they're meant to build content for some form of screen or print to be 'seen', at the end of the day. These include Maya, 3DS Max, C4D, Blender, Houdini, etc. the subsection we'll focus on (because there are many) are whats known as 'DCCs' or Digital Content Creation applications. The last 'type' (and arguably biggest and most diverse) is 3D meant for the entertainment industry. it has been popular amongst architecture schools and some deconstructivist firms because you can do some interesting things with plugins like grasshopper, but its not reeeeally an 'architecture' program. Theyre fundamentally different from AEC 3D applications in that they focus more on a type of parameterized modelling system that can more easily translate to practical manufacturing tools and workflows. This type of 3D program would include software like Solidworks, Rhino, Fusion360, Catia etc. The second 'type' of 3D is meant for the Industrial design and manufacturing industry. Sketchup is sort of on the fringes of this kind of 3D software - its more an 'architecture' leaning 3D program with roots in the second type of 3D program. If you're talking about using a piece of 3D software to do exclusively architecture. Theyre specifically catered to that industry - for example: being able to produce a construction drawing set from those models that explain to a contractor how to build the design. These would include applications like ArchiCAD, Vectorworks, Allplan, Revit, Navisworks etc. The first 'Type' of 3D software is 3D meant for the Architecture, Engineering and Construction industry.

three different types of 3D program (in a way), and you're sort of asking about all three. there isn't a great way to translate a C4D model into a Construction Drawing set, for example. If you mean actual architecture, you probably want to use a program that's meant for that. If you mean architectural visualization, then yeah you can use it for that. I wouldnt use it exclusively for architecture, because its really not built for that.

C4d modeling