Many think that digital technology has taken over many things that used to be done with pen and paper, but I think enhance is a better word to use, as technology advances, so does architecture, the drawings stay the same but the tools used to create changes.
I still use my pencils, T squares, and French curves for the initial design process. Sometimes those lines you think are mistakes turn out to be beautiful creations, you could also use a graphics tablet with a stylus like the Wacom. These graphic tablets give the same feeling and some are created with pressure sensitivity to make drawing feel natural. below are 20 Essential Drawing Tools and Materials For Architects and Designers.
Essential Drawing Tools
Pencils
1.Wood encased pencils
Wood encased pencils are readily available and are mostly used for freehand drawing or sketching, normally not the number one choice when drafting, but a pencil that can still be used if sharpened correctly.
2.Lead holders
The lead holder pencil point is Capable of various weights, you should always keep it sharpened with a lead point, they come with a push-button allowing you to either adjust withdraw the pencil length
3.Mechanical Pencils
Make sure that the sleeve is long enough to clear the edges of a drafting triangle When choosing a mechanical pencil, the advantages of these pencils are, they do not need sharpening
Lead sizes are 0.3 mm, 0.5 mm, and 0.9 mm
Erasers
4.Vinyl
The eraser of choice for drafters is also referred to as plastic or drafting eraser, you, however, need to be careful when erasing because they can easily damage paper when you apply too much pressure
5.Liquid correction fluid
Liquid correction fluid is a normal white fluid that when applied to paper mask errors
6.Electric Eraser
Electric erasers are useful if you want to erase large areas, you can erase pencil, ink, and charcoal drawings
Pens
7.Fountain pens
Fountain pens are not suitable for drafting but are ideal for freehand sketching and writing, it contains water-based ink that is fed with capillary action, fountain pens come in extra-fine, fine, medium and broad sizes.
8.Technical pens
Technical pens are the pen alternatives of lead holders and mechanical pencils, they produce precise consistent lines without applying pressure. The tubular point should be long enough to clear the thickness of drafting equipment just like the lead holder and mechanical pencils
There are many sizes available from 0.13 mm to 0.70 mm.
9.T squares
T-squares are relatively low cost and portable it needs a straight edge against which the head can slide.
10.Triangles
Precision tools used to draw lines at specific angles.
11.Adjustable triangles
Adjustable triangles have a movable leg held in place with a thumbscrew, it combines the function of a triangle and a protractor.
12.Compasses
Used for drawing circles or arcs, Compasses can also be used to measure the distance.
13.French curves
A nightmare when you use it for the first time, but a great tool to draw smooth curves of varying radii.
14.Protractor
Protractors are usually transparent plastic or glass semicircular instruments for measuring and plotting angles, they also come in bevel form or as a two-sided protector
15. Pens tablets / Pen displays and pen computers
Pens tablets / Pen displays and pen computers are the digital equivalents of pencil and paper, you can draw countless iterations without running out of pen and paper, the pen tablet does not come with a screen and has to be connected to the computer while the pen computer and pen display show a display you can draw on directly, the pen display connects to a computer while the pen computer is a fully mobile device giving you the freedom of designing and editing on the move.
16.Drawing boards
The drawing board is still a great piece of equipment to have, Although seen as antique by some, it’s the one thing I believe should always be in an architect designer or artist office or studio
CAD Software
17.Autocad
AutoCAD is a commercial computer-aided design and drafting software application. Developed and marketed by Autodesk, AutoCAD keeps innovating and adding new features that make computer-aided drafting intuitive and fun.
18.Revit
Autodesk Revit is building information modeling software for architects, landscape architects, structural engineers, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineers, designers, and contractors
Also, the right choice if you want to cut down the amount of time spent on a project
