Snaptrude

Snaptrude is a cloud-based modelling platform that lets architects sketch, refine, and share projects straight from the browser.

How to use Snaptrude

1. Create an account at snaptrude.com and open a new project from the dashboard.
2. Pick a template or begin with a blank canvas, then drag walls, slabs, and openings directly onto the grid.
3. Add doors, windows, and furniture while the automatic area calculator updates numbers in real time.
4. Invite team members by email so everyone can edit or review the same model together.
5. Export drawings to DWG or IFC, or generate a share link for clients who prefer an interactive walkthrough.

What stood out during hands-on testing

Advantages

• Instant collaboration: Colleagues dropped in simultaneously, and every cursor movement appeared with hardly any delay, saving back-and-forth screen-sharing sessions.
• Auto-synced quantities: While roughing out a residential block, the schedule panel filled with surface areas and material take-offs without extra clicks.
• Import flexibility: I pulled an old SketchUp file straight into the workspace and kept its layers intact, then exported IFC for a consultant with no fuss.
• Browser freedom: Running a detailed model on a mid-range laptop felt surprisingly smooth; no hefty install or graphics card upgrade was required.
• Clear pricing tiers: The free plan covers basic modelling, giving students and early-stage studios room to experiment before paying.

Drawbacks

• Large model lag: A high-rise test file with multiple façade options slowed orbiting and occasionally forced a refresh.
• Furniture catalogue gaps: The built-in library offered only generic chairs and tables, so I had to import custom components for bespoke interiors.
• Offline absence: No local caching means an internet dropout stops work entirely; a quick sketch on a train wasn’t possible.
• Limited BIM tagging rules: Element properties cover the basics, yet advanced classifications for complex government submissions still require extra software.
• Learning curve for shortcuts: Commands deviate from traditional CAD hotkeys, and muscle memory took a week to adjust.

Overall impression

The browser-first approach kept our workflow light and collaborative, and the automatic numbers gave immediate cost clarity during early design talks. Performance hitches on monster files and a thin fixture collection suggest that heavyweight commercial builds might still rely on desktop giants, yet for concept work and quick iteration Snaptrude delivered genuine speed and teamwork gains.