# 3D Viewer by Chief Architect

> Virtual reality viewer for 3D architectural models from Chief Architect software. (iPhone/iPad app by Chief Architect.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/3d-viewer-by-chief-architect/id1083656847 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Chief Architect](https://appshunter.io/developer/520677645)
- Category: Productivity, Lifestyle
- Price: Free
- Rating: 3.70/5 from 490 App Store ratings · 74 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 16.0 · 152 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2016-06-13
- Data updated: 2026-08-11
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/3d-viewer-by-chief-architect/id1083656847/reviews.md

## What is 3D Viewer by Chief Architect?

3D Viewer – A virtual reality viewer for 3D models exported from Chief Architect software.  Visualize and navigate home projects before they are built using the Sojourn 3D virtual reality navigation tools. Walk or Fly through designs and experience exterior, room, cross section, and floor plan views.

To view models with 3D Viewer, export the original model with saved cameras from Chief Architect software to the cloud (provided by Chief Architect) and open the model using 3D Viewer. A great service if you are a professional builder/designer and want to share a virtual model with your clients.

Sojourn 3D virtual reality navigation:
  -thumbsticks to move (fly) and rotate
  -gyro camera for free form viewing
  -background camera on / off
  -walk thru allowing you to physically walk 
  -dynamic camera height while in fly mode 
  -manual camera height adjustment

## Key features

- Virtual reality navigation
- Walk and fly through designs
- Exterior, room, and floor plan views
- Sojourn 3D navigation tools
- Gyro camera for free form viewing
- Background camera control

## What do users think of 3D Viewer by Chief Architect?

Overall sentiment: negative

**Pros**

- 👍 Great bonus item for clients
- 🚀 Works fine once
- ⭐ Low key elite
- 👍 Very functional
- 👍 Works well to keep clients up to date
- 👍 Invaluable tool
- 👍 Good viewer
- 👍 Excellent

**Cons**

- 🐛 Cannot view plan on iPad
- 🐛 Keeps crashing
- 🐛 Cannot view link
- 🐛 Images on iPad don't match desktop
- 🐛 Worst app ever
- 🐛 Does not open files, not intuitive
- 🐛 Completely useless
- 🐛 Extremely limited and difficult to use
- 🐛 Poor user interface
- 🐛 Useless
- 🐛 Very poor memory management
- 🐛 Doesn't work on any devices
- 🐛 No support for OneDrive or local files
- 🐛 Cannot upload files
- 🐛 Chronic issues
- 🐛 Crashes frequently

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Cannot open zipped files
- Difficult to import models from Dropbox/OneDrive
- VR mode spins around uncontrollably

**Most requested features**

- Support for OneDrive
- AR in full scale
- Ability to make handwritten/design notes on the model
- Markup and add text comments
- Floor plan view that mimics desktop, control layers, see notes
- Saved walkthroughs
- 2D plans and 3D model viewing
- Ability to isolate and view single floors

## Recent user reviews (10 of 74)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/3d-viewer-by-chief-architect/id1083656847/reviews.md

### 1/5 — Cannot View Plan on IPad (not good)

*2026-01-09, version 25.3.0*

Can we give it a zero? I have Home Designer Pro… Thought I could view plan and perspectives on the IPad. Haven’t be able to get it to work. I’ll give it a one as there isn’t a zero option. Also, I would prefer that when I allow access to my Dropbox, it is only for one folder, not a full scan of my environment. Didn’t like that either.

### 1/5 — Need help keeps crashing

*2025-05-29, version 24.3.0*

Cant even get the app to open it keeps crashing

### 4/5 — Work fine once, then turn out to be useless

*2025-04-27, version 24.3.0*

Nothing I can do launches the drawing my architect created.  Just a dead end do loop of nothingness.  Very annoying that it worked fine for months and then suddenly can’t launch my plans.

### 5/5 — Please,  support ONE DRIVE

*2025-04-12, version 24.3.0*

Support for ONE DRIVE would be a great upgrade. Many have abandoned DROPBOX in favour of ONE DRIVE OR iCLOUD DRIVE

### 5/5 — 3D model

*2025-03-27, version 24.3.0*

Great bonus item for clients to move through once we have done a review of their project on the big screen. It does take some learning to understand how the app works, like turning on the shadows and the surfaces. The main purpose of Chief Architect is producing the final product which is the layout plan set. This is simply an additional way for clients to see their project as it was last rendered.  We use it often.  I spend a little time with my clients to acclimate to using this ‘bonus’ app. Generally good feedback.

### 1/5 — Cannot view link

*2025-03-06, version 24.3.0*

Doesn’t work

### 1/5 — Not good enough

*2025-01-26, version 24.3.0*

The images on my iPad don’t come close to the basic view in the desktop software.

### 1/5 — WORST APP EVER!!!

*2025-01-22, version 24.3.0*

I can do anything on this app I try to use it then kicks me off and when it does come on it does not save my work there are so many bugs

### 1/5 — Does not open files, not intuitive, terrible app

*2024-10-21*

This app is not intuitive at all, a client sent a zip file to view a model but cannot open it, it only asks for links and all I have is a zip file.  Also looked online and there are no instructions on how to open a file sent to you on the Chief Architect website, they only address files that the user created, not ones sent to view that does not use Chief Architect.  Can someone please tell me how to open these files.

### 1/5 — COMPLETELY USELESS

*2024-10-07, version 24.3.0*

We are paying a designer well to design our home, and we have not been able to see their work in the Chief Architect 3-D viewer. We have tried to upload files using links, OneDrive, and Dropbox, and we have been completely unsuccessful at getting a file into an iPad. There is no useful help function, and the software is incompetent. We started the design of the house in other 3-D design software, which was infinitely more useful and user-friendly. I strongly recommend against any Chief Architect products.

## Frequently asked questions about 3D Viewer by Chief Architect

### What does the 3D Viewer app do?

This app allows you to visualize and navigate 3D models exported from Chief Architect software in a virtual reality environment. You can explore home projects before they are built, experiencing different views like exterior, room, and floor plans.

### How do I view models in 3D Viewer?

To view models, you first need to export them with saved cameras from Chief Architect software to the cloud provided by Chief Architect. Once exported, you can open and explore these models using the 3D Viewer app.

### Is 3D Viewer free to use?

Yes, the 3D Viewer app is free to use. There are no in-app purchases or advertisements mentioned in the provided description.

### Who is this app intended for?

The app is particularly useful for professional builders and designers. It serves as a great tool to share immersive virtual models of their projects with clients, allowing them to experience designs before construction begins.

### What navigation features are available?

The app offers Sojourn 3D virtual reality navigation tools, including thumbsticks for movement and rotation, a gyro camera for free-form viewing, background camera control, and a 'walk thru' mode that allows for physical walking. It also features dynamic camera height adjustment in fly mode.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 25.3.0 — 2025-10-29

- Various bug fixes and stability enhancements

### 24.3.0 — 2024-10-03

- Various bug fixes and stability enhancements

### 20.0.0 — 2020-02-05

- Support for lights exported from Chief Architect X12
- Various bug fixes and stability enhancements

### 19.3.0 — 2019-09-17

- Various bug fixes and stability enhancements

### 19.2.0 — 2019-07-02

- New Augmented Reality (AR) mode
    - With AR mode, you can place your 3D model in the real world and explore in detail by rotating, zooming or walking around.
    - For more information visit our website at https://www.chiefarchitect.com/products/3d-viewer/
- Various bug fixes and stability enhancements

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## More apps by Chief Architect

- [Chief As-Built](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chief-as-built/id6752957994)

All apps by Chief Architect: https://appshunter.io/developer/520677645

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-11.*