Every line tells a story.
There is no better way to explore design ideas than to draw by hand. Tablet computers present an opportunity to enhance communication and interaction in the design process.
Two lines start a conversation.
Arrette Scale and Arrette Sketch are hand drawing apps for Apple iPads which allow architects and other designers to draw freehand while keeping their work at a measurable scale. Arrette Scale allows drawing, adding a base image, doing markups, changing scales instantly, measuring at scale, and sending drawings through email or other media. Arrette Scale is the professional-level app with all the tools for your work. Arrette Sketch is an introductory app with the basic tools of drawing at a defined scale.
The Pantheon in Paris, drawn with Arrette Scale
Three lines become poetry.
(in our eyes, anyway)
We have worked to keep Arrette simple to use so nothing comes between you and your design. Arrette provides the canvas for you to tell your own stories, in your own hand.
We strive for:
Simplicity
Like timeless design, simplicity and clarity are key. Arrette lets you start designing right away, in a way much like standard drawing. Draw freehand with your normal style so your drawings look like your drawings. Share your work with clients and colleagues instantly, no technical support required.
Creativity
Invent using the lines, erasers, layers and drawing tools you’re used to. Create in metric or imperial, start at any scale, and zoom to a comfortable view. Draw straight lines or freehand just like you do on paper.
Mobility
Have the materials you need, whenever you need them, wherever you are. Layer your ideas on top of existing base maps or scanned images. Exchange ideas at the touch of a button.
Arrette supports Apple Pencil and Apple iPad Pro (as well as all other Apple iPads from iPad 2 through current models)
With Arrette you can...
Stay at Scale
The Grid lets you know the scale of your drawing, no matter the zoom level. Set the Grid to metric or imperial. Use Distance and Area measurement tools to measure line lengths on the Grid or to find the perimeter and area of arbitrarily shaped objects in your drawing.
Draw Accurately
The Edge is a ruler and a protractor all in one. Lay down a few lines to guide your work, or use Line mode to draft carefully and keep all the lines straight. In Circle mode, hand draw perfect arcs and circles.
Add Base Information
Have the base images you need at your fingertips, from site plans to your previous designs. Import images from Maps, Photos, Dropbox or the Adobe Creative Cloud. Use the tools to set your bases to the scale and cardinal direction of your design.
Stack Up Ideas
Iterate without starting over using layers. Easily drop a new layer over your work and try a new idea. Re-order and hide layers as you work.
Share Your Work
Send your design to colleagues and clients when you’re ready, as a PDF, PNG, JPG or Arrette file. Post your designs to your Twitter accounts with a single tap or share with only the Facebook friends and groups you choose.
Organize and Access
Keep your drawings organized and available. Switch between them easily. Open designs shared with you from emails or Dropbox.
Advance your ideas, and your technique.
By taking advantage of drawing in the digital form, Arrette allows designers to design in the way they are used to, to communicate more easily with colleagues and clients, to keep drawings and base materials at hand, to do our work whenever and wherever inspiration finds us.
We invite you to give Arrette a try. Tell your stories.
"I love the simplicity and especially the way it's very intuitive. I just downloaded it and started using it without reading the instructions, until bit by bit I needed to know more." (Arrette user Andrea)
In the News
Arrette Scale was rated #1 on ArchDaily's Top 10 Technical Apps for Architects. archdai.ly/1tmgljN
Read James Taylor Foster's review here: archdai.ly/1s1vO4d