Architosh

Ultimate iPad Guide: Site Survey, Analysis & Visualization for Architects

  • Anthony Frausto-Robledo, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP

    • [Editor’s note: We have added IMSI-Design’s TurboSite to this list below though, as stated in our guides, some apps may get listed more than once in various guides. 28 Mar 2013.]

    Site Survey, Analysis and Visualization Apps for Architects

    In this category we include a range of software tools useful to architects who visit building sites (those with buildings and those without), predominantly in the early project stages and the late project stage during close-out and punch-listing. However, some tools like SightSpace 3D are useful during the design phases.

    The first app we want to talk about is SiteWorks. It not only has solid punch list features (place them right on your PDF drawings) but it has a nice dashboard feature with good charts. You can share reports via Dropbox, iTunes and email and open reports in PDF reader tools like GoodReader, Numbers and SignNow). This is a forty dollar app, one of the more pricy apps for AEC. (see image 01).

    01 - SiteWorks is a punchlist, site survey, property management tool useful to AEC pros.

    02 - OrthoGraph Architect 3D is the first site drawing tool that supports a Leica DISTO distancemeter. More than just creating site survey plans, it creates 3D BIM models.

    iScape is a cool little app that lets you re-imagine landscaping over photos of buildings and properties.

    OrthoGraph Architect 3D CAD is a sophisticated BIM and plan creation app. It is the first drawing app to support the Leica DISTO E7500i distancemeter natively. Use this to survey your sites, connect with your company’s Leica and then create 3D BIM models that are exported to AutoCAD DWG, Trimble SketchUp and Graphisoft ArchiCAD. (see image 02).

    The last app we want to feature is iScape. We think this is a wonderful type of tool for helping designers and architects show possible changes to existing properties involving landscaping. While not the purview of the architect, this ability can play a key role is quickly describing various design scenarios that disrupt existing landscaping. (see 03).

    The List (16 Apps)

    Here is a listing of some of the more interesting and good apps that are useful to architects for site survey work, punch lists and site observation work and site analysis and visualization. Again, if we have somehow missed an app that deserves to be on this list we would sure appreciate your email on the subject. Without further ado:

    The Gem in this Group

    We see a few little gems in this group and look forward to possibly reviewing several of them soon. We are intrigued by EasyMeasure but wonder how accurate it is. We have also written about SightSpace 3D before on Architosh and its usefulness as an AR tool utilizing SketchUp models. But while all of these tools look cool and are very nice, the one tool we think is truly innovative is MagicPlan.

    04 - MagicPlan has a very innovative technique for capturing room information using the iPad's hardware features like its camera.

    MagicPlan has a very cool user-interface technique for generating plans of building sites from use of the iPad camera. We are also pleased with the recent updates by Sensopia. The new features in the latest update streamline the app and improve its functionality. We look forward to reviewing it formerly in the near future.

    next page: Sustainable Design Apps for Architects — 28 Mar published

    series index page: Ultimate iPad Guide: Apps for Architects

    Exit mobile version