SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS Andy Peters
Autokitchen
BKU’s Matt Broughton spoke with Andy Peters, Sales Director at Autokitchen.
icrocad Software, the developer of Autokitchen, was founded in 1987 with the goal of offering customised solutions for interior design running on AutoCAD®. In 1998, Microcad became the first European company to sign an OEM agreement with Autodesk®, allowing the company to develop stand-alone applications powered by the AutoCAD® OEM engine.
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Autokitchen used the AutoCAD OEM engine for 23 years until 2021, when it transitioned to the ODA platform, as Sales Director, Andy Peters explains: “This change allowed us to maintain full compatibility with AutoCAD while gaining the freedom to develop advanced tools and features that were previously not possible. It also enabled us to integrate leading technologies like V-Ray rendering, giving our users the ability to produce stunning, photorealistic images with minimal setup - no need to manually insert lights or spend time on adjustments.”
Originally (back in the 90s) Autokitchen was focused purely on kitchen design, but over the years it was expanded to include every interior space in the home. “A few years ago, we updated our tagline to reflect this broader scope: ‘One
software for all interiors.’” Explains Andy. “Today’s Autokitchen even includes a streamlined version of our AutoClosets PRO module for wardrobe design. This allows designers not only to customize sliding door panels but also to display and configure the full interior layout and accessories of wardrobes. We also offer specialised versions for the food service sector and other commercial spaces.”
The CAD industry has evolved significantly, and the development team has worked continuously to keep Autokitchen optimised for new technologies. “For example, we’ve implemented AI-assisted features that allow automatic furnishing of a room; starting with just an empty layout, the software can generate a design automatically. We’ve also taken advantage of NVIDIA graphics cards, enabling our rendering engine to use both CPU and GPU power. This has resulted in render times up to 12x faster than previous versions, with even better quality.”
Virtual Reality in demand
Andy has been offering VR to customers for several years now. However, based on client feedback, he has found that some homeowners are reluctant to wear VR headsets, as they can
cause discomfort or motion sickness: “To address this, we’ve developed interactive cloud-based VR,” he explain. “Designers can send homeowners a simple link, which they can open on any device - smartphone, tablet, computer, or even VR goggles. This solution lets customers walk through the design virtually and interact with it, changing door and worktop finishes in real-time. Our cloud engine recalculates lighting, reflections, and shadows on the fly, offering a truly immersive experience that helps customers make confident final decisions.”
The market has seen major shifts, particularly with fewer options now available to users. Over the last 18 months, a well-known CAD brand has disappeared in Europe. This has caused significant disruption for many users, some of whom have lost years of investment in software that is no longer supported.
Much of the industry is now controlled by investment groups. “Unfortunately, these investors often prioritise profit over customer satisfaction. Decisions are made based on financial return, not user needs - and that’s something we strongly oppose.”
Renting software
Some CAD providers - especially those owned by investors - offer rental-only models because recurring revenue increases the company’s market valuation. While that may benefit the company, it removes choice from the customer. “At Autokitchen, we still offer both options,” explains Andy. “Subscription is ideal for short-term needs and cash flow flexibility, but for long-term investment, our perpetual licence option is much more cost-effective. We believe in giving our customers the freedom to choose the model that best suits their business.”
I asked Andy what we can expect from Autokitchen in the next few years: “Our developers are committed to continuous improvement, and we release a new and enhanced version of Autokitchen every year. The design capabilities are already the most powerful we’ve ever offered, so in the coming years we’ll focus on expanding interactive VR features, and developing new modules for manufacturing and pricing, which will allow precise cost calculations based on cabinet materials and hardware components.”
20 BKU APRIL 2025
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