Civil Engineering-Specific CAD/Plan Viewer & Markup Tool for iPad.

A civil engineer's request for an iPad app for building plans, similar to Google SketchUp but tailored for civil engineering, points to a specific and underserved market. Current general CAD or sketching apps on the iPad often miss the mark when it comes with the specialized features needed for civil engineering workflows. These might include support for specific file formats beyond basic PDFs and images, tools for precise site measurements, and libraries of standard civil engineering symbols. This opens up a SaaS opportunity for a dedicated iPad application, possibly with a web-based counterpart for project management and data synchronization.

The app (Product Form) should provide strong support for viewing, marking up, and light editing of common civil engineering file formats like DWG, DGN, LandXML, and IFC. Key features would include tools for accurate measurements relevant to site plans and infrastructure, such as distances, areas, volumes, slopes, and coordinates. It should also integrate civil engineering standards or symbol libraries and offer intuitive 2D drafting or 3D model viewing and navigation optimized for field use, with support for the Apple Pencil. Offline capabilities and cloud sync are must-haves.

Monetization (Expected Revenue) could be achieved through a monthly subscription model, priced for professional use, say between $25 and $75 per user per month. There could also be options for team or enterprise plans that offer collaborative features. The expected revenue per user is moderate to high, reflecting the value provided to a professional B2B/Prosumer audience who need specialized tools for efficiency and accuracy both in the field and in the office.