Technology in Architectural Practice

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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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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Original Message:
Sent: 03-24-2023 05:52 PM
From: Larry Goldberg
Subject: Seeking recommendations for digital sketch tools

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

 

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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Original Message:
Sent: 3/27/2023 8:17:00 AM
From: Michael Johnston AIA
Subject: RE: Seeking recommendations for digital sketch tools

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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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
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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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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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If you are Windows user in your professional life, but appreciate the sophistication of the iPad and apple pencil, you can connect your iPad to your PC as a second monitor using an app called Duet Display. This approach allows you to add touchscreen and stylus capabilities to a PC that otherwise is lacking. The app also works both wired and wireless, and supports IOS and Android devices. Pick your poison! 

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Matthew Edmonds AIA
Page Southerland Page, Inc
Centennial CO
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Original Message:
Sent: 9/6/2023 1:39:00 PM
From: Matthew L. Edmonds AIA
Subject: RE: Seeking recommendations for digital sketch tools

If you are Windows user in your professional life, but appreciate the sophistication of the iPad and apple pencil, you can connect your iPad to your PC as a second monitor using an app called Duet Display. This approach allows you to add touchscreen and stylus capabilities to a PC that otherwise is lacking. The app also works both wired and wireless, and supports IOS and Android devices. Pick your poison! 

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Matthew Edmonds AIA
Page Southerland Page, Inc
Centennial CO
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Original Message:
Sent: 9/8/2023 8:21:00 AM
From: Mark Arthur Schmieding FAIA
Subject: RE: Seeking recommendations for digital sketch tools

There is a new product for smart sketching of building/project design on the iPad called Codesign. Although I don't use an iPad much, it looks very interesting: https://www.getcodesign.co/

Mark Schmieding, FAIA
Digital Practice Consultant
+1 312-576-2426

Plot Twist  -  Generative AI May Actually Encourage Architects to Draw MORE - Architizer Journal

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Steve Rone
UES
Cincinnati OH
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