I’ve seen people use iPad Pros for architecture. There are several CAD softwares oriented around that on iPadOS.
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All iPads The iPad will never be a Mac, and the Mac will never be an iPad
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CAD software that architects both use and need are not available on iPad.
I don’t think you can speak for all architects, just like I can’t. But I’ve seen people use it for that, and I know there are CAD softwares on iPadOS specifically geared for architecture.
I’m not speaking for all architects. I’m stating facts. Architecture software costs thousands of dollars and is only available on Mac and PC. What is available on iPad is just a shell and can’t be used on their own for the work.
As an aside, I originally trained as an Architect but went into software design and development.
You are not stating facts, you’re stating opinions as if they are facts, and making claims that don’t hold up to reality. There are architure apps on the iPad. Architecture software is available on the iPad. It is not “only available on Mac and PC” as you are claiming.
Now you are making things up and clearly do not understand what architecture software is and what is required for Architects to use. AutoCAD; ArchiCAD, and others like it are only available on Mac and PC, not the iPad. That is a fact. This kind of CAD software only runs on Mac and PC and is very resource intensive. The features in these applications are required for the work of a professional Architect and are mostly unavailable in shell based applications on the iPad. For instance, AutoCAD has a 360 mobile app but lacks many of the features needed by Architects.
Windows has generally also always been the best platform to run professional architecture software on as the leading CAD programs generally offer the most features and best performance on Windows. These programs can cost as much as $10,000 or more per year in licensing costs.
And? AutoCAD on iPadOS is still an architecture app. And there are other architecture apps as well other than just AutoCAD. Just because AutoCAD and/or ArchiCAD are popular doesn’t mean they’re the only option. That would be like saying Photoshop is the only graphic design software, or Lightroom is the only photo editing software, ignoring all of the other very capable competing softwares that do the same things. An app designed and created for architecture is an architecture app, not one you pulled off an arbitrary list. You’re claiming there are no architecture apps on the iPad, this clearly isn’t true unless you’ve decided you get to decide what counts as architecture apps. So, respectfully, it looks like it is you who are making things up, because you seem to believe that you get to make up the standards on what apps count as architecture apps, and which don’t.
What professional architects use and require is not available on the iPad. I will keep repeating that fact and you can run off to Google and search high and low and you will see that it is a fact.
So now here you go again speaking for all “professional architects”. You cannot possibly try to make such claims for all architects, unless you are the only professional architect on the planet. Which obviously is not the case. So it is not a fact, it’s simply your opinion. And the burden of evidence falls on you, because you are making the claim there are no architecture apps on the iPad, and I have demonstrated there are such apps on the iPad. You made a false claim, and rather than admit that you’re wrong, and cannot possibly make such a claim, you’ve dug in your heels.
I will continue to respond to you and I will repeat the fact that there is no professional 2D/3D architecture software available for the iPad. The burden is not on me. You are the one who argues otherwise and you are the one who has no evidence to the contrary.
I have also already stated two top professional architecture programs that are not available on the iPad. Professional 2D/3D CAD programs like AutoCAD use industry standards, have specific file formats and have specific features including working with plotters and 3D printers, etc. and these designs can then be used by commercial developers to build to spec and code. These applications specifically are what architects train on and become professionals in their ability to use this specific class of software.
What is available on the iPad is concept sketching and consumer/light solutions, not professional 2D/3D CAD design that is used for complex design.
So, now we’re back to you believe you get to decide which apps are “professional architecture apps” and which aren’t. And AutoCAD is on the iPad, so again you’re making another false claim. The burden is on you, because you made the original false claim, and I rightly called you out on it. And good luck proving your claims, because you can’t.
And, btw, concept sketching can be part of a professional workflow. Saying a software isn’t “professional” because it can’t do everything in a workflow is obviously ridiculous. An app that does part of a professional workflow can be considered a professional app.
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AutoCAD that is required by professional architects is not on the iPad. AutoCAD is only available on Mac and PC. The AutoCAD on iPhone and iPad is a web mobile version that lacks the features needed by professional architects to produce 2D/3D designs for developers. It is only meant for light editing. And as we see, that is also directly stated by Autodesk. I will continue to respond to you and repeat the fact professional 2D/3D CAD software required by architects is not available on the iPad and only available on Mac and PC.
It is not a fact, it’s your opinion, and you can’t prove it. And you claimed AutoCAD wasn’t available on iPad. It is, just with less features. Those two things are not the same thing. You made a false claim that it wasn’t on the iPad, even though it is.
And again, you seem to think you can decide for everyone what counts as “professional architecture software”, but that’s simply laughable, and not the case. Who died and made you king? You even said earlier that you aren’t even an architect.
Also, another core assumption of your claim is that the only softwares that count as “professional” are all-in-one apps that can perform your whole workflow. But that simply isn’t true. Many professionals use multiple apps for different parts or aspects of their workflow. This doesn’t make these apps any less “professional” because they’re only geared toward a specific aspect of a professional workflow, it just means it’s geared towards that part of a professional’s workflow.
My son hates Apple computers and all their devices. Due to loosing his picture library while holidaying in for 7 weeks, and inadvertently not paying his iCloud subscription. He's never got them back.
He owns a building services company, and has a franchise from a multi-national for 3D analysis into BIM modelling and historical progess. The franchisor is owned by the largest robotics company in the world. They only use iPad Minis for scanning live data collection and data transfer. So despite his hatred of Apple, my son owns several iPads.
Your son is a rational and obviously very smart person. Thanks for sharing this excellent example of professional work being performed using an iPad mini. Love it! 🙏🏽
I’m pretty sure I read his post the way he meant it. I’m also pretty sure you read the part about his son hating Apple, and then either completely missed or misinterpret this part:
My interpretation:
- His son is a professional and a business owner.
- His son’s firm uses iPad minis to perform professional work — “despite his hatred of Apple.”
Yes. And sometimes it is co-opted and used as a blunt object by some to try and bolster weak arguments.
Nobody, including me, has ever said the iPad can't be used for professional work. What I and others have said is that the Mac is more geared for professional use, and the further along a spectrum of professional use one goes, the more Macs become necessary.
There are countless examples of how this actually works in reality. Here are a few:
- There is no professional 2D/3D CAD programs that professional architects use on iPad. The market leader, AutoCAD, has a lightweight, stripped down web app of AutoCAD that can be accessed on the iPad. It does not do 3D rendering or even core 2D CAD design and many other missing features compared to the desktop versions that professional architects require in complex projects. There are just a handful of these applications in the world and Architects get certified on this software. It's also critical that Architects don't use non-standardized software to design the buildings that we live and work in for a number of reasons, including safety.
- There is effectively no Macros support with Excel for the iPad. Here is Microsoft's reply to someone asking for it:
- Those who do special effects for motion pictures don't use iPads: they use powerful desktop computers with lots of computing power to create content because the power is required to process the special effects and to have all of the features they need to do their work.
- Business Analysts use powerful desktop computers and multiple screens so they can map out complex business processes and work with a large array of documents and other related artifacts.
- Professional Video Editors use powerful desktop computers and multiple screens to edit videos because they need the screen real estate, the higher resolution screens not supported by iPad (iPad is limited to one 4K monitor and reduced refresh rates)... and the software that only runs on more powerful computers.
- Many of Adobe's applications on iPad are a shell of what the desktop versions of many of the applications are, and some applications are entirely not available on the iPad.
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This is a non-answer to my statements and question — which I’ll take as an implicit concession that you were wrong. And since you insist on hijacking every post to make it about you, perhaps you should review what you have actually said over the course of this thread vs what you’re now claiming without actually admitting that you’ve apparently changed your mind. You’ve gone from stating that the iPad was at best suited for “prosumer” work to claiming that the iPad can be used for “light“ professional work or to start professional work and now stating that the Mac is “more geared for professional use“ — while claiming this is what you’ve always said. Throughout this dialogue you continue to miss the simple point that none of us are the authority on what qualifies as professional work or whether or not the iPad can be used for “serious” professional work. So please stop trying to bludgeon everyone into accepting your opinions as the laws of nature.
The iPad will never compete with more powerful desktop computers for professional applications. It is limited by its thermal constraints, small screen sizes, limited software and hampered multi-tasking ability, lack of peripheral support, lack of multi-monitor and higher resolution monitor support with reduced refresh rates, its lack of precise point and click input mode, among other issues.
Are you familiar with the Pareto Principle? Occam’s Razor? Wabi Sabi? Or Einstein’s advice that “Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler.”? If not, explore them and perhaps you’ll understand this apparent koan.
The debate here is about two sides: the iPad is being used for Pro work. And the iPad is unsuitable for Pro work.
It is obvious though that an iPad could be more suitable for Pro work. To what extent is the issue.
Fact is though that desktop computers are loosing their status as the main crunching power in many work environments. There is a future scenario where the bigger the job, the more likely it's going to be done in the cloud. And as desktops diminish, notebooks become more important. And as notebooks diminish, pads are trending to become more important.
Apple lost the office workspace. If they don't take the pad space seriously, they may miss out on pros using iPads for their workspace.
Apple doesn't want a hybrid between a notebook and an iPad. They are missing out on a distinct niche that could be bigger than they realise. All because they have two business units fighting for their own profits. Apple should focus on what customers want, not on protecting a business unit. And potentially missing out on great opportunities.
It is obvious though that an iPad could be more suitable for Pro work. To what extent is the issue.
Fact is though that desktop computers are loosing their status as the main crunching power in many work environments. There is a future scenario where the bigger the job, the more likely it's going to be done in the cloud. And as desktops diminish, notebooks become more important. And as notebooks diminish, pads are trending to become more important.
Apple lost the office workspace. If they don't take the pad space seriously, they may miss out on pros using iPads for their workspace.
Apple doesn't want a hybrid between a notebook and an iPad. They are missing out on a distinct niche that could be bigger than they realise. All because they have two business units fighting for their own profits. Apple should focus on what customers want, not on protecting a business unit. And potentially missing out on great opportunities.
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