Autodesk introduces Homestyler for iPad

Yesterday Autodesk gave us a sneak peak at Autodesk Homestyler for iPad, the new free app that is launching today on Apple’s iTunes stores. Architosh has already written about Homestyler as a SaaS (software as a service) application back in 2010. (see, Architosh, “Autodesk releases Homestyler beta design app,” 16 April 2010).

Today’s new technology is on the iPad and offers new capabilities not available on the web-based version of Homestyler. It also points towards potential disruption of how customers find design professionals.

“We’ve taken home design to a new level of ease with Homestyler app for iPad. The app is unique because it can transform a single snapshot into a virtual home design playground,” said Samir Hanna, Vice President of Consumer Products at Autodesk. “Extending this technology on iPad lets our users express their creatively on the go, tap the existing vibrant community to find inspiration for their home and showcase their personal style with greater ease then ever before.”

What is Autodesk Homestyler for iPad

Autodesk Homestyler for the iPad features technology that combines aspects of a home design inspiration magazine or website (think Houzz.com) with that of a photogrammetry-based 3D visualization tool and room modeler. With the new app you can take a picture of a bare room. Then you can create a 3D, to-scale, and measured invisible 3D model of that room. Once that task is complete you can begin styling that space by dropping in photo-realistically rendered furniture, lighting, accessories, art and wall coverings and changing the color of walls.

01 - This image of a modern home is from Autodesk Homestyler for iPad. It combines photography with photo-realistic rendered 3D elements obtained through the application and placed into a photogrammetry-constructed 3D invisible space that is to scale. (image courtesy of Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved.)

With a pop of the button you can now share that design socially both on social networks like Facebook and within the Homestyler community itself. By sharing your creations you can gather feedback from your social contacts–contacts that may include friends, family and even other design professionals you know.

Speaking of Design Professionals

And speaking of design professionals. Mary Hope McQuiston, Director of Business Development for the Consumer Group at Autodesk, told Architosh that “consumers in the AEC market still want to use design professionals, they just want a seat at the table. And one of the things they have struggled with is the ability to visualize ideas and plans and to communicate that with the professionals that they are working with.”

02 - Autodesk Homestyler for iPad allows users to discover design talent, find inspiration and learn about and test out products like furniture, rugs, paint colors all within their own environments. These environments can be built, partially under construction or virtual from an architect's BIM/CAD software.

Additionally, Autodesk has learned that the consumer in AEC on the home design side of the market want a starting point for inspiration. And they also want to be able to easily visualize the products and finishes they may be considering in their own space.

To that end Homestyler includes design professionals within its closed-garden community. Architosh was told that architects and interior designers can apply to be included. From within the application consumers can discover the design talents of architects and interior professionals, view portfolios and learn more about their approach to design.

More Details

Autodesk Homestyler for iPad includes features that are not found in the desktop web app and vice versa. For instance you cannot develop floor plans on the iPad version. And on the web version you cannot use photos to develop virtual 3D spaces of your home or planned home and drop in scaled elements.

Autodesk Homestyler for iPad can bring in any image from your iPad’s photos gallery. This can be a picture of a bare space (preferably) or a picture of a space created by a 3D program that your architect has generated for you.

To learn more and see it in action visit the link to the iOS store above.