FieldSketcher 0.8.5

The current iteration of FieldSketcher offers a streamlined and precise tool designed for sketching floor plans during field inspections. Its primary function is to facilitate rapid documentation of property assessments, capturing measurements and inspection notes in real time. The resulting, fully-documented sketches are readily accessible for integration into official reports, minimizing the need for repetitive inputs.

Target Users:

• Professionals engaged in property evaluation and documentation including real estate appraisers, building inspectors, agents, insurance adjusters, designers, and prospective buyers or sellers. The application is ideal for those who require quick, accurate floor plan sketches that can be seamlessly uploaded to other computer programs.

Actions:

• Utilizing an iPad paired with a measuring tape, inspectors can directly input property dimensions by drawing annotations on the device’s surface through intuitive hand gestures and contextual menus. It is important to note that FieldSketcher functions primarily as a sketching tool rather than a detailed blueprint creator. By constraining the app’s scope, users can efficiently map interiors without the complexity associated with traditional CAD software. The application simplifies the process by mimicking familiar pencil-and-paper drawing while automatically calculating and embedding measurement data within the sketches.

Gestures:

• Tap: Selects on-screen elements to activate them.
• Drag: Draws lines by moving a finger across the screen, simulating pencil strokes; activated elements’ points can be repositioned via dragging.
• Two-finger Scroll: Moves the view across the drawing surface.
• Pinch: Adjusts zoom level of the displayed image for detailed work or overview.

Screen Organization:

• Center: A blank sheet of graph paper forms the main drawing surface.
• Right Sidebar: Contains tabbed options similar to an old-fashioned notebook. When accessed, it provides a library of common architectural shapes such as bay windows and curves that can be inserted into the sketch.
• Left Sidebar: Displays property address at the top; below, it summarizes drawing dimensions and contents.
• Top Command Line: Features icons including Center (to re-center the view), Ruler (for measurement customization), Eraser (for deleting shapes), and Upload (to export sketches as PDFs or send to a connected device).
• Bottom Command Line: Contains a plus sign icon used to add additional sections or components to the drawing.

Settings:

• Grid parameters are specified in inches with automatic conversion to square feet for area calculations, adjustable via the Ruler icon to customize measurement grids.
• Exact measurements can be inputted by activating a line and editing its dimensions through a popup interface allowing precise data entry.

Definitions:

• Points: Intersections where walls or features join, serving as control points within the sketch.
• Line: Represents straight edges between two points; walls are sections of lines encapsulating specific measured segments.
• Shapes: Architectural features such as walls, turrets, or bay windows. Shapes are accessed from a sidebar library, then placed onto the drawing canvas via tap-and-drag actions. Their dimensions can be refined post-placement to match actual measurements without complex calculations.

The application functions as a droppable feature tool, enabling easy integration of predefined shapes onto existing layouts without extensive manipulation. For further information, visit FieldSketcher Support.