Since its original release the iPad has been hugely popular. In fact by the time Apple released the iPad2 they had sold over 15 million devices. With the iPad2 now thinner, faster and sporting a camera it’s becoming even more popular. I’ve had an iPad since near the beginning, and although it was mainly for fun at the start I’m starting to find it more and more useful for both work and play. With internet connection on tap wherever I go I can use time on the bus more effectively to do many tasks such as checking my emails. And although you can do this on a smartphone its not nearly as fun on a cramped screen.
Over the past six months I’ve churned through many an app, collecting the useful ones, and discarding those that are not so useful. I wanted to share some of my favourites, and also learn of others I may have missed. So after reading the list please feel free to add a comment if you know of any must have apps for engineers.
PCalc Lite Calculator
The iPad doesn’t ship with a calculator, or at least the iPad 1 didn’t. This free calculator does the job. No frills and my favourite price, free. You can pay for extra features but didn’t find them necessary.
Wind Tunnel App
This app is really amazing, and I can’t believe it only costs $1.99. The prime example of when to use this app is when someone asks ‘are turning vanes really required?’ now you can draw the duct in the wind tunnel and show them that yes, turning vanes are extremely important to the airflow. Other examples of use would be to show a client how wind will interact with their building especially lobby areas.
The screenshot doesn’t do this app justice, you really need to see it in action to understand.
Dropbox
Dropbox enables you to easily share files between multiple devices. Sign up for a free account online, set it up on your iPad and PC and then you can easily access files on all machines with no cables in sight. Need to discuss a spreadsheet or pdf in a meeting? Drop it into your dropbox folder, and pick it up on your iPad over the wireless.
SPL Meter
Ever fancied yourself as a sound engineer? This app is a portable sound pressure meter for your iPad. For accurate results calibration may be required, but if you have a bit of sound knowledge you can probably calibrate it yourself to get accurate enough readings.
Architizer
Contemporary architecture at your fingertips, browse through a library of over 20,000 architectural projects for inspiration whilst on the bus.
3D Via Mobile
If you’ve mastered a 3d program such as SketchUp you can use this app to upload and view 3d model on the go. Great for showing of work outside of the office.
Abobe Ideas
This vector based graphics program is the best drawing app I’ve found to date. Used in conjunction with a stylus (available at JB Hifi) it gives some great results. I use this to sketch on the go, it has replaced the need to carry a sketchbook. Sketches can be emailed as pdfs, and you can even sketch over the top of a photo.
Penultimate
This turns your iPad into a digital moleskine notebook. Complete with different types of paper. Again I find this app best used with a stylus.
Goodreader
Goodreader is the iPad version of bluebeam. You can view and markup pdfs and then flatten and email the comments to others. It links up with your dropbox account to make sharing files simple. I’ve used this to fill in online forms, including signing forms digitally with my finger. Saves the time and effort required to print and rescan documents.
And that concludes my favourite engineering apps for now…. If you have any you would like to share add a comment.
