# Useful Resources for Architecture Students and Professionals

**URL:** <https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/useful-resources-for-architecture-students-and-professionals/212343>\
**Category:** Rhino for Windows\
**Tags:** hatch, texture, 2d, resources, rhino8\
**Created:** [November 12, 2025, 8:11pm UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/useful-resources-for-architecture-students-and-professionals/212343 "2025-11-12T20:11:50Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 9\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Minstemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/minstemann/32/691129_2.png) [@Minstemann](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/Minstemann)\
**Post date:** [November 12, 2025, 8:11pm UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/useful-resources-for-architecture-students-and-professionals/212343/1 "2025-11-12T20:11:50Z")

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I recently graduated in architecture, and over the years I’ve come across a bunch of great resources that have really helped me during the drawing and production phase, from early sketches to final presentation drawings.  
I use Rhino and v-ray for Rhino for all my work, and these tools have made things a lot faster and easier.

I just wanted to share some of my favorites here, hopefully you’ll find them useful too.

2D files:

- [ModelShelf.com](https://www.modelshelf.com/)
- [Cad-blocks.net](https://www.cad-blocks.net/)
- [First In Architecture](https://www.firstinarchitecture.co.uk/category/cad-blocks-2/)
- [DWGModels.com](https://dwgmodels.com/)
- [Pimp My Darwing](https://pimpmydrawing.com/)
- [Bibliocad](https://www.bibliocad.com/en/)
- [Cad-block.com](https://cad-block.com/)
- [Freecads.com](https://www.freecads.com/en)
- [Toffu](https://toffu.co/)

3D files:

- [CG trader](https://www.cgtrader.com/)
- [ModelShelf](https://www.modelshelf.com/)
- [3D Warehouse](https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/)
- [Turbosquid](https://www.turbosquid.com/)
- [Sketchfab](https://sketchfab.com/)
- [FreePolygon](https://www.freepolygon.com/en)
- [Grabcad](https://grabcad.com/library)
- [Designconnected](https://www.designconnected.com/)
- [Blenderboom](https://www.blenderboom.com/product-category/free/)
- [Megascans](https://quixel.com/megascans/home/)
- [Polyhaven](https://polyhaven.com/models)
- [Poliigon](https://www.poliigon.com/)

Hatches:

- [ModelShelf](https://www.modelshelf.com/hatches)
- [CadHatch](https://www.cadhatch.com/)
- [Mcneel](https://wiki.mcneel.com/rhino/draftingpage)
- [Architextures](https://architextures.org/hatches)
- [Archweb](https://www.archweb.com/en/cad-dwg/category/autocad-hatches/)
- [CadblockDWG](https://www.cadblocksdwg.com/hatch-patterns-download.html)

Photoshop brushes:

- [HejBrush](https://www.hejbrush.com/)
- [Arqui9](https://arqui9.gumroad.com/l/wypwY)
- [MyPhotoshopBrushes](https://myphotoshopbrushes.com/brushes/)
- [We Graphics](https://we.graphics/graphics/brushes/)

Skies:

- [Vishopper](https://www.vishopper.com/sky-textures)

Cutouts:

- [Vishopper](https://www.vishopper.com/)
- [Mrcutout](https://www.mrcutout.com/)
- [TonyTextures](https://www.tonytextures.com/free-downloads/)
- [Gobtree](https://www.gobotree.com/)
- [ForestDigital](https://forestdigital.net/freebies/)
- [Cutout Trees](https://www.cutout-trees.com/)
- [Meye](https://meye.dk/)

Textures:

- [Megascans](https://quixel.com/megascans/home/)
- [Textures](https://www.textures.com/)
- [Ambientcg](https://ambientcg.com/)
- [Sketchup texture club](https://www.sketchuptextureclub.com/)
- [Polyhaven](https://polyhaven.com/textures)
- [Poliigon](https://www.poliigon.com/)

HDRI:

- [Textures](https://www.textures.com/)
- [PolyHaven](https://polyhaven.com/hdris)
- [Poliigon](https://www.poliigon.com/)

I’m sure I’ve missed a few, what are your favorite architecture resources?

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**Author:** ![ssommerv](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/ssommerv/32/688165_2.png) [@ssommerv](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/ssommerv)\
**Post date:** [November 12, 2025, 9:58pm UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/useful-resources-for-architecture-students-and-professionals/212343/2 "2025-11-12T21:58:58Z")

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It’s not architecture-specific but if I need 3D files of mechanical hardware, my first stop is almost always [McMaster-Carr](https://www.mcmaster.com/) for anything along the lines of screws, bolts, gears, springs, rivets, bearings, motors, pipe fittings, linear actuators…if it’s industrial hardware, they probably have it, and very likely have CAD details for it. Tip - if they don’t have CAD details listed on the item page, call their customer service line. They might be able to get it for you; I’ve had about a 60% success rate with that, plus their service is typically quick and friendly.

[Misumi](https://us.misumi-ec.com/) is similar.

For electronic products, a lot of the parts on [Digikey](https://www.digikey.com/) have 3D files (or at least 2D drawings that you can use to start a model). (Link is to .com, but I use .ca 🇨🇦 )

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**Author:** ![scottd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/scottd/32/494002_2.png) [@scottd](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/scottd)\
**Post date:** [November 12, 2025, 10:28pm UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/useful-resources-for-architecture-students-and-professionals/212343/3 "2025-11-12T22:28:17Z")

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There are a lot here.

Hatches: [https://pattycake.io/](https://pattycake.io/)  
Blocks: [Rhino 3D | Model Library | Food4Rhino](https://www.food4rhino.com/en/resource/rhino-3d-model-library)  
Materials: [Adobe Substance libraries](https://www.rhino3d.com/docs/guides/rendering/adobe-substance-integration/)

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**Author:** ![stevefuchs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/stevefuchs/32/770902_2.png) [@stevefuchs](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/stevefuchs)\
**Post date:** [November 12, 2025, 10:36pm UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/useful-resources-for-architecture-students-and-professionals/212343/4 "2025-11-12T22:36:57Z")

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Well, that’s quite a compendium of resources.

My 3 favorites are:

> **[Dimensions | Database of Dimensioned Drawings](https://www.dimensions.com/)**
>
> A comprehensive reference database of dimensioned drawings documenting the standard measurements and sizes of the everyday objects and spaces that make up our world.

> **[Architextures, the digital material library for architects and designers -...](https://architextures.org/)**
>
> Architextures is a library of materials for architects and designers. Browse our library of seamless textures or create your own in our web app

> **[Architecture Projects | ArchDaily](https://www.archdaily.com/search/projects)**
>
> Top architecture projects recently published on ArchDaily. The most inspiring residential architecture, interior design, landscaping, urbanism, and more from the world’s best architects.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![stevefuchs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/stevefuchs/32/770902_2.png) [@stevefuchs](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/stevefuchs)\
**Post date:** [November 12, 2025, 10:49pm UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/useful-resources-for-architecture-students-and-professionals/212343/5 "2025-11-12T22:49:53Z")

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This one’s also good and an interesting topic related to equitable representation in architecture renderings…

> **[Nonscandinavia](https://www.nonscandinavia.com)**

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**Author:** ![stevefuchs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/stevefuchs/32/770902_2.png) [@stevefuchs](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/stevefuchs)\
**Post date:** [November 12, 2025, 11:00pm UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/useful-resources-for-architecture-students-and-professionals/212343/6 "2025-11-12T23:00:11Z")

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Just found these symbols on food4Rhino that @dale helped make available, too.

> **[Rhino Symbols Library](https://www.food4rhino.com/en/resource/rhino-symbols-library)**
>
> Rhino 2D Symbols Library

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![keithscadservices](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/keithscadservices/32/599702_2.png) [@keithscadservices](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/keithscadservices)\
**Post date:** [November 13, 2025, 12:59am UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/useful-resources-for-architecture-students-and-professionals/212343/7 "2025-11-13T00:59:31Z")

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If you posted 1 year ago you would have saved me about 50 hours haha! Many of these are really good sites!

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Minstemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/minstemann/32/691129_2.png) [@Minstemann](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/Minstemann)\
**Post date:** [November 13, 2025, 7:37am UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/useful-resources-for-architecture-students-and-professionals/212343/8 "2025-11-13T07:37:02Z")

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Haha better late than never

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**Author:** ![Louis-Antoine\_Lachan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/louis-antoine_lachan/32/755932_2.png) [@Louis-Antoine\_Lachan](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/Louis-Antoine_Lachan)\
**Post date:** [July 30, 2026, 1:19pm UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/useful-resources-for-architecture-students-and-professionals/212343/9 "2026-07-30T13:19:48Z")

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You could also check out [Lightbeans](https://lightbeans.com/en), it has free-to-use textures from real building material brands.