No tool is perfect. Some users report:
| Tool Category | Example Tools | |----------------------|----------------------------------------------------| | Roof | RoofMaster, Gutter & Downpipe, Roof Vent, Flashing| | Structure | Framing (wall/roof/floor), Steel Beam, Joist | | Joinery | Cabinet, Wardrobe, Shelf, Bench | | Stairs | StairBuilder, Handrail, Balustrade | | Drainage | Drainage Channel, Sump, Pipe Run | | Documentation | Keynoter, Detailer, Revision Manager | | Site | Retaining Wall, Fence, Gate, Landscape Edge |
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 BIM plugin market is crowded. How does Cadimage stack up?
Once you integrate Cadimage into your workflow, you will wonder how you ever survived without it.
Disclaimer: Prices and features mentioned are based on market standards at the time of writing. Always check the official Graphisoft Marketplace for current Cadimage Tools pricing and ArchiCAD version compatibility.
If you are looking for guidance on how these tools help manage documentation or technical specifications, the most relevant resources are found in the MyCi Knowledge Base. Essential Cadimage Tools for Documentation
These tools are designed to reduce the "paperwork" and manual drafting burden:
Keynotes: Manages and links specifications directly to your 3D model, ensuring that notes on your layouts stay synchronized and error-free. cadimage tools
Electrical: Simplifies the creation of intuitive electrical symbols and automated schedules.
Doors + Windows: Automates the scheduling and labeling of openings, including "Schedule Notes" for detailed documentation.
Quantities Tool: A specialized tool (available since AC23) for extracting material quantities directly from the model for easier cost estimation. Getting Started & Installation
If you are trying to install these tools for your own project:
Download the Installer: Visit the Ci Tools Installer page for the latest Windows or Mac version.
Work Environment: Ensure you download and install the Cadimage Work Environment; without this, the tools will not appear in your Archicad menus.
Student/EDU Access: Students can access the full suite of tools via the Ci Tools for Students portal.
Were you looking for a specific white paper or a technical guide on how to use a certain tool? Installing CADimage tools
Cadimage Tools (now often referred to as Ci Tools) are a suite of add-ons designed to extend Archicad's functionality in areas like cabinetry, coverings, electrical, and doors/windows. Because these tools are version-specific, you must always match the tool version to your Archicad version (e.g., Cadimage 2025 for Archicad 2025). Installation Guide
To get started with the tools, you generally need to use the dedicated installer provided by Central Innovation. No tool is perfect
Download the Installer: Visit the MyCi Knowledge Base to download the CI Tools Installer for your operating system.
Login: Run the installer and sign in with your MyCi account.
Select Archicad Version: Choose your current Archicad version from the drop-down menu within the installer.
Install Tools: Click "Download and Install" for the desired tools.
Install the Work Environment: This is a critical step; you must install the CI Tools Work Environment to add the tool icons and menus to your Archicad interface. For a visual walkthrough of the setup process: How to install Cadimage tools in Archicad YouTube• Nov 12, 2024 Popular Tools & Basic Usage How to install Cadimage tools in Archicad
Cadimage Tools (now often branded as Ci Tools) are a popular suite of add-ons for Graphisoft Archicad designed to automate tedious modeling tasks and enhance architectural documentation. Core Productivity Tools These tools are widely used to simplify complex modeling:
Doors + Windows: Provides a highly flexible interface to create custom joinery that exceeds the capabilities of standard library parts.
Coverings: Quickly adds realistic external finishes, such as weatherboards, metal cladding, or brickwork, directly to surfaces.
Cabinets: A powerful tool for kitchen and bathroom design, allowing for detailed cabinetry modeling with interactive scheduling.
Roof Coverings: Enhances basic Archicad roofs by adding realistic details like ridge tiles, flashing, and gutters. You should buy Cadimage Tools if:
Objective: Enables you to rotate, bend, and manipulate objects in 3D that are otherwise restricted in standard Archicad.
Electrical: Simplifies the placement of electrical components and automates the creation of legends and schedules. Installation & Setup
To get started, you typically need to manage your tools through the Ci Installer: Introduction to the Cadimage Objective Tool
In this webinar, Ken shows you how to use the Cadimage Objective Tool. YouTube·Central Innovation
This is a complete guide to Cadimage Tools.
Note: As of recent years, Cadimage Tools have been rebranded and integrated into the Central Innovation ecosystem. While the tools are still widely referred to as "Cadimage," you will often find them under the "CI Tools" or "Central Innovation" label within modern ARCHICAD/Graphisoft interfaces.
In the race to meet deadlines and maintain high design quality, Cadimage Tools is not a luxury—for many, it is a necessity. It respects the architect's time by removing friction. It transforms Archicad from a generic modeling tool into a precision drafting machine tailored for joinery, roofing, and complex openings.
If you find yourself manually drawing linework over your BIM model to fix window details or struggling to make a stair handrail look correct in section, it is time to invest in Cadimage Tools. Your future self—the one leaving the office at 5:00 PM instead of 9:00 PM—will thank you.
Have you used Cadimage Tools in your workflow? The difference is often visible on the very first drawing set you produce.