Blender, an Open Source Design Tool: Advances and Integration in the Architectural Production Pipeline

We examine an open source 3d suite of tools called blender, as a tool for architectural design. The unique features of blender are examined in terms of ease of use and integrated nature since blender incorporates a simulation engine and a game engine that can be used creatively in the design process. The unique data structure of Blender is examined with the features and work flow that this structure brings in the design process. Also a simple comparison is made between Blender and 3ds max in terms of features and workflow as visualization tools together with an assessment of a two year seminar that took place in the Department of Architecture, in Volos Greece.