Civil engineering and architectural software is used to design, simulate and analyze civil engineering and architectural structures such as a bridges, roads, and buildings. This software may include three dimensional (3D) modeling, element analysis, and equipment use and distribution schematics.

Some types of civil engineering and architectural software are suitable for managing the administrative aspects of engineering projects, such as costs, budgeting, materials acquisition, resource allocation, and overall management of civil engineering and architectural projects. Typically, however, civil engineering software focuses on the physical components and requirements for actual construction of bridges, roads, and buildings. For example, engineers might use civil engineering design software to map all of the elements required to photograph landmarks, measure spans, and change terrain effectors in bridge building. Engineers can also use civil engineering design software in road building to visualize highways, predict traffic flow, produce traffic and street-lighting schematics, and determine lane requirements.

Civil engineering and architectural software is used in building to determine the dimensions and offsets of residential versus commercial construction projects, and drape satellite or aerial photos over terrain models. Architectural firms commonly use architectural design software, also referred to as computer-aided drafting (CAD), for initial design of buildings. Building design software is also used for predictive analysis on individual structural elements. It provides architects with a toolset to design buildings, display measurements, perform stress calculations using finite element analysis, align 3D objects to a vector, and produce structural analysis data. Architects that specialize in the design of buildings can also work with other suppliers and users of civil engineering and architectural software to integrate their own CAD software designs and drafts into a single-source system.

Vendors of civil engineering and architectural software include those firms involved in civil engineering, but more often specialize in providing software to engineering and construction firms in building and modification projects on a national or international scale. The type of civil engineering and architectural software required often depends on whether projects are undertaken by government and public entities or contracted to private firms. Cost ranges vary on software driven toward the use of high-end graphics and 3D modeling engines versus administration/budgeting-based applications.