THE 10 BEST MOBILE APPS FOR ARCHITECTS
With countless options, which are the tried-and-true apps of the profession?
If you’re an Architect, your professional toolbox has probably looked the same for several years. Revit Architecture, Sketchup, triangular ruler sets, and tracer paper have been critical for your work. It’s hard to imagine a toolkit as dynamic as that for an architect.
Yes, with the advancement of mobile technology and apps, the tools and resources available to architects are improving by the day.
Like any toolbox, there are ones that see daily use and tools you quickly realize you didn’t need. With so many options, it can be tough to cut through the noise of what apps you need and what you don’t. We put together a list of field-proven mobile apps to enhance workflow and boost productivity.
10 Best Mobile Apps for Architects
- AutoCad | iOS, Android, Windows 10
Starting with a classic, AutoCad is a standby tool for the modern architect. This DWG mobile viewer goes beyond photo-viewing, allowing users to add annotations and photos to drawings that can be shared instantly. The mobile app uses your phone’s camera to take on-site measurements. The free version of the app gives you access to most of the tools, offering in-app purchases to access the full suite of benefits. - uMake – 3D CAD Modeling | iOS
This award-winning app was designed for architects working across multiple platforms. uMake compliments your workflow with seamless integration across many apps and programs used in conjunction with the CAD modeler. This enables simple, finger-drawn sketches, to complex 3D models in no time. The app is free to download, expect in-app purchases for full access to uMake. - Bim 360 Team – Project Management | iOS, Android
Designed around architects and engineers, Bim 360 Team is the mobile workhorse that keeps you in communication. Swap notes, modify drawings, and neatly archive your project’s details. Bim 360 Team supports hundreds of file formats, allowing on-the-go access to your 2D or 3D drawings. Keep your eyes peeled for a major update coming to Bim 360 and the team at Autodesk. - Onshape 3D CAD – Cloud-Based CAD System | iOS, Android
Plug-and-play. Onshape promises to cut through the distractions of updates, downloads, and managing license keys. A cloud-based CAD system, Onshape assures all users have the latest version, so your team can keep working and avoid constant IT intervention. Onshape offers controlled access to your files wherever you are. Securely share data with intended recipients across mobile platforms. Onshape is free to download. - ARki | iOS, Android
“Experience architecture in AR.” ARki lets you reimagine any space, regardless of location or scale. Perhaps the most impressive mobile application to grace our list, this iOS-favored app is a must-have for the modern architect’s toolkit. Create dynamic presentations to visualize your plans like never before. ARki supports a number of file types for importing 3D models and allows you to store your work offline for instant access. Perhaps most impressive, ARki is free to use. - Concepts | iOS
Another iOS-focused app, Concepts is a creative space, allowing users to draw, plan or whiteboard across an endless canvas. Save complete drawings, single archive shapes, and endless tools/brushes are what sets this mobile app apart from other drawing tools. A favored drawing tool among designers and architects, Concepts’ vector nature grants users full editing access, stroke-by-stroke. Concepts is free to download and offer in-app purchases for certain functions. - BIMx – Design Integration | iOS, Android
Designed for architects using ARCHICAD, BIMx aims to bridge the gap between the design studio and construction site. “The ultimate project communication app,” BIMx allows complete access to construction documents at your fingertips, whether you’re in the studio or at the job site. BIMx integrates seamlessly with Google Cardboard VR and is optimized for both iOS and Android devices. Like most of the apps reviewed, BIMx is free to download and use, with in-app purchases required for full functionality. - RoomScan Pro – Floorplans | iOS
RoomScan Pro lets you create floorplans using your smartphone’s camera. Originally designed for use in real estate, flooring, and plumbing, this app is handy if you need a quick floor plan that offers an AR mode for viewing/showing your plan. RoomScan Pro also works for exteriors and landscaping projects. Bypass dim light, curved walls or uneven floors with RoomScan Pro’s swiping tech. Download on the App Store for free, subscription required for full access. - Morpholio Trace Pro – Pro-Level Sketching | iOS
Wired called this sketching tool “digital magic” for its boundary-pushing AR technology. Morpholio integrates the freehand work with digital designs to drive the creative process and produce seamless designs. Use Smart Fill to quickly paint large areas and determine their square footage, or the Instant Scale feature, which can instantly scale your drawing by measuring a single element. This free to try app is an impressive suite of tools that promises to improve your workflow. - HoursTracker & Expensify – Timesheets & Receipts | iOS, Android – iOS, Android
Our final entry is a twofer: they work best as a pair. Although neither of these apps was explicitly designed for the architectural industry, they provide a handy assist to boost productivity and afford a little bit of peace of mind, too. HoursTracker is an award-winning digital timesheet, simplifying the way you track your working hours. Expensify accompanies your timesheet app by tracking your receipts and managing your expenses. Snap a photo of your receipts and the app takes it from there.
For architects, your digital toolkit is an evolving resource, delivering efficiency and mobile capabilities to everyday tasks. The benefits of keeping up with the technical advances in the architectural field go beyond just being convenient, proving essential in keeping ahead of the competition.
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