This is a complete guide to the yqarch plugin for AutoCAD, a powerful (and free) toolset widely used by architects, interior designers, and drafters to dramatically speed up drawing production.
QHThe plugin comes with a visual library of hundreds of door and window styles (swing, sliding, bi-fold, arched). Inserting a door takes one click. If you move the wall later, the door moves with it. The DW (Door Window) command allows you to switch between types instantly.
YQArch (sometimes called "YQ Tool") is a free, third-party AutoCAD plugin developed by Chinese architect YQ (Yan Qiu). It's designed specifically for architectural drafting but contains hundreds of general CAD productivity tools. yqarch autocad plugin
Key capabilities:
Compatibility: Works with AutoCAD 2007–2025 (both 32-bit and 64-bit), plus some versions of ZWCAD and GstarCAD. This is a complete guide to the yqarch
Why use it over vanilla AutoCAD? | Task | Vanilla AutoCAD | YQArch | |------|----------------|--------| | Draw wall | Line + offset + hatch | 1 click | | Add door | Insert block + trim | Click on wall | | Dimension rooms | 10+ steps | 2 clicks | | Rename layers | Properties palette | Batch rename tool |
One of the biggest headaches in AutoCAD is layer management. YQArch comes with built-in layer standardization tools. It can automatically sort objects onto the correct layers (e.g., putting all doors on an "A-DOOR" layer and furniture on "A-FURN"), ensuring clean file management and plotting. Quick Hatch
Vanilla AutoCAD draws walls using two parallel lines (MLINE). If you move one, the other stays behind. With YQArch, the WW command creates a "Smart Wall." If you move this wall, intersecting walls automatically trim, extend, or join. Doors and windows cut holes automatically—no more TRIM or EXTEND commands.
While Revit dominates BIM, many architects still prefer AutoCAD for schematic design. YQArch offers a hybrid approach.