Empoli vs Gendo

Empoli is an AI ecosystem for architects and developers that turns 2D plans into editable 3D models, supports client walkthroughs, and lists BIM validation. Its 2D-to-3D tool is built into Revit and can export to Revit, IFC, or VR-ready formats. Empoli RTR accepts FBX files exported from Revit, ArchiCAD, or SketchUp. It automatically applies lighting, materials, and detail to uploaded models, then creates a link clients can open on a laptop, tablet, or phone without installing software. Supported inputs also include floor-plan images, 2D drawings, PDF, AutoCAD files, and ZIP archives with textures. Empoli BIM is described as in development, with automated building-code validation and multi-discipline clash detection planned. Empoli is available on the web and iOS; the RTR app requires iOS 15.0 or later or iPadOS 15.0 or later. A free plan and a free 30-day trial are listed, with no credit card required for the trial. Users can access, export, or delete data from Settings.

Gendo is a web-based collaborative canvas for architectural visualization. Architects and designers can generate renders from sketches, change materials, populate scenes, transfer styles, enhance images, and upscale renders to 4× resolution. Its natural-language assistant can use workspace tools, and teams can run simultaneous generations, share images, add comments and notes, and iterate together. Users bring scenes or views into the canvas by exporting them; direct plugins for Revit, SketchUp, and Blender are on the roadmap. The free plan includes Material Bank material specification, but its prompts and outputs are not treated as confidential. Studio and Enterprise prompts and outputs are contractually protected from AI training and marketing use. Gendo says data is stored in EU data centres, encrypted at rest with AES-256 and in transit with TLS. Free costs nothing; Studio costs £66 a year, billed annually at £66/mo (£790/year; excl. tax).