Cadimage Tools May 2026
To use Cadimage Tools, you must have a valid ARCHICAD license (Solo or Teamwork).
| Feature | Score (out of 5) | | :--- | :--- | | Stair & Railing | 5 | | Joinery/Cabinets | 5 | | Annotation (Keynotes) | 4 | | Ease of Setup | 3 | | Archicad Version Compatibility | 3.5 | | Value for Money | 4 |
Bottom Line: Cadimage Tools is professional-grade, production-ready software that pays for itself on the first complex stair or kitchen layout. Just budget time for template setup and avoid updating Archicad the day a new version drops.
Rating: ★★★★½ (4.5/5)
Cadimage Tools (now often referred to as a suite of plugins developed by Central Innovation to enhance the productivity and design capabilities of
. These tools streamline complex architectural tasks like creating detailed doors, windows, and realistic roof coverings. Graphisoft 1. Getting Started: Installation cadimage tools
To use Cadimage Tools, you must match the plugin version exactly to your Archicad version (e.g., Cadimage 2025 for Archicad 2025). Standard Install Ci Tools Installer to download and manage your tools online. Offline Install
: If you lack an internet connection on your workstation, you can create an Offline Install File
from another computer using the installer's "Create Offline Install File" option. Activation
: After installation, you may need to add the tools to your Archicad Toolbox manually by right-clicking in the Toolbox and selecting
Cadimage Tools are a specialized suite of add-ons for Graphisoft Archicad designed to automate complex architectural modeling, featuring modules for coverings, stairs, and cabinet design. These tools utilize parametric intelligence to enhance productivity, providing detailed control over elements like 3D cladding and 2D documentation representation. For installation instructions, visit MyCi Knowledge Base To use Cadimage Tools, you must have a
ArchiCAD’s native roof tool is capable, but Cadimage’s Roof & Shell tool elevates it to an engineering level. It allows users to:
How does Cadimage stack up against other ArchiCAD extensions?
| Feature | Native ArchiCAD | Cadimage Tools | Other Add-ons | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Stair Complexity | Moderate (simple stringers) | High (winders, landings, code checks) | Varies | | Roof Flashing | Manual modeling only | Automated parametric flashing | Rare | | Joinery/Cabinetry | Basic boxes | Full commercial kitchen objects | Limited | | Support & Updates | General Graphisoft | Dedicated architectural support | Varies | | Global libraries | Good | Excellent (US, UK, AU, NZ, EU specific) | Regional |
Winner: For architectural detailing, Cadimage leads the market.
You should buy Cadimage Tools if:
You might skip it if:
For the vast majority of professional ArchiCAD users, Cadimage Tools is not a luxury—it is a necessity. It transforms ArchiCAD from a generic BIM tool into a construction documentation powerhouse.
The native ArchiCAD doors and windows are functional, but Cadimage elevates this to an art form.
Note: ARCHICAD 21+ introduced a native Stair tool. However, Cadimage Stairs remains popular for complex, bespoke designs or for users sticking to legacy workflows. The Solution:
