Bonsai
Free, open-source Blender add-on for authoring and analysing native IFC building models.
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About Bonsai
Bonsai, formerly BlenderBIM, turns Blender into an OpenBIM authoring tool that works directly with IFC files. It covers modelling buildings, auditing and analysing IFC data, generating drawings, structural analysis, MEP systems, costing and scheduling, and facility management.
It is built by volunteers on IfcOpenShell, the open-source IFC toolkit and geometry engine. Architects and engineers who want an open alternative to proprietary BIM software, and who are comfortable in Blender, will get the most from it.
Strengths
- Native IFC authoring rather than import and export
- Broad BIM scope from drawings to costing and scheduling
- Free and open source, built on IfcOpenShell
Limitations
- Requires Blender and familiarity with its interface
- Still pre-1.0 (v0.8.5)
Details
- Pricing
- FreeFree and open source.
- License
- Open source, license not stated
- Developer
- The IfcOpenShell contributors
- Platforms
- Windows, macOS, Linux
- How it runs
- Downloadable app
- Account
- Not required
- Works offline
- Yes
- Best suited for
- Architects wanting an open-source OpenBIM tool inside Blender
- Categories
- 3D and CAD
- Last verified
- Added
- Provenance
- Facts checked against the developer's own pages and store listings, 1 sources on file.
Alternatives to Bonsai
Compare allSoftware that can replace Bonsai for an important use case, and what changes if you switch.
Autodesk Revit
Commercial BIM software for designing, documenting and coordinating architectural, structural and MEP building projects.
Autodesk Revit is standalone commercial BIM for Windows covering architectural, structural and MEP design, with automatic drawing updates, but it is paid and closed source.
Archicad
Graphisoft's BIM software for architectural design, construction documentation and team collaboration.
Archicad is Graphisoft's commercial BIM application for macOS with OpenBIM collaboration and architectural elements, and it does not require Blender, but it is closed source.
ALLPLAN
A commercial BIM and CAD platform for architecture, structural and civil engineering, and construction.
ALLPLAN is a commercial Windows BIM platform spanning architecture, engineering and construction, with precast and steel modules, aimed at firms with pricing only through sales.
Vectorworks
Commercial CAD and BIM software for architecture, landscape design and entertainment lighting and stage design.
Vectorworks is paid CAD and BIM for Windows and macOS covering architecture, landscape and entertainment design, replacing a free add-on with closed-source commercial software.
FreeCAD
A parametric 3D modeller for real objects: design by sketching constrained 2D shapes, then change the parameters later.
FreeCAD is a free, open-source parametric modeller with an architecture workbench among others, running standalone on Windows, macOS and Linux, though workbench polish varies.
Similar software
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Blender
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Enscape
A real-time rendering and VR plugin that works inside architectural CAD and BIM tools.
Twinmotion
A real-time 3D visualization tool from Epic Games for architecture, products and design presentations.
BricsCAD
Native-DWG CAD software with 2D drafting, 3D modeling, BIM, and mechanical variants.
