Working in the field of architecture today is vastly different from what it was a few decades ago. Technological advancements have led developers to compete in creating mobile applications for architects that can be used to produce and present designs. These applications, mostly accessed through gadgets, assist architects in working more intelligently. Among the various mobile applications for architects, there are some that are essential for saving time and enhancing work productivity. Here are 15 of them:
Applications for Design Presentations
1. BIMx
Developed by Graphisoft, the BIMx application is an interactive tool that displays 3D models and 2D BIM documentation created with ArchiCAD through a simple and intuitive interface. BIMx presents three-dimensional building models interactively, resembling a first-person shooter video game. This application is suitable for use by architects, clients, and contractors to explore buildings in a 3D model without needing to install ArchiCAD.
Platform: iOS and Android Price: Free
2. AutoCAD DWG Viewer & Editor
AutoCAD is the most popular drawing software among construction industry professionals, and through its mobile version, users can open and share DWG files on mobile devices. The free version of AutoCAD DWG Viewer & Editor offers basic capabilities to open and measure dimensions of DWG files. Its full version allows users to create new 2D files, perform object editing, and more. Another advantage is that AutoCAD DWG Viewer & Editor can be accessed offline, with any mobile changes synchronized once the user regains internet access.
Platform: iOS and Android
Price: IDR 1,599,000/year or Free for the viewer version
Design and Measurement Applications
3. MagicPlan
MagicPlan is a mobile application that enables users to create floor plans using their mobile device's camera. It simplifies measurement and mapping of rooms without the need to move furniture, saving time and effort. MagicPlan operates on augmented reality, where you stand in the middle of a room, map it with your mobile camera for 30 seconds, and a complete floor plan is generated within minutes.
Platform: iOS and Android
Price: Free
4. RoomScan Pro
RoomScan Pro is an application that allows you to use your mobile device to generate floor plans for entire rooms in one minute. RoomScan uses the device's built-in hardware to record wall positions, lengths, and orientations. While its measurement technology may not handle small units like millimeters crucial for interior design, its accuracy is sufficient for basic floor plan design.
Platform: iOS
Price: Free
5. Planimeter
Planimeter is an application for measuring area, distance, perimeter, and angle on maps. You can measure by touching the screen, adding waypoints with geographical coordinates (latitude and longitude), drawing on the map, using GPS tracking, and dropping pins as markers. With this application, mapping the size and dimensions of a land or area becomes more accessible, relying solely on images from maps like Google Earth or Google Maps. The app can also measure various objects on the map, such as roads, fences, and more. Extremely useful for site plan and area design.
Platform: iOS and Android
Price: Free, $3.99 (Pro)
Survey Site Applications
6. Sun Seeker
Sun Seeker is a sun tracking and compass application that displays sunlight exposure, solstice points, sun position, sun path, sunrise and sunset times, dusk, and more. This application is highly beneficial for architects in determining the position and orientation of buildings on a site in relation to the sun. Apart from architects, other professionals such as photographers, cinematographers, surveyors, and real estate consumers often utilize this application.
Platform: iOS and Android
Price: $9.99
7. Google Earth
Google Earth is a virtual globe program that maps the Earth through the superimposition of images collected from satellite mapping, aerial photography, and 3D GIS globes. Google Earth has the capability to showcase buildings and structures (such as bridges) in three dimensions. I typically use this application to assess the environmental conditions of a site with a 360° perspective using Street View. By understanding the site's environmental conditions, architects can design buildings that integrate seamlessly with the surrounding context.
Platform: iOS and Android
Price: Free
Drawing and Concept Applications
8. Procreate
Procreate is a creative application designed for iPad, offering hundreds of features with a fast graphics engine. Widely used by artists worldwide, Procreate enables the creation of sketches, paintings, illustrations, and animations. Its simple interface is user-friendly, and Procreate provides the option to create and modify brushes with 35 modification options, ensuring a distinctive and varied sketch appearance among users. Another advantage is Procreate's real-time recording feature, allowing the documentation of the sketching process from start to finish. Architects can use this application to generate concepts and sketches for design presentations.
Platform: iPad OS, iOS (Procreate Pocket)
Price: $9.99 (iPad), $4.99 (iOS)
9. Morpholio Trace
Morpholio facilitates early-stage design on a site by providing layered functionality reminiscent of the traditional method of stacking tracing paper for site analysis. With Morpholio, you can draw on PDFs, maps, photos, images, image sets, background templates, and more with excellent resolution.
Platform: iOS
Price: Free
10. Concepts
If you're looking for a whiteboard application to capture ideas, Concepts is the solution. Concepts is an infinite canvas application with comprehensive features, allowing you to develop ideas without size limitations. You can use it to create concepts, sketches, or mood boards. One particularly interesting feature is its color wheel, providing numerous color alternatives that are easily selectable, similar to choosing paint colors in a store. The downside is that you have to pay to unlock some more advanced features.
Platform: iOS, Android, Windows Mobile
Price: Free
3D Design and Visualization Applications
11. SketchUp
SketchUp is the most popular 3D drawing application among architects and students. Its mobile version is now available with a full subscription cost of IDR 959,000/year. The free version is a viewer similar to BIMx. SketchUp Viewer allows the display of 3D images created with SketchUp, making it easy for architects to present drawings to clients and contractors.
Platform: iOS and Android
Price: IDR 959,000/year or Free for the Viewer version
12. Autodesk FormIt
FormIt is available on Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and in web browsers, with two versions: Free and Pro. On iPad, the application works with the Apple Pencil and other apps like Autodesk Sketchbook Pro and Autodesk Graphic. FormIt offers basic 3D modeling tools, compatibility with Revit, support for geographic locations, mobile, and web browser capabilities. FormIt models can also be imported from SketchUp, but for larger, complex, and collaborative 3D modeling, you need to use the Pro version.
Platform: iOS, Android, Windows
Price: Free, $2,965/year (Pro)
13. Shapr3D
Shapr3D is a 3D modeling application designed for iPad Pro, with support for the Apple Pencil. Compatible with all desktop CAD software, Shapr3D allows users to import projects and export work directly to their mobile devices. Additionally, Shapr3D enables users to scan a room and create a 3D model of the space, allowing for the addition of new objects and modifications. Beyond architects, small-scale manufacturing facilities also commonly utilize this application.
Platform: iOS
Price: Free, $239 (Pro)
Project Management and Field Reporting Applications
14. Archisnapper
Archisnapper is an application designed for creating project management reports, such as daily reports, weekly reports, field reports, inspection reports, and to-do lists – tasks typically managed in Word and Excel. Each report allows users to input project status, list individuals visiting the site, add comments, photos, and sketches related to on-site issues, as well as assign responsibility for specific actions in the project. ArchiSnapper's system can save architects approximately 70% of the time typically spent on project report generation, producing PDF-format reports with just one click.
Platform: iOS, Android
Price: Free
Reference and Inspiration Applications
15. Houzz
In need of design inspiration? Houzz could be your go-to choice. Houzz features millions of high-resolution interior and exterior photos categorized by design style and room type. The application also allows users to save images for reference, visualize finished products, and connect with other professionals. Houzz has also introduced a premium product called Houzz Pro+ to assist professional architects in marketing their services, though this feature is exclusive to users in the United States.
Platform: iOS, Android
Price: Free
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