Four Innovative AEC Mobile Apps

During the last years, smartphones have become important tools also for professionals within the AEC industry. The boom in the mobile application designing industry has led to improved quality over the past couple of years.

For example, cloud-based project management tools help to save valuable time and resources by streamlining field communication and providing shared resources. When properly utilised, mobile apps provide cost-efficient ways to increase the efficiency of the workflow.

Here is a list of four innovative mobile apps relating to the AEC industry.

1. Sun Seeker by ozPDA (iPhone/iPad/Android)

Taking advantage of augmented reality, Sun Seeker provides a flat view compass and an augmented reality camera 3D view showing the solar path, its hour intervals, its winter and summer solstice paths, rise and set times. This app provides valuable information that is not easily available by any other means. It is a good example utilizing possibilities of augmented reality. For example, the app could be used by an architect to get a sense of the solar access of a site at different times of day or year.

Source: ArchDaily, Jul 9, 2014

2. Planimeter by VisTech.Projects (iPhone/iPad/Android)

Quick measurements of site boundaries could be obtained by this app which utilises satellite maps to calculate the area, perimeter and distance of a given site. Rough measurements could be used to estimate  the scale and resource requirements of the project. Measurements with attached notes can be saved as KML locally or shared by e-mail.

Source: VisTech.Projects, June 18, 2015

3. ArchiSnapper by Zorros (iPhone/iPad/Android/Web)

ArchiSnapper is a simple cloud-based field report and punch list tool designed to take away the time and effort required for producing construction site reports. It allows quick onsite collection of relevant data, including photographs and sketches. Draft versions of field reports could be quickly drafted and exported to PDF. The app includes both an online portion and an app for iOS or Android devices.

Source: Archisnapper.com, June 18, 2015

4. MagicPlan by Sensopia (iPhone/iPad/Android)

MagicPlan uses the camera of your mobile device to draw the floor plan of any room. The end product is an inside map which could be annotated and shared with other MagicPlan users. The floor plan could also be exported in multiple formats, including JPG and DXF. The app is currently available for both Android and iOS devices.

Source: Essenziale-hd.com, March 31, 2014