The client is waiting for the revised floor plan, the 3D renders, and the BOQ. You have everything ready. The floor plan is a 200 MB Revit file. The renders are four 400 MB TIFF files. The BOQ is a 15 MB Excel file.
You try email. Rejected — too large. You try WhatsApp. The Revit file does not open on the client's phone. The renders arrive as blurry JPEGs after WhatsApp's compression decimates them. You end up on a call trying to explain what the images are supposed to look like.
This is a daily frustration for architects and interior designers across India. Here is the workflow that fixes it permanently.
Why Architecture and Design Files Break Every Standard Tool
Design files are large by nature — and they have to be. Quality cannot be compromised in what you are delivering.
Typical file sizes in architecture and interior design practice:
| File type | Typical size |
|---|---|
| AutoCAD drawing (.dwg) | 5–100 MB |
| Revit project file | 100 MB–2 GB |
| 3D render (TIFF, PNG, EXR) | 50–500 MB per image |
| Photoshop composition (.psd) | 100 MB–1 GB |
| InDesign brochure package | 200 MB–2 GB |
| Site photo set (RAW) | 500 MB–5 GB |
| Walkthrough video (HD/4K) | 1–20 GB |
| VR/360 experience files | 1–5 GB |
Email supports roughly 25 MB. WhatsApp handles files up to 2 GB but compresses images. Google Drive works but requires clients to have a Google account and stores permanently in your quota.
None of these are designed for professional client delivery of large, quality-critical files.
Protecting Concept Designs from Competing Bidders
Architecture practices in India frequently pitch for projects where multiple firms submit proposals. Your concept design — floor plan sketches, massing studies, 3D explorations — represents weeks of team effort.
Sending these files without access control means:
- A client can share your concept with a cheaper competitor who quotes based on your ideas
- Rejected proposals remain accessible indefinitely once sent
- There is no record of who accessed what and when
A transfer link with a password and a download limit addresses all three:
- Only the person you share the password with can access the files
- A download limit of 2 or 3 means the file cannot be passed around freely
- You can delete the transfer after the pitch decision is made
Collecting Site Photos and Survey Data from Contractors
This is the reverse problem: you need files from someone else — site photographs from a contractor, measured drawings from a survey team, construction progress photos from a site supervisor.
The typical approach is "WhatsApp me the photos." This results in:
- Photos compressed to unrecognisable quality
- Files scattered across a chat thread
- Missing photos because the contractor forgot to send some
- No organised record of what was received
A file request link is the solution. You send one link, the contractor clicks it, and uploads all their site photos or drawings directly. The files arrive in your account at full quality, all together, without any compression.
Client Presentations: How to Share Renders Professionally
When you share high-resolution renders, the client experience matters. A compressed JPEG arriving in WhatsApp chat does not give renders the viewing experience they deserve.
A professional workflow:
- Upload all renders, floor plans, and supporting documents to a single transfer
- Organise them with clear file names (Ground_Floor_Plan_Rev3.pdf, Master_Bedroom_Render_Final.tiff)
- Set a password (the project name or client reference)
- Share the short link before the presentation call
- During the call, both of you are looking at the same high-resolution originals
The client downloads what they need, reviews at full quality on their computer, and can refer back to the link during the 7–14 day expiry window.
Short Links for Printed Handouts and Business Cards
Architects increasingly use QR codes on printed material — brochures, proposals, site hoardings. A long Google Drive URL is impractical on print. A qkd.gg short link is easy to encode as a QR code and survives clearly on printed materials.
For a project brochure delivered to a prospective client: the QR code links to the full digital package of renders and floor plans. The client scans it at home, downloads everything at full quality. The link expires in 14 days, keeping the materials time-bound.
Recommended Plans for Architecture and Interior Design Firms
| Practice size | Plan | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Sole practitioner | Pro — ₹99/month | 20 GB transfers, 14-day expiry, file request links |
| Small studio (2–5) | Pro | Shared account covers daily project delivery |
| Mid-size firm (10+) | Business — ₹299/month | 100 GB transfers, 60-day expiry, 300 GB pool for active projects |
For large firms handling multiple concurrent projects with heavy BIM files and 4K walkthroughs, the Business plan's 100 GB per transfer is the practical threshold.
See pricing for full details.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I send a 1 GB Revit file to a client in India?
Upload it to QikDrive and share the short link. The Pro plan (₹99/month) supports up to 20 GB per transfer. The client clicks the link and downloads the exact original file — no compression, no account needed.
How do architects protect concept designs from being shared with competitors?
Set a password on the transfer and a download limit of 2–3. Only the person with your password can access the files. If the link is forwarded, the download limit blocks additional access. Delete the transfer after the pitch decision.
Can I collect site photos from a contractor without WhatsApp compression?
Yes. Send the contractor a file request link. They click it, upload their photos from their phone browser. The files arrive at full quality in your QikDrive account — no WhatsApp compression, no chat thread management.
Do render files lose quality when shared through QikDrive?
No. QikDrive transfers files exactly as they are — TIFF, PNG, PSD, EXR — with no compression or modification. The recipient downloads the identical file you uploaded.
How long do transfer links stay active for architecture project handovers?
7 days on the free plan. 14 days on Pro. 60 days on Business. For long construction projects where a client may need to re-download documents months later, the Business plan's 60-day expiry is most practical.
Can I use QikDrive for sharing project files with a contractor team on site?
Yes. Upload the construction drawings or site files and share the link via WhatsApp. Contractors on site download directly from their phones without needing an account or computer.
Last updated: May 2026