The free app makes it possible to view geo-located video and photos directly within AutoCAD.
Today IMSI/Design releases a free AutoCAD plug-in to its popular TurboSite mobile app for field and site survey. The plug-in allows AutoCAD users to add and view geo-located video, photos, mark-ups, and text notes taken in the field on an iPad or iPhone to be viewed directly inside AutoCAD.
TurboSite was introduced October 2012, and has become popular with architects and remodeling contractors. In August it was awarded the AIA 2013 National Convention’s “Best of Show” award.
As we reported when TurboSite shipped, the typical process of documenting a site walk-through and creating punch lists has only been partially automated by computers. It is all too typical for an architect, contractor, or client to make a site visit with a full set of printed building plans, a laptop, an extra battery, a digital camera, and maybe even a collapsible chair or small folding table. When the data is gathered, it is back to the office to create reports using a variety of applications. On site, TurboSite becomes a portable viewer of building plans. It supports all relevant formats for AEC, including DWG and PDF. The use can navigation through plans and saved views using iPad gestures. A feature called GeoWalk tracks location within a structure, while GeoNudge pinpoints exact location. Photos or videos can be taken and added to the drawing, geo-located on a separate layer over the existing data.
TurboSite integrates well with iPad/iPhone features; in addition to geo-location, TurboSite integrates with FaceTime or Skype, and drawings can be shared immediately as long as an Internet connection is available. Now with the addition of the AutoCAD plug-in, all AutoCAD users on a project can view geo-located video, photo, markup, and text documentation directly within AutoCAD.
The new TurboSite Plug-In for AutoCAD is free and available now through the Autodesk Exchange for AutoCAD. TurboSite for iPad and iPhone is $499 and available now through the Apple App Store as a free download; payment is a separate process through IMSI/Design.
