Top 10 architecture apps

Any time we take a trip on the train or subway, any free moment we have in the office or at home, our tablets and smartphones provide us leisurely distractions.

But in this age of portable technology, ready to serve us instantly, the uses of these machines are endless. Distraction is just one side of the spectrum.

In these crucial times in which computer towers are fading away, we have to adapt ourselves to remain competitive in the work market.
Work compatible apps are arising and it is time to get to know them better.

We have created a selection of apps for lovers and professionals in the architecture industry for any need possible.
Here are the the top 10 apps for android and iOS - Architecture Edition!

 

#1 PAPER

Paper is an incredible aid for the creative on the move.

Any idea we have will be moments away from being recreated with the mere touch of our fingers.
This app stands out for the ease of navigation between your drawings and the detail in which you may draw them.

Five customizable tools, an empty canvas and infinite notepads to fill up help this software to outshine the competition in the sketching category.
Already extensively awarded and revered by Apple and it's fans, it's a simple and efective app that any artist should have in their arsenal.

 

#2 SKETCHBOOK PRO

For those who want a more complete experience, a professional-grade level of illustration software, the best alternative seems to be the SketchBook Pro.
Any professional in the illustration or design industry should know this app, seeing as how it's starting to be an industry standard.
It is time that architecture enthusiasts and professionals have access to the same tools!

To describe Sketchbook's functionality just imagine having access to any drawing or painting tool from the tip of your fingers.
Fill up your drawing gallery with multiple sized drawings of any complexity, made with the greatest of detail.

There are tablets and pens made specifically for the best results in this context. But first, try this at home or at work.
Just be careful not to spend hours upon hours letting out your creativity!

 

#3 MOPHOLIO TRACE

In the world of architecture there is a tool with which we cannot do without: Layers.
For a profession filled with trial and error and multiple versions of the same project, any architect needs a way of redrawing sketches.

Mopholio Trace is a project that aims to answer to the digital need to recreate drawings on top of old ones without the need to spend physical paper and cut down trees.
By importing an image or photograph to our device we gain access to a menu for extra layers and colors for which to draw upon.
A minimalist approach is used for maximum efectiveness.

 

#4 AUTODESK FORMIT

After sketching out a project, it's time to give it shape.
For those who need a BIM tool for Android or iOS, Autodesk Formit is the way to go.

As an industry leader in the design of architecture and engineering projects, Autodesk has created dozens of software programs for techical 2D and 3D drawing for the PC. Now that the era of the PC is almost over, it is time for the company to show it's worth in the portable realm.

Have you ever dreamed of drawing an entire project in the place in which it is supposed to be built whilst the drawing software gathers data on it while you draw?With a vast three-dimentional library of shapes and all the editing tools we've come accustomed to with added GPS functionalities, Formit is attempting to become a new industry standard.

 

#5 IANNOTATE

After drawing and giving a project shape, the creative process splits itself into different paths.

If a working team is to maintain itself coordinated, it'll have to produce several work documents and then review them.
For those who need a software to open, edit, comment and outline documents, the solution is iAnnotate.

This cloud compatible software has management, exploration and creation functions for any text or presentation.
Read, mark and share your documents anywhere!

 

#6 GRAPHISOFT BIMX

As soon as the project takes shape, sharing and showing it to everyone is paramount.

To show your 3D models with ease Graphisoft BIMx is there to help.
(If you are using BIM software.)

Walk inside your own buildings, as if you were really there!
This software allows multiple ways to navigate your project from any angle needed to show it off.
So put on your 3D glasses and enjoy the ride in one of the most real experiences the app market has to offer!

 

#7 MAGICPLAN

Finished projects like our own home, or the one we have our eye on, sometimes don't have their plans and measurements handy for important occasions.
Sometimes there is no way to get them unless we spent a couple of hours with the old measuring tape!
For many people and companies, this information is in high demand.
Now there is an easy way to get them! MagicPlan.

Imagine measuring up an entire apartment solely by holding up your tablet!
Better still, imagine using this to measure whilst the app draws the home's plan by itself!

A must-have for home rennovations and house retail.

 

#8 MYPANTONE

To choose those new drapes for your room, or the right paint job for your kitchen table, one must know a thing or two about color.

Many designers and architects spend hours of their lives choosing the right color for the right place.
For that purpose we've used the Pantone catalogue for years.

To save time and select those colors, we recommend that you try the new myPANTONE - a database of over 13 thousand colors, ready to be gathered into an intriguing pallet!

Save your favorite colors on your device and find the right combinations to match them!

 

#9 HOUZZ

To whom would rather see houses instead of drawing them, we have Houzz.
325 thousand photos from 55 thousand architects, interior designers, photographers, construction companies and other professionals, divided into several categories for your delight!

With the ability to save and comment on different designs, interact with the home-loving community and know more about the subject, it's an incredible way to spend hours on end exploring different design possibilities for your home.

Based on the Houzz website, this app has the power to captivate users and guide them amongst the necessary contacts to recreate any decoration style in the world on their own house.

 

#10 PHOTOSHOP EXPRESS

After finding the right designs or having taken the ideal photos, someone needs to edit them.
For those who seek the perfect shot to show off to the world - Photoshop Express is the quickest way to guarentee great results.

Cheaper and simpler than using the industry standard, Adobe Photoshop, Express fixes up any issues on smartphone pictures in seconds.

Even though it has the simple Autocorrect button ready to do the work for you, there are endless options to change the luminosity, contrast, color or size of your photos.

Through a mere touch we can change the focus, saturation or any parameter of your images, making this app a delight for photo tinkerers.

 

Beyond these 10 software programs and all their uses, there is a vast array of tools available on the market, most of them free!

Nowadays all you need to do is think about what you need and, like magic, you'll find an app for anything.