Scale detection and calibration

Checks plan and title-block scale details, then lets you calibrate a page against a known dimension when needed.

Calibrate before measuring so the drawing distance becomes a real-world quantity. This matters for both simple runs and commercial plans with different sheet scales.

Before you start

Availability: Business plan and above. Enabled business features, role permissions, connected providers and supported devices may add requirements.

Documented roles: Owner, Office. A role name alone does not override the permissions set by your business.

Where to find it: Takeoffs > Scale and calibration.

Find a clear written dimension on the exact page being measured. Check that the dimension applies to the chosen view rather than an inset, detail or differently scaled section.

Check the cropped drawing's calibration before measuring. Cropping changes sheet dimensions, so do not reuse an A3 paper-size preset for the excerpt.
Check the cropped drawing's calibration before measuring. Cropping changes sheet dimensions, so do not reuse an A3 paper-size preset for the excerpt. Select the image to view it at full size.

Step by step

  1. Choose Detect scale (all pages) to scan the drawing and title block for a proposed scale on each page.
  2. Review the units and ratio on every page before using them; pages in the same PDF can have different scales.
  3. If a page's scale is missing or wrong, choose Calibrate two points, click the two ends of a printed dimension, then enter its real length and unit.
  4. Measure another known dimension as a check before completing the rest of the takeoff.

Worked example

Trace a known wall dimension, enter its actual length and unit, then measure a second labelled span. If both agree, continue with the garage or courtyard measurement on that page.

This is an illustrative scenario. Use your own approved scope, quantities, rates and business rules.

Check the result

Check at least two known dimensions in different parts of the drawing. Revisit calibration after replacing or cropping a page, and confirm the unit shown in the ledger.

Limits and troubleshooting

Automatic scale detection is a starting point to check, not a guarantee. A cropped excerpt is not the original A3 or A1 sheet; applying the original paper-size preset can produce incorrect quantities.

Open the complete takeoff walkthrough with volume, formula, assembly and overlay examples

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