trace 2.0 iPad app for architects by morpholio project

trace 2.0 iPad app for architects by morpholio project
all images courtesy morpholio

the morpholio project has announced the launch of trace 2.0. originally released in september of 2012, the trace app explores the role of technology in the conceptual phase of the creative process through a digital version of ‘canary yellow’ trace paper. sketching, is now made easier, faster and more intuitive with trace, allowing users to instantly draw on top of imported images or background templates, and layer comments or ideas to generate immediate, intelligent, and beautiful drawings that are easy to circulate.

‘the goal of the app was to embrace and enhance the fast paced and messy process of idea building, bringing back hand drawing to a culture no longer beholden to the desktop computer.’ explains co-creator anna kenoff.

trace 2.0
video courtesy the morpholio project

trace 2.0 re-imagines the drawing process, now offering 12 vibrant filters such as ink, marker, and perforation that allow a simple hand drawn sketch or photo to take on new life.  ‘similar to the revolution in digital photography that allowed us to select the film after the photo was taken; trace 2.0 repositions the medium within the drawing process.’ says kenoff.  this allows the priority to remain on the thought and idea.  once you have developed a sketch, trace filters can add beauty, clarity, or appeal, making your idea more powerful.  by hybridizing drawing and rendering, the process still embodies the rapid, unencumbered evolution of creative thinking that sketching by hand is best for.

morpholio teamed up with graphic designer glenn cummings of MTWTF as well as multiple representatives from a diverse group of disciplines to research process and color. the result is a series of thoughtful color palettes curated for both beauty and intelligence.  these sophisticated palettes remove color selection agony from the creative process and allow a user to assemble a sketch with a choice of predefined sets of colors that work beautifully together. 

examples include automotive design palettes that feature reds and oranges as ‘break lights on and off,’ photography palettes that bring back the classically bright rainbow of ‘grease pens’, landscape versus site planning palettes, fashion templates that distinguish warm, cool, skin and accent tones, and many more.

red line drawings over floor plan

in trace 2.0 users can now go back-and-forth between layers of a sketch and add, edit or remove information as necessary. editing and comparison are now possible as you literally peel through iterations of a drawing. ‘the first word we thought of with trace 2.0 was “workflow.”  drawing in layers was already linking workflow and drawing in interesting ways, but 2.0 unlocks the potential for you to dive back into your drawing’s history for rediscovery.’ says co-creator toru hasegawa.

flip through layers