HighDesign: a better way to design

Combine the simplicity of CAD drafting with the power of BIM workflows.
Architecture, Engineering & Design Software. Mac + Windows.

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30-day free trial.
HighDesign screenshot with an architecture project and landscape symbols.
Screenshots of HighDesign showing drafting and architectural design capabilities.

The best of two worlds.

HighDesign joins together the ease of use of 2D CAD drafting and the efficiency of BIM workflows.

Work with smart parametric elements and vector objects to create and manage complex projects and present your drawings on beautiful layouts.

Whether you are an architect, a landscape architect or an interior designer, real-estate agent or constructor, engineer or facility manager, HighDesign will let you work smarter and save time and money.

Create stunning projects with familiar tools.

Sketch & Draw

Use all the familiar vector tools and create drawings with the ease of illustration tools and the precision of CAD.

Save time and work the way you are used to: create using layers, shapes, paths, fills and color palettes. HighDesign gives you the freedom of a canvas to sketch, experiment and try new ideas.

Screenshot

Document your project effortlessly.

Texts and Annotations

Place styled text blocks and annotations that automatically extract the information from the objects.

Styled texts and automatic annotations

Dimensions

Add linear, radial, angular, ordinate and elevation dimensions that adjust with the object and comply with national and international CAD standards.

CAD standard-compliant dimensions

Tables and Schedules

Create, import and edit tables and Excel worksheets. Create interactive schedules to instantly get up-to-date lists and quantites and edit your drawings from the schedule.

Schedules in HighDesign

Make great architecture.

Design the way you think

HighDesign speaks the same language as architects and engineers so that you can design using actual architectural elements: parametric walls, columns and pillars, doors, windows, and openings.

Screenshot of HighDesign showing an architectonic plan with walls, windows and floors.

Present your work at its best

Your time is precious and so is all the work you do for your projects. Use the integrated layouts, style filters and title blocks to present your visions with success.

Screenshot of Highdesign showing a layout with a plan and an elevation with applied effects.
macOS Sonoma

macOS Sonoma

HighDesign fully supports macOS Sonoma. Take full advantage on the possibilities offered by the latest version of macOS running on the new M2 and M3 chips!

Apple Silicon M3

Native on Apple Silicon

HighDesign is a Universal Binary application that runs natively, at full speed, on both Intel-based and the new Apple M-series machines.

Read more about the new feature in HighDesign R8

Windows 11

Windows 11

HighDesign feels at home on Windows 11.

Developed and tested on the new Windows 11, HighDesign integrates seamlessly with the new user interface.

Pricing 

All our licenses are perpetual and include one year of updates and support. No subscriptions, you choose when to renew your license.

HighDesign LT
$149.00

  • Extensive drawing tools
  • Unlimited layers
  • Advanced printing
  • DXF 2018/2021 and image formats
  • DWG® 2018/2021 (model space)
  • Customizable project resources
  • Unlimited Drawing Sheets
  • Project views
  • Publish to PDF
  • Tables
  • Trace references
  • Callouts, Details and Layouts
  • Object Styles and element types
  • Architectural tools
  • Schedules
  • Photogrammetry and Drawing Presentation
Buy Now
HighDesign SE
$349.00

  • Extensive drawing tools
  • Unlimited layers
  • Advanced printing
  • DXF 2018/2021 and image formats
  • DWG® 2018/2021
  • Customizable project resources
  • Unlimited Drawing Sheets
  • Project views
  • Publish to PDF
  • Tables
  • Trace references
  • Callouts, Details and Layouts
  • Object Styles and element types
  • Architectural tools
  • Schedules
  • Photogrammetry and Drawing Presentation
Buy Now
HighDesign Pro
$499.00

  • Extensive drawing tools
  • Unlimited layers
  • Advanced printing
  • DXF 2018/2021 and image formats
  • DWG® 2018/2021
  • Customizable project resources
  • Unlimited Drawing Sheets
  • Project views
  • Publish to PDF
  • Tables
  • Trace references
  • Callouts, Details and Layouts
  • Object Styles and element types
  • Architectural tools
  • Schedules
  • Photogrammetry and Drawing Presentation
Buy Now

HighDesign. Your Independence.

HighDesign is the modern solution for architects, engineers and designers that uniquely bridges traditional CAD drafting with modern spatial design.

Looking for a CAD for Mac? Need an alternative CAD solution that is more efficient and elegant? A modern drafting and design software for your architecture studio? Get HighDesign! Sketch, design, annotate, publish in one package, with your style, all without worries thanks to the permanent license.

From architecture to product design, from engineering to landscape design, rediscover your freedom and creativity.

HighDesign is the perfect software for drawing, interior design, presentation and architectural modeling that integrates the familiar drawing and CAD tools with BIM processes.

One solution that combines unparalleled elegance and powerful drawing & design tools built around the needs of the modern designer.

Discover HighDesign

I've been using HighDesign everyday for over 10 years and I'm very appreciative of the work you guys have put into the program in the last few years. Last year I did architectural drawings in HD for millions of dollars in residential construction in California and in the state of Washington. Great work and look forward to the future with HD.

Steven Krebs, Krebs Design Group

Architecture
HighDesign Pro

HighDesign Pro offers advanced tools and workflow for architecture and civil engineering.

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Design
Advanced Drafting

Sketch, draw and document your technical designs with ease and effectiveness.

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Whats-New
What's New

See the new features and enhancements in the latest version of HighDesign.

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Interoperability
Interoperability

HighDesign adapts to your work-habits and lets you collaborate with others with ease.

Learn More

DOWNLOAD & SUPPORT

We offer resources, videos, online help and tech support to help you reach proficiency with HighDesign and meet your specific needs. And if you are looking for a feature that you can't find, don't hesitate to ask us! We want to hear from you!

Get Support

Trusted by designers in more than 52 countries around the world.

"HighDesign has been an alternative, full-featured 2D based CAD software package built on Mac OS X with a superb user interface (UI) and unique features for a software package at entry-level professional price points. The UI assists the user in all phases of the drafting and creative process."

"HighDesign has a rather gorgeous Apple-based user-interface reflecting its Mac-only roots. The app would stand out in the Windows CAD world."

Anthony Frausto-Robledo, Architosh

"I am a really enthusiast of HighDesign."

"Keep up the great work the program is becoming more productive!!"

Tony Manias, Architect

"Have just bought your excellent HighDesign Professional, and am very pleased with it, even though I am just learning it I find it much better to use and learn than the program that I have been using on my PC for a number of years... Many thanks for a great program, it's a joy to use."

Peter Meure

"I confirm my appreciation for your work which, as far as I'm concerned, really represents a professional turning point for how simple it has become to use a drawing program."

Panariello Engineering

"I do appreciate all the improvements you have made to various dialogue boxes - which reinforces the essential quality of 'high design' which is 'the user experience' & which is so different to most CAD programs - it really is a joy & congratulations on a nicely evolving piece of software!"

Bruce Thomson Architect

Thanks and keep up the EXCELLENT work… so pleased I chose to move to HighDesign when needing a 2D CAD solution!!!

Trevor Murch-Lempinen

"Overall, I think that you have a great program with a massive potential in the American CAD market. Between signing your life away in a contract with Autodesk, selling a kidney to get Revit or ArchiCAD, I think that you will soon be the obvious choice."

Daniel Wilson Architect