Useful Apps for Architects

Smartphones and tablets are being used more and more by architects and designers, giving them the ability to connect in real time to collect, edit and share data instantaneously.

Six useful applications for architects are shown here.
1. MagicPlan. The powerful application removes the need for a tape measure by creating an accurate floor plan complete with measurements taken from a photograph. Standing in the middle of the room, users take a picture in landscape mode on their iPhone or iPad in one rotation, tapping to indicate each corner of the room. MagicPlan will then measure and create a plan that can be itemised a sorted into residential or commercial categories as well as the type of room, such as the kitchen or living room. Users can snap multiple rooms and assemble them into one large floor plan along with furniture and appliances by dragging and rotating the plans to fit.

2. Architects Formulator. This application requires a small investment but will give users over 400 Electrical, Plumbing, Carpentry, Concrete and Excavation formulations. It is a highly professional application that offers comprehensive tools for architects including special formulas for concrete and steel design, parking and sidewalk design and even basic formulas for wind load and wind overturning force.

3. AutoCAD WS. AutoCAD WS enables users to view, edit and share DWG, DWF and DXF™ drawings for free. The biggest advantage is being able to access and revise drawings on-site with the great range of familiar drawing tools which can then be effortlessly shared with a team with no additional software download required.

4. Houzz. Houzz is a large database of home and design photos that encourages design and decorating inspiration. Thousands of images can be viewed and then tapped and stored into designers’ own “ideas books”, then shared to become a virtual scrapbook. Houzz is a great way to gain inspiration, view different design styles and products or visually communicate an idea to a client.

5. Morpholio Trace. Trace is a clever application that allows architects and designers to digitally sketch over imported images or backgrounds.

6. Photoshop Express. Adobe’s free version of Photoshop Express allows users to select photos from a device and edit them effortlessly. The powerful manipulation tool allows users to crop, add brightness and sharpness to their images. The clean interface is easy to use and features a condensed editing toolbar from the desktop version. Adjusted images can be collated into online galleries and easily shared with colleagues, clients and social media portals.

More and more apps and softwares appear which are useful for artists(who create architectural rendering and architectural visualization, even architectural animation), architects and designers. Technology brings convenience to the world.