guarantees compliance with engineering regulations and standards, promoting a unified approach to modeling, analysis, and documentation all within one platform. As regulatory frameworks, such as the Eurocodes, become more stringent and demands from venues, municipalities, and property owners escalate, businesses engaged in event design, audiovisual installations, and rigging are increasingly required to generate detailed load and structural calculations for approval by structural engineers. Users are able to perform static and FEM analyses, with results clearly displayed on the model for easy understanding. Furthermore, it generates thorough calculation reports automatically, streamlining the documentation process and boosting efficiency in project execution. This indispensable tool is vital for those in the industry who strive to uphold exceptional standards of safety and compliance in their endeavors. In a rapidly evolving landscape, the ability to swiftly adjust to new requirements is crucial for maintaining a competitive edge.

Our software features a user interface that prioritizes simplicity and user-friendliness. With the ability to create geometry in various views through advanced modeling tools or by entering data via spreadsheets, everything is seamlessly integrated into RISA-3D. This robust software provides both analysis and design functionalities, enabling the rapid development of a wide range of structures and accommodating an extensive variety of materials. From designing buildings and bridges to tanks and culverts, it effectively addresses numerous engineering requirements. Users can generate detailed reports that include both graphical and numerical data, offering thorough output that boosts confidence in the designs for both the user and their team. The most recent version of RISA-3D’s interface has been specifically tailored to match the workflow of structural engineers, featuring an intuitive left-to-right, tab-by-tab ribbon layout that simplifies navigation from initial ideas to final design adjustments by following the icon sequence. In addition, the interface includes customization features that allow users to keep their most utilized tools easily accessible, which further improves efficiency. This carefully considered design ultimately empowers engineers to dedicate more time to creativity and innovation, rather than grappling with complicated software navigation, thereby enhancing overall productivity. The thoughtful integration of these features reflects a commitment to supporting engineers in their vital work.

Home Designer Software emerges as the top choice for 3D interior design and home renovation, leveraging the sophisticated technology derived from Chief Architect's professional-grade architectural tools, thus catering perfectly to DIY enthusiasts. Discover the various features that position Home Designer as the ideal solution for realizing and visualizing your next home enhancement endeavor. Chief Architect serves as the preferred software for a variety of professionals, including architects, builders, remodelers, and interior designers. With its intelligent design capabilities, users can easily create construction documents, detailed floor plans, elevations, and eye-catching 3D visualizations, including all-encompassing 360-degree views. Tailored specifically for residential applications, this software provides tools that automatically generate crucial components such as roofs, foundations, and framing measurements. As you configure walls, windows, and doors, the application simultaneously builds a 3D model, which can be easily shared with homeowners, structural engineers, or subcontractors through the 3D Viewer app. This functionality not only enhances teamwork but also simplifies the design workflow, guaranteeing that every aspect is conveyed with precision, ultimately leading to a more successful project outcome. In addition to these features, users will appreciate the intuitive interface that makes the design process both enjoyable and efficient.

S-FRAME offers users the ability to design, analyze, and model a diverse range of structures, accommodating various geometric complexities, types of materials, loading conditions, nonlinear behaviors, and compliance with numerous design codes. With automated framework generators, it facilitates quick model creation and allows for the importation of models via BIM and DXF links, significantly boosting productivity through integrated tools for both concrete and steel design that promote optimization, code compliance, and thorough report generation. Users can quickly define structures through advanced modeling automation, which includes options to create either standard or custom trusses and utilize cloning tools for duplicating any part of their models. The capacity to import existing BIM and DXF models further streamlines the modeling process, saving considerable time. Additionally, S-FRAME incorporates advanced meshing tools to create a finite element mesh, enabling users to obtain detailed analytical results for specific areas of interest. Users can also enhance their analysis by easily converting members into multi-shell models, thus expanding their analytical capabilities. In addition to these features, S-FRAME fosters collaboration among teams by allowing for easy sharing of models and results. Ultimately, S-FRAME serves as a robust solution that meets the evolving demands of contemporary structural design and analysis.

Framing is an adaptable design tool specifically designed for timber framing and flooring projects, catering to the changing requirements of today’s offsite construction industry. Its widespread use among timber frame manufacturers, structural engineers, and design firms allows for the development of intricate 3D models that support the generation of comprehensive material schedules and manufacturing drawings, which are compatible with both manual assembly and the latest automated machinery and saws. This software is proficient in detailing various timber framing styles, and while it mainly functions in a 2D environment, it effectively produces a 3D model tailored to user inputs, which simplifies the validation of levels and heights during construction. The enhanced precision offered by this tool significantly optimizes the workflow, making Framing a crucial asset in contemporary construction methodologies. Furthermore, its ability to seamlessly integrate with other design and manufacturing tools boosts overall productivity in construction projects.