Metvibee is an easy-to-use participatory urban design app using Augmented Reality (AR) tech. While Metvibee is under development, we’ve released a beta version where you can have a taste of how the app will help you with better collaboration in urban planning and design processes!
You can download the latest version of Metvibee at https://linktr.ee/metvibee .
As of December 2024, the newest iOS version is 2024-09-26 and the newest Android version is 2024-10-13.
1. Download and install
Navigate to our Linktree at https://linktr.ee/metvibee :
a) iOS version: TestFlight
Metvibee uses TestFlight to deliver its beta testing version. TestFlight is an app testing platform that allows you to download and test apps that are not yet listed on the App Store.
Click on the first button to download TestFlight:
After you’ve downloaded TestFlight, click on the second button:
… then accept the developer’s invitation and download the app.
b) Android version
At this moment (Dec 18, 2024) there are two Android versions publicly available:
- 2024-10-13 version (newest version): this version has a Draw function, but the Text function is not working properly (we’re fixing it)
- 2024-09-26 version: Text function works properly, but there’s no Draw function
Choose the version you’d like to use and download the APK file:
(You can choose one of the versions or both of them. The two app versions are compatible with each other.)
If you’re prompted to change your settings, click “Settings” on the popup and enable “Unknown Sources”. Then your phone will ask you if you want to install the APK file.
2. Design
Click Start on the screen to start designing! (The start screen may look differently depending on version)
Detection of surfaces
You may be prompted to scan your surroundings with your phone. This is for the app to recognize flat surfaces and map them to a 3D model; you need to hold your phone and rotate a full circle, so that the phone can sense surfaces.
(In the newest Android version, this prompt will not appear.)
Surfaces are shown as a milky white area with white dots on it. These are the areas that you can place 3D objects on.
a) Object
Click on the “Object” icon at the bottom.
Choose the object you’d like to use:
Spawn the object by tapping on the area with white dots:
 In the iOS and the 2024-09-26 Android version, you’ll be prompted to tap on the screen to spawn the object. |  In the newest Android version, you won’t be prompted; simply tap on the screen to spawn the object. |
Transform object
Click on the purple cube above the object to enable transformation and rotation. This cube will not appear in the newest Android version; you can simply resize and rotate the object with your hand.
You can perform the following transformations to an object:
- Move by using one finger
- Resize by using two fingers to do an enlarge/minimize gesture
- Rotate by using two fingers to do a rotation gesture
If you see the Trash Can icon, it means you’re in the Object Transformation Mode. In the newest Android version, the Trash Can icon will replace the Object icon when an object is selected.
Delete object
You can delete the object by clicking the Trash Can icon:
b) Drawing
At present, the drawing mode is available only with the latest Android version.
Cick on AR Draw at the top of the screen:
Draw directly on the screen:
At this moment you can’t choose the color or stroke width. We’re working on these features in the upcoming versions.
c) Text
At present, the text mode may not work properly in the latest Android version. We’re aware of the problem and are fixing it. The text mode continues to work with the previous Android version and with the newest iOS version.
You can add Text by choosing the “What’s Your Big Idea?” object in the Object Library:
Click on the text box at the top of the spawned object:
Input your text:
Collaborative design function
Currently on the beta version, only you can see what you’ve designed, and this design is not saved (see below on screen capture). However, in the future you can invite collaborators to participate in your design; you’ll be able to do so by sharing a shortlink or QR code. You’ll also be able to see, at real time, what your collaborators are designing!
3. Make a screencap and share
The current test version doesn’t have a saving function yet, so whatever you design in one session will not be saved for the future. In the future, you’ll be able to save your design on the cloud and share with your co-designers.
Make a screen capture (screencap) so that you can keep track of your what you’ve designed.
Do you want to document your design? After you made a screen capture of the app, you can share your design by sending the screencapped image to others. Send us your screenshot through private message at our Instagram handle @metvibee , and we’ll post it there (also visible on our homepage)!
In the future, you’ll be able to save your designs in the cloud, invite collaborators through sharing a shortlink or QR code, and see what your collaborators are designing in your project real-time.
4. Give feedback
Please give us feedback at https://forms.gle/RVQnRMLdg2jLj9MFA 🙂
5. Sign up for our presale!
Don’t forget to sign up for our presale at https://www.metvibee.com/pricing !
