Technology in Architectural Practice

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The AIA Technology in Architectural Practice Knowledge Community (TAP) serves as a resource for AIA members, the profession, and the public in the deployment of computer technology in the practice of architecture. TAP leaders monitor the development of computer technology and its impact on architecture practice and the entire building life cycle, including design, construction, facility management, and retirement or reuse.

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Join us in San Francisco on June 7 for the TAP Symposium at A'23, a continuation of our TAP BCC series!

  • 1.  Seeking recommendations for digital sketch tools

    Posted 03-23-2023 06:42 PM

    I have a client who really needs to "think out loud," calculate, and cogitate on paper. He gives me a verbose wish list, I put it in the plan, and then he tells me that's not what he wanted. Traditional methods of communication and collaboration are not working.

    So - I need digital sketch capability to mark up plans in real time during virtual meetings. I think, ideally, it would be an e-ink device with stylus and color drawing capability. It needs to connect to my laptop for virtual meeting screen sharing, but I also want to work remotely without being tethered to a computer or power cord. In a perfect world, it would double as a device for photo editing and marketing design. Am I asking for too much?

    I've read reviews for various devices that seem to check a few, but not all, of those boxes. Would greatly appreciate recommendations for devices and software that have worked well for others for digital drawing markups.

    Many thanks -



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    Jessica Zeigler-Cihlar, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, NCARB
    Village Architecture & Preservation
    jzc@village-architecture.com
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    Join us at A'23 for technology sessions! June 7-10, San Francisco. Click here to learn more.


  • 2.  RE: Seeking recommendations for digital sketch tools

    Posted 03-24-2023 05:52 PM

    Nothing better than a surface pro with the drawboard app.  Does it all, you will never print a drawing or shop drawing again to markup

     

    regards,

     

    Larry Goldberg, aia, ncarb

     

    larry goldberg architect,

    732-239-0280

     




    Join us at A'23 for technology sessions! June 7-10, San Francisco. Click here to learn more.


  • 3.  RE: Seeking recommendations for digital sketch tools

    Posted 03-27-2023 08:11 PM

    My surface book is almost 6 years old and I still love it.  Since the pandemic started, it has been my daily machine too (it's actually my personal machine).  I don't use the screen like you want to very often (although that is why I bought it), but I have and it is easy to use and intuitive.  Get the best version which is what I did and it will last a long time. I assume the new ones also have the power management which would allow you to stop it from charging at 80% to preserve the battery (if you have it plugged in all the time).  You have to go in and set that up.

    Tom



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    Thomas Fallon AIA
    Benner Stange Associates Architects, Inc.
    Portland OR
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  • 4.  RE: Seeking recommendations for digital sketch tools

    Posted 03-24-2023 06:24 PM
    Surface Studio Laptop. 

    Brian L Van Winkle, AIA NCARB
    Principal | Direct: (314) 324-2542
    Vessel Architecture & Design



    Join us at A'23 for technology sessions! June 7-10, San Francisco. Click here to learn more.


  • 5.  RE: Seeking recommendations for digital sketch tools

    Posted 03-27-2023 08:17 AM

    I've been using a Samsung Galaxy 8 Ultra. It's a 14" screen so it's super easy to review documents and has a great stylus for sketching/writing. Concept app is my go-to drawing app. Let me know if you have any other questions!



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    Michael Johnston AIA
    McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture
    Columbia, SC
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  • 6.  RE: Seeking recommendations for digital sketch tools

    Posted 03-28-2023 05:26 PM
    I'm not sure if you've got an Ipad but Sketchup now has an ipad version that comes with a standard pro subscription (I'm pretty sure it's around $300 USD).  Best of all you can continue where you left off when you get back into the office... No disconnect.  
    If you're looking at collaborating with other parties that don't have Sketchup you can use a plugin called PlusArchitect that enables you to export the 3d model to a browser so contractors engineers and clients can comment or build a designed.  
    I hope that helps, all the best. 



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  • 7.  RE: Seeking recommendations for digital sketch tools

    Posted 03-27-2023 03:26 PM

    Thank you, everyone, for your very helpful feedback. For anyone else who is interested, the leading recommendations are (in no particular order):

    Surface Pro or Surface Studio / Drawboard

    Samsung Galaxy 8 / Concept

    iPad / Notability

    iPad / Morpholio

    Miro, OneNote

    Thanks again - your time is appreciated.



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    Jessica Zeigler-Cihlar, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, NCARB
    Village Architecture & Preservation
    jzc@village-architecture.com
    ------------------------------

    Join us at A'23 for technology sessions! June 7-10, San Francisco. Click here to learn more.


  • 8.  RE: Seeking recommendations for digital sketch tools

    Posted 03-29-2023 06:07 PM

    Hello,

    I suggest the SurfacePro 9 with I7 processor, 32 GB RAM, and 1 TB SSD for a purchase that will last a long time.  I have the SurfacePro 7+ and it runs all the software listed so far: DrawBoard, Concept App, SketchUP, AND all the typical Architecture software: AutoCAD, Revit, and the #1 PDF markup app "BlueBeam Revu".

    I know it also runs MicroStation, Blender, and Rino.  Obviously, it runs most any other software you can imagine because it runs MicroSoft Windows OS. 

    I did a quick search on Reddit  r/Architects and found under "Best software for concept design/development": they listed Rhino, Blender, and SketchUp.  (Maybe Chief Architect for Residential).

    I use my SurfacePro 7+ at three different locations and simply plug into docking stations to access 2 or 3 large monitors at each location.  All my files sync safely to the OneDrive Cloud where I can share them with others when necessary.  All the "MS Office" software is available with the Microsoft 365 subscription ($70/year).

    As you can tell, I'm happy with my purchase. 

    Best Wishes,



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    Kevin Rush AIA
    Architectural Design Partners, P.A.
    Minneapolis MN
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    Join us at A'23 for technology sessions! June 7-10, San Francisco. Click here to learn more.


  • 9.  RE: Seeking recommendations for digital sketch tools

    Posted 03-31-2023 09:44 AM

    In my office, everyone has a Windows workstation laptop (running Autodesk, Rhino, and Adobe) and an iPad. I use an iPad Air, which is a good balance between the basic and the pro versions - and has the magnetic pencil, which is key. (The basic iPad has a pencil that must be plugged in, which is a hassle.) We extensively use Goodnotes for multi-sheet markups, and we can share the live file within project teams via the cloud for working collaboratively in Goodnotes. It also has a nice presentation mode when connected to a display, which we use for real-time markup and note-taking in client meetings. For sketching/drawing with layers and at scale, we use Concepts, which is very capable and user-friendly, and also has a nice presentation mode. Autodesk and Rhino have apps for viewing models on iPad, and Photoshop is available on iPad with an Adobe subscription, though I tend to use it on my workstation out of habit. Zoom allows for wireless screen sharing from an iPad, even when using a PC.

    We use OneDrive for file transfer between iPad and workstation, which has 1 TB of space with an Office subscription. We've been using these apps/workflows since before the pandemic, and it works very well for our office.



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    Nicholas Rebeck AIA
    Rothschild Doyno Collaborative
    Pittsburgh PA
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    Join us at A'23 for technology sessions! June 7-10, San Francisco. Click here to learn more.